12/04/2025
I processed one of my home-raised roosters last night, and even though this isn’t the first chicken I’ve ever processed at home, it is the first one I’ve done completely on my own and put straight into the crockpot afterward. I’m honestly amazed by how different a naturally raised bird is compared to anything store-bought. His meat was a deep, vibrant red and his bones were bright white and incredibly strong — a sign of a slow-grown, healthy, active life.
I cooked him low and slow overnight with veggies, and he turned out beautifully tender. This batch is mostly for my dogs as part of their whole-prey nutrition, though I definitely enjoyed a bit myself. 😄
One thing I love about whole-prey feeding is how nutrient-dense it is. My dogs get the full range of what nature intended — muscle meat, connective tissue, organs, and eventually a rich bone broth once I simmer the bones down. I try to use as much of the animal as possible, and only discard the truly inedible parts. It feels good to feed my dogs something real, balanced, and unprocessed.
This rooster was extra special because I raised him from a one-day-old chick right in my bedroom to keep him safe. A friend hatched him from her own flock as a gift, and he grew up on good food, sunshine, and plenty of love. Being able to give my dogs nourishment from an animal who lived well — and to honor that life by using it fully — is something deeply meaningful to me.
