sheep "processing"

Posted by Cassandra on May 5, 2011 at 4:43pm
i have been invited to partake in a gathering in tuba city with close friends and their family.  i have repeatedly expressed interest to them in being taught how to "process" sheep.  it will be my duty to initially kill the sheep.  i am looking for someone to teach me the best way to slice a sheep's throat.  yes, we will be eating it.  the head is saved and is eaten so we won't be shooting it.  i will be directed and taught how to do it but i am just trying to gather as much information as i can prior to slicing it's throat. 

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Tags: butchering, processing, sheep, slaughter
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Replies

  • Rachel May 6, 2011 at 10:19am

    I would like to restate the obvious here, that this takes a very sharp tool, a little muscle and no hesitation. I commend you for taking this step and having that connection with your food. Is this a lamb or an adult?

    Also, I saw that book at Stock Shop two weeks ago if your libraries don't have it.

    • Cassandra > Rachel May 12, 2011 at 11:36am

      Yes, I will be sharpening my knives up until I arrive.  I think it will be an adult but I am not sure. 

    • Bethany Lobocki > Rachel May 6, 2011 at 11:34am

      Yeah, the libraries don't have it.  I had to order mine from Amazon.

       

       

  • Cassandra May 6, 2011 at 9:51am
    Thank you very much. I will look for the book at my public library and school library.
  • Bethany Lobocki May 5, 2011 at 5:34pm
    In the book, Basic Butchering of Livestock and Game by John J. Mettler Jr., DVM, instructions are given to use a sawbuck to lay the animal on if you aren't going to use a firearm to kill or stun the animal.  You strap it down and essentially put the lamb face up in a guillotine, you would basically need to behead the lamb if you want it to be as humanely done as possible.  Then use a sharp knife and cut the neck from ear to ear...you want to hit both jugular and the carotid as well as go through the windpipe and esophagus.  Twist the head and with the knife, disjoint it from the body where the backbone meets the skull.  Dr. Mettler specifically says that this method sounds and looks crude...but without shooting the animal it is the only way to bring sudden death (read: more humane) and allow the heart to keep pumping all the blood out.
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