Anyone ever slaughtered a cow at home? *pictures in reply*

[GBov]

Probably there's something simple I'm just missing here, but... how exactly are you going to get a big ol' dead steer up and INTO your van?


Pat

ROFLOL!!!

Am HOPING that my husband will help me lift it in. If not I have a gambrel (hope I spelt that right) and will try to winch it in the back of the van. And if not, perhaps if I try the "I'm just a weak woman, would you pleeeeeeese help me lift this big ol' steer into my van?" - Flutter flutter goes the eye lashes - The farmer will help me.

And as I havnt got a plan C am really crossing my fingers on plan A

Beekissed, you made my hubby laugh out loud with your slaughter in the title remark! And what a GREAT idea about the hammer adn engine based help! As I will be slicing and dicing at teh side of the house the car can get in there just fine so I can tie onto the hitch..............

Hmmmmm hitch in plan, the engine hoist is on wheels. Can just see half nakid steer flying along behind speeding car

 

[GBov]

Oh, and I think a section on processing cows would be GREAT!

 

[elevan]

Gee....I don't know....do ya think the word "slaughter" might be enough?

No actually I don't. Because the post poses a question...it doesn't ask for pictures or state that there will be pictures in the post.

It doesn't bother me (per se) but there are plenty out there even on this forum that may be bothered by the pics. Just saying.

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

Title noted, although I would think at this forum it would not be needed.

Thanks for the question, having done deer I'm in the same thought process. I can go get a steer easy enough, but I would trailer it home live. I have large dogs and nothing will be waste, The gut pile is welcome here! I have even considered buying a cull cow to put strictly in the dog's freezer. Yes they have their own freezer in the barn.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

I have even considered buying a cull cow to put strictly in the dog's freezer.

yep we are considering this too..but we've got plenty of leavings from the pigs.

am also gonna keep my eyes open for dairy bull calves... feed them out on goats milk in the spring, finish on grass and voila!

 

[elevan]

To the OP - thank you for posting the topic. It's always good to get new ideas on easier ways to do this necessary task.

 

[patandchickens]

Three hundred pounds of dead steer is going to be real exciting to try ot get into the back of a van. They droop, they flop, they hang up on things, and you have to lift *up* to get in there. They are much harder to handle than (say) a box or a bundle of lumber of the same weight.

All's I'm saying is make sure you've thought this through reeeealllll thoroughly and in a reality-checked way, BEFORE you go shooting that steer. I am not sure that even asking the farmer for help would be sufficient in this case, and an engine hoist only helps up to a point.

Most people would find someone to trailer it home for them live and then kill and process it at home... needn't be very expensive, though it depends on circumstances of course.

Pat

 

[Beekissed]

Two vehicles, plywood, tarp and a sturdy tow rope will get that cow in the van. If you must kill and gut on the farm, just open the back of the van, run your rope through and out one of the front doors, use the plywood as a ramp, tarp as a slick skid surface and to protect your carpeting. Tie around the neck, pull with the other vehicle~slowly~make sure your plywood stays where it needs to be and just drag 'er into your van.

Getting it OUT is the next problem..... Legs get hung up. You could always sawzaw those off at the farm, I guess. No legs, no problems.

 

[DuckLady]

Folks, this thread has been cleaned up.

Remember
1) if this subject doesn't float your boat (or cow) don't open it and don't post.

2) Remember that the report button is your friend. Let the Staff do the moderating. Don't stir the pot.

 

[GBov]

Two vehicles, plywood, tarp and a sturdy tow rope will get that cow in the van. If you must kill and gut on the farm, just open the back of the van, run your rope through and out one of the front doors, use the plywood as a ramp, tarp as a slick skid surface and to protect your carpeting. Tie around the neck, pull with the other vehicle~slowly~make sure your plywood stays where it needs to be and just drag 'er into your van.

Getting it OUT is the next problem..... Legs get hung up. You could always sawzaw those off at the farm, I guess. No legs, no problems.

Thats a REALLY good idea!

Failing all else I will be trying it that way.

Thanks for a plan C