Esther butchers a chicken summer of '10

Esther arrived a few days early for the summer family reunion. This allowed for some special time and special activities with her. One of these activities was butchering some of our home raised chickens. Esther was very interested in participating in the harvest of our summer's work raising chickens for our own consumption. We really believe in 'Knowing who we eat'. It was moving to introduce Esther to a way of living that she otherwise would not have exposure to - living in Santa Cruz in an academic community. It was fulfilling for me to pass on a tradition that I learned from my parents to my grandchild. I am grateful for this kind of opportunity.Esther brings the chicken up from the henhouse for slaughter!

Esther plucks the chicken of it's feathers

Esther pulls the innards from the chicken

Esther preparing the gizzard - chicken's stomach for cleaning

She does an excellent job and is not at all squeamish. Congratulations!