Butcher a bird killed by a raccoon?

[Earnest the Gray]

I posted this in "Predators and Pests" but need answers quick so...

A raccoon just got into my sister's backyard coop and killed one of her egg hens. We chased the raccoon off but the bird quickly died. She was not very mangled, a small amount of blood on the head is the only sign of injury. Now we are wondering if we can eat the bird. I hung it by its feet in our shed. It's 55 degrees tonight. I have never butchered a chicken. Does it have to be bled right away? And eviscerated? Any advice is appreciated.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/eating-a-chicken-killed-by-a-raccoon.1536533/

 

[lacychappell4]

I personally wouldn't because of diseases the raccoon could be carrying . If you didn't process it either the intestines bacteria will ruin any meat beyond human consumption.

 

[3KillerBs]

Raccoons are known to carry disease. I wouldn't risk it.

 

[Battlepants]

I probably wouldn't for risk of disease. However, this may be a good excuse to plant a fruit tree and bury the body under it. Any disease present would be harmless to the tree and the body would do wonders for fueling the tree growth. Just be sure to surround the area with paver stones to stop scavengers from digging it up.

 

[McChooky]

I posted this in "Predators and Pests" but need answers quick so...

A raccoon just got into my sister's backyard coop and killed one of her egg hens. We chased the raccoon off but the bird quickly died. She was not very mangled, a small amount of blood on the head is the only sign of injury. Now we are wondering if we can eat the bird. I hung it by its feet in our shed. It's 55 degrees tonight. I have never butchered a chicken. Does it have to be bled right away? And eviscerated? Any advice is appreciated.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/eating-a-chicken-killed-by-a-raccoon.1536533/

I will post a link for you to read at your convenience .It will tell you what diseases they can spread to people and how serious these diseases are.Dispose of the dead chicken in a safe manner(bury) and clean everything(including yourself)to avoid contamination.

https://collin-county.aaacwildliferemoval.com/blog/raccoon/raccoon-diseases-transmitted-to-humans/

 

[Folly's place]

It's important to assume that saliva from that raccoon, on the bird, carries nasty diseases. Best to wear disposable gloves when handling carcasses, or washing wounds especially caused by bats, skunks, raccoons, and foxes, all who can carry rabies. Best to have the varmit killed so it can be tested!
Mary

 

[Molpet]

I have taken legs or breast meat that has no wounds. I skin so I can make sure there's no bites. I figure pressure cooking will kill most bacteria

 

[BarnyardChaos]

You posted at 2:34 am, so if you hadn't got the bird skinned, gutted, cleaned and iced by 6:00 am, it's probably too late - even at 55-degrees. Don't mess around with the risk of botulism or salmonella, or any other bacteria or diseases the raccoon might have been carrying.

 

[McChooky]

You posted at 2:34 am, so if you hadn't got the bird skinned, gutted, cleaned and iced by 6:00 am, it's probably too late - even at 55-degrees. Don't mess around with the risk of botulism or salmonella, or any other bacteria or diseases the raccoon might have been carrying.

The risk of getting food poisoning or salmonella is minor compared to what coons carry

 

[McChooky]

Sooner or later that coon will come to a tragic end and the circle of life will continue.