If you've never done this, you have no idea what you are in for. First, the slaughter is a messy process. Best done outside, although your neighbors might not appreciate it, because blood is going to go everywhere. You will need an ax (that's what my mother used) and a block of wood. Dispatch the bird. After it's done moving and bleeding, you'll need a large vat of boiling water. Dip the bird in the water. This helps loosen up the feathers to make them easier for you to pull them out. Pull them all out. At this point is when my mother had us remove the intestines. After they are removed, you have to burn off the remaining pin feathers. She used alcohol lit on fire to do this. Sure, there's always the exciting chance that you will light yourself on fire in this process, or your house. But, hey, the chicken is gonna be fresh. Once the pin feathers are all removed, you can clean the chicken, slice it into pieces or cook it whole. This entire process can all proceed relatively quickly. I will warn you that the smells are horrific, especially when you dip that bird in boiling water. You are gonna love it. And, have an all new appreciation for the chicken you buy in the store I'm guessing you'll do it exactly once.
