10/22/2026
Roosters: There Are Only So Many You Can Keep! From Our Homestead to Our Pantry!
This year we hatched out our own eggs and raised the chicks, including quite a few roosters.
I wasn't expecting to see an all-black roo, but looking at the breeds we have, it actually makes sense.
As much as we enjoy raising them, there are only so many roosters you can keep. So, some of our boys eventually become part of our family's food supply.
One of the things we value most about homesteading is knowing exactly where our food comes from. We hatch them, raise them, care for them, and make sure they have a good life every step of the way.
And then comes the next step — preserving what we've raised!
A Little Work Today = Easy Meals Tomorrow.
We've been busy processing our home-raised chickens and pressure canning the meat for future meals.
I absolutely LOVE our digital pressure canner! It makes the process so much easier. Follow the prompts, let the machine do its thing, and another batch is ready for the pantry!
Here's a little look at our process:
~ Wash our jars in warm, soapy water and prepare clean bands and new lids.
~ Cut up and pack our chicken into the jars.
~ Wipe the jar rims clean with vinegar to remove any grease, then put on the lids and tighten the bands fingertip tight.
~ Add the required water to the canner, load the jars, and follow the digital prompts.
~ Our quart jars of boneless chicken have a 90-minute processing time, using the appropriate pressure-canning procedure, followed by cooling.
And just like that, another batch of home-raised chicken is ready for future meals.
We absolutely love having it on hand for:
~ Hearty stews
~ Homemade soups
~ Chicken fajitas and tacos
~ Chicken pot pies
~ Quick lunches and last-minute dinners
No thawing, no starting from scratch. Just grab a jar from the pantry and dinner is already halfway done!
It's one of our favourite ways to reduce waste, preserve what we raise, and make busy days a little easier.
From hatching eggs to filling pantry shelves, it's all part of our homesteading journey.
