Raising chickens. Advice, comments, do's and don'ts wanted.

[peter lena 8,125]

 @Pullstart https://www.flyshack.com/DisplayItem.aspx?ItemID=116992&src=froogle&msclkid=c6959ea0f07b192e5555fa858e2b95af  just a lead into bird feathers , literally have large bags with  with pounds of  feathers . pete

[Ed Kennell 36,022]

So much for plucking birds......now you gotta learn to cape out a rooster.      Probably easier than plucking.  Due to shot under the skin,  I skin all my wild birds , turkey, grouse, and pheasants.    I hang them by the head and work it down.   That could be a problem with a headless rooster?

[Pullstart 60,069]

Bone in skinless 

[953 nut 52,133]

When I had chickens that is what we did, skin them, gut them, quarter them, put them in the freezer and once frozen mist them with water to prevent them from becoming dry, back in the freezer. once they have a layer of ice they can be bagged and will be good for a long time.

[WHX?? 47,008]

35 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

When I had chickens that is what we did, skin them, gut them, quarter them, put them in the freezer and once frozen mist them with water to prevent them from becoming dry, back in the freezer. once they have a layer of ice they can be bagged and will be good for a long time.

I suppose they didn't have shrink wrappers back in the 1880s Richard...

Just a suggestion here Kev when they get ready and cleaned just half them and preserve in whatever ... shrink wrap and in the freezer. 

Pullstart a few when the mood hits and on the smoker.

Nothing like a whole half chicken done proper... just sayin. A side of potatoes or greens and Granny Clampett would rule. 

 

[Pullstart 60,069]

Lots of good info in this video!

 

 

[Mark siebenaler 41]

I have buff orphington they are very good layers and very friendly birds!

[ebinmaine 63,439]

1 minute ago, Mark siebenaler said:

I have buff orphington they are very good layers and very friendly birds!

Excellent!

 

Ours are still doing great. 

A bit cold yet so we're getting some eggs but not max capacity.  

 

 

[Pullstart 60,069]

I never slept much last night, but the chicks survived just fine!  It was 48 last night.  They’re getting the hang of coop life!

 

 

 

[Pullstart 60,069]

The chicks are adapting well to coop life!

 

 

[Ed Kennell 36,022]

Kevin, did you have any thunder with the rain storms? 

  That was the biggest problem I had when I moved them to the outside chicken house as they would stampede to one corner and suffocate if I wasn't there to help.

But I was moving around 200 every 3 weeks.

 

 

[Pullstart 60,069]

I’d have given up on this green one if it’wer me popping it out “my vent”!

 

 Sorry @SylvanLakeWH   Just kidding I’m not!  

 

 

[SylvanLakeWH 24,261]

[WHX?? 47,008]

Hey Kev did you say yours quit laying? We were getting eggs from Punkin farmer's dau but her's quit laying. What's up with that?

Worse is Cinnndddaayy is on the keto wagon again and was fryin them like no tomorrow. 

[Pullstart 60,069]

30 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Hey Kev did you say yours quit laying? We were getting eggs from Punkin farmer's dau but her's quit laying. What's up with that?

Worse is Cinnndddaayy is on the keto wagon again and was fryin them like no tomorrow. 

They slowed down for sure.  Maybe more than we expected, or we’re used to.  Believe it or not, we have been boiling kidney beans and bulk macaroni for the past month or so, and have started getting (lots of) eggs again.  Of course, they get any and all kitchen scraps or restaurant leftovers we can get our hands on as well.  We only have one of last year’s chicks left, the rest are from 2018 that are qualified to lay eggs.  We currently have about 3 or 4 dozen in stock, and are getting 4-10 per day from 12 birds.

[WHX?? 47,008]

I'll pass that feed info along.  She got rid of her guinea hens that were pestering the chickens. So that may help. She works at quik trip and was bringing home scrap what they would let her. 

[Ed Kennell 36,022]

They sold 4 big roosters at the auction on Wed.    I bid a buck each, then another guy bid $2. 

 I didn't rebid, thinking we would each get a couple for $4.   The bugger took all 4 and wouldn't sell one to me.     

[Rp.wh 1,074]

Kev your chickens are doing pretty good on the 4 to 10 a day we have 4 roosters and 17 hens at the moment my wife put some seasoning in the feed to help with laying I can get them from her in the morning sense she is passed out at the moment I know one is red pepper flakes we are getting 9 to 12 a day with 3 packs ready to go right now but with Easter coming I have a feeling we will be out between dying eggs and having Easter breakfast with the wife’s family. Also have 50 meat chicks about 3 weeks in already first batch of 3 or 4 this year 

Edited April 8, 2023 by Rp.wh

[Pullstart 60,069]

@Ed Kennell at one point you mentioned round corners for high volume chickens.  How are these?

 

We should have the chicks tomorrow or Wednesday!

Edited April 10, 2023 by Pullstart

[Ed Kennell 36,022]

1 hour ago, Pullstart said:

How are these?

I never tried it Kevin, but it should help if you ever do have a thunder storm stampede.

[Pullstart 60,069]

4 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

I never tried it Kevin, but it should help if you ever do have a thunder storm stampede.

I thought you mentioned it.  Looking back, possibly @bc.gold?  
 

There’s a whole bunch of cheeps on the way to the mitten state!

[Pullstart 60,069]

We counted 131.  We have one with a broken foot.  I have low expectations for that one.

 

 

[SylvanLakeWH 24,261]

I don't know Kev... just saw this on your trail cam...

 

may wanna treat broke foot boy nice...

 

 

 

Edited April 11, 2023 by SylvanLakeWH

[Pullstart 60,069]

 

[Pullstart 60,069]

They’re doing quite well in their first week of life.  We went through the whole batch and washed some butts of poop build up last night.