Recent content by FenwayFieldFarm

I had a similar issue this past spring. A fox had dug under the pens and took 12+ chickens one night. The remaining chickens were freaked out the next morning and, during a cold rain, stayed out in the open section of the pen and got soaked - real soaked. I put two heat lamps (well secured) in...

After processing, I let my meat birds "rest" in the refrigerator for 24-30 hours. Then, I put them in the freezer till needed. In the past, I've cooked a chicken a couple hours after processing and it was a lot tougher than a "rested" chicken.

Hello - I'm raising bronze broad breasted turkeys for Thanksgiving and trying to work out my processing/delivery schedule. How long can a freshly processed turkey safely stay in the refrigerator before either cooking or freezing it? Additional info: the turkeys will be 20-30# dressed weight...

I just finished processing 80 Cornish Cross. From 0 to 3 weeks, had them on starter crumble. From 3+ to 8 weeks, had them on Southern States All Grain Meat Bird Maker (20% protein). Never had them on a finish and they still tasted delicious. Average weight for the 80 birds (after processing) was...

Yes. I buy all my feed from a local Southern States. Started the meat birds out with a starter crumble (see pic) and then, after 3 weeks, moved them to meat bird crumble (see pic). Worked out great. At 8 weeks, I had some nice size birds. Except for a hungry fox one night, no health related...

I just processed my first mixed run of Cornish X (80 birds purchased from Meyer Hatchery) and had an average dressed weight of 4.9#'s (even had a 1/2 dozen birds over 6#'s) For the first three weeks, I gave them unlimited chick starter crumble (18%) from Southern States. Then, for the next 5...

Last weekend, we processed our own meat birds for the first time. Starting at 7:45AM, 3 adults and 2 teenagers finished processing 79 birds at 3:00pm. Barrel plucker was well worth the investment. Having folks help with the processing also makes things easier.

Hello Kabouter - I really like your hoop house design and need to consider it when I build another pasture pen. Right now, I have two 10x12 portable pens that are low to the ground (see pic). Getting in/out to feed, water the chickens can get tiring. I also bought the 30 Solar Powered...

UPDATE: I've hot-wired one of my pasture pens. Seems to be working well (knock on wood) as the fox has visited a couple times during the night and just stared at the wire, then ran off. The hot-wired pen and solar charger are easy to move then my other pen that is fortified with pallets, wire...

I've used Meyer Hatchery out of Dover, OH. Bought 100 for $1.68/ea and they sent me 105. Good luck.

I've ordered the following from Premier 1 Supply (very helpful service dept). I'll install this weekend. Premier 1 Supply recommended two wires around the base of the pen - I'm figuring 6" and 10". I'm hopeful my deer camera will catch the fox's nose hitting the wire for the first time.:D I'll...

Thank you. This is my first time with meat birds, so lesson learned.

Yes, until processing at 8 weeks

Last week, I set out my two pasture pens with 46 meat birds in each. On night #2, a fox dug a few holes and got 12+. It was a mess! I've boarded up the sides and extended 1/2" wire cloth around the open areas and installed pallets and concrete block around the enclosed areas (see pictures). So...

Hello! Back in August, we moved to a 10-acre farm in northern Virginia. The farm has a well-built, 4-stall, center aisle horse barn (w/no plans to board horses). Question: would one of the stalls make a good place to raise/house 6-12 turkeys? Each stall is 12’ x 12’, stone dust floor, and door...