Recent content by HumbleAmerican

Raise pigs for slaughter (free feed, all they want) and the chickens are pretty safe. Pigs ignore them. I think they’re lazy enough to want nothing to do with chasing down a snack. Kids fair pigs were being held back a bit for weight slot reasons and being fed morning and night. They each...

I’m not sure what the cross would be. I’m positive the roo will fertilize the buff though. I’ve morphed into a straight RIR flock now. Two of my RIR hens are proven broody.

I see what you did there…..

Thank you much for the pointers.

Still pretty centered though. Damn. I’m going to have to look at more shots.

Explains also why I like this picture better, but the chick wasn’t cooperative

Thanks! Never though about slight shift in perspective

Update. She hatched 6 1 dud. 1 pip but dead.

Lock them in for a day or two to force them to roost there. Block off old coop access.

It’s per pound of chickens per hour. Not total weight, but say a 3 pound average stays in brine for about 3 hours. 5-6 chickens at 3 pounds average is same time. I don’t use salt either and don’t find it too salty for my tastes. If anything you could reduce soak time to 45 minutes per pound...

I smoke my 3 year old culls with this brine. They turn out very good. https://www.thespruceeats.com/poultry-brine-recipe-333865

Toss a foot long piece of 2x4 in for them to get off the wire. The broody breaker routine I’ve followed is found in search (wire cage). I turn her loose every evening and if she goes to the nest, she earns another 24 hours. Never had one go the 5th day. Few make it to the 4th. Typically 2-3...

As for the barred girl…. She’s mid pack. None of my chickens are cranky though. I have LOTS of room.

This is the root of my problem. I cycle through chickens. They get 2-3 years in the flock then are culled (we eat, sell or give away) I typically keep 1-2 broody girls regardless of age. I seem to add 1-2 new broody birds each year. My preference is RIR and will be 100% of flock after this...