Question: we recently processed some 24 week old cornish x (yes, they lived that long) and the white meat was tender, dark meat was tough as rubber. Before you jump to the 'birds were too old' conclusion, please know that we processed from the same batch at 9-10 weeks and had the same problem...
I have seven more Cornish x to go. We processed four two weeks ago at 17 weeks and they were small little things. Not the big bird you expect. I've fed them 22% protein feed (I can't get any higher where I live) and kitchen scraps thier whole lives. They have access to food 24/7. What's the...
I just cleaned my hens 4 nest boxes and two eggs have been laid in them so far. I just went up to let them out and they destroyed the boxes! All of the straw is everywhere but the boxes!why did they do this??
I started with 16, down to 13 over the course of a month-give a week or two. My issue now is that the chicks are losing thier feathers-going bald!! The feathers they do have are ratty and nasty looking. I keep thier brooder clean and dry. They've got plenty water and food. What could be going...
I thought I read barred rocks were docile, nice and good around children. Is this not true? Was I just mesmerized by thier good looks and ordered anyway thinking I'd get lucky? I have 3 week old chicks and they are mean little buggers. They are supposed to be girls and I'm hoping they are, but...
I am in Hawaii and pay $25 for a 50lb bag of medicated chick starter and the same for broiler starter. It's $35 for a 50lb bag of organic layer feed. Curious to know what you all are paying. How much and where do you live? Mahalo!
I recently planted some dill and learned the hard way that chickens love it. They ate every last bit. Nothing left behind. What can I plant that they WONT eat? I've got a lot of fertile land and lots of sunshine. I want to get planting!
Needing to build a coop for my 15 meaties arriving in a few weeks. Don't want to get too fancy, but want to protect. Mongoose are the biggest threat here-will they really take out a large chicken? Babies are a guarantee but bigger ones?
It rains everyday where I live. Having issues with a feeder that is protected, yet Available for my girls. Anyone have any suggestions? Pictures would help me a lot, too. Here's my coop:
It was a success! I went up around sunset and opened the door for them..took them a few minutes to adjust. Once they felt comfortable they ventured further and further. I had no idea they ate elephant grass (someone please tell me if this isn't ok for them) and enjoyed sitting back with my two...
Is it cheaper to raise meat birds as opposed to buying meat from a store? With the way my three day old chick is eating I can't imagine so. Anyone broken it down I show true cost of raising meaties?
Looking to plant some things for my girls...out of the ordinary plants for me. We've got papaya, mango, avocado, pineapple, liliko'i--stuff like that already going. What do some of you grow strictly for your girls? Is there such a thing?
I have a coop with my girls that will be strictly for egg production. Should I keep my meat birds separate? I'm new at the meat bird concept so any help would be appreciated.
Or you can say aloha, but I prefer welina mai :) new to the chicken world (tamed ones anyway, we have so many wild ones it's not even funny...) and have been lurking on this site for a while. Husband finally built my dream coop so I'm slowly building our moa (chicken) 'ohana. So excited!!!