Recent content by Mortimer

  1. Mortimer

    Dogs attacking my chickens . . . again

    Yeah, in hindsight I probably should have grabbed something larger. It would have sucked if the animals had attacked me directly, or if I ended up having to go inside the coop (close quarters) with just a bolt-action .22LR. I grabbed the Winchester 69 without thinking, it is the gun I always...
  2. Mortimer

    Dogs attacking my chickens . . . again

    The Sheriff just left. They were completely understanding and told me I was well within my rights for what I did. In fact, he took one look at the dog laying in the run, with a mouth full of feathers, chuckled and said "You can't get any more incriminating than that!" He spent 30 mins or so...
  3. Mortimer

    Dogs attacking my chickens . . . again

    It's my understanding that is the law in Kansas as well, you're allowed to shoot pretty much anything that threatens your livestock, assuming you are outside of city limits where you wouldn't get in trouble for discharging a firearm. I decided to call 911 a few moments ago and reported it -...
  4. Mortimer

    Dogs attacking my chickens . . . again

    Hello all, hope everyone is doing well, been awhile since I posed here. I'm in my office on my computer tonight and hear a ruckus out by the coop. We have been having problems with coyotes on and off so I grab my Winchester 69 and head out the door with a flashlight. Yeah, it's only a .22LR...
  5. Mortimer

    Buncha meaties just died . . . what gives?

    Well, just got back to the house and checked on them again, all appear to be survivors! Still a few that are weary-looking but all have eyes open and are standing or sitting in the brooding boxes. Amazing how quick they came back around, I'd have written at least 12 of them off as dead 3 hours...
  6. Mortimer

    Buncha meaties just died . . . what gives?

    Update -- 3 definitely dead, 11 barely alive (eyes closed, totally limp on their sides, barely breathing) and 10 that have seen better but probably will make it (eyes open, but very cold & lethargic) We moved all the ones that had any sign of life into brooding boxes with heat lamps on them...
  7. Mortimer

    Buncha meaties just died . . . what gives?

    We bought 125 Cornish X this year from Welp . . . about 40 more than last year. Been keeping them inside the coop for the last couple weeks, they are 4 weeks old now so I'm moving them outside to the tractors. Got half of them done last night. The tractors are 12' square and 2' tall with...
  8. Mortimer

    How to build a killing cone.

    Just wanted to thank you for this great post! We have been hanging ours by the legs using heavy twine, just too messy, plus occasionally they wriggle loose. Also have had problems with them breaking their wings while they spaz out. Been looking at buying a few of these but just couldn't bring...
  9. Mortimer

    Entering in the little leagues

    Well, we did 10 meat birds last year (Cornish X from Tractor Supply) and they were SOOO delicious we decided to do some more this year. We were kinda hoping we could sell a few to family & friends as well, maybe make a few $$ to buy a few pieces of equipment and maybe cover the cost of the...
  10. Mortimer

    Feed mill recipe

    Thanks for all the suggestions -- Yes I realize 2000lbs is probably a bit much, but the mill has a surcharge for anything under a ton, plus we also have about 20 layers to feed, I can use the leftovers for them. The protein% will probably be a bit high but I figure I can thin it out with...
  11. Mortimer

    Feed mill recipe

    Good afternoon BYC'ers We're going to do a large batch of meat birds this spring, about 50 birds. I have a feed mill nearby where I can get feed by the ton for WAAAAY cheaper than 50lb bags at TSC, but I have no idea what to tell them as far as ratios, ingredients, how to mix, etc. Can...
  12. Mortimer

    Feed storage questions

    Quote: Your math is right, and coincides with some other numbers I looked up on corn weight (easy to find the weight of 1ft^2 of corn, chicken feed probably isn't too far off) 1.25 cubic feet = 1 bushel of corn = 56 pounds 56 / 1.25 = 44 lbs per cubic foot of corn 3x3x3ft box = 27 cubic feet...
  13. Mortimer

    Feed storage questions

    Hello all, been awhile since I posted on here. We bought ten Cornish X as our first crack at raising meat birds last year. They were SOOOO delicious we decided this year we're getting a bunch more -- maybe like 30-40. Will probably keep 15 or so in the freezer for ourselves and sell the rest...
  14. Mortimer

    Second butchering -- it's ALL GOOD :)

    You can read about my first butchering experience here if you like, it was NOT a great experience: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=196012 Yesterday decided to cull another roo. Well, didn't really do it on purpose, it was intended as a disciplinary action, just didn't...
  15. Mortimer

    Hurt ducks

    Yes I agree we definitely have too many drakes. I put an ad on Craigslist to get rid of three of the drakes (I figure keeping one is enough) but no takers yet. Another week or two and I'll be making meat birds out of them. I hear ducks are a PITA to pluck compared to chickens, is that true?
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