Recent content by potatoesgonnapotate

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    You don't have to do them all at once

    I'm thinking of doing my birds this way as well. I have 29 of them and they're growing a bit slower than I'd like, but I was thinking of doing half this weekend and parting them out, then doing the other half the next week and leaving them whole. It's definitely less stressful to go at the pace...
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    Feather plucker

    I got my plucker from coopsnmore, and my one complaint is that I wish I'd splurged on a bigger and stronger one. Definitely go with more than what you think you need now.
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    suburban meat birds

    I live in a neighborhood with an HOA. I have a 6' fence around my yard and butcher back there every year. So far nobody has been bothered. We always have music going and some friends usually come over to help too. I suspect most people think we're just having a get together, haha. I have a...
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    Marking chicks to tell them apart

    I'd order leg bands online; many retailers have them. You could use a zip tie but you'd have to monitor their legs to ensure the ties didn't get too tight. Some farmers use paint to mark their livestock animals' backs, maybe that's an option as well until you can get your hands on some bands? At...
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    Harvesting my first flock.

    I'll agree with the others; do what you're comfortable with. If you're more comfortable you won't stress so much, which will be good for your birds. I personally bleed them out, but I wouldn't be opposed to just cutting the head clean off, I've seen it done both ways. I think your shears would...
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    Why meat birds?

    For me, it's exactly that. I want to know what my birds are eating, because that will tell me what I'll be eating. Another big part of it is that I know I'm not supporting a cruel environment for the animals. I know many commercial farmers love their chickens and take good care of them...but...
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    Mixed feelings about my first butcher

    Congratulations on your first butcher :) Each time I butcher I learn something new. I've butchered 4 times this year (and I am DONE until spring!). I've learned for myself that I prefer a fixed blade knife as I use cones. I use my late husband's KBar for it. It helps me to use the blade to scoot...
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    your neighbors birds taste best

    Hahaha! I just realized you were talking about your neighbors birds! I'm not sure how I missed that before...I'm the only one in my neighborhood with them as far as I know...so I'd prefer my neighbors wait for me to share before tasting mine!
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    Feed for best tasting meat?

    So I think the feed I was giving my Cornish crosses contributed to them being a little more gamey than the red rangers that I had out on grass sooner. It could also be the breed, but next year will be a year of experimenting with that. The barred rocks I just butchered were actually the fattiest...
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    your neighbors birds taste best

    Haha, I know my neighbors know I have chickens, but I don't really know if they're aware of what I do a few mornings a year! ;)
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    Post your FIRST EGG pics!

    Here’s my first egg from one of my 4 month olds! I don’t know which one it is, but I have buff orpingtons and New Hampshire reds in that group. I got this first one on 06/20/18, and my second one I got today, 06/21! They’re little, but I’m proud! I bet pretty soon we’ll have plenty of eggs! The...
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    Three little rescues!

    My EE turned out to be a boy, but I think the other two are girls! Skittles is now at a friend's farm, enjoying a great life with lots of chickens, geese, ducks, horses, and kitties!
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    Red Broiler

    I have heard barred rocks are good for meat, so I would personally try that. I have eaten some of my Cornish crosses and they were great, but my rangers and barred rocks are still a few months from butcher.
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    Three little rescues!

    They’re all getting bigger! I’m fairly certain they’re all girls.
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    best way to "end" a little chick

    Maybe mix some chick feed into her yogurt? Is she on plenty of bedding? It's really hard for them to balance if the ground is slick like the inside of a crate. I know what you mean by putting down her feathers to balance, my energetic Cornish crosses (yes, I know what I just typed) do that when...
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