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  1. Subsistence Farmer

    Beginning to homestead

    Welcome, we're into permaculture. I respect those that raise ducks, but, having raised both I have to recommend you stick with chickens and add some ducks later after you have the chicken thing down. You were wondering about a breed? I started with barred rocks and am now trying Delawares...
  2. Subsistence Farmer

    Retired in Alabama

    Thanks wicked chicken, didn't know this video existed. Very helpful. Ron
  3. Subsistence Farmer

    What kind of scratch do you use for your chickens?

    I found a game bird food that's 19 pct protein. Expensive, but I don't feel that I'm diluting their layer feed so much. Corn is down the ingredients list instead of first. The birds love, especially the roosters.
  4. Subsistence Farmer

    After the slaughter and before it's cooked ...

    Heritage birds need to cook to a higher temp. To melt all the collagen they have too. We cook to at least 170 and even better at 180. Much better to cook too high than too low. Try to find chicken recipes from at least the 1940s to1950s when the meat birds were Delawares and barred rocks...
  5. Subsistence Farmer

    What to do with insides?

    Most published things I've read say 60% of live weight dressed. My birds follow that rule pretty close if neck is included. I harvest heart, gizzard and livers. Heart, necks, gizzards go into stock as do skinned feet (we jokingly measure stock by the foot). My reward on slaughter day is fried...
  6. Subsistence Farmer

    Culling Dual Purpose for Meat

    Since we raise 4 batches a year we only need to save layers from one of those batches to rotate breeders. We cull cockerels at 16 weeks leaving one just in case we need a new rooster. If no job opens he's taken at 6 months for cock au Vin (a house specialty). Small hens are taken at 14 to 16...
  7. Subsistence Farmer

    Finishing Feed for Heritage Meat Birds

    Can you give us a link? When I search i either find my own thread or nothing relavent. Sure I'm not doing it right. Thanks!
  8. Subsistence Farmer

    Chickens Like Beer

    I've actually noticed this too, have to walk 100 feet round trip out of the fenced in area with my legs crossed. Thought I was the only one to know.
  9. Subsistence Farmer

    Finishing Feed for Heritage Meat Birds

    We raise Barred Rocks and Delawares for the table. Lately I've seen some references to giving a finishing Feed for a period of time prior to slaughter. I read most of the posts regarding French Bresse and was wondering if anybody has tried the milk and corn on other breeds or have another diet...
  10. Subsistence Farmer

    You know you're a backyard chicken owner when...

    When you invite a friend over for dinner followed with "and I'll kill a chicken for y'all.". I never expected the look on their face. Ron
  11. Subsistence Farmer

    Chickens Like Beer

    Often give chickens a little beer on an inverted food can. They lap at it then go sleep under the big live oak. One rooster long ago didn't approve and used to knock the can over with his chest and scold the girls with a dance. Guess there's one in every flick, so to speak.
  12. Subsistence Farmer

    Retired in Alabama

    Wifey does the composting and has actually changed the soil type in her main garden over a few years according to the annual soil analysis. Chicken manure really heats up a compost pile.
  13. Subsistence Farmer

    ALABAMA!!

    We are on the way PC for sure, we have a son in Huntsville and are always looking for an excuse to use his guest room.
  14. Subsistence Farmer

    Retired in Alabama

    W I built a twin digester system for coop refuse and garden waste. We also have a pair of piles in the same area. Here's a pic of the digesters just after being built a free years ago.
  15. Subsistence Farmer

    Retired in Alabama

    You might want to also Find Your State Thread and pop in and say hello. Thanks, have visited and found it may be a great resource. Ron
  16. Subsistence Farmer

    Retired in Alabama

    They are Delawares from Stromberg's and have been laying about a month. I've maintained a line of Barred Rocks for 8 years now and have just hatched my first Delaware chicks from these birds. The Delawares have proven to be excellent foragers and smart, friendly, inquisitive birds. Good layers...
  17. Subsistence Farmer

    ALABAMA!!

    New member from Alabama raising Barred Rocks and Delawares in cottonwood/Dothan area. Breed mostly for my table but will sell a few hens or rooster to help someone out.
  18. Subsistence Farmer

    Retired in Alabama

    Thank you everybody for the warm welcome. This has to be the most congenial site on the internet, but then aren't all chicken people. I have plenty of questions but am still exploring the site so I don't post inappropriately. I would like to post a few pics of my chicken pens and garden for...
  19. Subsistence Farmer

    Outdoor Storage for Food etc.

    Metal trash cans on bricks, cheap and long lasting. As for the ants, I live in fire ant country and they get everywhere but I've found a cure. Dust the contents with a light coat of diatomaceous earth. Harmless if not beneficial to the chickens and like razor wire to hard insect exoskeletons...
  20. Subsistence Farmer

    How to Move Chickens to New Coop

    Agree with those recommending keeping them locked up In the new co-op and run for at least a week or ten days. Do not allow entrance into the old coop after letting them out and they will adjust to the new house. If they can get back into the old house, some or all may return. I hate keeping...
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