I'd bet my right hand pinky finger that that birds a hen.
-Please note, I could lose that pinky finger and not care. I never use it. Might even think about selling it.
I used inexpensive 1/2" CDX plywood (grade c on one side grade d on the other, for extereior sheathing). It's the sort that is used as roofing and floor underlayment. If you didn't buy appearence grade (A/B) plywood, it's 'prolly what you have. It's also basically the same thing that inexpensive...
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You've no idea!
But back on topic: Here's a link to a great piece about caponizing. The author of this website has some great information about many aspects of raising poultry. A great website to cruise.
Caponizing: Reviving a Lost Art
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Slim
EDIT: Upon re-reading that page it's...
No sedation, apparenty it's not very painfull. I'd imagine the most painfull part (for the chicken) would be removing the feathers at the incision point.
You dont even have to stitch him back up, tho I might use a butterfly bandage for my peace of mind.
McMurray's sells a caponizing kit...
I have not yet, but I plan to next spring. A lot of folks seem interested in it lately. If there is enough interest I may video record the whole thing and/or post a step by step with detailed color glossy photographs.
Anyone interested?
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Slim
Butcher now. They'll be smaller than a Cornish X but if you wait too long they'll get stringy for anything but stew/soup/dumplings etc.... If stew and dumplings is a good option, wait untill 14-16 weeks. But you'll want to stew them for a good 8 hours.
-Slim
I don't have any experience with the Delawares, but according to McMurray's Delaware page, its a "medium" heavy breed developed from Barred Rocks crossed with New Hampshires . I have experience with White and Barred Rocks so I'll go from there.
My barred Rocks aren't as big as they could be...
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I would be interested in that. Should I call Belle Feeds or do you know when that might happen?
I dunno how mean the 'roos are. My daughters (age 11 & 12) are scared of both. I have to get rid of them just because my hens just don't get a rest from the rooster's errr, ummm.. "loving"...
Hello Freebie!
Wow, small world eh?....
Poultry's fine. The only reference to poultry in the city code of ordinaces is as follows:
Sec. 10-6. Running at large; tying animal in street for purpose of grazing.
(a) No person shall permit any bovine, horse, swine, sheep, goat or poultry to run...
Free 1.5 yr old roosters. Big Barred Rock, and a Blk Australorp. (Blk Australorp has lost it's comb to frostbite).
The 'roos seem happy and healthy, but don't get along too well. The Barred Rock will chase off the Austrolorp if they get w/in 15' of each other.
I'm in SW Michigan. 'Roos are...
I have "roost pit". Never new what to call it 'til now.
It's pine shavings, thought about sand, and may still go that way.
The biggest difference is that my 1" chicken wire wire just goes straight across the pit. the birds roosts are about 2' above the pit. Some dropping do stick to wire but...
7.5 weeks might be a bit young to count on crowing to determine sex. Tho not unheard of, it would be odd for a cockerel to crow before 8 weeks, and more commonly they start at about 12 weeks. But again that is NOT a law.
But you should be able to tell by comb growth at 7 weeks.
I don't doubt...
The animal control agency in my county has an after hours drop-off. A couple of cages with some straw and a water supply. I dropped a dog off there on a Sunday afternoon once. No paperwork, I could've been from three counties away.
I'd say leash it out front for a day or two and feed and water...
Here's some excerpts from articles realating to feather sexing. The complete article can be veiwed by clicking on the link.
The Mother Earth News article is interesting, and explains how vent and down feather sexing is done.
From Sexing of Day Old Chicks
Mississsippi State University Website...
Glad to hear the 'lil one is getting a bit better. That it's made it this far is a good sign.
And that blue-kote deal made me chuckle a bit. It sounds like something I'd do. I mean it made sense. I'd done it if I had some handy. LOL, oh well live and learn.
Never used it myself but apparenty...