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  1. bnentrup

    Still eating some from last fall -- not too happy with flavor

    Thanks again guys; that was my first batch last year-- I documented quite a bit of the experience -- some good/some bad but overall a learning project! For some reason, I was focused on getting them all to the 7lb live weight range and thus the extra weeks...the reason they were slower growing...
  2. bnentrup

    Still eating some from last fall -- not too happy with flavor

    PERFECT! thanks for the input; secondly, I feel strongly the flavor issue will be resolved if/when I handle smaller batches. I used coolers and feel that I did not regulate temps well enough before I froze them. --- thanks again.
  3. bnentrup

    9-eggs, only 8 chickens!

    All are 1-year old birds, and I believe they are 'pre-molt' - I was just curious if the outcome of the egg-eating causes them to produce additional eggs. And just for the record, I removed the egg-eater tonight.
  4. bnentrup

    Still eating some from last fall -- not too happy with flavor

    Well, we butchered about 25- cornish X last fall and finishing up with the last of the batch. I gotta be honest, now that the thrill of growing my own freezer meat is lost, I can admit that I was NEVER impressed with the texture of the meat. Secondly, they seem'd too frickin huge! I would say...
  5. bnentrup

    9-eggs, only 8 chickens!

    I have been consistently getting 9-eggs per day (24-hour period) from my flock of 8-chickens. One of the eggs usually gets eaten by one of the chickens though...and I am counting that as one of the 9... It has been this way for about one-month now. The only reason I can think is that they are...
  6. bnentrup

    Where and how to slaughter chickens

    I actually called the Indiana board of health about this for 2-reasons... Indiana seemingly does not fully adhere to the national law regarding rights to process a certain number of birds on your property per year (exemption from being a commercial and USDA stamped). The conclusion? He asked if...
  7. bnentrup

    giving them more room?

    Good advice and great reply-- thanks! I agree.. I did notice when I let them out the other day-- they wanted to 'fly' -- therefore I will probably make a 'taller' run too so that they can enjoy flapping a bit.
  8. bnentrup

    keeping straw in the laying box

    I did that.. and there is about 1/2" between the strip and the bottom -- enough of a gap that they 'thrust' the straw out. I may need to just build a 4-sided box?? It is frickin hilarious to watch them. As SOON as I put it in there, they go to town and straw is flying. I am wondering if they...
  9. bnentrup

    giving them more room?

    Ok, well my pullets have now reached what I consider full size-- one problem now... there are likely too many birds in their tractor. We were hoping to have been moved by now to our new farm where I could have built a larger coop. I am using a 4x10 tractor and have just about 3-square foot per...
  10. bnentrup

    keeping straw in the laying box

    Well, I have tried HARD to keep straw in the nesting boxes. The girls keep kicking it out on the ground (as they search for treats below the straw-so they think). I cannot figure out how to keep the straw in there long enough for them to leave it alone. I have not had any broken eggs yet from...
  11. bnentrup

    What's the deal with people only feeding corn????

    okra: per the 'web' http://ajol.info/index.php/wajae/article/viewFile/45677/29155 shows 15-22% protein -- therefore comparable -- I did know that turnip greens were high-- and fed them plenty this year! I tied in bundles and hung on strings in the tractors. YUM! - I am much more intrigued...
  12. bnentrup

    What's the deal with people only feeding corn????

    And - truth be know is it is in MOST of the commercial feeds we buy at the store. When buying chicken feed from the feed-mill..they use a base feed with proper nutrition and then 'dumb' it down with corn to reduce protein. Too much protein causes protein poisoning. Lesson learned is balance...
  13. bnentrup

    Chicken Butchering tools

    here is a list of VERY simple tools/inexpensive: -SCALDER: I use my turkey fryer that I bought with a pot at garage sale for $5.00 -Plucker: see picture below: about $10 or less in parts - and about 15-minutes to build using a PVC cap, and 5 black/rubber cargo straps attached to an old drill...
  14. bnentrup

    What's the deal with people only feeding corn????

    My take is that with about 9% protein ration, it will take 2x the feed to get the birds to butcher weight. So, IMO you are not saving money, but rather just spreading the money over time. The chickens 'may' get enough nutrients from the ground/bugs etc-- but more likely needing the tractor to...
  15. bnentrup

    Daily Journal: 50-Cornish X chicks from Schlecht

    Well, look at me.. I have not posted my success and finishing comments to this summer-time backyard story. It all ended August 8, 2010 -- yep.. well over 11-weeks from Start to finish. I really could have butchered them 8-9 range, but it was not convenient for us. And HONESTLY, the biggest...
  16. bnentrup

    Help !!

    I have noticed the smell under these conditions" 1.) when I let them sit too long after killing but before eviscerating (need to be ready to gut soon after killing)= more bacteria buildup/decomp faster. 2.) or... when I have punctured intestines and not washed thoroughly. In this case, you may...
  17. bnentrup

    how to pick from mixed flock for broilers?

    my thought would be that at 10-12weeks, they will probably be in the 2lb live weight range?...That constitutes a game hen size bird of about 1.25lb dressed weight. That is a great meal for 1-2 adults when adding some sides, stuffing the bird etc, and making the most of your meal! I would say to...
  18. bnentrup

    So I butcher my birds with nothing but a sharp pair of garden pruners.

    I am throwing this out there, hopefully not being attacked by anyone who sees this as a silly method. However, I like to simplify things as I am learning them (optimize my time) and in the process of butchering 20-birds last week have come to the conclusion that 1-tool is all it takes to butcher...
  19. bnentrup

    Legal issues with selling meat birds as far as making someone sick ???

    Well, Joel Salatin would say to sell your birds LIVE (as someone else eluded to prior) and then offer free butchering!!! to your clients. On a small scale, you will have a case (may not win) in court that you just sold them a live chicken. They followed up by asking you to process for them as a...
  20. bnentrup

    Cornish X vs. Freedom Rangers

    I am just about to finish my batch of 50-Schlecht cornish X. Although I am NOT AN EXPERT, I feel that my birds have had a very steady growth rate. I feel that in comparison to others here with different strains, mine have grown at much lower weights in comparison, but have not had any deaths at...
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