Ditto.
The birds are fine to eat. Think of it as a petrified egg that sat in the tube too long. It can be a sign that the hen is approaching laying problems, or it can be a fluke as she's starting laying again. No need to worry at this point.
Ditto, taking a life is not easy. Mostly, I was afraid of botching it - which I did. Like most things in life, practice makes you better at it - but it's still never easy.
While it's by no means fun, they had to go. I have FAR too many and my poor hens are getting abused by so many of them trying to mate. I wasn't so sad to see the bugger that bit me go. He broke the skin and was biting my coat (and trying to bite DH) all the way up to his end. So tonight, I...
4 more cockerels made their journey to the freezer today. (well, resting in the fridge for now)
I have one from a while ago in the crock pot now as well.
My current bees are going through their 2nd winter, so I'm still pretty new to beekeeping. I had a set of bees 3 years ago, but lost them over the first winter. The following spring I put new bees in the hive and they are doing great now. I had my first honey harvest this year. There is a...
I don't think beekeeping is all that expensive. I have maybe $500 in my hive, bees and equipment. I have FAR more than that in my chickens in coops, fencing, etc.
I am looking into getting my own extractor though, so that will up my investment. I borrowed an extractor from a friend this...
I haven't bled one out after the broomstick method, but I put one bird down with this method. You will definitely know it when it's done, the pop feeling (and sound) is unmistakable. In fact, I would have swore the head came off, but it was still attached. The death throws start right after...