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Lol, could be a combination of the 3 :) glad my roo isn't the cause, although I was pretty sure he wasn't. Thanks! I wondered if it were a possibility for them to molt off-schedule, so to speak. Thanks! I'll keep an eye on her. At what age is it common for them to have their first molt...

Oh, she was hatched in feb. so molting is out I think... Those are also not great photos. I think she looks more haggard in person but she was in the shade and I'm no photographer.

I have a newbie question with photos. Don't make fun of the hatchery stock :-P My "RIR" is missing some feathers around her neck and head. I'm not home at all while they're out foraging right now due to the short days, so cannot offer any commentary on the rooster's treatment of her, but will...

Sorry, I was typing when you had your revelation :) didn't mean to repeat what you'd already realized

I told her when the cats learned to lay eggs, I would keep the chickens out of their food bowl. Hahahaha, Jeff! I feel the same way! And while my barn cats are pretty good mousers, I think my chickens would even show them up on that skill ;) And familycomp3, you can feed them the turkey...

*syd is FINE not find :)

That's why we like you, Al. Nothing cutesy tootsy about your advice! And the part I put in bold is probably my all-time favorite advice for newbie chicken keepers. I remember your first post in this thread (I'm pretty sure it was the first. Where Bee asked all the OT's to list their top...

LOL, a potluck processing party with my posse! (Maybe we can start our own thread with that name to share the fun with Mountain Mama and all the others that live too far away.) This just keeps getting better & better! I can easily arrange for hot dogs to go with that sauce. After roasting a...

Wow Bee, HUGE difference! I can see what you mean now - you like to grow them slow regardless, but the genetics of the stock itself determines how much meat you get in the end. Thanks for the photo examples:)

Believe it or not, my friends at work know just how "into" chickens I am. They're egg customers and are interested in my meatie project as well, but know I'm new to it and a little concerned about the processing. Their excitement was genuine, believe it or not. I'll tell them you're the gut...

I'll check those videos out, Bee. I haven't been up to The Road for awhile - it's a second job just keeping up with this thread, and it's my favorite thanks to the input of Walt, Fred and Al too. I feel like I'm hanging out on grandma's porch again, listening to stories. Bree's right, no...

Yes on the FF, I've been using it on my layers and I really like the results I've seen, if only in the decline of the feed bill. Killing cones sound great! I don't have any dedicated butchering tables, but there are a few picnic tables outside that could easily be covered for work areas, so...

If I like? Oh Bee, I would be honored!! I'm only 2 miles off route 50, so it's not difficult to find. I'll let you know, and I'll buy your fuel and put you up for the night if you'd like. What month would be best - if there is a best - for butchering? I guess logic tells me that July heat...

Confession: I am a nerd. A book worm nerd, as a matter of fact I'm even a card carrying (not really) founder of a local book club that we lovingly refer to as "The Book Snobs" bc we are so particular about our book choices. We meet on Tuesdays - tonight - to discuss our current book. My...

What do you think about feed cost comparisons? My PH seem to be more feed thrifty and far better foragers than some of my larger DP birds. I know that following your culling calendar & requirements, I would be eating the less thrifty birds come March, and I may well be. I'm just wondering...

Ha! My husband isn't blonde, or dumb. The other word applies at times, but only when I don't get what I want And have to do some foot stomping and pouting. THEN I get what I want ;) Except a goat... Still haven't managed to get him to give in on that one. Have bees comin in the spring though...

Funny I just posted that I didn't trust google and here you are telling me he's my friend ;) Thanks, Fred. That's pretty much what I expected, I just wanted to see if my logic was working correctly. I have 3 birds that are commercial layers. Everyone else is hatchery DP. Looking forward to...

Adding to Lisa's list: how soon do you know to cull a DP chick/pullet/cockerel? Ie what age is too soon? The rooster idea from Bee was a great one. I want to know what a hen's back is supposed to look like? Angles and all that talk do nothing for me, I need to see a good back versus a flat...

So these egg laying sprinters... Not long-lived. Am I just going to find mine belly up under the roost a year from now or so? Or do they simply stop laying but could turn into a pet that would survive another few years? I've never seen that really specified, it's always about the 2 years of...

Ditto that! Just informed the DH (he knows it's about chickens when I'm sitting here and suddenly say "did you know..."). He humors me. Anyways, after reading Bee's posts with pics of her raggedy bird where she mentions that she has always been the roo's favorite, that hit me like a ton if...