I'm still debating on whether or not to process my layers after their peak egg production years are over. I feel like after two years I would be quite attached to each individual hen and they would be more like pets than livestock, but on the other hand, the idea of processing the flock out...
Several years ago we moved away from the urban grind sort of lifestyle and took up "Homesteading" on a little spot of ground that we call "Arcadian Orchard"... building our own little version of Eden where we garden, raise poultry and pigs and cook up big piles of food. The more food we can grow...
Although I know the pullets/hens are used for eggs, let's say too many have hatched out and you want to cull them for meat. At what age would be appropriate for a good sized DP bird?
Next spring I plan on not fighting broody hens. So I will have some little chicks running around being extra bodies that I won't want overwintering.
I have read that meat birds are often slaughtered at 8 weeks. I have "why not" chick that hatched this year about 7 weeks now. It just seems...
I ordered 15 assorted heavy female chicks from Cackle Hatchery on 6/12 and I am looking to identify breeds. I can take more pictures later if it is too early to tell, but there are 6 of the White with gray and light yellow, 3 of the light yellow/white, and 9 of the brown mottled ones. The...