That's why I prefer decapitation as a culling method.True true, I have a few teenagers right now and it sounds like your strangling them
With a SHARP! knife. Not merely Sharp, or was once sharp, or worst of all, sort of sHarP, but actually SHARP!
That's how we process our meat birds, with a VERY sharp knife. Straight through the jugular and spinal cord. That way I know they died instantly.That's why I prefer decapitation as a culling method.
Also, I recommend (but receive no renumeration) Victorinox "Fibrox" knives for culling and butchering. No slip grip, easy to bleach when done, cheap.
I don't "like" many people - its not how I'm wired - but you are giving all the right answers. I'm wondering, with you near 1k comments, how we haven't bumped into one another's threads before.
I don't know
I'm usually asking for help on sexing birds. Lol. Maybe we were raised the same way, I don't like many people either. Extreme introvert over here.
As long as youāre honest with yourself and you know health issues arenāt the result of mistakes on your part then Iād cull every single bird that isnāt and doesnāt remain 100% at all times in all sorts of extreme weather conditions. Thereās only one way to breed strong healthy animals. Babying and nursing them back to health constantly is why thereās page after page of sick chickens on here.This may not be a popular subject so if you want to argue please move elsewhereWe are trying to homestead and be more self sufficient and I am realizing that that doesn't leave room for sickly/weak chickens. If we want good, strong, healthy stock then we really need to cull any birds that don't live up to that standard.
I have 2 roosters that have been chronically ill. We've had alot of nasty weather and a bout with respiratory issues. All my birds have recovered nicely with the exception of these 2 roosters. We have consulted professionals and done several rounds of antibiotics and these 2 just haven't recovered. They are healthy otherwise, running around, crowing etc. I have double and triple checked my husbandry and I am doing my part. Clean coops, good quality feed, etc. They just have chronically nasty eyes and sound congested.
They are quarantined from the rest of the flock and have been for several weeks. My question is, am I a monster for deciding to cull weak birds? Or is that just a natural part of the process of creating good healthy stock. I really don't want weak genes passed down to my chicks.
Homesteading doesnt really leave room to babysit sick ones. I treat as well as possible and everyone gets a fair chance. Thanks in advance and no hate please.
Don't forget smoking! Smoking birds is bad for them. TASTY. But bad for them...
I spend NO time on the sexing birds section, that does explain it.I don't know
I agree! If you keep weak chickens your going to have sick chickens. I am coming to terms with that now and realizing that it's the smartest thing to do and not heartless but quite the opposite.
Mystery solved!
I suspect that there are people here raising feathered livestock and others raising pets.
