Against the odds hatching thread (with pictures and questions)

[aart]

Is the runoff from both roofs going into the neighbors yard?

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

What birds were they...a batch of CX ...or....?

No, that batch was dual purpose breeds.
I don't remember exactly what the first one we ate was. Probably Black Australorp or New Hampshire.

 

[K0k0shka]

Is the runoff from both roofs going into the neighbors yard?

No. The roof drips into the space between the run and the privacy fence, and flows back towards our lawn because their yard has been raised and is higher than ours. They did try to claim runoff issues, but the torrential rains of this week have clearly demonstrated the path water takes by dragging the mulch around the run down towards our lawn, away from the neighbors. I made a video showing the slope going from their yard towards ours and the trenches the water has dug, carrying material away from the run and into the center of our yard where the lowest point is, and I sent the video to the town.

But... That’s all you have to say?

 

[K0k0shka]

It's gorgeous!! I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm jealous of your chickens! You did an awesome job!

Aww thank you! They do live a good life in there.

 

[aart]

But... That’s all you have to say?

Sorry, I always spot the possible problems first...
...and am more scattered that usual this morning.
I think it looks great!
Haven't had time to get thru your article yet.

 

[K0k0shka]

I’m very happy with the yard waste bedding in the run (dry leaves from last fall, grass clippings, twigs, weeds and various raked stuff from the yard). The chickens LOVE scratching through it, and mix it around quite well. There’s no smell and you barely see the poops, they tend to disappear among the litter. I throw scratch out there every once in a while, and the chicks rake everything. I like the natural look, too (that’s a running theme in my run )

 

[K0k0shka]

They’re too big to fit on the top roost now, and it’s always the same two who end up on the lower roost - the two SL Orpingtons. I’m not sure what the logic is. They’re neither the lowest ranking nor the last to come in. I’m glad though, because the male is the most heat sensitive of them all, panting at anything above 75, so he can really use some personal space at night. And he has his sister to keep him company.

They’ll have more room soon though, because I saw another male try to make crowing sounds. The one who hatched with a navel issue. My husband named him Little Butt because of that. I washed Little Butt’s little but in the sink when it got pasty as a baby... And now his butt is getting roasted. Life is so cruel. At least he had a very happy 2 months.

How long would you recommend I rest his butt before cooking? My husband will be cooking this one. He wants to sous vide him.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

We rest ours 2-5 days. 5 days would be a fresh Thanksgiving turkey

 

[K0k0shka]

We rest ours 2-5 days. 5 days would be a fresh Thanksgiving turkey

So a young 2-month-old chicken would be more like 2 days?

 

[aart]

So a young 2-month-old chicken would be more like 2 days?

If that.
Hard to say for sure.
Would be great if you were going to slaughter two and could cook one right away and rest the other for a couple days then cook the same way.
Then you'd have a valid comparison for the carcass resting theory experiment.