Arizona Chickens

[pdx2phx]

I have a blue copper Olive Egger that is as load as any roo. Her egg song is outrageous.

Ours are really loud too....this time of year the "egg drama" is a little ridiculous. Several yelling for a couple of HOURS b/c someone else is already in their favorite box, the one in the box yelling at the interlopers ogling her nesting box, ones who are laying elsewhere "singing" (ie YELLING their egg songs) ...repeat 18-20 times per day...

DH had had to grab some of the worst offenders and bring them inside to try and break up the 'singing' ...lol. Last time one of them snuck off an laid an egg in his closet next to his shoes. Now she purposely tries to sneak back into the house to lay....he should have known better...

 

[countrygirl74]

 

[countrygirl74]

Well, today we culled our first roos. We had to kill 5 of them. It was tough, but we did it and I feel a sense of accomplishment for that. I now have 5 bags of meat in my fridge.
I definitely would recommend having someone experienced with you for the first time. We tried to do the first one and didn't realize how much pressure you really need to make sure you get a good cut on the jugular and so that was a little traumatic, especially because it was on the one rooster we had raised from a little yellow baby chick. It doesn't feel very good when you don't get it right and you have to keep cutting and try to get it so you can put the poor thing out of its misery. Once we realized how to get it right, with help from an experienced person there with us, the other 4 went more smoothly - not necessarily easier to do, but death was quick instead of traumatic. I did cry a couple times and my husband had to walk away a couple times before the next kill as it was starting to get to him. I have to give him the credit. I only helped kill one and after that all I did was the plucking and help dress. The positive thing about it is they had a wonderfully, spoiled life and now they are feeding us. It was the right thing to do as we had more roosters than hens. Now, although I still feel the sadness of the day, I feel a sense of relief that we are done and they are gone.
For those of you that cull regularly, does it get easier or is it always difficult? I'm not really looking forward to doing it again but it's all still fresh in my mind right now... it does give you a whole new appreciation for your food.
I love that it's snowing so beautifully now and making everything pretty - a nice end to the difficult day.

 

[flower]

Well, today we culled our first roos. We had to kill 5 of them. It was tough, but we did it and I feel a sense of accomplishment for that. I now have 5 bags of meat in my fridge.
I definitely would recommend having someone experienced with you for the first time. We tried to do the first one and didn't realize how much pressure you really need to make sure you get a good cut on the jugular and so that was a little traumatic, especially because it was on the one rooster we had raised from a little yellow baby chick. It doesn't feel very good when you don't get it right and you have to keep cutting and try to get it so you can put the poor thing out of its misery. Once we realized how to get it right, with help from an experienced person there with us, the other 4 went more smoothly - not necessarily easier to do, but death was quick instead of traumatic. I did cry a couple times and my husband had to walk away a couple times before the next kill as it was starting to get to him. I have to give him the credit. I only helped kill one and after that all I did was the plucking and help dress. The positive thing about it is they had a wonderfully, spoiled life and now they are feeding us. It was the right thing to do as we had more roosters than hens. Now, although I still feel the sadness of the day, I feel a sense of relief that we are done and they are gone.
For those of you that cull regularly, does it get easier or is it always difficult? I'm not really looking forward to doing it again but it's all still fresh in my mind right now... it does give you a whole new appreciation for your food.
I love that it's snowing so beautifully now and making everything pretty - a nice end to the difficult day.

Nice post and yes it does get a little more easy. Just repeat your mantra, "They had a very good life and are completing the circle of life and thank them for being food for you and your family."

 

[flower]

Well I am getting ready for the big relocation starting this week but of course have left some ( a lot of work to be finished) But the first run is scheduled for thursday and guess what LKD is going to help me move my beautiful flock of grumpy big old girls who lay dark brown, light brown, tan, green and blue eggs. My two bossy white Ameraucanas are being visited by a hugh brassy back Marans/Silkie mix. I'll miss him as he belongs to my chicken partner/keeper/friend.

 

[maryhysong]

For those of you that cull regularly, does it get easier or is it always difficult? I'm not really looking forward to doing it again but it's all still fresh in my mind right now... it does give you a whole new appreciation for your food.
I love that it's snowing so beautifully now and making everything pretty - a nice end to the difficult day.

It gets a little easier. It is never easy or pleasurable to take a life, especially of an animal you have raised from babyhood. I always take a deep breath and ask a blessing and thank them just before the knife cut. Even with practice there will still be a time now and then when you misjudge your cut and those still make me feel bad. Making sure your knife is super sharp before each one is a help.

 

[flower]

But lookie what I got to complicate my life even more:













One month old MAMA and PAPA LEGBAR ( originally from Phage) I wish I had bought more and older ones but with my relocation the entire process is just crazy.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

I have a small backyard with close nieghbors. Can hens get loud? If so are there any tips to minimize it? Thanks

I have had chickens a few months, I am surprised at how quite they are. I think when they are happy they are quite. They make wonderful happy sounds. Those with more experience will have to confirm my thought. On the other hand I have not heard their egg song. For me I will see about noise when they start laying.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

But lookie what I got to complicate my life even more: One month old MAMA and PAPA LEGBAR ( originally from Phage) I wish I had bought more and older ones but with my relocation the entire process is just crazy.

They are wonderful.

 

[flower]

I have had chickens a few months, I am surprised at how quite they are. I think when they are happy they are quite. They make wonderful happy sounds. Those with more experience will have to confirm my thought. On the other hand I have not heard their egg song. For me I will see about noise when they start laying.

Some breeds make more noise that others. My Welsummer is very vocal and hens are quite noisy when they start their laying cycle.