Arizona Chickens

[DesertChic]

I believe Greenfire Farms was the first to import them. They enjoy a legal status in France similar to Champaigne as to be "true" Bresse they MUST be raised in the Bresse region of France in the legally prescribed fashion. So here in the US you cannot call them French, they are called American Bresse.

The thing with Bresse is, it's not just the breed, but the way they're raised. The French are VERY particular about how these birds are fed and raised before processing. They grow a particular kind of pasture to feed the birds on for a specific length of time and allow each pasture area to rest for at least three months before turning another flock loose on it. After pasturing they then move the birds off pasture and into a pen to feed them specific feeds for a period of time before processing....I think it's corn and cranberries soaked in buttermilk, but I can't remember for certain. When they sell raw or serve cooked Bresse, the legs and feet are left attached to prove via the coloring that they are, in fact, Bresse. It's not just the breed. It's what they put into the breed that makes it special.

 

[BlueBaby]

I haven’t had an opportunity to butcher a chicken yet... I was secretly hoping for a rooster or two so that I could, but we ended up 13 for 13 hens.

That said, my advice (and this is from quartering up deer and elk) is to use a small knife if you end up doing the butchering yourself. And sharp! A 2-inch blade is what I use for most of my skinning and quartering. It’s much easier to control. A smaller animal like a chicken will make that even more important.

Either way Bobby, let’s see some pics of the roosters!

I'm sure that Bobby would let you have his roo's to practice on.

 

[Salty Skroob]

Unfortunately I’m not in the market for a drive to Tucson.

 

[BlueBaby]

I'm sure that Bobby would let you have his roo's to practice on.

I got a spare one too, but mine are big.

 

[cactusrota]

That's because they know that I bring the dinner, and they never have to pay. Seriously though, I have noticed that the roos' normally sneak up on the hen's while they are busy trying to eat, and not paying attention to them.

That's only when they're young, overly hormonal, teenage, punks. Adult roosters 9-10 months + have learned the art and finese of courting their hens properly... ;-)

 

[BlueBaby]

That's only when they're young, overly hormonal, teenage, punks. Adult roosters 9-10 months + have learned the art and finese of courting their hens properly... ;-)

Well, it won't be long until I have some blue eggs over here in the nesting box.

 

[Bobby Basham]

Unfortunately I’m not in the market for a drive to Tucson.

Hey, I'll meet you at least half way, if not more. These birds might weigh close to 5 pounds. They are bigger than the cornish hens you find in the grocery stores.

 

[BlueBaby]

Cranking up the incubator getting it ready to add some more hatching eggs to it.

 

[Bobby Basham]

Unfortunately I’m not in the market for a drive to Tucson.

Wow, you're really nestled in that community.

 

[Bobby Basham]

Unfortunately I’m not in the market for a drive to Tucson.

Should I just start loading up these unwanted roos around the area in my tiny truck and just start heading Northbound? You may end up with quite a variety.

ETA: I'm retired now and have nothing but time. My biggest commitment is finishing the coop. My other obligations are Thursday night choir rehearsals and playing for Sunday morning services. My weapon of choice...