Arizona Chickens

[BlueBaby]

I think it's lame that places label the chicks as "pullets" but there is no gender guarantee. I bought at Shoppers Supply and there is no return if they aren't "pullets".

Some breeders will take back the males if you bought the chicks from them, especially if the breeds that you bought were either a dual purpose or meat bird. That would leave out the banties and silkie types, or other small egg layers.

 

[cactusrota]

Just fyi you can order straight from Privett in NM, which is where most places here in AZ get their chicks. Some places get there chicks from other places, but the majority get them from Privett. There's a minimum of like 24-25, but you could probably find others to go in on it with you. They are much more meticulous about direct orders. They are more sloppy about the batches they send to the feed stores. I've sifted through all the reviews on Privett and all the complaints have come from people that got their chicks third hand through feed stores. All the people that ordered directly from the hatchery gave great reviews. I ordered a batch last february and got a nice box of perfectly healthy little birds.

 

[Parront]

Withhold food overnight to clear out their intestinal tracts (makes the processing part cleaner), but make sure they have plenty of water right up until the end.
In prison you at least get a LAST MEAL..

Sorry, but I never knew about the no last meal rule in the 80's. I just did what my grandmother did, went and got the one I wanted for dinner or the freezer the day he was needed. No problem, just be careful where you cut, do not cut into the gut. Here is a photo of the "chicken Killer knife" -- my children to this day will not touch this knife, they are over 30! I got it from my brother-in-law who worked in a processing plant in Kansas. He retired with carpal tunnel he butchered so many chickens with knives like this. I got this from him because it was sharpened so many times it no longer met specs for the company he worked for, so he gave it to me. My birds did not know what was going to happen, until I hung them up in the garage.

 

[cavemanrich]

Sorry, but I never knew about the no last meal rule in the 80's. I just did what my grandmother did, went and got the one I wanted for dinner or the freezer the day he was needed. No problem, just be careful where you cut, do not cut into the gut. Here is a photo of the "chicken Killer knife" -- my children to this day will not touch this knife, they are over 30! I got it from my brother-in-law who worked in a processing plant in Kansas. He retired with carpal tunnel he butchered so many chickens with knives like this. I got this from him because it was sharpened so many times it no longer met specs for the company he worked for, so he gave it to me. My birds did not know what was going to happen, until I hung them up in the garage.

In regards to that knife and your BIL. I know someone who got a job in Minnesota doing turkeys. He was just doing the first step. Lasted 2 days. It is a position there with the highest turnover rate.

 

[Parront]

In regards to that knife and your BIL. I know someone who got a job in Minnesota doing turkeys. He was just doing the first step. Lasted 2 days. It is a position there with the highest turnover rate.

I believe it. The BIL was just barely over the IQ of the chickens -- that was the highest level job he could do. I could not do it every day! But I have done as many as 15 chickens in one day. (I think that is how many they do in one minute at a plant).

 

[SonoranChick]

Today was our first day with access to the big chicken run outside of the coop. They had fun playing in the "new" dirt, eating ants, and pecking at random weeds. Is there anything that I should know about that could be dangerous relative to our environment? Is it okay if they try to eat the dried and fallen palo verde beans/seed pods? They have been pretty well contained up until today, and although they are still protected from predators, they are not used to the great outdoors and the many edible (?) things it has to offer!

 

[FeatherPugs]

Today was our first day with access to the big chicken run outside of the coop. They had fun playing in the "new" dirt, eating ants, and pecking at random weeds. Is there anything that I should know about that could be dangerous relative to our environment? Is it okay if they try to eat the dried and fallen palo verde beans/seed pods? They have been pretty well contained up until today, and although they are still protected from predators, they are not used to the great outdoors and the many edible (?) things it has to offer!

I have never had to "teach" my littles what was good and what wasn't - they just seemed to know! That being said, maybe its me that has my head tucked deep in quick sand!! AND you say they ate ants? Wow - I want them!! None of mine eat ants - in fact I was told they didn't eat ants you had to get ducks to get rid of an ant problem LOL!! All will be fine I'm sure.

 

[SonoranChick]

Yes, I was surprised because they refused the caterpillar that I caught for them...but they love ants and crickets! Especially my Delaware. The ants were carrying green leaves so the chickens were especially intrigued, and apparently hungry lol

 

[cactusrota]

Wow! My father in law thinks that ants are probably bitter or something, because we've never seen them eat any. I keep hearing that you need Guinea fowl for that. It surprises me because I swear chickens have iron stomachs. I've had chickens that ate things I would have sworn could have killed them, like Datura, but they just don't care.

 

[MagicChicken]

I taught myself to process my own birds. I'm not going to pretend it's pleasant because it's not, but you CAN do it. For me it's a matter of knowing that I'm feeding my family the best possible food available.

I actually don't deny my birds a last meal anymore as I've found it easier to remove the crop when it's full, and yes, hydration is very important. Make sure they have water at all times. But like I said, check with the U of A. They may have a program to do it for you for a small fee.

Yes, the crop can be easier to remove when there's food in it.

Even though I withhold food they aren't really denied a last meal. They eat their dinner and go to roost as usual. Then I pick them off the roost in the middle of the night and put them in a holding pen. They generally meet their demise shortly after sunrise, so they aren't much hungrier than usual. The holding pen makes it less stressful because I don't have to chase them around trying to catch them. I use a dog kennel for a holding pen, and cover it so it's dark in there. The birds stay much calmer that way. Which makes the whole process easier on everybody.

I try to hold a space of gratitude and respect through the process. For me that is better than casually sending them off for execution. I totally get it if people can't bring themselves to do it. The first time was rough. It got easier with practice. I hope no one ever gets to the point where it is pleasant.