BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[KittieChick]

I would be okay with that if they were pullets/hens that were laying. In this case it was a cockerel that wasn't good enough for me to even consider keeping him for breeding, let alone send him off to someone else to duplicate his runtiness.

I agree. Around here, the folks turn them into pets.

 

[bramblefir]

The Washington Post published this article fairly recently about "vegetarian-fed" chickens. I think they did a pretty good job on the article. It makes me feel lucky that I keep my own farm flock and don't have to worry about all of that mess.

 

[dfr1973]

The Washington Post published this article fairly recently about "vegetarian-fed" chickens. I think they did a pretty good job on the article. It makes me feel lucky that I keep my own farm flock and don't have to worry about all of that mess.

No joke! It boggles the mind that people believe chickens are vegetarians ... wow.

A couple other funnies: on another board, I mentioned my caponizing project. After about a week since posting on the first one, someone asked if I've eaten one yet. The soonest any slips will show will likely be July. Second funny: yesterday, my father-in-law asked if we are going to have enough freezer space for all these capon success. I remarked that we won't need freezer space, because they can roam around the yard until they look good enough to eat.

For those curious, out of 11 cockerels, I have 7 capons, 2 maybe-slips, one likely-slip, and one still cockerel who was not about to hold still for a second try. He'll probably be dinner next week.

 

[DesertChic]

No joke! It boggles the mind that people believe chickens are vegetarians ... wow.

A couple other funnies: on another board, I mentioned my caponizing project. After about a week since posting on the first one, someone asked if I've eaten one yet. The soonest any slips will show will likely be July. Second funny: yesterday, my father-in-law asked if we are going to have enough freezer space for all these capon success. I remarked that we won't need freezer space, because they can roam around the yard until they look good enough to eat.

For those curious, out of 11 cockerels, I have 7 capons, 2 maybe-slips, one likely-slip, and one still cockerel who was not about to hold still for a second try. He'll probably be dinner next week.

Is the caponizing process difficult to perform? I just ordered the equipment (and book) so that I can start doing this....assuming I actually muster up the courage. Instead of culling my cockerels early on when they start picking at the pullets I'd love to caponize my non-breeders instead and let them grow out into nice, plump birds.

 

[dfr1973]

Is the caponizing process difficult to perform? I just ordered the equipment (and book) so that I can start doing this....assuming I actually muster up the courage. Instead of culling my cockerels early on when they start picking at the pullets I'd love to caponize my non-breeders instead and let them grow out into nice, plump birds.

I found the initial learning curve to be steep, but once things "clicked" for me, it got easier. There is a very informative monster caponizing thread in the meat bird section, and it is well worth the time to read it all.

 

[neopolitancrazy]

I like to send my runties away to live with someone else if they're healthy in all other aspects.

if they are noticeably smaller than their same-age siblngs and cousins, they are NOT healthy. "No disease perceptible to the human hobbyist" is not the same as "no disease."

Best wishes,
Angela

 

[gjensen]

Good job on the Capons. What age did you caponize them?

The move to an all vegetarian feed was ridiculous, and seams to be based on misinformed ideologies. It is funny really, what people will come to believe in. I guess we believe what we hear.
On the other hand, it is not cruel to the birds to feed them an all vegetarian diet if the mix is good. Flockraiser is an all vegetable feed, and it is good feed. I closely monitor the condition and vigor of my birds, and saw absolutely no ill effect. Hatchability is a good marker, and my averages remained the same and very good.
The truth here, is in the middle.

Concerning the article, it is unrealistic to expect the 100 birds per acre to get much protein from insects etc. 100 birds per acre will quickly deplete the land of any quantity of insects. 30,000 birds on 300 acres is a lot of birds per acre.

 

[gjensen]

Most runts that dramatically different is due to one of the dwarfing genes, and some of those are associated with other genetic health problems. Not all.

My view is that if the bird is not fit for me to keep, then it is not fit for anyone to keep.

 

[dfr1973]

Good job on the Capons. What age did you caponize them?

Pretty late, due to shtuff going on and weather and assorted silliness. They are 15 weeks old today, and I did the first one less than two weeks ago. Luanne gifted me with seven cockerels (5 & 7 weeks old) of various breeds: some Americaunas (one may be a pullet though), a Marans, a Welsummer, and a couple New Hampshires. My neighbor thinks one of the NHs is a pullet, but I'm not so sure. These are specifically for "practicing capon skills," which is so cool of Luanne. I will do my best to caponize these in the 8-12 week old range - small enough to not be even starting to think about kazoo crowing, but still big enough so I am not afraid of "breaking" them. I discovered the red broilers are too jumpy and nervous to caponize, so those will just be slaughtered. I am not fond of sinking the scalpel blade in my fingertip because a bird kicks hard enough to bounce on the table.

 

[gjensen]

Pretty late, due to shtuff going on and weather and assorted silliness. They are 15 weeks old today, and I did the first one less than two weeks ago. Luanne gifted me with seven cockerels (5 & 7 weeks old) of various breeds: some Americaunas (one may be a pullet though), a Marans, a Welsummer, and a couple New Hampshires. My neighbor thinks one of the NHs is a pullet, but I'm not so sure. These are specifically for "practicing capon skills," which is so cool of Luanne. I will do my best to caponize these in the 8-12 week old range - small enough to not be even starting to think about kazoo crowing, but still big enough so I am not afraid of "breaking" them. I discovered the red broilers are too jumpy and nervous to caponize, so those will just be slaughtered. I am not fond of sinking the scalpel blade in my fingertip because a bird kicks hard enough to bounce on the table.

You are fortunate to have Luanne near you. I think a lot of her.

I keep thinking about caponizing a few of my Catalanas. They still Caponize them in Spain. They are kind of Spain's La Bresse. I should market them accordingly, and then they might be popular. LOL.
Still, I would enjoy seeing how they did. And eating them of course.