BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[Beer can]

Please tell @hellbender.....

 

[hellbender]

As of this morning, I have whittled my breeds of birds to use in my caponization program to two, with a willingness to retain some of the offspring as breeding stock. I will of course keep the two lines of pure birds intact.

@Beer can .. Think la viende de chevel.

We are selling the last of our small beef operation to our friend and neighbor because he is willing to pay more than the mid-western stocker-feeders were this year. A few years ago, I introduced Beefmaster genetics to the herd and it was very successful. The buyer refused to take two steers this year because of white spots the size of a child's hand on their briskets and since they refused them, I voided the sale. We will retain ownership of one marked steer this year for fall butchering and we will be out of the beef business by the end of the month.

Over the last two years, Jason and I have amassed a herd of nine gelded POA/ Draft type ponies. NO mares nor stallions. They are easy keepers and will live forever with minimal care...worming, roaching, minor trimming of hooves, etc. They will be the second to last resort (that being the dogs) so there is great prospect for these 8 to 900 hundred pound ponies will out live us all but they will be here...just in case.

I have eaten horse (and dog). I do like horse meat but not crazy about dog....reminds me too much of bear meat, which I have never enjoyed.

I tried the dog meat many years ago in Vietnam under duress and I think it must have been rather old because it was especially greasy and just plain nasty...but as I intimated..I was in a position where I had to eat it or cause hard feelings.

There you have it.

RON

 

[JRNash]

We do must what we must.

 

[hellbender]

We do must what we must.

Just doing what's expedient right now. If we ever tet back into cattle (very unlikely) we will start with and go all the way with Beefmaster stock.

As for the chickens...what I do has nothing to do with what the other folks are doing. They are standing by the four-breed approach and I'll support them any way I can.

 

[DesertChic]

@hellbender Please refresh my memory...do you keep your caponized males, once healed, housed separately from the rest of the flock or intermingled with them? I'm still trying to figure out the best way to house all of my birds.

 

[hellbender]

@hellbender Please refresh my memory...do you keep your caponized males, once healed, housed separately from the rest of the flock or intermingled with them? I'm still trying to figure out the best way to house all of my birds.

They intermingle with the laying flock or they could stay with cocks.....Given their choice...I suspect they would vote for the hens...since they're just one of the gals now!!!

When we had an egg production program, we let hens and cocks roam together as well as the capons. There was no problems since the capons had no interest in the hens other than being 'gal-pals' and the cocks didn't see them as a threat and generally paid them no attention.

Given a choice...go with the girls!

 

[dfr1973]

@hellbender Please refresh my memory...do you keep your caponized males, once healed, housed separately from the rest of the flock or intermingled with them? I'm still trying to figure out the best way to house all of my birds.

I know you aren't asking me, but I have had to keep my batch of capons either separate, or with younger chicks, due to others the same age picking on them in the tractors. If they had more room to escape, it ought to be okay, but if you aren't ranging them or have enough room you might want to prepare just in case they need to be apart for their safety.

 

[hellbender]

I know you aren't asking me, but I have had to keep my batch of capons either separate, or with younger chicks, due to others the same age picking on them in the tractors. If they had more room to escape, it ought to be okay, but if you aren't ranging them or have enough room you might want to prepare just in case they need to be apart for their safety.

Absolutely concur. If you have ANY birds, regardless of gender or lack thereof, crammed into tight quarters, any of several problems can arise...from feather picking to cannibalism.

 

[JRNash]

I'm Gonna try the same approach,4 breeds. When they get older I might see if the like fish.

 

[DesertChic]

They intermingle with the laying flock or they could stay with cocks.....Given their choice...I suspect they would vote for the hens...since they're just one of the gals now!!!

When we had an egg production program, we let hens and cocks roam together as well as the capons. There was no problems since the capons had no interest in the hens other than being 'gal-pals' and the cocks didn't see them as a threat and generally paid them no attention.

Given a choice...go with the girls!

I know you aren't asking me, but I have had to keep my batch of capons either separate, or with younger chicks, due to others the same age picking on them in the tractors. If they had more room to escape, it ought to be okay, but if you aren't ranging them or have enough room you might want to prepare just in case they need to be apart for their safety.

Thank you BOTH for the feedback! Extra information is always appreciated.