BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[BCMaraniac]

Reading back through a couple of pages it sounds like you guys are caponizing. I didn't realize people ever did this to pullets? I thought it was only cockerels. Are the benefits the same in a pullet? I presume she never lays eggs?

Yes, poulardizing pullets prevents the development of ovaries, so they do not lay eggs. Instead, they grow and remain extremely tender. The meat is said to be even better than the capon, and the poulard will have a plumper breast compared to the capon....or so I've read.

 

[Arielle]

FYI: Total of 4 cockerels and 63 pullets have been processed...one pullet fatality. No way of knowing...either my fault or a weak bird. Clinic will continue and finish today. Several hours of tape to edit.

RON

EDIT: three colors of dye used to distinguish who did what bird.

GReat idea on the dye--

When you edit have a pot of coffee on --it is a long process . . . . . I kept a pad of paper and pencil to write start time of sections and end time, then yes no maybe ( keep, cut, maybe). . . .that was using movie maker. Maybe the software you will use is an updated version . . .

 

[Arielle]

DOn't know if this is the right thread to ask , my aplogies ROn if it is not . . . .

I"m wondering what plant is nutrient dense early in the growing season . . Radishes are fast growers but mostly water compared to sweet potatos or wintersquash. If anyone has ideas please let me know . . .

Maybe I am over thinking this . . . maybe veg matter with high water content is just fine, and it reduces the chickens need to run to a waterer . . .

 

[BCMaraniac]

DOn't know if this is the right thread to ask , my aplogies ROn if it is not . . . .

I"m wondering what plant is nutrient dense early in the growing season . . Radishes are fast growers but mostly water compared to sweet potatos or wintersquash. If anyone has ideas please let me know . . .

Maybe I am over thinking this . . . maybe veg matter with high water content is just fine, and it reduces the chickens need to run to a waterer . . .

Beets, peas, maybe?

 

[armorfirelady]

DOn't know if this is the right thread to ask , my aplogies ROn if it is not . . . .

I"m wondering what plant is nutrient dense early in the growing season . . Radishes are fast growers but mostly water compared to sweet potatos or wintersquash. If anyone has ideas please let me know . . .

Maybe I am over thinking this . . . maybe veg matter with high water content is just fine, and it reduces the chickens need to run to a waterer . . .

I grow beet greens, kale, turnips & various herbs early in the season. They are just under cold frames till our weather is more seasonable for planting. Here its after memorial day.

All are full of good nutrients & vitamins and I store them for use during the winter. The herbs are dried for use in the future as well. I grow herbs that benefit the hens

 

[LindaB220]

FYI: Total of 4 cockerels and 63 pullets have been processed...one pullet fatality. No way of knowing...either my fault or a weak bird. Clinic will continue and finish today. Several hours of tape to edit.

RON

EDIT: three colors of dye used to distinguish who did what bird.

Wow, Ron, I'm so impressed. Excited too. What a fabulous opportunity!!!

 

[southernmomma]

DOn't know if this is the right thread to ask , my aplogies ROn if it is not . . . .

I"m wondering what plant is nutrient dense early in the growing season . . Radishes are fast growers but mostly water compared to sweet potatos or wintersquash. If anyone has ideas please let me know . . . 

Maybe I am over thinking this . . . maybe veg matter with high water content  is just fine, and it reduces the chickens need to run to a waterer . . . 

Personally I like the idea of having a group of people that you're comfortable with and then letting the conversation take little side trips And really, almost everything can be tied back into "production".

I don't have an answer for this particular question but I was wondering~ with all those trees you're taking down, do you have a wood chip pile? That would most certainly become a complex environment for insects and in turn be a foraging opportunity for your chickens.

M

 

[hellbender]

Personally I like the idea of having a group of people that you're comfortable with and then letting the conversation take little side trips

And really, almost everything can be tied back into "production".

I don't have an answer for this particular question but I was wondering~ with all those trees you're taking down, do you have a wood chip pile? That would most certainly become a complex environment for insects and in turn be a foraging opportunity for your chickens.

M

It doesn't matter to 'RON' if you discuss what you eat for breakfast or what you feed your dogs. Most of the discussions are about 'chickens', feeding options, or other related subjects. who would I be to try to make every discussion about chickens. Just do your thing and have fun.

********Very intense work today. All should be finished by 6 PM or there abouts.


RON.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Oh peas is a great idea, doh!, especially if it was for the plant rather than the pods/seeds.

Otherwise-- I"m confused about which peas/beans/cowpeas area safe or not safe for chickens to eat raw. ( Soybeans are always cooked as far as I know.)

Quote: Our weather is similar-- I bet the kale can get into the ground sooner if you were interested, and perhaps several of the others. As I recall these are all cool weather crops. Perhaps your Zone is a bit cooler than mine depending on where you are in NY.

I'm dying to know which herbs have the most material to hold over for the winter--

Quote: Oddly because the cutting is scattered over a large area there is no "pile". THe girls do scratch up the old leaves which is a turkey good thing-- the thick matting of leaves has decimated the grass that I planted many years ago under the trees. As long as the shep were penned there the leaves were hoovered , then the sheep moved to another area. Haven't done that the last few years and have now paid the price: about 10% of the grass is left.

 

[ronott1]

Oh peas is a great idea, doh!, especially if it was for the plant rather than the pods/seeds.

Otherwise-- I"m confused about which peas/beans/cowpeas area safe or not safe for chickens to eat raw. ( Soybeans are always cooked as far as I know.)

Peas and beans are the same as soy beans. They will be ok as long as they do not eat too much of a percentage of their diet as raw legumes.

You can look that up. @capayvalleychick may know the numbers though--she researched it a while back.