Broody bunch and I don't want it....

[CluckNDoodle]

@CluckNDoodle do you or do you know of anyone who wants a broody hen? OP is in GA so thought I'd ask. Good luck @Futuregreenefarm with your broodies. I always wanted one of my hens to go broody, but they never do. Even my "broody breeds" don't go broody.

They could offer in the Georgia thread. Maybe someone close to them will want it. I already have 4 broodies myself. Lol

 

[NatJ]

I wish I could give her away. I haven't been able to find anyone around my area who want mixed chickens even free... I can't rehome roosters or even hens.

If you don't want to have those particular chickens any longer, eating them might be an option.

(If you want them to have a good home but not with you, then you definitely have a difficult situation.)

 

[Futuregreenefarm]

I hope no one is offended but I have considered harvesting them to feed my family but I haven't done it before and I am afraid of wasting or not being humane. Although I do not care for the head hen who I feel the others are patterning after which is nature I know, I wouldn't want to be inhumane to her. I know this may be controversial but I want to eventually be more sustainable and harvest my own chickens. I just don't know how to start doing it. ?? I've watched videos and it doesn't give me anymore confidence. I am a chicken too haha

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Maybe try posting or reading in the meat thread. I think the first bird is the hardest. There are plenty of people on here that still see chickens as livestock.

 

[Tre3hugger]

I am afraid of wasting or not being humane.

I think this is the only prerequisite needed for harvesting an animal. Be prepared to use a slow wet cooking method like a crock pot and even the oldest bird's meat won't be a waste. Remove its head for an immediate painless death. Subtraction is an important part of chicken math. Pros of harvesting her... Rid yourself of problem hen/hens...work toward restoring harmony in the flock...make room for more desirable birds...feed the family...learn a new sustainability skill... What are the pros for keeping her again??

I have the utmost confidence you can do it. You can even skin the bird so you don't have to pluck it. I think the actual killing is the hardest part. Good thing it is also the quickest!

Let us know how it ends up. Good luck!

 

[NatJ]

I hope no one is offended but I have considered harvesting them to feed my family but I haven't done it before and I am afraid of wasting or not being humane.

There are some people on this forum who happily eat chickens they raised, and some who would never do it. The meat bird forum is a good place to look for the ones that approve of eating home-raised chicken.

About being humane: the only thing you have to get right is the killing. After that, no matter how much you do things "wrong," it cannot hurt the chicken.

For killing, I prefer to chop off the head with a hatchet or machete, on a chopping block. There is a way to hold the chicken upside down-- hold the feet and the wing tips--and they will usually be still and stick their neck out. Then I lay the neck on the chopping block and remove the head with one quick chop. (Of course, use a sharp blade, and I try to hit harder than I expect is needed, because I want to be sure the head comes all the way off with the first stroke.)

Some people use a killing cone to hold the bird still. I've read of folks using knives, or someone used those big cutters meant for tree branches: they put the bird in the cone, carefully lined up the cutters, and then cut quickly.

I read of someone who held a chicken down on the ground and shot it in the head with a pistol.

Lots of other methods exist too, but these are the one I have used and the others that I personally might be inclined to use, depending on circumstances.

 

[aart]

I've watched videos and it doesn't give me anymore confidence.

Until you do it.....you won't gain confidence.

I think the first bird is the hardest.

No doubt about it.

 

[BaaKaaawk]

I think this is just a broody year. I have 4 in my flock right now that just won't quit. I usually let them raise eggs... but I did that with the first 4 and now I have way too many chicks! So I feel for you!

 

[WallyG74]

If I get any extra males with my shipment this month I’ll have to deal with that moment too. I’ve never killed a chicken. I watched my dad do it 40 years ago. Ima say that don’t count. Fact is, if you’re considering it, you’re capable of doing it. I learned that this past winter when I had to put down our beloved dog of 15 years. Some things are way harder than others.

 

[Cindy in PA]

Broodies are such fun. I had a broody Barred Rock with my 1st flock 27 years ago & I broke her once & she was done. Never had one again until 3 years ago I had an Australorp that was broody for weeks at a time. I sold that whole flock at 2 years old to a young couple that wanted a broody hen. Last spring I got blue wyandottes & then found out they are a super broody breed. They started up last September as soon as they started laying eggs. I have at least 4 out of 9 that go broody one after the other. Finally got a small crate to fit in my coop in January. They went into jail 1 after the other & then I had 4-6 weeks of excellent egg laying & no broodies. Last week they started again & I am breaking the 3rd one as we speak. Guess I am stuck with them until I decide to change flocks. They really do lay well when they are not broody!