I'm wayyy behind on reading this thread. Multi responses below...
That included rounding up four delawares and catching the one that escaped out of the coop.
The thing that takes the most time is plucking the feathers. Many hands makes a light load. Get helpers for the plucking part.
I used to do this stuff when I was growing up and my hands still remember how to pluck. Ask Kim if you don't believe me..
Ron
Ron can pluck a chicken amazingly fast! Where did you find that chicken catching smiley?! Too funny! The rest of the story involved having to use my dogs to catch the escapee. My husband's GSD wouldn't do it, so I brought out my two English Shepherds (my farm hands), who got him cornered quick.
Jersey, that is a brazen bobcat to be lurking around in the open during the day. The first photo looks like a beach on the edge. Do you live on the coast? Maybe I'm seeing things.
Chiquita, are your bobcats attacking your chickens? I don't advocate killing wildlife for no reason but If they are killing your birds, you might consider SSS.
Meg, I'm sorry about your chicks and totally understand your not being able to kill them. I have never been able to kill anything yet either. I feel exactly like what Cali chick described.
Welcome to the thread, Waterfowl209!
Amy, I'm still not confident butchering chickens. It was much better this last time, having Ron explain things in English. I'm still freaked out about pulling the innards out without breaking the gall bladder. I'd like to dissect a chicken just to get more familiar with the anatomy.
lawatt, you have such pretty girls. I love cuckoo pattern birds.
mendocino... is your name Pat? I CRS!
Didn't they need the head to do a thorough necropsy? I had no idea worms could result in respiratory issues.
Maddy, that is such an adorable photo! You have great enthusiasm and I want you to do well at showing if that is what you want to do. I read some of your posts about your chickens and I'm afraid that they may be dq'd at the show. Blue Wyandottes should have rich yellow legs. Maybe you should keep these birds as pets, instead of show birds. If you want to show,I have three suggestions to help you get a good start. First, find a mentor who knows their stuff. You will get lots of advice on BYC but not all of it will help. There are APA judges and old timers on here that can and will help- if you seriously want to succeed and are willing to listen. My second suggestion is to find quality birds to show. You won't find chickens good enough for showing at a feed store. Be cautious of breeders selling show quality birds, because not all are ethical. Know everything about the breed you want to buy before you buy them. That's where you need your mentor to help you find a good source for birds. Third, do your research on what is the best breed for you. Get a copy of the SOP and familiarize yourself with everything in it, so that you can recognize both good and bad traits in birds.
I hope you won't be discouraged. I've had chickens for a few years now but am just learning how to do a better job of breeding. I put 2 birds in a show last year that definitely weren't to Standard. Fortunately the judge was kind and has been a wonderful source of information and inspiration since then. So, I'm no expert but wish you well.
Kim
