California - Northern

[ronott1]

They have a minimum order?
Manteca doesn't but I think they're close to $5 a bird on processing

It may have changed, but it used to be a minimum charge that equaled a min. order to get the lowest price.

 

[debs_flock]

Quote: I usually do three at a sitting (it's all my back can take). Each bird is killed, bled, scalded, plucked, then put in a sink of cool water. After all three are to that point and go back to the first and eviscerate in order. Up to that point takes me about an hour at most. I then spend the next hour picking them over for every single pin feather because I am OCD. I then cut them into parts, wrap and freeze. Start to finish for the three is usually two hours, the only thing I don't do myself if the actual kill. I get DH to do that, just because I can.

Quote: I agree, when the meat bees find me, I'm done for the day. They usually are on to me sometime during the plucking and I hate trying to make sure I don't get a handful of bee.

 

[Chickengirl1304]

Thank you, everyone! I appreciate all of the condolences. I learned a lot and am just going to put oyster shell free to them everywhere lol!

 

[OR4-hmom]

The few non-hatchery birds I have really want the oyster shell. I rarely need to add to the bowls in with the hatchery layers. My failure to thrive dutch bantam is the exception, she picks at the shells, she may be looking for smaller pieces or just playing with them.

 

[DoubleMM]

I usually do three at a sitting..... ( Start to finish for the three is usually two hours,....

How much time from set-up thru clean-up would you say it takes you for three chickens?

 

[casportpony]

 

She is a "meat bird" so she wasn;t going to be around long.  If she recovers, she will need to re-gain some weight.  Would it be safe to eat her when she has recovered if it is Marek's?

It may just be a busted leg. (if you don't see any other symptoms)  I had 2 meaties that were much smaller than the rest and both had a bum leg that would stick straight out behind them.  They never did regain the weight, so I processed them.

I don't think she it is the leg.  She can't stand period...and the toes are all curled up.  She isn't a Cornish X, but a "Home bred" meat bird from eggs I bought.  Rock/Cornis/ Wyandotte crox.  SHe is not  heavy bird....probably not really going to be ready for another several weeks.    SHe did drink pretty well this morning, but only a few bites of eggs

Look up curly toe paralysis, I think that's the B2 one.

-Kathy

 

[chiqita]

 

[Audio51]

Quote: I am pretty slow. It ended up taking me about 2 hours. I got them killed, scalded and 2 of them fully plucked outside. I was almost done plucking #3 whenr the meat bees started showing up so I had to make a quick exodus into the house to finish up.

Quote: I did not have any rigor issues either. They start to get a bit stiff, but they are still workable.

Quote: No problem. I think we had 2 similar lines of discussion going and it would be very easy to do. You did have the age right!

Quote: I usually do three at a sitting (it's all my back can take). Each bird is killed, bled, scalded, plucked, then put in a sink of cool water. After all three are to that point and go back to the first and eviscerate in order. Up to that point takes me about an hour at most. I then spend the next hour picking them over for every single pin feather because I am OCD. I then cut them into parts, wrap and freeze. Start to finish for the three is usually two hours, the only thing I don't do myself if the actual kill. I get DH to do that, just because I can.

That's about all mine can take too. I am OCD about the pin feathers too and that is what takes me so long. I have to do the kill too. DH informed me he would NOT be doing that when I got the first CX chicks. I wasn't sure I could do it, but now I have done 18 chickens and 9 quail. It doesn't bother me anymore.

Quote: My 2 hours included the set-up and clean-up

Quote: I don't think she it is the leg. She can't stand period...and the toes are all curled up. She isn't a Cornish X, but a "Home bred" meat bird from eggs I bought. Rock/Cornis/ Wyandotte crox. SHe is not heavy bird....probably not really going to be ready for another several weeks. SHe did drink pretty well this morning, but only a few bites of eggs

Look up curly toe paralysis, I think that's the B2 one.

-Kathy
She does seem to be able to move the legs and feet some....just can't get them under her or balance. I had her out to feed/water her and she was able to get the feet flat on the floor with me supporting her and also able to grip my finger. She is drinking well, but not much interested in eating. I may have to tube feed her.

Great poster! Thanks for posting it. Ron...were you able to find the file about when it is safe to eat chickens?

 

[TheKeeper]

Peek-a-boo!

I'm a UofA Blue roo!

Here's one of my sister hatchlings...


and here's all 3 colors together (splash cockerel - blue pullet - black pullet)

 

[ronott1]

Peek-a-boo!

I'm a UofA Blue roo!

Here's one of my sister hatchlings...


and here's all 3 colors together (splash cockerel - blue pullet - black pullet)

Nice!