California - Northern

[chrissyr]

On guineas, i always wanted some because they were supposed to be great for eating bugs. Last year one just showed up. None of the neighbors have them, not sure where he came from. Perhaps someone dropped him off.
It was nice, for about half a day. The darn things was so loud all of the time. He would go between our house and 2 other neighbors for a couple of weeks.
Then he was gone. I guess the neighbors didn't like him being so loud either. I asked where the guinea was and was told he was taken to the poultry auction because they couldn't stand the noise.

 

[ronott1]

Do you all brine your fryer age cockerels? I prepared my first one last night and it was really flavorful. It's texture was good and yeah firmer than a store bought but the skin was like rubber. I ended up braising it at 350 for about 40 min but wondered if brining would help the overall texture.

Sometimes the skin does that and is a Breed characteristic.

It depends on the age--If I am going to roast an old one, I will brine it. Moisture cooked birds do not really benefit from Brining.

 

[EZFarms]

I just mentioned guinea because my dad used to havr them in arkansas. he had chickems with guineas and they were fine. his chased after foxes and bobcts and stuff.

My guineas must be defective, lol, they don't keep anything away, but I sure do know when something is there with all the noise they make!

-Kathy

Guineas can be aggressive and have been known to kill chickens.

-Kathy

 

[tommysgirl]

Sometimes the skin does that and is a Breed characteristic.

It depends on the age--If I am going to roast an old one, I will brine it. Moisture cooked birds do not really benefit from Brining.

so if I am putting it in the crock pot or braising it there isn't much point right??. Thanks.

Huh it will be interesting to see the the Wys end up having tough skin.

I learned something about gizzards yesterday...I always wondered how the ones that came out of store bought birds held grit. Couldn't see anyplace where all that grinding could take place. On Saturday when I processed I noticed they were shaped like hockey pucks and I kept them because I use them in making dirty rice. In the emotions of the day I didn't think about the difference in appearance between the fresh gizzards and the ones I have come to know and love but yesterday Viola, Eureka and all that...I discovered that the natural hocky puck shaped gizzard is full of grit and stuff that I should have cleaned out on SATURDAY!!! Oh well live and learn. Now I know to clean the gizzard when I clean the bird.

 

[CackleJoy]

Nice to see there are so many people in N. California. Does anyone here have recommendations for breeds here? The only chickens I've have experience with are Leghorns and Jersey Giants that are my friends. I know I want another Leghorn I lost my hen at my friends she was the most love able chicken. But I'd like to know what chicken breeds are the most happy here in California. I'm also a tiny bit interested in showing so a good show breed/egg layer breed would be loved.

Welcome to the friendliest chicken enabling group I know

Are you sure that you REALLY want recommendations? We all have a few favorites and you didn't mention a quantity

 

[Audio51]

Another pip!!!! This one is the blue egg....

 

[ronott1]

Another pip!!!! This one is the blue egg....

I hope to see pictures soon!

 

[chickee]

Another pip!!!! This one is the blue egg....

Go chickies! What blue egg layers are you hatching from?

 

[Audio51]

Quote:
Will post as soon as one is out.... I wish my bator was good for showing the hatch on the webcam. I might try to set it up anyway....

 

[Audio51]

Quote:
These eggs are from a friend down by Butte College. She has some EE. No idea what colors, but I think her only Roo is a BC Marans.