California - Northern

[Disco Hen]

Here's the babies! I got 5 out of 6, but lost 2.

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sorry about the ones that got lost though Did you see the pictures of mine yet?

 

[zooweemama]

Weird chick behavior- new to chicks.

One of my 2 week old chicks kept laying down and kicking around in the (fresh thick bedding that I had just put down actually) bedding. (pine) The others would come peck off the bedding from her while she was laying down. They were nice about it though. Then she would lay on her side and flap her wings...she just kept doing it. I thought she was dying or something. It reminded me of a dog that just got a bath? Then she would just lay there like a crash landing. Then do some more laying down leg moves...She was scritching around with both legs- sometimes a wing. I finally opened the door to check on her. As soon as I did she hopped up though. I grabbed her, she stared at me like what? I sat her her down on the floor in front of me...she looked around and started pecking at the bedding we had just gotten on the floor. Then hopped back into their brooder. (dog crate) Got a sip of water and then onto her roosting stick. I was terrified after going to church tonight I was going to come back to a dead chick. Nope. Totally fine...any ideas on what the heck that was? Several days ago I remember seeing another one do it...but the chick jumped up when done and back to pecking at the ground...

Also I have 4 Buff Orp chicks. One is completely and totally missing her tail feathers?? The other 3 has theirs. At 2 weeks is this some sort of feather phase or did one of the other chicks do her the honor of removing her tail feathers? Is that normal behavior? There are 6 chicks total in a dog crate (that is made for dogs the size of fatty rottweilers) so it's not tiny. They have oodle of space and their temps is about 88 or so. One of them was panting when it was a smidge above 90 so I took it down a couple degrees. No more panting.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

You are such a good mother, Zooweemama!

The chick flapping around in the shavings was probably just taking a practice dust bath. Nothing at all to worry about, in fact it's a very good behavior, as dust baths help reduce the chance of parasites.

Not sure about the BO without the tail feathers. All ten of my babies this year were different breeds except for two EEs, and one of those was a rooster, so I don't have much experience with comparative development. Maybe she's just growing a little faster, or slower? I'm sure someone will have some insight.

Best wishes!

 

[zooweemama]

You are such a good mother, Zooweemama!

The chick flapping around in the shavings was probably just taking a practice dust bath. Nothing at all to worry about, in fact it's a very good behavior, as dust baths help reduce the chance of parasites.

Not sure about the BO without the tail feathers. All ten of my babies this year were different breeds except for two EEs, and one of those was a rooster, so I don't have much experience with comparative development. Maybe she's just growing a little faster, or slower? I'm sure someone will have some insight.

Best wishes!

A dust bath! I read about that. If that's what that was- that was the funniest thing I've ever seen a chicken do. LOL It so odd. I hope that was it.

My poor no-tail Buff though! LOL

Thank you so much!

 

[WasabiChicki]

Well, the universe always knows what we need to do huh? Here it goes!
I picked up the 7 new pullets this evening (3 BR, 3 RIR & a surprise Araucana) and
While they were still in my truck & I was deciding who goes where, my good friend called to invite me to a slaughter @ our other friend's house tomorrow morning.
I had missed the two opportunities earlier in the week that would have given me the experience I needed to butcher my older layers
but now... what perfect timing!
I am putting the new girls into the coop (as soon as I finish telling you all how excited I am!)
& the old girls are going into the dog carrier to be ready for they're "departure" in the morning.
I was reminded to take the ones I want to slaughter out tonight as to keep them from feeding....
I can't believe how that worked out:
My friend had no clue that I was going to pick up those pullets today & she is offering for me to bring my birds to kill also!
I really get to do this! I think after tomorrow I will be an official chicken farmer huh? Not just an egg collector lol.
(Not that there is anything wrong w/ just having layers: I am excited to be getting meat after 3 years of just eggs!)

But, I think I am only going to take 2 of my old girls; out of the 4, one is definitely my kids' pet & another is laying regularly, so they will stay.
Do you think that the new 7 and original 2 will be cool w/ each other in the morning?
That has got to be so weird to wake up w/ new roommates, minus a couple you grew up with!

Oh & the two week olds stayed outside for the first time last night in their kiddy pool brooder covered w/ a wool blanket... no more loading them into a plastic tub at night to keep in the house!

 

[WasabiChicki]

A lot of people advise putting them were they can see each other, but separated until they get used to each other. Then, after a week maybe? put them together in a neutral territory and see how it goes. I haven't tried this myself, but anticipate doing it next year.

Congrats on the new girls and your little chickies. Do you have a favorite breed?
Best wishes!

I'm not sure I have a favorite breed yet:
The first & only BO that I have had until 2 weeks ago, died within its first week... that was the breed that made me want to raise chickens.
3 years later, I have my 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, & 6th BO so maybe they will prove to be a favorite still.
I have only raised RIR, BR, a leghorn roo, black sexlinks & a white corchin and out of those, the corchin was my favorite.
But, I know have such a variety that I currently have a few favorites!

Thanks for asking... what's your favorite breed?

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote: Dust bathing and when they lay on their sides and spread a wing (and look dead), they are sunbathing.

Your tailless one is probably a cockerel. Cockerels tend to feather in slower than pullets.

 

[ronott1]

Quote: Dust bathing and when they lay on their sides and spread a wing (and look dead), they are sunbathing.

Your tailless one is probably a cockerel. Cockerels tend to feather in slower than pullets.
X2.

Also, some strains feather less quickly than others. Yours probably have the same father, but each could have a different mother. Fast feathering is supposed to indicate a better resistance to illness. Who knows though.

At two weeks, they should not be strong enough to pull the feathers out.

The dust bathing is great! You should see what the just hatched ones do. It looks like the just pass out. Moving around and then they just fall on their face with their little wings out. That's why some put marbles in the water--so they don't drown.

Ron

 

[capayvalleychick]

While they were still in my truck & I was deciding who goes where, my good friend called to invite me to a slaughter @ our other friend's house tomorrow morning.
I had missed the two opportunities earlier in the week that would have given me the experience I needed to butcher my older layers
but now... what perfect timing!
I am putting the new girls into the coop (as soon as I finish telling you all how excited I am!)
& the old girls are going into the dog carrier to be ready for they're "departure" in the morning.
I was reminded to take the ones I want to slaughter out tonight as to keep them from feeding....
I can't believe how that worked out:
My friend had no clue that I was going to pick up those pullets today & she is offering for me to bring my birds to kill also!
I really get to do this! I think after tomorrow I will be an official chicken farmer huh? Not just an egg collector lol.
(Not that there is anything wrong w/ just having layers: I am excited to be getting meat after 3 years of just eggs!)

Welcome to sustainability.

You reminded me... I have some very rowdy cockerels that need to go! I need help since I'm too wimpy to do the killing. I'd also like to have someone answer questions that speaks English this time.

Kim

 

[ronott1]

Here's the babies! I got 5 out of 6, but lost 2.

They are adorable!

Is that the Mom? and the Dad is a Jersey Giant"

Ron

Well, the universe always knows what we need to do huh? Here it goes!
I picked up the 7 new pullets this evening (3 BR, 3 RIR & a surprise Araucana) and
While they were still in my truck & I was deciding who goes where, my good friend called to invite me to a slaughter @ our other friend's house tomorrow morning.
I had missed the two opportunities earlier in the week that would have given me the experience I needed to butcher my older layers
but now... what perfect timing!
I am putting the new girls into the coop (as soon as I finish telling you all how excited I am!)
& the old girls are going into the dog carrier to be ready for they're "departure" in the morning.
I was reminded to take the ones I want to slaughter out tonight as to keep them from feeding....
I can't believe how that worked out:
My friend had no clue that I was going to pick up those pullets today & she is offering for me to bring my birds to kill also!
I really get to do this! I think after tomorrow I will be an official chicken farmer huh? Not just an egg collector lol.
(Not that there is anything wrong w/ just having layers: I am excited to be getting meat after 3 years of just eggs!)

But, I think I am only going to take 2 of my old girls; out of the 4, one is definitely my kids' pet & another is laying regularly, so they will stay.
Do you think that the new 7 and original 2 will be cool w/ each other in the morning?
That has got to be so weird to wake up w/ new roommates, minus a couple you grew up with!

Oh & the two week olds stayed outside for the first time last night in their kiddy pool brooder covered w/ a wool blanket... no more loading them into a plastic tub at night to keep in the house!

The guide I read said to feed them some food to make it easier to find the crop. Seems too messy to me, so probably it is better to not feed them.

This is for the older Hen:

Whole Poached Chicken – Poule au Pot​

For the Poached Whole Chicken

1 whole chicken, 4-5 pounds
6 ribs celery, roughly chopped
1 onion, peeled and roughly chopped
2 carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
2 whole garlic cloves
2 sprig each savory herbs such as parsley, tarragon and thyme
1 cup white wine
cold water or cold poultry stock
kosher salt and whole black peppercorns, to taste
red chile flake, to taste
To Poach the Chicken: Rinse the chicken and pat dry. Remove the giblets (and reserve for other uses) and truss (see picture above). Place the chicken, celery, onion, carrots, garlic, herbs and white wine in a large stockpot. Add enough cold water or stock to cover the chicken by several inches. Add the salt, peppercorns and chile.
Place stockpot over medium-high heat and slowly bring to a simmer. Cook gently for 30 to 45 minutes. Make sure the liquid DOES NOT BOIL. The great French chef Georges Auguste Escoffier considered this so important the he wrote,

However nonsensical it may sound, the best possible definition of a poaching is a boiling that does not boil.​

Cover the pot and remove from the heat. Allow to stand for an additional 30 minutes or up to 1 hour for the chicken to finish cooking. Do not lift the lid during this time or cooking heat will be dissipated. The chicken won’t overcook, even if left for the maximum time. To check for doneness, pierce the thickest part of the thigh and make sure the juices run clear.
To Serve: Remove the chicken from the broth, allow it to cool slightly and carve. Strain the liquid, discard the solids, and reserve the broth.
If you wish to fortify the broth, do not discard the vegetables and return the bones, after removing the meat, to the liquid and simmer an additional hour or two.

After you get the meat:



Dumplings

• 2 1/4 cups Self Rising Flour
• 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) butter
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or parsley or 2 teaspoons dried, optional
• 3/4 cup buttermilk; or 1/2 cup plain yogurt thinned with 1/4 cup milk
• 1 large egg

Filling

• 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) butter
• 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour (not self-rising)
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 4 cups diced cooked chicken
• 2 1/2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed and/or cooked; or a mixture of cooked peas and carrots

Directions

1) Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2) To make the dumplings: Place the flour into a bowl, and work in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs. Stir in the herbs. Cover and refrigerate while you make the filling.
3) To make the filling: Melt the butter in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour; cook for 1 minute.
4) Add the broth 1/2 cup at a time, whisking it into the flour and butter to prevent lumps. When all the broth has been added, season with the thyme, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer the sauce for 15 minutes, then stir in the chicken and vegetables. Keep the mixture at a low simmer while you finish the dumplings.
5) To finish the dumplings: Whisk the buttermilk and egg together and add to the dry dumpling mixture, stirring just until evenly moistened.
6) To assemble: Scoop the batter onto the simmering filling, using a Muffin Scoop or 1/4-cup measure. Leave some space between the dumplings; they'll almost double in size as they cook. Put the lid on the pan, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
7) Remove from the oven, and scoop a dumpling and a portion of the filling onto each serving plate. Serve hot.
Yield: 7 to 8 generous servings.


I hope the processing goes well,

Ron