Chicken math - the subtraction success

[HumbleAmerican]

I’ve seen the lime trick. Not positive id want to go that direction.

Been eyeballing a freeze dryer

 

[Morrigan]

Kudos for right-sizing your flock. It's so hard to do, but so necessary. The remaining birds thank you for the additional space and lack of stress.

We butcher our culls, and the older hens truly to make the best stock, schmaltz and canned chicken for soups. And the excess pullets, although smaller in size are really very good eating.

But, that's the hardest chore in my chicken keeping -- butchering older layers and deciding which of my pullets gets to be a keeper, or an eater. I'm in the midst of these decisions right now. A couple of already in the freezer, but I have a bunch more to go.

 

[HumbleAmerican]

My 'extras' are just getting wing feathers and using momma as a jungle gym.

This year I'm going into winter with 12 layers max. I will keep repeating it to myself confidently until it happens.

 

[3KillerBs]

Wish me luck/pray for me. I have 2 potential buyers for Ludwig.

One was extremely non-commital about when to pick him up so I flat out told him/her that I couldn't hold him without payment. The other is a fresh contact.

 

[Mrs. K]

good luck on Ludwig, someone is going to be lucky. Glad you can stick to your plan.

 

[Happy hen lover]

You have to set the goal and reach for it. I made mine, and way ahead of schedule. I was saying to myself by September. I too kept Mrs. Feathers, a proven broody. A little age on her, I think she will be 4 next spring.

I too am expecting my pullets to keep me in eggs this winter. And in the past, froze eggs in the summer, but have you seen where you jar them up in lime? I am recovering from a wreck last summer, but next summer, I plan to jar some up and see.

Mrs K

I dehydrated 7 in my dehydrated, as a test. It will save on freezer space . Yes I have seen the saving in line and I thought about that as well for winter.

 

[Sussex19]

@Mrs. K I was wondering what do you do if you've got a particular nice looking cockerel, but that doesn't have the characteristics one wants and one doesn't need another rooster anyway? I'm trying to reduce the flock and well I don't normally have a problem with culling cockerels, I'm struggling slightly with this one.
Oh and I can't sell it either

 

[Morrigan]

I dehydrated 7 in my dehydrated, as a test. It will save on freezer space . Yes I have seen the saving in line and I thought about that as well for winter.

What did the end product look and taste like? How did you rehydrate it for use?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

For a host of reasons, my "right sizing" (I also need to take a goat) is once again, pushing two weeks behind schedule. KUDOS to you for doing one of the more important (and least enjoyable) parts of keeping.

Definitely curious at to the dried. We have a dehydrator, I keep thinking about trying chicken jerky. or duck.

 

[Mrs. K]

@ Stormcrow - I think she is dehydrating eggs.

Sussex19 - I know, I got an exchequer leghorn, kind of tiny, bright black and white with a brilliant red comb. Cheeky, is what I am calling him, and I am SO hoping someone will take him...

But otherwise he has to go. I am one rooster long now... the subtraction part is tough! But it has to be done.