Chickens for 10-20 years or more? Pull up a rockin' chair and lay some wisdom on us!

[Mskayladog]

Al, you mentioned other forums with "real" chicken people on them. Which forums are those? I'm not planning to stop lurking on this thread, but I would appreciate checking out some other sites with reliable info too. Would you please share?
Shelley
P.s. Sorry, I can't quote previous post on the iPad. Why? Sigh, just one more thing the iPad won't do.

Hmm I'm on a iPad and can quote previous post I have done older post also, just click quote then type.

 

[al6517]

I don't think that information is allowed here, even mentioning another forum will get you banned for life+ here at the BYC, Most of these pro type forums are by invitation only so as to avoid the rif-raf from the newby pet sites. They are much more educational and informative because you don't have the Foo-Foo people or the same old 7000 post a day asking what gender their 3 day hatchery mutt is day after day after day, you know stuff like that. Research and advice from real breeders and real life and professional university studies, and to be honest most of the better ones require no moderation or even have any Mods and children under 18 are not ever allowed to even lurk. We don't have to be polite or watch what we say for fear of offending the more sensitive masses, there is more real useful information past through these more professional forums in a single week than you can find on this here entire forum in a year or 2, and I am serious.

 

[MagicChicken]

I saved this one for you and beekissed Al.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...over-the-rainbow-bridge-section-in-the-forums

OMG, Walt, how do you find time to check out new threads??? Especially rainbow ones???? Thanks for the chuckle.

Sarah

 

[al6517]

I had to play catch up to make sure any questions I had were not asked or answered.

1. What is a good age to butcher DP roosters? I have extra from a county 4H hatch and do not want to just feed them for the heck of it. they were hatched on about the 23 of March, so they are 4 months roughly.

2. I have heard and read of people leaving hatching eggs on the counter for a week or so before putting them in the incubator. Is this true? Does it affect the hatch rate? and the most important ,
do you do it?

3. What do you think of the whole NPIP? I have thought about it but here in Indiana, it is 80 dollars a year and you have to have a min. of 30 to get tested.


I will start with these few for right now.

Butcher them whenever you feel they are ready, there is no magic number that is considered gospel, just do it when you feel like it, it's not rocket science.

Yes of course people leave eggs out on the counter they want to hatch and at room temps, more folks do this than whatever it is you have been told. I hatch hundreds & hundreds of eggs a year and they sit right on the table till ready to incubate, never longer than 10 days BTW. Hatch rates are never effected, and I know this will shock you but a person can eat an egg that's sit's out on the counter for some time and they won't die. What do you think folks did 100 or 500 years ago when they needed to eat an egg, they took it out of the basket in a none A/C room sometimes for day's on end.

NPIP should not be abused or even used by folks who do not have a vested intrest in their flocks, People with a few yard ornaments or so called named pet's should not consider it, you don't need NPIP to sell eggs or birds to the average Joe stumpknocker. If your chicken deal is an actual operation where selling good stock and reputation is important, get them certified by all means if not save your money. NPIP Cert's are required to show birds or to transport them across some state lines. In my state NPIP is free the first year with no minimum or maximum and then a very small nominal fee every year after your intial yr.

 

[unkadan]

I don't think that information is allowed here, even mentioning another forum will get you banned for life+ here at the BYC, Most of these pro type forums are by invitation only so as to avoid the rif-raf from the newby pet sites. They are much more educational and informative because you don't have the Foo-Foo people or the same old 7000 post a day asking what gender their 3 day hatchery mutt is day after day after day, you know stuff like that. Research and advice from real breeders and real life and professional university studies, and to be honest most of the better ones require no moderation or even have any Mods and children under 18 are not ever allowed to even lurk. We don't have to be polite or watch what we say for fear of offending the more sensitive masses, there is more real useful information past through these pro forums in a single week that you can find on this entire forum in a year or 2, and I am serious.

thanks Al for the info,

now , How do I find a Sponsor?

 

[kathyinmo]

Butcher them whenever you feel they are ready, there is no magic number that is considered gospel, just do it when you feel like it, it's not rocket science.

I'm gonna butcher a few this week...... as soon as I find a sharp knife around here. I need a good sharpening stone.

Show us how you butcher, Al.

 

[al6517]

Quote:

Yes Walt thanks for the laugh, I did read it and I may have thrown up in my mouth just a little, but I am over it now that I spoke with my therapist LOL.

 

[aussie pete]

From your perspective........do these folks read the posts or do you think they just ignore the info? It is kind of crazy. They ask and then you tell them and then they keep asking the same question until some bozo comes along with some info he pulls ......er......out of his back pocket and then everyone goes......oh great! I think I will do that! It is a strange phenomenon that I have only seen on this site.

Walt

Hi to all - i'm from australia& joined this site for good info as most sites in aust r rather short on real info,its like its all a big secret that can't be passed on to anyone .i have read all 537 pages of this thread & have found heaps of good things to know .i for one really appreciate the effort the OT's put into passing on the knowledge of their experience cheers pete

 

[GarageChickens]

After a few weeks of reading, I finally caught up with the end of this thread. My, what I have learned, with good humor, honesty, frankness and a bit of brutality along the way. I am good with all of it. You folks are my kind of people. I don't need no stinkin' chicken diapers and I have no problem with culling inferior birds.

I have a small backyard flock now (only one bird is named), but I hope to expand in the future, once these pullets have run their course. They are about 20 weeks old now and I am waiting for first eggs. They are a mix of hatchery birds, but if I do well with them, I'll consider going for something a little more sophisticated in a couple years.

Thank you OTs for sharing your knowledge and wisdom -- and forgive me if I ask a stupid question now and then. This has been a real education.

Bob

 

[Beekissed]

Welcome, Bob!

This is probably the only thread on the forum that will not tell you there are no stupid questions....we have identified quite a few in the course of our time here on BYC so we no longer pretend they don't exist.

We will, however, answer all questions to the best of our ability and may even point out just why a certain question might be considered a little....silly.