After reading along so far I have learned;
1. I need more roosting area because I went out and really looked at my birds with a new understanding at what I am looking at.
2. Tracking my egg numbers and feed volumes will help me and is necessary to track the flocks health. I wasn't really keeping track.
3. I think I feed too much but now I can figure out what I am feeding and KNOW for sure.
About 1/2 the flock has big full crops ( I am thinking a bit too big) and I get a few insane monster huge large eggs every now and then with double
yolks.
If I KNOW how much I am feeding I can evaluate the health of my birds with better understanding.
I bet if I keep doing what I have been doing I will see a prolapse soon and/or crop issues and I do not want to go there.
4. I am going to be culling a few birds now and I am nervous. I am going to cook a store bought roaster tonight for inspiration.
5. I PICKED up my hens and LOOKED closely. All over feathers and skin and combs, etc. I saw that I had not noticed before some of the hens have feathers missing
from their backs.
Live and learn every day something new and sometimes two, +
Keeping track of a few things may sound like more work but I think it will save me work in the long run. Thanks OT's I wish someday to work smarter not harder.
When using a chicken hook to catch birds is it better to grab at the feet or neck?
Does a chicken plucker machine beat up the meat more than hand plucking? Is it better to keep the bird imobilized after dropping the hatchet or let em run. Does it really make a difference or affect the meat?
Do I have to scald to pluck?
I tried to post on another thread and immediately felt bad that I somehow offended another... cruddy. I do not want to hurt anyones feelers on purpose.
It is very hard to be PC these days.
I am amazed & love to hear about people canning chicken. Storing eggs in the basement in sand. Hens actually raising chicks. Raising chickens with no electricity because we lose our power often. And mostly how to keep a flock going over time. Thanks.
1. I need more roosting area because I went out and really looked at my birds with a new understanding at what I am looking at.
2. Tracking my egg numbers and feed volumes will help me and is necessary to track the flocks health. I wasn't really keeping track.
3. I think I feed too much but now I can figure out what I am feeding and KNOW for sure.
About 1/2 the flock has big full crops ( I am thinking a bit too big) and I get a few insane monster huge large eggs every now and then with double
yolks.
If I KNOW how much I am feeding I can evaluate the health of my birds with better understanding.
I bet if I keep doing what I have been doing I will see a prolapse soon and/or crop issues and I do not want to go there.
4. I am going to be culling a few birds now and I am nervous. I am going to cook a store bought roaster tonight for inspiration.
5. I PICKED up my hens and LOOKED closely. All over feathers and skin and combs, etc. I saw that I had not noticed before some of the hens have feathers missing
from their backs.
Live and learn every day something new and sometimes two, +
Keeping track of a few things may sound like more work but I think it will save me work in the long run. Thanks OT's I wish someday to work smarter not harder.
When using a chicken hook to catch birds is it better to grab at the feet or neck?
Does a chicken plucker machine beat up the meat more than hand plucking? Is it better to keep the bird imobilized after dropping the hatchet or let em run. Does it really make a difference or affect the meat?
Do I have to scald to pluck?
I tried to post on another thread and immediately felt bad that I somehow offended another... cruddy. I do not want to hurt anyones feelers on purpose.
It is very hard to be PC these days.
I am amazed & love to hear about people canning chicken. Storing eggs in the basement in sand. Hens actually raising chicks. Raising chickens with no electricity because we lose our power often. And mostly how to keep a flock going over time. Thanks.