Converting Predator Carcasses into Chick Feed

[centrarchid]

I am engaged in a sustained effort to control the number of raccoons and opossums coming after chickens, eggs and feed. Killing them on a fairly regular basis. To get more value out of the carcasses I will be placing them on a platform that dogs, especially the neighbor's dog (Bella the eater of all dead and stinky) that works with mine, can not pull the carcasses down from. Vultures and eagles are OK so kids can help photograph them. Carcasses will be setup so mature maggots can fall down into grass to pupate where free-range chicks can get at them at the end of day after carrion eating birds leave.

Pictures to follow.

 

[Elsveta641]

Idk if you wanna attract eagles. They prefer live prey do they not? Other than that it's a great idea.
I'd skin the carcass and tan the hide, which can be useful. We have a collection of raccoon and possum skulls from the murderous wretches who come to our chicken barn. We hang them from the barns with rope. My adult son wants us to make a sign saying "pirates ye be warned" and hang the bodies as an example like they did in the pirates of the Caribbean lol

 

[centrarchid]

I do not see eagles often except they fly over daily. The often as in perched close to the chickens. Barnyard area is totally not smart for a big cumbersome eagle to hunt, to much cover for chickens. Birds in the orchard are penned through middle of day unless I am out doing yard work. The vultures and eagles wrap up their carrion consumption before I let orchard chickens out.

 

[Helloworld]

Did you know that there is only one animal that is immune to Botulism?

The vulture who passes it to maggots that are eaten by chickens and other birds passing it along then to you?

You think the dead things you “sacrifice” to the vultures (eagle will be on the other side of your property eating your live animals because he doesn’t want to get botulism) is a good thing? Why not just get rid of the animals the others are coming after or build a predator proof yard?

 

[Mrs. K]

I knew an old chicken lady years ago - raised chicken and sold enough eggs that literally held the place together in tough times. She told me once, "I don't tell a lot of people this, but if you get chickens pecking, give them a small carcass. Or part of a carcass, it will help such as coons, or ...

I often have deer hunters in the fall, and the scrap meat I will collect and freeze in parts, occasionally throwing it out to my birds. A very good source of protein.

Whole carcasses will create a very sickening odor. But give it a try, I too, question bringing in Eagles, but it will be interesting to follow this post, rather than try this post.

Good luck

Mrs K

 

[Ebony Rose]

Another alternative, should you get too many to hang, would be to stuff them into a pressure cooker with a bit of rice... after cooked and cooled, you're flock and dogs would be sure to enjoy the meal.

 

[Elsveta641]

I had botulism once. My mother in law made fermented cabbage in q bucket in her basement. Still dont understand why I even ate it. It was disgusting and made me sick for months. The doctor was surprised I wasn't dead, I was sick almost 2 months before I went to be seen. Only reason I went is I thought that I was for some reason dying or had gone insane and just thought I was dying lol. I could only stand for a few moments at a time and could barely keep my eyes open. It's not all that bad, and I doubt you can get it from your chickens eating dead stuff. My chickens find the barn cats discarded prey and eat it all the time, no matter how old and rancid it is.
We usually cook the carcasses on a old steel broom handle over a fire before giving them to the animals. Then the kids take whatever bones they think are cool after. Our chickens get a good supply of maggots from the dumpster when its emptied. Man do chickens love their maggots!

 

[roosterhavoc]

 

[jlwquilter]

I don’t think I could take the smell. My coop and run is very close to my house.

I’m eager to see how this works for you!

 

[centrarchid]

I knew an old chicken lady years ago - raised chicken and sold enough eggs that literally held the place together in tough times. She told me once, "I don't tell a lot of people this, but if you get chickens pecking, give them a small carcass. Or part of a carcass, it will help such as coons, or ...

I often have deer hunters in the fall, and the scrap meat I will collect and freeze in parts, occasionally throwing it out to my birds. A very good source of protein.

Whole carcasses will create a very sickening odor. But give it a try, I too, question bringing in Eagles, but it will be interesting to follow this post, rather than try this post.

Good luck

Mrs K

When I was a kid my grand father did similar and also got a lot of rough from the Ohio river for same purpose. That was done mostly when cooler than the intermediate of flies can operate under. Using flies to convert to an edible form will work from May to I am guessing September. When cooler I might be able to do as your acquaintance did, but I have significant dog issues that will conflict with it. As being done now, the carcasses will be some distance from chickens that are secure enough to keep dogs out. The dogs still get into those pens near end of day when the birds are released for free-range time.

When comes to smell, that will be part of process to decide on whether to continue.

Eagles, if the come, will be doing so after frost when fishing slows. They feed on road kill fairly often once it get cold but go more back to fishing when it warms in spring.