Cornish Thread

[hellbender]

lpatelski that's one massive chick! Very pretty- I think it's a girl and she's going to look like her dad.

I'm not so sure she/he won't look like mom, to a great degree, but I'm no expert on chicken color genetics...not by a long shot.

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

I'm just guessing based on the down colour of the chick- looks to me like a white chick, probably with lots of red here and there- we'll see!
Queen Misha sounds like an interesting project!

 

[sambat]

If you guys do any capons take pics and share I might be interested in giving it a shot

 

[hellbender]

If you guys do any capons take pics and share I might be interested in giving it a shot

We've been caponizing and poulardizing for decades.

 

[JRNash]

one of my dark Cornish went broody on me. she is sitting on a Hodge podge of eggs. including one goose egg. he he see what she thinks about THAT

 

[QueenMisha]

We've been caponizing and poulardizing for decades.

I've always been interested in poulardizing. Is the process any different from caponizing? Exactly what is the point, since of course the hen wouldn't be able to lay eggs afterwards?

@sambat I'll take a few pics of my capons when I get a chance. I'm still learning so a LOT of them have turned out to be slips, but I have three quite definite capons, the oldest of which is probably coming up on 10 months. That guy was originally for meat BUT I think as my first actual success he's earned a place as a keeper. People say they can be taught to nanny chicks, I may attempt that with him this spring. He's a gentle fellow.

I'd definitely recommend learning the process. It's difficult (emotionally and somewhat physically, hard to keep from shaking at first!) but very worth it. Plus it makes it a lot easier to do first aid on other birds when you've actually had surgical experience! Makes super gluing wounds closed and such feel like a breeze.

 

[hellbender]

I've always been interested in poulardizing. Is the process any different from caponizing? Exactly what is the point, since of course the hen wouldn't be able to lay eggs afterwards?

@sambat I'll take a few pics of my capons when I get a chance. I'm still learning so a LOT of them have turned out to be slips, but I have three quite definite capons, the oldest of which is probably coming up on 10 months. That guy was originally for meat BUT I think as my first actual success he's earned a place as a keeper. People say they can be taught to nanny chicks, I may attempt that with him this spring. He's a gentle fellow.

I'd definitely recommend learning the process. It's difficult (emotionally and somewhat physically, hard to keep from shaking at first!) but very worth it. Plus it makes it a lot easier to do first aid on other birds when you've actually had surgical experience! Makes super gluing wounds closed and such feel like a breeze.

It's very easy to get more laying hens than one needs so it can be practical to poulardize them and make the meat much better.

A pullet has only one ovary and it is just a little bit difficult to see it until one gets a bit of practice. I have simply separated the oviduct in two with the same results as removing the ovary.

 

[CLSranch]

I just eat what doesn't lay or set, or the roo's I think don't look as good as the others. But they are all grown before that decision is made. Mostly the coons get rid of most of mine before I ever worry about that. Even with taking care of them and the possums year round. Benefits of living near the river.

 

[CLSranch]

Setting is the #1 reason I switched to Cornish. I've bought so many hens that ALMOST made to laying age then they're all gone. Hopefully as the critters get the hens the others are already setting on a bunch of replacements.

 

[sambat]

CLSranch you need a chicken fort with electricity and all! Here possums get to some. Snakes everynow and then get some eggs. But the guineas have helped a lot. And the geese seem to protect them from predator and from each other. More power to you but if I was losing them at that rate I think I would go insane!