Coronavirus, Covid 19 Discussion and How It Has Affected Your Daily Life Chat Thread

[igorsMistress]

I hope it’s not too late to start them!

It shouldn't be. Just do it and see what happens. Wouldn't hurt to give it a try.

 

[ShrekDawg]

It shouldn't be. Just do it and see what happens. Wouldn't hurt to give it a try.

That’s good to know!! Thank you!! I think spring will come early this year, already basically has, so probably should have started them sooner but oh well. I don’t think it will be too late aha I’m not sure what exactly I want to plant this year but definitely tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant, and I’ll see what else.

 

[FortCluck]

I know what you mean KDOGG. I used to raise enough meat birds for our yearly needs at my old farm and would take them to a local Mennonite farm. They had an inspected facility set up just for butchering. It was well worth the $2 per chicken and $8 per turkey price tag to have them do it. And I knew my birds were treated well with human hands and no harsh chemicals were used.
First time I went though I bawled like a baby when I left my birds. It got easier in time.

Now I live where there are no places to take them. Remember, we have severe allergies here, but I've been able to make do with what safe stuff I can find locally, which was already super hard to find.
Now? Pfft. And for the foreseeable future? Double pfft....it's gonna be really hard to find safe meats. So, I've decided I'll need to put my big girl boots on and butcher myself. I know how, and I'm not squeamish at all, I just don't like to. I'm a ninny.

I do all my own because I put my feelings aside and say to myself "this will keep my family alive and healthy"

I don't enjoy processing, but I do enjoy seeing my family eat it and say how good it is.

 

[igorsMistress]

I know what you mean KDOGG. I used to raise enough meat birds for our yearly needs at my old farm and would take them to a local Mennonite farm. They had an inspected facility set up just for butchering. It was well worth the $2 per chicken and $8 per turkey price tag to have them do it. And I knew my birds were treated well with human hands and no harsh chemicals were used.
First time I went though I bawled like a baby when I left my birds. It got easier in time.

Now I live where there are no places to take them. Remember, we have severe allergies here, but I've been able to make do with what safe stuff I can find locally, which was already super hard to find.
Now? Pfft. And for the foreseeable future? Double pfft....it's gonna be really hard to find safe meats. So, I've decided I'll need to put my big girl boots on and butcher myself. I know how, and I'm not squeamish at all, I just don't like to. I'm a ninny.

You are not a ninny! I'd be concerned if you said it's something you enjoy actually. I can do it, I do it when I have to, but I don't like it either.

 

[FortCluck]

You are not a ninny! I'd be concerned if you said it's something you enjoy actually. I can do it, I do it when I have to, but I don't like it either.

I don't like processing but I like my families noises at the dinner table while they're eating it.

 

[ShrekDawg]

What are you going to do when they all start fighting and beating each other up?

I’ll kill them if I have to or if it’s an emergency but I don’t want to if I don’t have to. I might find someone to do it for me too. I know there’s places around that will process for you. But I’m pretty sure I could do it myself if I had to. I actually kind of want to.

But so far they’re still getting along so it hasn’t come to that yet.

And I finally listed them yesterday so I’m hoping someone takes them. I think I might have found a home for the Welsummer already so hopefully I’ll find one for the others too.

I also took the Lavender Orpington and the girl out yesterday too & put them in with the girls so that should help I think. I’m keeping the boys locked up for now.

 

[21hens-incharge]

What are you going to do when they all start fighting and beating each other up?

Wonders this as well.....remembering back to the "Oh great...all the silkies are males"...14 weeks old and they tried to kill my japanese blacktail roo. They ripped his comb completely off and bloodied him front to back. I am pretty sure the only reason those things didn't actually kill him is my JG head hen had zero tolerance for idiotic crap. She had blood on her feet and one cockerel had a ripped up chest.

Best to be done with them or keep them totally separate immediately rather than deal with a bloodbath.

 

[SnapdragonQ]

Ok, I have a confession...my "friend" who was thinking of getting an incubator and wanted suggestions for regular breeds to raise for meats was actually me. *blush*
Though I'm sure you all already knew that.

So the incubator is on the way and I think I'll start with my Australorp roo and use him to cover the Aust hen and some of my Sapphire Gem hens. But now that I know TSC has chicks I'm feeling really torn. Should I look at them or not?

Mine is a smaller store and it doesn't get a huge variety in. Typical sex links, several heritages like BR, Australorp, Rocks, RIR, etc.... meat mixes and ducklings. I'm thinking of grabbing some meaties if there are any but already know I'd have to go back again for their special feed. Where as I know typical birds or my mixes could make better use of forages and working for their food, thus less feed, thus less trips for feed.
The feed order I'm getting tomorrow does include starter in case I have successful hatches with the incubator, but not enough to raise many meat birds on.

Other than ordering a JG, SS, or Brahma type I'm not sure I'll get more in terms of size over my Australorp roo. Who is now a year old and still well behaved.
He's actually been in a separate small pen with the Aust hen because there were hen fighting issues with the Sapphires. The Aust hen was a huge bully so I took her out and tossed him in to keep her company.
However I'm getting a little impressed (without getting my hopes up too high) with how well he's caring for and treating her. She doesn't have a bare back, her head feathers are fine, and he completely dotes on her.

Thoughts?

 

[sourland]

A bit of levity - just got our weekly local paper. An automotive service center is promising "toilet paper with all services". Gotta love it. Also one full page with all restaurants offering take out service.

 

[Mimi13]

Covid 19 hasn't stopped our chicken hatching. This is how we are passing the time. I've been non-stop hatching since I left the hospital 2 months ago.

If I'm stuck in lockdown for 4 months (including the 2 I've already done), you better believe I'm going to occupy our time somehow.

I knew I'd be in lockdown months before anyone else. Covid in China started exactly at the time I was hospitalized. I was even tested for it. I knew I didn't have it because I never travel and no one I knew traveled lately.

Want to name her something to do with this lockdown if it's a Pullet. It has feathered legs it's Cochin Giant Cross
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What do you do with all those babies?