Eastern Tennessee Thread

[tennesseeckn]

It's DONE!!!

I learned so much. First of all, I learned that the Wisners and company are some of the best people you would ever want to meet. Second, I learned how to pluck a turkey. I worked on two birds until... Thirdly, I learned that I CAN NOT watch a bird bleed out. I watched with utter horror, unable to take my eyes off until I had a panic attack and ran to my truck and offered to run and get some stuff for lunch. When I looked in the mirror I looked like death warmed over. I was cadaver-pale. Fourthly, I learned how to form pretty homemade rolls. And, Fifthly, I learned that while I ran like a wimp when my chickens' turn came up, once they are headless and look like what you buy at the store I was fine.

Now, I just need to see if I can cook them and eat them.

I took nine to butcher, rehomed three, brought home a dozen homemade rolls and six roasting chickens, and my girls are acting relaxed for the first time in weeks. All in all, a good day. Oh, wait! I channeled my Nella-vibe and came home to a silkie sitting on a golf ball... Because the two banty eggs I was getting each day was obviously one too much.

 

[ladyride]

They are some very nice & patient people. They seem to enjoy teaching. For the most part I really enjoyed the time we spent there, the only thing I didn't enjoy was getting up so early to get there. I thought they were amazing.

You rehomed 3 how did that happen ?? Good recovery on the panic attack.
Those rolls are so delicious you will love them.

I couldn't even face the turkeys but by the time they were doing them we had already done 90 chickens I was so tired it was so not funny, told the SO time to go home. More bird than I could cope with at the time. It was a really big turkey took up 2/3 of the table.

I couldn't watch the birds bleed out either still can't the SO has to do that part once it is done then I can do the rest. He does the plucking as I can't hold on to the bird it hits that plucker & goes airborne.

Glad you came home with a positive experience !

 

[TNBarnQueen]

FINALLY! I got to go outside to the hen houses today since it was nice and I am walking better. My Lav. orp surprised me with her first pullet egg!!!!!!

It was a tiny little thing compared to her big booty in comparision. Now.....just gotta wait for me Eng. Orps from Daphine to catch up. Funny bird...has a huge area for nesting and she laid in the feed pan.

After getting only 3-4 eggs a day out of 19 hens for 3 months I am just plain giddy to have another hen start laying. Now....just have to keep patient for my bantams to start. All are soooo close!

 

[tnchickenut]

Quote:
Yay! Feel better about BYOC day? Lol. I'm laughing literally out loud at the pic... I'm at work (new cell!!!) and a picture of chicken meat isn't what I was expecting

Sorry to be short but like I said... Cellphone!

 

[bairo]

Quote:
so proud of you...

killing cones ? brain poke ? what method do they use ?

 

[chuckeychickens]

Sorry to butt-in on this interesting thread. I would love to learn how to process chickens.
I've seen the videos on You Tube, but I'm not sure I can ever really do the deed.

I'm new to BYC and also the world of chickens. It all started with a little property we bought in
Chuckey, TN. I've always wanted to have chickens but never lived anywhere where it was possible.
So, under the guidance of some very knowledgeable neighbors who also wanted fresh eggs, we started
Chuckey Chickens. We all work together to keep the flock and we're hatching babies and just having a ball.

Now that we have lots of chickens, I'm wondering where some of the best places in the area to sell chickens
would be. Being relatively new to the area, I haven't had the chance to check out the local resources yet.
Any pointers that people could give me would be just wonderful.

 

[cybercat]

I wanted to wish everyone a great thanksgiving. I will probably not be on much till after the holiday due to hubby being home and my heart doctors appt. Congrats to all that got processing done. We had hoped to get some done ourselves but bear attack changed those plans.

On the good side all the rest of the remaining flock are doing well.

 

[tnchickenut]

Quote:
I'm not sure where Chuckey is.... there are local trades at the crack of dawn (usually a Saturday or two a month), but I have more luck with craigslist and BYC. When all else fails, you eventually will have some to eat. More often than not, if you have the right breed, you can move most without eatting them. However, don't plan on MAKING money when selling grown stock... you just won't here. Most old timers won't pay more than $5 a hen (HEN!!) and the new chickeners won't go much over $10.... you'll have way more than that in feed by that point. When I sell grown birds (which I really try not to wait that long) I don't sell high... heck, i have given some away... but sometimes the space and feed savings is worth it.

On that note, I would like to add our favorite subject... "flippers".... be advised that there are those out there who will talk you down or out of your birds, just to take them and put them on sale... at a much higher cost. Who knows what condition they are in while in thier "care" (I imagine they barely feed them because that would take from their small profit)... and who knows where they go after? There are also those who will use layer and dual purpose breeds as "trainers" for fighting birds... basicly roosters that the fighters will kill to get some training in...... yep. Be careful of who you sell and trade with.... there are scum out there and they usually talk a good sad story to try to fool you. I'm sure now everyone will share their stories...........

 

[chuckeychickens]

Thanks for the advice. Chuckey is the next town over from Greeneville, south of Johnson City and Jonesboro.

Are there still people that are fighting cocks these days? I thought that they had put an end to that. I guess there are always pockets of illegal things going on.

I hear you about selling birds while they are young. There definitely seems to be a inverse relationship between the amount of feed you give a bird and your profits!

 

[ladyride]

There are several places here in Union co. that still have cock fights ain't never been won't go to me same level as fighting dogs just wrong. Ain't gonna give my hard earned money to those thugs. I know there is more than union co still fighting. Looked at your website today chuckie really pretty where you are. Nice site as well. Although had to google to find out where chuckey is, thought I knew all the little towns I was wrong. Would make a nice day ride on the bike.