Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[hellbender]

Nightmare! About five weeks ago, one of my mom's dearest friends asked me to 'board' her 9 RIR pullets because she is undergoing chemo and needs her strength. In truth...I hated to mess with it but under these circumstances, I really had no choice. She is not doing well and has asked me to keep them a while longer.

I had the isolation area but I hate to have any birds confined in a prolonged situation without access to the outside.

What to do??? They are about 5.5 months old now and I have been thinking of turning them in with these youngsters of mine. Frankly, RIR's are simply NOT birds that I want around here but I just got through turning them out with mine...

I keep hoping I will wake up and find I really have been dreaming.

 

[Beekissed]

I always trust that my birds have their immune systems and general hardiness intact, treat the newcomers for parasites and then let the chips fall where they may. It's a good test of the flock's genetics and ability to withstand possible germ transmission from an outside source and may show you where you need work~or not~on that aspect of flock management.

I love RIRs! I think they are great birds to have in any flock...what don't you like about the breed?

 

[JesNflock]

What an Awesome story! Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to see some pics of your flock! (even if they are kinda blurry..)

 

[hellbender]

I always trust that my birds have their immune systems and general hardiness intact, treat the newcomers for parasites and then let the chips fall where they may. It's a good test of the flock's genetics and ability to withstand possible germ transmission from an outside source and may show you where you need work~or not~on that aspect of flock management.

I love RIRs! I think they are great birds to have in any flock...what don't you like about the breed?

I wormed them when they got here (Valbazen) and checked for external parasites...none found. They had been well cared for but they just look so strange out there...lol The Australorps seem to be pretty much ok with them but a couple of the Turken pullets are showing them who the bosses are around this part of the farm. But all and all...things seem far better than I expected.

I have absolutely nothing against RIR's, but they just look so alien here. I hope I dont have to get too used to seeing them around...lol

 

[Beekissed]

Let me get this straight...you raise Turkens... and you think RIR look alien?

Could be that your eyesight has been jauntified after raising such freaky lookin' birds all those years!

RIRs are pertiful!

 

[hellbender]

Let me get this straight...you raise Turkens... and you think RIR look alien?

Could be that your eyesight has been jauntified after raising such freaky lookin' birds all those years!

RIRs are pertiful!

I guess you got me on that one!

It's just that I'm not accustomed to seeing them here. They are actually quite nice production bred birds that she got from Cackle Hatchery.

Things seem to have settled down in the yard. I'm going to post pics here on Wednesday, per Kassaundra's request so I put one up of them too.

 

[Kassaundra]

Let me get this straight...you raise Turkens... and you think RIR look alien?

Could be that your eyesight has been jauntified after raising such freaky lookin' birds all those years!

RIRs are pertiful!

I am a fellow NN lover, but that is funny anyway!

 

[Kassaundra]

I guess you got me on that one!

It's just that I'm not accustomed to seeing them here. They are actually quite nice production bred birds that she got from Cackle Hatchery.

Things seem to have settled down in the yard. I'm going to post pics here on Wednesday, per Kassaundra's request so I put one up of them too.

 

[bruceh]

oh boy. you guys struck a nerve with me. how can you not like a heritage rhode island red. not are the just beautiful . they are very sweet,, good egg producers and provide a good caucus for meat. the heritage red is the all bases covered bird. the heritage red is not to be confused with the hatchery production red.. 2 different birds. i wanted to drop the reds at one point. i just can not do it. for me that bird can not be replaced. now i breed them.
now as for the naked necks. humm. this what i think. i want some in my pens. i just got to try them. i have heard wonderful things about them. in my opinion, next to the silkie, they are the ugliest darn things. however the silkie i got no use for.. i raised some of those misfits. never had cocci before. what did the silkies get cocci. i don't like them nor do i ever want to see one in a show. what possible good are they. constantly broody, lays a tiny egg, and the caucus., never mind.

now i got a question. i have 6 orpington roosters marked for slaughter in jan. they are 5 months old, and 100% english. they are on pasture. so how do you guys finish your birds for flavor .

i raised a commercial black to 9 months. he was the most non flavored bird i ever ate. could not even use larry for chicken salad. well the birds ate larry. i guess he tasted good to them .

i have eaten old hens great flavor. older cockerels i need help.

bruce h

 

[Beekissed]

Bruce, I found the FF to be enough for flavor on these nasty old meat roosters I've been picking up on the cheap. Mellow, sweet and no gamey smell or flavor after eating the FF for a couple three weeks. Best tasting chicken I've ever had in my life!

And, you know you can't make all those big statements about the RIR without showing off some of the birds in question~so...show us!

Show us the difference between heritage stock RIR and those ol' hatchery mutts.