Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Arielle]

Quote:

I wonder how a DP bird would be on a low temp rotisseri. Anyone tried it?

About chicken sex... lol do pullets normally let a rooster have his way with her BEFORE she starts laying? Is my pullet just a little tart or what?

I noticed blood on my Leghorn roo's breast today so I was watching them and trying to see who else had blood -expecting a fight. Turns out one of my pullets is picking at the Leghorn and the Ancona's wattles! What in the world is her deal! It's pretty odd because both of those roos are bullies and they are letting her pick at their wattles until she draws blood...? But their combs and wattles are HUGE! Now, how do you say "Stop it!!!' In chicken???

I do my birds long and slow. I don't have time to let them sit in the frig for 2 days. Into the oven asap. 250 degrees until done. varies by weight of the bird. Did a turkey and then tossed in a chicken. Let it go over night, which was a little over done. Meat very tender but some too dried out. It was heading for soup anyways so flavor was very good, and other meat was very tender.

I don't brine, don't see the need for it. I find the meat very salty already-- yumyum.

What temp did you bake it at??

And the texture varies sometimes. OFten tougher . NEvery mushy like commercial cornish though. Don't give up, try try again until you get it the way you like.

 

[Beekissed]

Bee we got 8 eggs yesterday and 7 today. A couple more of them have started laying now.

Just wanted to get on here and tell ya that. Am sick and gotta get in bed. Broke down and went to the Dr. this morning and he said it was a upper res. infection and bronchitis and had already gotten into my chest. Told somebody today at the drug store I needed me some whiskey. lol Anyway I don't know if it's these meds or what but I am sleepy again. At least I was able to sleep for a little while today. Wasn't able to breath and coughing my head off so I couldn't sleep. So if I am missing in action I'm just trying to get well here. BUT had to get on here and tell ya about all my eggs. I told hubby if they kept on I was gong to have to get me a basket to gather the eggs in.

I boiled them today for hubby to make us some deviled eggs with.

Oh! So sorry you are sick!

That's miserable. I will pray for your quick recovery. You need The Treatment! So glad you are getting more eggs....and yes, a basket is in order. Go for straw if you can...I tried an old metal one once and it was a little harsh on the eggs, cracked a few. Used it for decoration after that. Get well, Rose!!!

I wonder how a DP bird would be on a low temp rotisseri. Anyone tried it?

About chicken sex... lol do pullets normally let a rooster have his way with her BEFORE she starts laying? Is my pullet just a little tart or what?

I noticed blood on my Leghorn roo's breast today so I was watching them and trying to see who else had blood -expecting a fight. Turns out one of my pullets is picking at the Leghorn and the Ancona's wattles! What in the world is her deal! It's pretty odd because both of those roos are bullies and they are letting her pick at their wattles until she draws blood...? But their combs and wattles are HUGE! Now, how do you say "Stop it!!!' In chicken???

Yeah..they can start breeding before they lay, but you can be sure laying is on the way if they are breeding. I don't know why they are picking at wattles..I've never seen a hen do that before. Maybe you can throw them a few red apples and give her something else to peck that is red?

You could also do some deep litter in that pen to give them something else to do but pick on one another, maybe?

 

[Triple Willow]

I do my birds long and slow. I don't have time to let them sit in the frig for 2 days. Into the oven asap. 250 degrees until done. varies by weight of the bird. Did a turkey and then tossed in a chicken. Let it go over night, which was a little over done. Meat very tender but some too dried out. It was heading for soup anyways so flavor was very good, and other meat was very tender. 

I don't brine, don't see the need for it. I find the meat very salty already-- yumyum. 

What temp did you bake it at?? 

And the texture varies sometimes. OFten tougher . NEvery mushy like commercial cornish though. Don't give up, try try again until you get it the way you like. 

I cut the birds up, baked some and fried some. Thanks, I won't give up.

 

[Triple Willow]

Yeah..they can start breeding before they lay, but you can be sure laying is on the way if they are breeding.  I don't know why they are picking at wattles..I've never seen a hen do that before.  Maybe you can throw them a few red apples and give her something else to peck that is red?     You could also do some deep litter in that pen to give them something else to do but pick on one another, maybe? 

I had the same idea - hooked up the grass catcher and mowed some and gave them that and some leaves today. They are going to be out of that pen very shortly, thank goodness! The new house/run is about 2/3 done. Then on to some deeeep litter and no mud when it rains - or very little. That's as much for me as it is them! LOL Yeah there are several of them that look like they are about to start laying. Once the other coop is done that crazy pullet will be seperated from those roos. But ...those HUGE wattles and combs do look pretty neat. One of these days I'm gonna catch them and check those things out up close. lol I HOPE they both get to keep their combs and wattles and don't lose them to frostbite. They'll look goofy if I have to do surgery. hehehe

 

[TexasLisa]

I think, if you are going to soak in water that adding salt to it is usually advisable, as salt follows a concentration gradient...less salt in the water, the more salt leaches out of the meat. The more salt in the water, the more salt stays in the meat. The salt also helps to break down tissue fibers. We've never brined chicken, just squirrel. I just rest mine and I don't bake or broil DP birds, but just use them in soups or marinate them for a slow BBQ.

DH and I have only done turkeys so far. We soaked them for several hours in salt water and then we bagged them for the freezer. When we are ready for a turkey, I thaw it out in the fridge and then put it in an apple brine for 24 hours. YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Bee, tell me more about your marinade and slow BBQ.

Bee we got 8 eggs yesterday and 7 today. A couple more of them have started laying now.

Just wanted to get on here and tell ya that. Am sick and gotta get in bed. Broke down and went to the Dr. this morning and he said it was a upper res. infection and bronchitis and had already gotten into my chest. Told somebody today at the drug store I needed me some whiskey. lol Anyway I don't know if it's these meds or what but I am sleepy again. At least I was able to sleep for a little while today. Wasn't able to breath and coughing my head off so I couldn't sleep. So if I am missing in action I'm just trying to get well here. BUT had to get on here and tell ya about all my eggs. I told hubby if they kept on I was gong to have to get me a basket to gather the eggs in.

I boiled them today for hubby to make us some deviled eggs with.

Rose, I am sorry to hear you are sick. Please take care of yourself! My brother-in-law and his wife were down for 10 days.

Lisa

 

[BCMaraniac]

Bee we got 8 eggs yesterday and 7 today. A couple more of them have started laying now.

Just wanted to get on here and tell ya that. Am sick and gotta get in bed. Broke down and went to the Dr. this morning and he said it was a upper res. infection and bronchitis and had already gotten into my chest. Told somebody today at the drug store I needed me some whiskey. lol Anyway I don't know if it's these meds or what but I am sleepy again. At least I was able to sleep for a little while today. Wasn't able to breath and coughing my head off so I couldn't sleep. So if I am missing in action I'm just trying to get well here. BUT had to get on here and tell ya about all my eggs. I told hubby if they kept on I was gong to have to get me a basket to gather the eggs in.

I boiled them today for hubby to make us some deviled eggs with.

RoseMarie,

Congrats on the eggs. I am sorry you are sick, and hope you feel better soon.

 

[Triple Willow]

Bee we got 8 eggs yesterday and 7 today. A couple more of them have started laying now. 

Just wanted to get on here and tell ya that. Am sick and gotta get in bed. Broke down and went to the Dr. this morning and he said it was a upper res. infection and bronchitis and had already gotten into my chest. Told somebody today at the drug store I needed me some whiskey. lol Anyway I don't know if it's these meds or what but I am sleepy again. At least I was able to sleep for a little while today. Wasn't able to breath and coughing my head off so I couldn't sleep. So if I am missing in action I'm just trying to get well here. BUT had to get on here and tell ya about all my eggs. I told hubby if they kept on I was gong to have to get me a basket to gather the eggs in.   I boiled them today for hubby to make us some deviled eggs with. 

Get well soon Rose!

 

[Triple Willow]

Yeah..they can start breeding before they lay, but you can be sure laying is on the way if they are breeding.  I don't know why they are picking at wattles..I've never seen a hen do that before.  Maybe you can throw them a few red apples and give her something else to peck that is red?     You could also do some deep litter in that pen to give them something else to do but pick on one another, maybe? 

Bee... the pen they are in right now is like Gitmo but with bad weather. hahaha

 

[Triple Willow]

Squirrels...

I have new respect for squirrels:

But the squirrel doesn't always win:

What to do if they are a nuisance to your chickens -part #2.:

**What to do if they are a nuisance to your chickens -part #3. (long video but well worth watching to me):

...my mama would expect some gravy to be made with the oil and crumbs left in that skillet. I would have put that stew on a bed of rice. That all looks sooo good!!! ...I will be trying this soon!

 

[Beekissed]

I always wonder why folks want to interfere with nature, as in that second vid. Leave the poor thing alone and let it eat, for pete's sake! It's one thing if it's eating your livestock, quite another when it's eating natural prey. I've seen people try to get baby rabbits or birds away from cats and it always mystifies me...that's normal, natural and part of the whole food chain. How would they like it if someone tried to snatch a piece of pizza out of their hands?