First Run of Cornish Cross Meat Birds and Super Excited!

[duluthralphie]

They had a small fenced in area to roam. They were allowed to roam during the day and then shut up at night. They ate all the grass in the area and did forge well. They're just pigs! I can make the area bigger if I decide to do this again but it wasn't like the big area the egg layers have. These last two ones would have been 10 weeks on Monday.

Ahhh..

I have 4 left, the frog Mamas and Daddy,they free range. They will be 18 weeks Wednesday! They are my favorite chickens right now. That is if there are such a thing as a favorite chickens.

We had a beautiful day here today. It got up to 35 degrees with sun, some snow settled and ice melted. The CX's were outside and I had to actually chase them into their igloo for the night.

I really cannot say my CX's are pigs. I feed them very little and they need to fight for their share like the others.

You cannot believe how big they are getting. I think they are 14 lbs. Their bodies are bigger than my heritage turkeys bodies and the turkey are older.


It was such a nice day I had two other chickens I had to chase into the coop. One was Rick, who did a head fake tonight. He stuck his head into the chicken door as if he was going in. I then backed off to give him time to get in. He looked at me and ran to the west right past me! Sneaky buggar!

The other one I had to run in was a RIR hen. I have a large Quonset hut type steel machine shed. I went into it to get my small egg box I use in the evening I heard a LARGE mouse sound coming from behind my camper, I crawled through all my junk to find the RIR, I tried to chase her out. I really do not want her in that shed. I had to chase her to the door twice, because she did the end run around me too. I finally got her out, it took a good 10 minutes. She would let me bend over and pet her but would not let me grab her!

When she got out she ran towards the coop, right past it into the other shed! We played the game all over until I got her into the coop. I know some of you are thinking I should just close the shed doors...

BUT this is Minnesota in the winter. The shed has sliding doors on it. If I closed them in the fall before first snow they would not open until June. The doors freeze shut and to the ground with snow. I want to put a roll up door on it to prevent this, but they are very expensive for old retired guys. Hopefully next year I will do things differently and have that door shut.


Jessica you must have gotten your first "infraction" before me to notice that ovation thingy.....

 

[mountain mom]

Even I noticed it... but only because I was sent an email telling me I had an ovation. No infractions here... Ralphie, have you been causing trouble on other threads?!

Chicken math is something interesting indeed... even before I had them, I wanted 3 to start. Then 4. Then 6. Then 8. Then meat birds to go with the layers. Then some chicks just because they are too adorable. More meat chicks. Pearl was pardoned. Now turkeys are on the list for the spring. Before I know it I will have to build another coop. I'm sure my carpenter husband will be thrilled

 

[mountain mom]

Can you guys tell me what this is. It is hot swollen and pinkish. It is on the knee.

Holm-
I really don't know. Is there a visible wound or scab? Any sign of mites or anything? I would put some melaleuca (tea tree oil) on it. I find the chickens respond great to essential oils. We use them as a family, and if I can avoid medicine, I do. That said, I have also used the meds for cocci with our chickens and any time I think there is something that threatens their lives, I go for the meds. Anyhow, maybe even some Neosporin?

 

[Betsy57]

Can you guys tell me what this is. It is hot swollen and pinkish. It is on the knee.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/867963/chick-with-swollen-hock-and-a-limp I think that is the 'hock' of a chicken

 

[holm25]

We do use essential oils to but we don't have that one. Thanks all!

 

[mountain mom]

We do use essential oils to but we don't have that one. Thanks all!

If it is a slipped tendon, lemongrass will help it heal, if you have that essential oil. Good luck!

 

[Morrigan]

Well the first 6 meaties were processed this morning. We were supposed to do it yesterday, but it rained, so they got a one day reprieve. I was ridiculously happy back then, to see them all snuggled in their straw, under the shelter.

This morning, we had a short break in the weather, so we felt was had to get to it. We planned originally to do 10, but then only transferred 8 into the holding pen. After doing 6, we were tired and it was about to rain again, so we put the 2 back with the flock. The worst part emotionally, was picking them up and transferring them to the holding pen, and then bringing them over to the chopping block for my husband to dispatch. They totally trusted me and I felt like such a traitor.

They were good chickens.

Once we starting the processing, I was able to focus on just getting it done and it wasn't so bad. Unfortunately the rain had turned the area of the yard we had set up for processing into a muddy, bloody quagmire, that only got worse with the hoses and washing part. Yuck. We need to put in a gravel area with drainage for next year. I also need to get better with the scalding -- the chickens were hard to pluck, and I think I slightly cooked the skin on another. I was trying to keep the temp around 155, but I think that I may have gotten it too hot.

But, we have 6 birds ranging fro 4 to 5 lbs resting in the refrigerator now. It the weather cooperates, we're trying to man up and get 6 more done tomorrow.

We both agreed that, although it was hard, we will do it again next year.

 

[duluthralphie]

Morrigan,

Grats on getting started. It is hard to actually dispatch them and the stuff leading up to it. But they are prey birds, If they were in the wild as jungle fowl or chickens even most would not make 6 weeks.

There is a reason a chicken has to have 12 chicks at a time to keep their population even. In Nature, basically each living creature replaces itself with offspring. So try to look at as you gave them a great live before the circle of life took them. You may even had extended their lives.

I should have mentioned the mud to you when you asked. I have a trailer 8x18 ft with a wooden floor. (my bobcat trailer) I put the cleaning tables, coolers and scalding water on the trailer. It keeps everything clean and our feet relatively dry. We have a hose we use to clean the trailer deck with if it gets bloody/slimy.

When you taste the meat you will do it for sure! The home raised chickens are the best!

 

[Betsy57]

Well the first 6 meaties were processed this morning. We were supposed to do it yesterday, but it rained, so they got a one day reprieve. I was ridiculously happy back then, to see them all snuggled in their straw, under the shelter.

This morning, we had a short break in the weather, so we felt was had to get to it. We planned originally to do 10, but then only transferred 8 into the holding pen. After doing 6, we were tired and it was about to rain again, so we put the 2 back with the flock. The worst part emotionally, was picking them up and transferring them to the holding pen, and then bringing them over to the chopping block for my husband to dispatch. They totally trusted me and I felt like such a traitor.

They were good chickens.

Once we starting the processing, I was able to focus on just getting it done and it wasn't so bad. Unfortunately the rain had turned the area of the yard we had set up for processing into a muddy, bloody quagmire, that only got worse with the hoses and washing part. Yuck. We need to put in a gravel area with drainage for next year. I also need to get better with the scalding -- the chickens were hard to pluck, and I think I slightly cooked the skin on another. I was trying to keep the temp around 155, but I think that I may have gotten it too hot.

But, we have 6 birds ranging fro 4 to 5 lbs resting in the refrigerator now. It the weather cooperates, we're trying to man up and get 6 more done tomorrow.

We both agreed that, although it was hard, we will do it again next year.

140 is the temp you want for the water, according to Storey's book on chickens. Yes, that's what I had to do. Don't feel/think anything but getting the job done. Yes, sure is a lot of work but after you eat one, worth it. I had 15 I did all by myself. Took about 5 times getting them all done. Did anywhere from 2-5 at a time. Freezer is full. May not have room in it for my beef my neighbor is supposed to bring!

 

[duluthralphie]

LOWER YOUR FLAGS TO HALF MAST!


Something bad happened today. I had to let the chickens out an hour earlier than normal today, because we had to go to Duluth for our Grand daughters baptism. We got home after dark. ( a little after 5pm). I immediately went to the coop to collect eggs and check on my chickens. I found Brutus. the worlds greatest rooster dead with rigor mortis on the floor of the coop by the chicken door.

I refused to believe it was Brutus. I checked my roosters and Brutus was the one missing. I feel like crying as I write this. I wish it had been a nameless rooster and not Brutus. I have not checked Brutus for wounds or done a chickentopsy. I will do that tomorrow in the day light. I am thinking it was the (and I cannot swear or use symbols here, so just imagine I am) Guinea fowl or an eagle. I have not been able to take a head count on anything yet, because of the dark and bitter cold here.

Tomorrow I will know more. I just wanted to share this. I am hoping my frog Mamas and Daddy are ok. I hate leaving here, things always happen when I do. I am betting Brutus gave his life protecting the flock from something. Brutus was just that way. He will be sorely missed by the DW and me.