First Run of Cornish Cross Meat Birds and Super Excited!

[1zooman12]

Hey Ralphie from Duluth,
What the heck is a frog daddy? Inquiring minds, well this one at least, would like to know. I must have missed the boat somewhere on this particular. And I hope your frog, whatever it is, hasn't croaked.
Stay well and dry and warm,
Neal, the Zooman

 

[LindaB220]

Well, it is super cold. I am so worried about my chickens. I think my husband is too because he keeps asking when I am going to work on making the chicken diapers. He won't admit it entirely but he is totally as crazy as I am!

Morrigan - My silkies seem to actually really like Sunny (my CX). They all hang close together in the yard all day. The silkies may explore a bit further but Sunny always settles pretty close to where ever they are. Also, for some reason my silkies take an ungodly amount of time to lay an egg, like 3-4 hours, so Sunny keeps the other company in the yard. It's pretty sweet. I keep meaning to take a picture of them together.

The other thing funny about Sunny is she doesn't seem to want to be at the bottom of the pecking order with the 8 week chicks. Obviously she is at the bottom of the main hens and surprisingly is at the bottom of the silkies too. So she is making attempts at chasing the chicks. They are really fast and she is not. We joke that she is like the Stay Puffed Marshmallow Man chasing them. She isn't laying eggs yet. She is only about 15 weeks old now. I would guess that it could happen anytime unless it's too darn cold and she goes on strike.

Ralph: I wish I could say I was making a ton of money but unfortunately, Uncle Sam is breathing down my neck for quarterlies and the bill just came for my husband's hernia surgery. Grumble!

Linda: I'm with you that this is the best thread. It seems like anywhere else that I post seems to get ignored. I posted the rescue chicks to see if someone could give me any clues as to what breed they were and all I could hear was crickets. I mean no one wants to talk about cute chicks on a chicken forum? I certainly never feel alone here!

I know. Some threads have a new comment each time because they aren't interested in other's point of view. Just their own. This whole forum is a learning experience and why be here if not to interact and answer question or give opinions. Let's don't ever change.

Ralpie, butcher the splash. Keep the other for breeding. Or sell him.

I've got a La buddy about an hour away and he's passionate about raising Marraduna Basques also. We're gonna try and do swaps later to diversify he genes. For the ninety fourth time I've lost out on some more birds. Local lady had a friend that has a big hatcher and is turning her birds. I was SUPPOSED to get 15 for layers or butchering. She won't answer her phone so I guess it's moot.

 

[Morrigan]

I know. Some threads have a new comment each time because they aren't interested in other's point of view. Just their own. This whole forum is a learning experience and why be here if not to interact and answer question or give opinions. Let's don't ever change.

Seconded. You guys are awesome. Also, I so enjoy hearing how everyone's CX experiences are going all over the country. I wish I had more words of wisdom to impart, but I'm fairly new to chicken raising and brand new to CX raising. Some day, some day . . .

 

[CoHomestead]

Been a busy time for everyone! The 10 cx from the first batch will be 8 weeks tomorrow. We're set to butcher on Tuesday since it should be over 40 degrees. First time butchering anything so this should be interesting. My Husband will be helping, his first time too, but hopefully it won't take forever. We've watched a lot of videos and read quite a bit, but I'm still nervous. Any final tips???

 

[JessicaThistle]

Seconded. You guys are awesome. Also, I so enjoy hearing how everyone's CX experiences are going all over the country. I wish I had more words of wisdom to impart, but I'm fairly new to chicken raising and brand new to CX raising. Some day, some day . . .

It is about observing, researching and learning every day Morrigan, not about the amount of time we have been doings this. Quality not quantity! I have only been raising chickens since the end of March and got my CX in June. I am absolutely no professional. I just choose to research and learn all that I can plus educate and share every little tiny bit that I learn.

Maybe it makes me seem smart and experienced but I just take it one day at a time. My experience is no better or more important than yours. My goal is just to be the best at what I do. If I can help others with what I learn it's even better!

Been a busy time for everyone! The 10 cx from the first batch will be 8 weeks tomorrow. We're set to butcher on Tuesday since it should be over 40 degrees. First time butchering anything so this should be interesting. My Husband will be helping, his first time too, but hopefully it won't take forever. We've watched a lot of videos and read quite a bit, but I'm still nervous. Any final tips???

Make sure your knives are sharp! Don't feed the chickens for a good 8 hours before butchering. If you are using a cone, be prepared for potential fountain of poop, (no one told me about this and it was not fun). Have plenty of water sources for keeping hands, surfaces, utensils and chickens clean. Also, if you have a tub of water with soap to wash the bird before scalding, it really stops your scalding water from getting disgusting really fast.

#2 need: If you have dogs, lock them up. If you are doing this outside, do it where your other chickens can't get to. They will be in the way as they will be exploring the smorgasbord of feathers, blood and parts.

#1 need: Bottle of vodka and ribeye steaks. Need I explain this further?

I'm sure this was discussed on any page of this thread.

 

[Double Kindness]

It looks like I'm going to be doing the same as you on Tuesday then cohomestead. I will be doing it alone tho. My bf hurt his hand and can't help me, plus will be at work. So.. I'm scared to process by myself. And b/c I have so many to do with 5 ducks and 15 roosters.

I think I have a bit less than half a bottle of bourbon to get me through Tuesday night. And you guys. We've only done 2 chickens and 1 duck together so far. This has to get done tho. It's not fair to my critters that are stuck inside the barn. Or my neighbors that get to listen to a crowing contest at 6 am.

 

[Betsy57]

Been a busy time for everyone! The 10 cx from the first batch will be 8 weeks tomorrow. We're set to butcher on Tuesday since it should be over 40 degrees. First time butchering anything so this should be interesting. My Husband will be helping, his first time too, but hopefully it won't take forever. We've watched a lot of videos and read quite a bit, but I'm still nervous. Any final tips???

Mine are 8 weeks old today too. Saturday I butchered 5 and Sunday I did 2 more. It got "up to 40" here too. 20 this morning with 1 1/2" of snow. Supposed to be 12 tonight. This weather is crazy for us in southern Illinois. This was my first try of meat birds and my first butchering I did them all myself. 7 more to go. I used BYC forum to learn and have books that I used. If there is someone around who has done it before who can help you do it and give wisdom that's good too. But "just do it" and you'll get your technique down. The first 5 went okay but the 2 yesterday sure went a lot smoother. Getting the water to scald at 140-150 is key for a good pick. Add some dish soap to the water too, supposed to help with the pluck. Withholding food for 12 hours is good and watch when you cut near their vent so you don't cut into the poop chute. Good luck!

 

[duluthralphie]

Hey Ralphie from Duluth,
What the heck is a frog daddy? Inquiring minds, well this one at least, would like to know. I must have missed the boat somewhere on this particular. And I hope your frog, whatever it is, hasn't croaked.
Stay well and dry and warm,
Neal, the Zooman

You don't know what a "frog" is???

Really?

Let me help you "discover" the answer yourself.

If you have RIR and cross it with a RIR what do you get for a baby?

If you take a Silkie and cross it with a Silkie, what do you get?


Now if you take a CX and cross it with a CX what do you get?

I will help you after you answer these questions..... And be aware you will be graded on this!

I know. Some threads have a new comment each time because they aren't interested in other's point of view. Just their own. This whole forum is a learning experience and why be here if not to interact and answer question or give opinions. Let's don't ever change.

Ralpie, butcher the splash. Keep the other for breeding. Or sell him.

That is what I am leaning towards. The only thing that can save the splash is one of the other TOMS being mean to my meatballs. If I see one harassing them, they will be dinner.

CoHomstead Good luck on the butchering. Let us know how much they weigh dressed. BTW Try not to have too much vodka before you play with the sharp knives..

DoubleKindness WOW what an undertaking 15 CXs and 5 ducks in one day alone.... If you get that all done you deserve 2 bottles of vodka!

Jessica I never thought about giving them a bath before scalding them. Good Idea. MY water gets gross and I end up changing it and waiting for it to reheat.



I bought a double burner propane cast iron cooktop thing off craigslist for heating my water faster. Now I just need a oblong wash tub. ( it was an antique. I think the woman was in shock when I told it I was going to use it to heat my chickens bath water in)




I need to go pick eggs now, It is so cold here IF I do not pick them often they freeze. I really dislike below zero weather. Of course, I should be happy today it is 5 degrees.

 

[LindaB220]

It looks like I'm going to be doing the same as you on Tuesday then cohomestead. I will be doing it alone tho. My bf hurt his hand and can't help me, plus will be at work. So.. I'm scared to process by myself. And b/c I have so many to do with 5 ducks and 15 roosters.

I think I have a bit less than half a bottle of bourbon to get me through Tuesday night. And you guys. We've only done 2 chickens and 1 duck together so far. This has to get done tho. It's not fair to my critters that are stuck inside the barn. Or my neighbors that get to listen to a crowing contest at 6 am.

I would start on the cockerels first and get as many done as you can. It's not going to hurt the ducks to wait another week. The noise factor on the cockerels is what's the problem. Right?

I've been waiting for two months for a friend to call me to go get a bunch of hens that are to be culled. I left messages ,and called. Nada. Then she calls me this morning and said that they are culling the whole 50000 birds after 7pm today. It's about an hour away and I don't have transportation today. Bummer. The friend is working also so she can't go. She is an extra for the Minden film on Hank Williams. I could sure use another dozen hens for laying. Or the freezer. They will do it again in 3 mo. So I'll be right in line. They are Cobb 500

 

[1zooman12]

Hi Ralphie from Duluth,
I thought that maybe the use of the term frog daddy had some meaning peculiar to our craft beyond identifying a particular group of amphibians. That is all. This old retired professor is quite literal minded often to a fault. More interesting is why would any sane fellow conspecific reside in Minnesota given its winter weather? I get goose pimples just thinking about the concept. There has to be a charm to it somewhere, it simply eludes me. Big weather sissy that I have become since moving here from Maryland/Virginia area I don't even like the rare 20 degree days that northern California provides. Brrr Brrr! When I first came here 30 years ago I used to poke a bit of fun at the locals in this region for having salt water for blood as I ran around in winter short sleeves. Not anymore, I have a reset metabolism and have become one of them! Let's all migrate to someplace like Uruguay or Costa Rica!
My best to you my chicken buddy,
Neal