First Run of Cornish Cross Meat Birds and Super Excited!

[duluthralphie]

I am glad your processing went well....


DK I am sorry to hear your problems. I hope the chick gets better...


I would tell you all about me day, but I would hate to have you all crying before bedtime....

Maybe tomorrow.

BTW 17 eggs today!!! Yahhhhh!

13 frozen cracked and ruined,,,, And this was one of the best parts of my day!

 

[LindaB220]

Double Kindness -- sorry you are going through this, but you are doing right by her. Either she will pull through, or you know you did your very best trying to help her.

Thanks everyone, for all your words of encouragement. They really do mean a lot to me. Linda, it does help knowing they had happy lives. I agree totally, MountainMom, that this thread changed the way I view meaties. (Thanks again, Jessica!) And, Betsy, you were spot on about dropping the water temperature for the scald. The plucking went much easier today. We processed 6 more meaties this morning, plus a young heritage rooster.

The young rooster was the first time I cried doing this. He was an absolutely gorgeous boy -- all red and gold with black tail feathers. But, he had getting into staring contests with Duke and aggressively jumping the hens. It would have been too hard on the hens to keep him and I didn't want to risk him hurting Duke, who is a wonderful rooster. But, it was tough. He fought the whole way. From the time he went into the carrier to take him butchering area, to taking him out, to doing the deed. We tried to wait until he calmed down, but he just wouldn't, and the slightest movement would set him off again. He's not going to be great eats, probably, but it needed to be done. I'm not sorry to see him gone from the flock, but I cried for the loss of such a magnificent looking bird.

ETA: I just realized that "Red" who we processed today is the lighter colored of the two chicks in my avatar. He went from birth to day on my farm.

You have your priorities set correctly on this one. Yes, he was georgious BUT, too much baggage for you to handle. Congrats on the latest pluckings.

 

[Double Kindness]

I have 2 leftover roasted chickens and a leftover roasted duck on the stove making home made chicken/duck stock.

I cleaned out Wobbles cage area, b/c I have to cook etc. It may be the weather change or me moving the babies from inside the barn brooder boxes and into the "feather downs" premier poultry community. I liberally applied sweet pdz powder under the coop, under the bedding, on the bedding. I may be the cause of my babies illness. Which makes me feel even MORE awful.

Wobbles is still ok. Still struggling to breathe. I hope she pulls through. Yes I do give them ff. The layers seem very disinterested in it. They want scratch. But scratch is for 420pm, before bed. Spoilt chickerns.

 

[LindaB220]

I have 2 leftover roasted chickens and a leftover roasted duck on the stove making home made chicken/duck stock.

I cleaned out Wobbles cage area, b/c I have to cook etc. It may be the weather change or me moving the babies from inside the barn brooder boxes and into the "feather downs" premier poultry community. I liberally applied sweet pdz powder under the coop, under the bedding, on the bedding. I may be the cause of my babies illness. Which makes me feel even MORE awful.

Wobbles is still ok. Still struggling to breathe. I hope she pulls through. Yes I do give them ff. The layers seem very disinterested in it. They want scratch. But scratch is for 420pm, before bed. Spoilt chickerns.

What about you? Did you put a mask on when you did all this? My DD was putting out some stuff for the lawn and I asked her if she shouldn't put on a mask. Laughed at me and almost ended up in the hospital. She has asthma. Last time she laughs at me also. ha

 

[Double Kindness]

I didn't wear a mask and yes, I'm sick too. Questions answered

 

[Betsy57]

I think if I had a plucker, it would go much much faster.

Ralphie-i'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I have a slw pullet sick in the bathroom with an upper respiratory infection thing going on. I have already started hitting the vodka in anticipation of culling my favorite chicken Wobbles today. Sitting in tears. Not my Wobbles
. Wtd to get her better? She has had tylan injections the last 3 days and still is gasping for breath

And this is Babs a new ayam cemani pullet to my flock. I'm nesting in this bowl momma, do you mind?

Maybe she has gape worms or something else in her throat.

 

[duluthralphie]

I am thinking we need a chicken farmer exchange.

Under my plan we would change places with someone with chickens somewhere else so we can learn how they do it and how they handle different climates...



I am willing to be one of the first exchangees. I am thinking I would do well with 5 months in northern LA, California or other warm climate.


LINDA You wanna swap chickens for a bit???

 

[11mini]

Awesome thread. Going to try a run of meat birds next spring maybe 15-20 CX. This summer I got 3 layer hens and am now addicted to chickens. My own home grown game hens and split fryers in the freezer is too tempting to not do it. I will be building one or maybe two 4x10 tractors. I am also trying to make a deal with my brother in law to build a coop on his property, I could send the birds there for finishing the last 2 or 3 weeks when they outgrow my tractors.

 

[mountain mom]

I am thinking we need a chicken farmer exchange.

Under my plan we would change places with someone with chickens somewhere else so we can learn how they do it and how they handle different climates...



I am willing to be one of the first exchangees. I am thinking I would do well with 5 months in northern LA, California or other warm climate.


LINDA You wanna swap chickens for a bit???

Must be a bit chillier than usual in Minnesota, eh?
I notice you left out Colorado. Today is sunny, 60 and beautiful... but it may be below zero tomorrow. You never really know with CO.

 

[mountain mom]

Awesome thread. Going to try a run of meat birds next spring maybe 15-20 CX. This summer I got 3 layer hens and am now addicted to chickens. My own home grown game hens and split fryers in the freezer is too tempting to not do it. I will be building one or maybe two 4x10 tractors. I am also trying to make a deal with my brother in law to build a coop on his property, I could send the birds there for finishing the last 2 or 3 weeks when they outgrow my tractors.

Welcome! Chickens are completely addictive! Good luck keeping only 3 layers...

There are a few of us here who have even been pardoning a meat bird or two... chicken math will get you. Every. Single. Time.
Even with the pardons, I know we all have freezers full of the most delicious chicken out there! Home grown is the way to go.

Good luck this spring!