First Run of Cornish Cross Meat Birds and Super Excited!

[LindaB220]

I am worried! again.

I went out last night to lock the chickens in. It was good and dark. I always look in the coop before locking it up for Rick. Rick, for some unknown reason likes to sleep outside the coop on the ground, behind a piece of OSB I have leaned against the coop. Rick seldom roosts.

I locked the gate to the paddock/covered pen. I then went inside and did not see Rick. I checked all the roosts even the high one ( 8ft 6 inches high) Rick was not there. I know it was silly to look on the top roost as Rick would get a nose bleed that high in the air.

I went outside and found Rick behind the OSB sheet. I then had to get a rake and use the handle to inch him out of there. I cannot reach him down there. I shine one light in front of him to help him see, knowing his is missing a few rods in his eyes. I finally got him to the corner where I could reach him. When I picked him up he protested. I then found myself comforting Rick and reassuring him it was ok. I carried him into the coop and set him on the ground and held the light for him until he got all comfy.

This morning I went out to let the chickens out, I saw a little partridge colored EE running around. I wondered where and how she got out. Then I saw the "Turken" standing by the coop, I was perplexed. THEN I saw the gang of badly behaved guinea fowl roaming! I started to worry some critter had tunneled through the frozen ground, my wire barrier and had got into the coop. I went inside and found I had left the chicken door open all night!

This was a senior moment bordering on Alzheimer's. At my age I worry about all of these little oopsies. Luckily they all made it through the night and I got my 18 eggs. I am hoping it was just the sub zero temps and being distracted with Rick that caused this.


If not and I start drooling more and seem even more incoherent than normal, and there is a lack of Schnapps or vodka bottles in the area, Please call my Doctor.

Thanks..

Happy New Years.....***



**Also be sure to tell my Doc if you happen to catch me welcoming in the new year in my birthday suit....After checking for bottles, of course...

Ralphie, my memory is definitely worse. SIL came in fussing because I left the door open to the well house. (Could have frozen) It did rain a little and there is nailed up asbestos stuff. Got a little wet. Yes, I've been taking dementia meds for two years. But I keep my mind sharp as a tack by reading BYC and researching gardening and chickens.

It's the little things I forget. Words on the tip of my tongue. Shutting well house doors, etc.

 

[LindaB220]

Alrighty, got my paycheck today and the shirt didn't touch my back until I started spending.

I'm wanting to simplify my life and not work so hard to go to each coop and empty out the waterers of poop and refill. I've been looking for a 3 gallon container that fills at the top and the best I've found was about $38 shipped. BUT Sears has a fabulous sale on poultry waterers and feeders.
They are in a 2 pack and I ordered two of them. So 4 waterers. and 10 feeders in a pack.

http://www.sears.com/miller-mfg-co-...SPM10942639216?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

http://www.sears.com/zhengzhou-mach...M7673742505?prdNo=26&blockNo=26&blockType=G26

So I got 4 great waterers and 10 feeders for $111. and free shipping. That's with sales tax.

Now I can put a couple of each one of these in each big coop and leave town for 10 days to visit Jenny in Vancouver.

You know, I said I wasn't going to keep the Cobb 500's because I will need the space, sooooo I bought a medium killing cone. Gonna hammer it to a tree and get going. I've got eight of them that will give me at least 6 lbs dressed.

It been raining all day yesterday and today and will for two more days. My paycheck didn't get here in time for the handyman to pick up 20 bags of soil to put aroud the northeast portion of each coop. Soooo water is an inch deep in the newest one with the Cobbs and damp around most of the other coop. They can get on the high rise roosts and still stay dry. No such luck with the Cobbs. All I can do is feed them a LOT of food to keep them wet and happy. I slow cooked the turkey carcase for 48 hrs for my bone broth. Not as good tasting for me but every stinking bone in the carcase could be crushed into mush with my hands. So they got regular fermented feed a a good portion of skin and bones. They went insane.

I had an apple ,garlic, onion and a couple of carrots added to the pot. Got to be good for me and them. The next time, I think I'll pour off my broth after 24 hrs and add more water for 24 hrs. And use that to make a mash up with oatmeal or cooked rice. My bone broth 48 hrs, is a little stout. Dark. But I can handle it. I'm the only one anyway.

Funny of BYC facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=629729813805431&set=gm.10153106494994734&type=1&theater

And last, take the time to watch this short talk. Amazing. The reason I'm raising my garden and chickens and eggs. Pay it forward folks.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152500412443202

 

[podgal]

I'm hatching my own buckeyes, rir and delawares. I just ordered cornish x, dark cornish, and jersey giants. Just saw the Cobb 500 and a few others to maybe try next year. Ant idea which of the ones I'm getting will give me the biggest carcass with best bulk? I'm guessing but not sure.

 

[JessicaThistle]

I don't think you can beat a Cornish X for bulk. Haha!

 

[duluthralphie]

I don't think you can beat a Cornish X for bulk. Haha!

I agree, But my Dixie Rainbows have larger drumsticks, BUT it takes 3 times as long for them to get to eating size.
I am thinking of crossing my CX's hens with Rick my Dixie rainbow rooster for a batch this summer.

 

[duluthralphie]

I just took this Black Sex link rooster out of the oven....

I was impressed with the color I got on him, so I decided to share him with you,,

 

[dpenning]

I just took this Black Sex link rooster out of the oven....

I was impressed with the color I got on him, so I decided to share him with you,,

Looks wonderful!

 

[JessicaThistle]

It look flat chested and thick legged! How did it taste?

 

[Kildare49]

Looks like the bcm roos I butchered. How old? Lets us know how the roo tasted.

That's a very good list podgal. All good choices. For Bulk.....none will come close to a cornishX.
I do cornishX and dp birds.DP birds for lower maintenance...longer grow out....more dark meat.
If I was younger & the kids were still at home....it would be cornishx only.

I believe buckeye & delawares are next for me, and I think these are the 2 you will be happy with ( meat & flock relationship )

 

[dpenning]

Looks like the bcm roos I butchered. How old? Lets us know how the roo tasted.

That's a very good list podgal. All good choices. For Bulk.....none will come close to a cornishX.
I do cornishX and dp birds.DP birds for lower maintenance...longer grow out....more dark meat.
If I was younger & the kids were still at home....it would be cornishx only.

I believe buckeye & delawares are next for me, and I think these are the 2 you will be happy with ( meat & flock relationship )

We like dark meat, at what age would you process dual purpose birds?