First Run of Cornish Cross Meat Birds and Super Excited!

[Morrigan]

I'm pretty sure I have an egg-bound hen. She was not eating, listless and on and off the box without laying any eggs. I took her inside last night and soaked her for 15 minutes in a warm bath and gave her some calcium. After an hour I gave her a second soak and lubricated her vent (I couldn't feel and egg in the immediate area) and put her in dog crate in my basement. No egg this morning. She just sitting with her tail pumping up and down. She's drinking water and eating a little bit, but not looking great. A few very loose droppings.

I'm going to soak her one more time this morning and cross my fingers. I'm sure there is a point where I need to pull the plug, but I don't know how to judge it. Poor girl. She has always been a bit of an eccentric bird who has gone through periods of no laying and standing off by herself, but always snaps out of it after a few days and returns to normal. She's never looked this bad, before, however.

 

[Double Kindness]

So... freezer camp send off is Saturday after the chicken swap.

I need ya'lls to start helping me get through it starting now.. because they are such sweeties.

here's 4 of them just a few minutes ago chilling under the kiddie pool shade area.

Should I start drinking now? I only have 1/4 of a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon left, I might need to go to the liquor store soonish.

There is 1 cx meatie that is super sweet. I shouldhave known that would happen.

The broody is definitely catching here. I have 6 broodies on eggs. I am trying to get 2 more to sit on eggs in the maternity ward which used to be the chicken condo.

Oh.. and one of my bresse is on bourbon red turkey and runner duck eggs lol.

 

[Morrigan]

So... freezer camp send off is Saturday after the chicken swap.

I need ya'lls to start helping me get through it starting now.. because they are such sweeties.
here's 4 of them just a few minutes ago chilling under the kiddie pool shade area.

Should I start drinking now? I only have 1/4 of a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon left, I might need to go to the liquor store soonish.

There is 1 cx meatie that is super sweet. I shouldhave known that would happen.

The broody is definitely catching here. I have 6 broodies on eggs. I am trying to get 2 more to sit on eggs in the maternity ward which used to be the chicken condo.

Oh.. and one of my bresse is on bourbon red turkey and runner duck eggs lol.

Yes, it is very hard and I'm not sure it gets any easier. I do my second set of 6 this Saturday and I dread it. The birds really are sweet and very handsome in their own way. My check list for getting through it:

1. Realize that your willingness to do something difficult, has given your chickens a wonderful life. Buying a package in the supermarket is easy, but those chickens had wretched lives. You ARE doing the right and humane thing.

2. Before the day begins, I spend in a few minutes in my house in contemplation, thanking them and God for their lives and for the privilege I had in getting to care for them.

3. Once I leave the house I leave my emotions there and focus simply making the mechanical acts as calmly and quickly as I can. Being calm and matter-of-fact I think is easier on the chicken than if I was crying or apologizing to them.

4. Afterwards I make sure I have my favorite adult beverage at the ready and a non-chicken dinner planned for that evening.

I would love to hear other people's coping tips as well.

 

[duluthralphie]

Yes, it is very hard and I'm not sure it gets any easier. I do my second set of 6 this Saturday and I dread it. The birds really are sweet and very handsome in their own way. My check list for getting through it:

1. Realize that your willingness to do something difficult, has given your chickens a wonderful life. Buying a package in the supermarket is easy, but those chickens had wretched lives. You ARE doing the right and humane thing.

2. Before the day begins, I spend in a few minutes in my house in contemplation, thanking them and God for their lives and for the privilege I had in getting to care for them.

3. Once I leave the house I leave my emotions there and focus simply making the mechanical acts as calmly and quickly as I can. Being calm and matter-of-fact I think is easier on the chicken than if I was crying or apologizing to them.

4. Afterwards I make sure I have my favorite adult beverage at the ready and a non-chicken dinner planned for that evening.

I would love to hear other people's coping tips as well.

I do not think there are any other coping methods. The only other one would be having some one else to the dirty work (Cheaply)>



DK. RUN TO THE ADULT BEVERAGE STORE TODAY!

Attempting camp day without enough adult beverages is both dangerous and fool hardy!

 

[Fentress]

So... freezer camp send off is Saturday after the chicken swap.

I need ya'lls to start helping me get through it starting now.. because they are such sweeties.
here's 4 of them just a few minutes ago chilling under the kiddie pool shade area.

Should I start drinking now? I only have 1/4 of a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon left, I might need to go to the liquor store soonish.

There is 1 cx meatie that is super sweet. I shouldhave known that would happen.

The broody is definitely catching here. I have 6 broodies on eggs. I am trying to get 2 more to sit on eggs in the maternity ward which used to be the chicken condo.

Oh.. and one of my bresse is on bourbon red turkey and runner duck eggs lol.

Make it sacred. Honor the birds for who they are and what they do. And give thanks.

Also, Bulleit makes and excellent Rye. Both are good values for the quality that you get. Enjoy.

 

[1zooman12]

Hi All,
You might keep in mind that the Cornish Cross is bred for induction in Camp Freezer and it is the rare one that tastes longevity anyhow. So go ahead with the abattoir as you are saving the chicks from a slow depleting end. Your way is quicker and more humane than Mother Nature's way! Besides, one just might need an impetus to entertain the Essence of Rye a la Bulleit.
Have fun all,
Neal, the Zooman

 

[LindaB220]

Woohoo!!! Happy dance. Finished up all therapy. Five days a week for nine weeks. So relieved that I can make plans to do stuff. Cleaning coops is a
start.
I put another ,30 eggs in the 'bator last night, wanting to build up my white rock stock. I only got five from the first batch. Selling all but them I think. Not sure yet.

 

[holm25]

Woohoo!!! Happy dance. Finished up all therapy. Five days a week for nine weeks. So relieved that I can make plans to do stuff. Cleaning coops is a
start.
I put another ,30 eggs in the 'bator last night, wanting to build up my white rock stock. I only got five from the first batch. Selling all but them I think. Not sure yet.

Congrats!!!! I hope you have a good hatch!

 

[JessicaThistle]

Mountain Mom: Yes, I think you struggled with breaking the broody because you kept letting her out. Most of my girls take 3 days/nights in the broody pen to break. Literally when they stop flaring their feather manes and cussing continuously every time you walk by, clean the pen, feed or water them then she is ready to be given a chance out of the pen. After I let her out, I usually keep an eye to see if she runs for the coop nests or just tends to chicken business. If she run for the coop she goes back into the pen for another night. Otherwise, she is free. I've never had it not work if I did the full 3 days/nights.

My particular stubborn Buff Orpington has needed one more night before.

Morrigan: Have you checked her for lice or mites? I have a hen that I found out is sensitive to them and nearly died from lice. My first thought was that she was egg bound too. She was rocking backward, weak and not eating or drinking. I found lice on her. Some say that lice don't bite chickens, but I tend to disagree after my experience. My hen was so weak from them that I was sure I was going to lose her. After a check of everyone, they all had lice but no one else showed her symptoms and her case was no worse than theirs. After a course of vitamins/electrolytes and a dusting, she was good to go again.

Double Kindness: On this thread, we all (minus Holm) cope the same with processing day. A little prayer or quiet time and copious amounts of adult beverages. Get your tushy to the liquor store! I also like to enjoy a juicy rib eye steak the night after. Probably because I am starving after eating very little the night before.

 

[holm25]

I dont have anything to help me cope with camp day. Its a really sad time though. At least I know they lived a great life and were never crowded or killed inhumanely