Fugly Farm

[N F C]

Processing update...I waited until the last minute and told Igor I wanted to try cutting the heads off the 2 roos we did today. He gets anxious when he knows in advance and then I would feed off that and chicken out.

I asked him to explain how hard I had to push while slicing. He said to think of trying to cut through the garden hose, he was right. I was able to cut the artery so the body would have bled out quickly, but I couldn't make it all the way through the neck. I was somewhat disappointed but at least I made the attempt and it would have been a quick death. I feel more capable anyway and will try again with the next batch. The Nn make it very easy to see the artery so there's no mistake, a plus in my opinion.

We purchased a propane burner to use outside for scalding and a larger trash can for catching feathers. The next addition will be something to hang the chicken from while plucking and I really want a stainless table for butchering.

This morning when I let the rest of the flock out things were much calmer than they have been. Yesterday Jr was chasing the other white roo quite a bit. That guy had also begun to crow after Fat Albert left. It was a nice throaty crow, but he was mean to the chicks and Jr lets the girls take care of that. We'll see what Jr is like now that he's the man, right now he's out there crowing.

I came very close to processing the Dorking mix girl, I even had her in my arms standing in front of the crate, but changed my mind. She's still a little thing, very pretty and nearing POL. We'll see which flock she ends up in.

Sounds like it went fine IM! And it's nice for the flock to settle down a bit without a couple of rambunctious boys.

 

[BlueBaby]

Processing update...I waited until the last minute and told Igor I wanted to try cutting the heads off the 2 roos we did today. He gets anxious when he knows in advance and then I would feed off that and chicken out.

I asked him to explain how hard I had to push while slicing. He said to think of trying to cut through the garden hose, he was right. I was able to cut the artery so the body would have bled out quickly, but I couldn't make it all the way through the neck. I was somewhat disappointed but at least I made the attempt and it would have been a quick death. I feel more capable anyway and will try again with the next batch. The Nn make it very easy to see the artery so there's no mistake, a plus in my opinion.

We purchased a propane burner to use outside for scalding and a larger trash can for catching feathers. The next addition will be something to hang the chicken from while plucking and I really want a stainless table for butchering.

This morning when I let the rest of the flock out things were much calmer than they have been. Yesterday Jr was chasing the other white roo quite a bit. That guy had also begun to crow after Fat Albert left. It was a nice throaty crow, but he was mean to the chicks and Jr lets the girls take care of that. We'll see what Jr is like now that he's the man, right now he's out there crowing.

I came very close to processing the Dorking mix girl, I even had her in my arms standing in front of the crate, but changed my mind. She's still a little thing, very pretty and nearing POL. We'll see which flock she ends up in.

When we did my 3 rooster's before, we hung them from the old clothesline pole (to drain the blood) that's still out there but never get's used. Instead of plucking, we skinned them out.

I'm up to 5 hatched chick's now, waiting for #6 (the last one) to hatch.

 

[igorsMistress]

Sounds like it went fine IM! And it's nice for the flock to settle down a bit without a couple of rambunctious boys.

It went better than I expected. I admit I teared up a little bit but no actual crying.

When we did my 3 rooster's before, we hung them from the old clothesline pole (to drain the blood) that's still out there but never get's used. Instead of plucking, we skinned them out.

I'm up to 5 hatched chick's now, waiting for #6 (the last one) to hatch.

I'm going to brine them and roast so I wanted to keep the skin on. I have that greek seasoning to try later this week.

We are going to try boning next time so we can bbq some thighs, and probably quarter some too.

Good luck on your hatch! How many Nn chicks do you have?

 

[BlueBaby]

@igorsMistress I'm up to 5 chick's that have hatched now, but the 6th one hasn't hatched yet. No fully feathered neck's in this batch so far. The one that hatched yesterday morning from one of Carmela's egg look's like it might have Roger's coloring, but I don't know if it's a male or female yet. The 5th egg was also from Carmella and look's dark in color, but it's still drying off in the incubator. The 2 Carmella egg's that hatched first are spotted looking white with gray on one, and white with black on the other. The single egg that hatched from Lucille so far just look's a plain yellowish-white.

 

[igorsMistress]

@BlueBaby great that you're getting Nn! I hope the last egg hatches soon.

The pullet with the big black spots has a tail like the cowgirl, I love it. I hope I get some fertile eggs from her next fall.

 

[BlueBaby]

@BlueBaby great that you're getting Nn! I hope the last egg hatches soon.

The pullet with the big black spots has a tail like the cowgirl, I love it. I hope I get some fertile eggs from her next fall.

I'm waiting for Shadow and the 3 Barnevelder pullet's to start laying egg's, so that I can hatch some of those too. Those chick's would have some with fully feathered necks, and some with the bib's, but will add more color's and feathering type's. Shadow is a dark grey in what appear's to be a lacing, with a black head and tail.

 

[igorsMistress]

I'm waiting for Shadow and the 3 Barnevelder pullet's to start laying egg's, so that I can hatch some of those too. Those chick's would have some with fully feathered necks, and some with the bib's, but will add more color's and feathering type's. Shadow is a dark grey in what appear's to be a lacing, with a black head and tail.

Sounds beautiful!

 

[igorsMistress]

I found this egg in a different nest box than what the big girls usually prefer, and it's smaller than the rest. I wonder if the Dorking pullet is laying.

 

[BlueBaby]

@igorsMistress Shadow layed her first egg today. It's sort of a blueish-green in color! Now I have to wait until her's are big enough to hatch!

@Compost King said that those one's from him lay earlier.

 

[N F C]

View attachment 2000781
I found this egg in a different nest vox than what the big girls usually prefer, and it's smaller than the rest. I wonder if the Dorking pullet is laying.

What a perfect, pretty egg...congrats!