Mine would be raised in my mixed flock on green grass eating bugs same as any other chicken. They would just be chickens I hatched out for food that I didn't need as layers.Wow, now I know about pollardizing. Interesting. I'm not against the procedure, however, I just read an article about how traditional poulards are raised. It's a lot like how ducks/geese are raised for fois gras. There's a price to be paid for that succulent roast, that I'm not too comfy with. Perhaps a middle ground, where poulards could be raised without force-feeding & a little more freedom of movement? I'm open to other's opinions. I won't start a debate.
Sounds like my mine right now. Thanks for sharing!
I having been thinking about the poulards as well. I have way more layers than I need right now, so I have thought about giving that a try with my mixed mutt 7 week old pullets raised by my broody hen. I have considered starting a caponization on the left with the chicks I have remaining from that hatching since some of them haven't officially declared themselves and if there isn't a testicle to remove, then look for an ovary. I understand that the ovary is round compared to the bean shape of the testicle.Not yet - those two boys were from extra eggs a buddy threw in a shipment of EOs. Since no Bresse pullets hatched, I decided to go this route with them. They were decidedly male, about 1 lb each - probably 7 weeks IIRC. Their combs went back to pink the next day.
Since I have two, I'm going to try one early with no special diet, and the second one finished on milk and a single grain.
My focus is one the EO, or Basque Hen. The Spanish lit says their full potential is realized in the capon... I haven't tried EO capons yet, I'm still trying to improve my flock. The EO cockerels make awesome fryers at 1.5 - 2lb though!
Some old lit I've read says the best of the best is the poulard... Kassaundra touched on them in this thread I believe.
Thanks for the compliments - when I see these guys out free ranging, I imagine little neon signs flashing 'Sunday Dinner' over their heads... kind of like those "I'm thinking Arby's" cowboy hats!
I'm in the same boat with too many chickens. I've put a local ad up in hopes of creating more space for my Malines line. My freezer's gonna be full! We can cope either way, just would be easier to send some birds to a new home. I envy you guys. You're real go-getters getting the job done!
I am planning to to try my hand at pollardizing this weekend. I have 4 pullets that are mixed mutts raised by my broody hen. I have already caponized the cockerels, and I don't need any more layers. I will let you know how it goes.
