Hands on hatching and help

[ShanandGem]

Yes, that's a start. And I would never shut down on eggs I paid for! These were just some of my old eggs, so nothing really lost. I wouldn't keep most of the chicks anyway but I just took the brooder out of the house and I need a break! Lol.
My roosters are big fluffy silkies and I can not bring myself to eat a silkie. I'm not a dark meat fan anyway. I've had two roosters (for breeding purposes) that were the same color and I knew one needed to go but I couldn't decide. I finally made the decision today and I kept the one that's the most gentlemanly toward the girls, chicks and myself. The other was quite the looker but he could get a real attitude and I know he went to a really good home. I think it's great that you ate your extra boys. Just like you said, you know they had a good life, you know they were killed humanely and you got nourishment out of them. If I was going to eat my boys I would most likely find a processor to do the dirty work for me. I'm not at that point yet.

I so hear you. My husband is the processor. If it were left up to me we would be overrun with roosters lol.
I couldn't eat a Silkie either.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

That's ok! I'm still learning something new every day. I have 3 kids at home and they take a lot of my time. I realized a couple weeks ago that I needed to downsize my flock. I sold 3 trios last week. I'm happy because I agree with what you're saying and I can manage my flock better now that it's smaller. I feel bad because I noticed that one of my pullets that has the wry neck was not acting normal for a week or so and I feel bad because I choose just to keep an eye on her instead of starting supplements right away. Lesson learned. But I do think medications are ok, when used in moderation (also I don't eat my eggs, I use them as hatching eggs, so that kinda plays into it too).

Speaking of sick chickens, I will update on my 2 sick girls. The one that was worse is on the mend!! No more spoon feeding. She eats and drinks all day by herself. She's preening herself and clucking and acting like a chicken. But her neck is still tilted to the side. I wonder if that is going to be permanent??
The other one has to be put down. If I was not going away, I might give her more time (I've read it can take 2-3 weeks) but her head is totally curled down, up, and under. She can't eat or drink on her own at all. So I can not let it starve to death while I'm away. Wish I would have started treatment sooner!

Sorry to hear that the one is not getting better.

I understand. And please don't think I am second guessing your judgement! Just trying to throw ideas out there incase one hits you and fits! I'm glad to hear they are doing better. I had hatched eggs from a very reputatable breeder awhile back, actually me and 2 other breeders in my area all got these eggs together and all 3 of us had nothing but problems with the ones that hatched. (We all also had bad hatch rates). I only have 1 healthy boy left that's in my flock. So I do believe that certain chickens can be more susceptible to germs and viruses that are in the environment. For 3 different people to get sickly birds from the same set of eggs, in 3 different environments has to be genetic.

It certainly sounds genetic.

I couldn't eat any of my chickens. I couldn't even eat someone else's chickens. That's actually why we became vegetarian. It's much healthier too and that's a bonus but as soon as I take a bite of meat I feel it all come back up my throat. It grosses me out so bad thinking of all the little guys that were killed to make it. I know I'm an odd ball but I just can't. Turns my stomach..

I'm not a vegetarian, but I couldn't eat my birds. Actually, I can't eat any farm fresh meat. I also don't do meat on the bone.

Yes, that's a start. And I would never shut down on eggs I paid for! These were just some of my old eggs, so nothing really lost. I wouldn't keep most of the chicks anyway but I just took the brooder out of the house and I need a break! Lol.
My roosters are big fluffy silkies and I can not bring myself to eat a silkie. I'm not a dark meat fan anyway. I've had two roosters (for breeding purposes) that were the same color and I knew one needed to go but I couldn't decide. I finally made the decision today and I kept the one that's the most gentlemanly toward the girls, chicks and myself. The other was quite the looker but he could get a real attitude and I know he went to a really good home. I think it's great that you ate your extra boys. Just like you said, you know they had a good life, you know they were killed humanely and you got nourishment out of them. If I was going to eat my boys I would most likely find a processor to do the dirty work for me. I'm not at that point yet.

From what I read. Unless you prepare it a certain way, silkie meat isn't that great. Just don't ask me how they said it had to be prepared to be fairly good, I don't pay much attention to stuff I won't be using. I don't think I could eat mine even if I had someone else process them. But I'm wimpy like that when it comes to eating...lol

 

[jenniferlamar70]

Yes, that's a start. And I would never shut down on eggs I paid for! These were just some of my old eggs, so nothing really lost. I wouldn't keep most of the chicks anyway but I just took the brooder out of the house and I need a break! Lol.
My roosters are big fluffy silkies and I can not bring myself to eat a silkie. I'm not a dark meat fan anyway. I've had two roosters (for breeding purposes) that were the same color and I knew one needed to go but I couldn't decide. I finally made the decision today and I kept the one that's the most gentlemanly toward the girls, chicks and myself. The other was quite the looker but he could get a real attitude and I know he went to a really good home. I think it's great that you ate your extra boys. Just like you said, you know they had a good life, you know they were killed humanely and you got nourishment out of them. If I was going to eat my boys I would most likely find a processor to do the dirty work for me. I'm not at that point yet.

I seriously love my silkies. I have them in with my polish chicks right now and they all get along so well. I don't think I want a whole bunch but I love having these 3 to baby..

 

[RubyNala97]

Sorry to hear that the one is not getting better.
It certainly sounds genetic.
I'm not a vegetarian, but I couldn't eat my birds. Actually, I can't eat any farm fresh meat. I also don't do meat on the bone.
From what I read. Unless you prepare it a certain way, silkie meat isn't that great. Just don't ask me how they said it had to be prepared to be fairly good, I don't pay much attention to stuff I won't be using. I don't think I could eat mine even if I had someone else process them. But I'm wimpy like that when it comes to eating...lol

Silkie meat is considered a delicacy in some cultures. They also believe it has medicinal & healing properties. I would taste it if someone else prepared a dish for me just to know what it tastes like. Otherwise I have no desire to eat a silkie!

 

[jenniferlamar70]

Hey guys the antibiotics is really helping all my chicks. They seem to be making a quick recovery except for my little cochin babies. They are the youngest and so far my favorites. They just don't seem to be making the come back that the others are. Can you guys suggest something to help perk them up? I'm going to pick up some nutridrench tomorrow..

 

[Ravynscroft]

Sorry to hear that the one is not getting better.
It certainly sounds genetic.
I'm not a vegetarian, but I couldn't eat my birds. Actually, I can't eat any farm fresh meat. I also don't do meat on the bone.
From what I read. Unless you prepare it a certain way, silkie meat isn't that great. Just don't ask me how they said it had to be prepared to be fairly good, I don't pay much attention to stuff I won't be using. I don't think I could eat mine even if I had someone else process them. But I'm wimpy like that when it comes to eating...lol

Silkie meat is considered a delicacy in some cultures. They also believe it has medicinal & healing properties. I would taste it if someone else prepared a dish for me just to know what it tastes like. Otherwise I have no desire to eat a silkie!

Silkie tastes like chicken...

Hey guys the antibiotics is really helping all my chicks. They seem to be making a quick recovery except for my little cochin babies. They are the youngest and so far my favorites. They just don't seem to be making the come back that the others are. Can you guys suggest something to help perk them up? I'm going to pick up some nutridrench tomorrow..

I was gonna suggest nutri... other than that, maybe mix some yogurt in their feed... being youngest, it's going to affect them the hardest... good luck and glad the rest are doing better...

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Silkie tastes like chicken...

That's what I was thinking. lol

Shredded up in a soup or enchilada or such, I'm sure it would be easy to eat. it only looks unappealing when it is still in the shape of chicken parts just because the color doesn't match what your brain expects.

 

[jenniferlamar70]

Silkie tastes like chicken...
I was gonna suggest nutri... other than that, maybe mix some yogurt in their feed... being youngest, it's going to affect them the hardest... good luck and glad the rest are doing better...

Thanks. For the yogurt do I just get plain? Is their a specific kind?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Silkie tastes like chicken...
I was gonna suggest nutri... other than that, maybe mix some yogurt in their feed... being youngest, it's going to affect them the hardest... good luck and glad the rest are doing better...

Everything else "tastes like chicken" it'd be funny if silkies didn't...lol. What I read was talking about the toughness I think it was. I'll have to find it again, not that I plan on trying it...lol

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Happy Birthday @wvduckchick !!!!!!! Hope you have a great day!