Heritage Breeds

[Brother Rooster]

I have a fair amount of freezer space, just bought a 22cf chest freezer plus I have an up right, gonna be eating a lot of chicken and if i have to i will give my kids some. Monday I am supposed to take 20 to get butchered at a USDA approved butcher so I could sell if I want. Only paid 45c per bird but didn't get the mix we thought. Learning curve!! I'm going to have about 9 hens for eggs. Can I put them in a kennel the night before, will they be ok overnight together? (large wire dog kennel) also going to be cold

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Can you put the big dog kennel in the garage?

 

[chickenpatch]

You need to do something about the amount of cockerels you have. It is very cruel to have so many roosters in a small area, once they start maturing they will fight alot and could even start killing each other.

How much land are you keeping them on?

 

[keesmom]

I'm sure by now those cockerels are occupying a chunk of that 22 cubic foot freezer.

 

[keesmom]

Hubby does the smoking...probably 2.2 - 3 hours in our Smoker...only one temperature setting. We've done this with Cornish Game hens for years and with our turkeys this past two years as well and loved the results. I usually make a smoked chicken salad that is simply stripping the carcass, cutting the meat into bite-sized pieces and mixing it with mayo. Super simple but guests always assume it is some sort of gourmet recipie because it tastes to good. Perhaps it is the mayo that makes up for the leanness of the meat, but we did have some of the last one we smoked in sandwiches and it was good. The carcass then goes into the stock pot and we get the most delicious smoky chicken broth that we throw some grilled peppers and corn into...sometimes with a can of black beans and have a smokey grilled vegetable South West type soup.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I need to get myself a smoker.