I got my chickens pretty much to be pets and for just eggs, but fact of the matter is, we as a family eat chicken.
My 3 chickens are older adults. My guess, perhaps 2yrs old. They appear to me to be healthy, but keep in mind that I'm a newbie to owning chickens.
When I first got them, I had it in my head that when they died I could process them and eat them, but then I thought about that for a moment and decided no.. too old and not gonna eat a dead bird.. it's gotta be fresh killed..
Then, after a few days getting to know my chickens, I decided, no.. I can not eat a family pet unless we we're starving..
Then yesterday I watched Food Inc and was absolutely disgusted with how the food industry grows and processes the chicken we eat.
As I understand it, an older chicken can be used as a stew chicken and would have to be slow boiled in soup with the result being a more chickeny flavor and needs to cook long to be tender meat. Is this correct?
Reason I ask this, is because I'm contemplating the idea of acquiring another small flock and culling these chickens as food. The new flock will be pullets and used as layers for a period and I intend on getting roosters so I can also hatch in order to keep a constant rotation of eggs and chickens as food.
I slaughtered and processed chickens 22yrs ago as a student at the aggie, so I'm sure I can relearn this or become accustomed to it.
I no longer desire to eat food containing hormones, chemicals, GMO, etc and rather have a wholesome home raised chicken to eat.
I understand my cost would be a bit higher this way, but the return is worth it as the food will be healthier, however, how much higher can that cost be if I plan on hatching and keeping a cycle going so that I have a constant supply of fresh chicken, eggs, etc
If we're eating chicken 3 times a week, I'd have to cull 156 birds a year. What size flock would I need to start with and how often do I hatch, and how many do I hatch without increasing the size of the flock?
Sorry, I confused myself thinking about this, lol
My 3 chickens are older adults. My guess, perhaps 2yrs old. They appear to me to be healthy, but keep in mind that I'm a newbie to owning chickens.
When I first got them, I had it in my head that when they died I could process them and eat them, but then I thought about that for a moment and decided no.. too old and not gonna eat a dead bird.. it's gotta be fresh killed..
Then, after a few days getting to know my chickens, I decided, no.. I can not eat a family pet unless we we're starving..
Then yesterday I watched Food Inc and was absolutely disgusted with how the food industry grows and processes the chicken we eat.
As I understand it, an older chicken can be used as a stew chicken and would have to be slow boiled in soup with the result being a more chickeny flavor and needs to cook long to be tender meat. Is this correct?
Reason I ask this, is because I'm contemplating the idea of acquiring another small flock and culling these chickens as food. The new flock will be pullets and used as layers for a period and I intend on getting roosters so I can also hatch in order to keep a constant rotation of eggs and chickens as food.
I slaughtered and processed chickens 22yrs ago as a student at the aggie, so I'm sure I can relearn this or become accustomed to it.
I no longer desire to eat food containing hormones, chemicals, GMO, etc and rather have a wholesome home raised chicken to eat.
I understand my cost would be a bit higher this way, but the return is worth it as the food will be healthier, however, how much higher can that cost be if I plan on hatching and keeping a cycle going so that I have a constant supply of fresh chicken, eggs, etc
If we're eating chicken 3 times a week, I'd have to cull 156 birds a year. What size flock would I need to start with and how often do I hatch, and how many do I hatch without increasing the size of the flock?
Sorry, I confused myself thinking about this, lol