INCUBATING w/FRIENDS! w/Sally Sunshine Shipped Eggs No problem!

[Jessimom]

I hatched Ayem Cemani eggs I got off of Ebay. 4 of the 6 hatched. They are a silvery black and 2 of them have lighter patches on their wing tips. Anyone else that has Ayem Cemani, is that normal? They are beautiful!!!

 

[BantyChooks]

I hatched Ayem Cemani eggs I got off of Ebay.  4 of the 6 hatched.  They are a silvery black and 2 of them have lighter patches on their wing tips.  Anyone else that has Ayem Cemani, is that normal?  They are beautiful!!!

@Pyxis

 

[ChickenCanoe]

@DwayneNLiz Thanks for the links, though I was already outside.
Now I can organize and move my birds, and introduce my two cockerels.

I'm down to 4 Pene cockerels. I thought I was going to lose another last night because he planted himself in a tree. He returned this morning but won't imprint on the new building.
My cross rooster that I was going to butcher a couple days ago found a temporary home with a friend.
Don't know how long that will last.

I will trade either of you. It is a nasty 85 and humid here

Summer has finally arrived in St. L this year.
It hit 90+ for the third time this year on Wednesday and we'll stay in the mid to upper 90s for the foreseeable future. It was low (60%) humidity the first couple days but has been creeping up ever since but we have a reprieve today at only 45% right now. That's uncharacteristically low.

but i hate the cold!!
love snow, hate cold LOL

I always loved the cold till I had to carry water to 8 flocks of chickens through the snow in sub zero F weather - ALL WINTER.

I will have heated circulated water for all flocks when it's below freezing this winter and all those in the future.

Yeah, but I started them and it took me five hours to get the ten birds from kill to fridge. I only stopped to feed the critters and milk a goat. I hope I don't get sick from them. ThoughvI washed them salted them let them sit for five minutes and then rewashed and bagged them. Now I just need to read about how long they sit, how people package them to freeze, and if there is anything else I need to do.

BTW does anybody know a way to get the lungs out without shredding them sort of on the ribs?

Good morning everyone.

Don't feel bad,, it takes me a long time too.

Good job! Took me 5 hours for 10 as well. Did you put them on ice after processing? That's the best way to get them as cool as possible as fast as possible.

I broke down and got a lung scraper tool, makes it a lot easier, but on one I culled recently, I was able to pry them out with my fingers and some patience by rolling them downwards, if you don't want to get one of the lung tools (they're a bit pricey). Took some practice.

http://www.strombergschickens.com/product/lung-remover/Poultry-Processing-Tools-Accessories

- Ant Farm

Those lung tools are pricey. I've found that after everything is done and I bring them into the kitchen sink to rinse, a good blast of water loosens the lungs enough to be able to extract them.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

@DwayneNLiz Thanks for the links, though I was already outside.
Now I can organize and move my birds, and introduce my two cockerels.

Quote:
What he said.

I was just saying that they should be on ice or in fridge as soon as possible (vs. leaving at room temp). As I am usually doing several at once and am all yucky, I put them all on ice, and then get them all in the fridge at one after I'm done.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

@MotorcycleChick - I'm stupid with words, so -

- Ant Farm

 

[kwhites634]

Quote: Try running newspapers in similar temps with the heater going full blast & the driver's window wide open in the rain / snow

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Quote: Yep, they are. Kinda wish I hadn't gotten it, as I've worked out how to get them out without it now. I was told I "had" to get one. But since I have it, I use it.

- Ant Farm

 

[daxigait]

No. You need to let them rest in the fridge at least 24 hours before freezing or eating. I let them rest 4 or 5 days.

Thanks, I just meant to help cool them since it took me so long and it is hot here. Next time I will have a tub of ice water. That is if I ever do it again.
The plucker would have been great if I had had a better clamp or two people. I just tested it on a small part of a bird, and then did them by hand.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Yep, they are. Kinda wish I hadn't gotten it, as I've worked out how to get them out without it now. I was told I "had" to get one. But since I have it, I use it.

- Ant Farm

I would definitely use it too. It would be handy but I was amazed at how a blast of cold water loosens them.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Thanks, I just meant to help cool them since it took me so long and it is hot here. Next time I will have a tub of ice water. That is if I ever do it again.
The plucker would have been great if I had had a better clamp or two people. I just tested it on a small part of a bird, and then did them by hand.

OK. I've done that before. Just 20 minutes in the freezer to drop temp faster. I usually fill a cooler with ice and salt them down.
Cooling separately in the fridge is good too, to prevent cross contamination. That's not usually an issue if rinsed well.
I feel your pain. I never have help unless I'm teaching a class on it but that doesn't save time.

Oh, if you keep and hatch chickens, you'll do it again.