Is it time?

[MIfarmgirl]

Hi all,

We are new to chickens, adopted a Cornish X, and didn't know it. He was born in early March, put on weight fast (when we then suspected he was not what we thought he was), and started mouth-breathing today. On Monday, we weighed him at five pounds twelve ounces.

Is the mouth-breathing a sign that it's time to make him dinner? Today was a very warm spring day, 84 degrees, and at first, I thought he was just hot....

Your advice is appreciated. He's lived a good life and will be the first bird we will kill and eat. I just thought it would be in June, not this soon; I'm coming to terms with it.

Thanks,

Pam

 

[chickened]

8 or 9 weeks is about right.

 

[CCourson05]

I do believe it is overdue... Not sure though...

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

time. butcher this weekend. don't forget to let rest in frig for a few days, brine if you like and have a nice chicken dinner mid week

 

[MIfarmgirl]

Thanks for the advice, chicken friends.

Tomorrow evening after I get home from work will be THE time for Fatty. Will let you know how it goes (and thanks for all the existing threads about first kills)...

Pam

 

[Bossroo]

A serial killer in the making...

 

[littlegorb]

Quote:
he's ready. and brining is the best method to ensure a juicy tasty bird. i make my own salt using herbs from my yard. (rosemary, sage, parsley, garlic, onion) and use that in my brine. it rocks!

 

[CANDLE98]

Quote:
Why do you need to let them rest? Do you rest them before you freeze them or just before you use them fresh?

 

[chickened]

I think she is referring to resting them to take the natural body heat out. Some say it makes them tough if you don't rest them.

 

[sky king]

What is mouth breathin meen ?