Letting my broody raise 20 meaties. Now I have a rooster raising 50 CX chicks~new batch!

[Wolfwoman]

You're right about the meaty smell, I didn't notice it either. Another thing... their innards didn't stink as badly as some critters I've skinned before too.

Can they easily be plucked by hand once scalded too?

 

[Beekissed]

I plucked mine by hand and I've plucked many a chicken in my day...these bird's feathers practically fell out! It was the best and most clean birds I've ever processed. No wonder so many folks have bald meaties...their feathers are not real well seated. Guess because they are so young, yet so big? Maybe becaus their skin is so tender for their size?

 

[halo]

You plucked them by hand?? Wow. Did you dunk them first?

 

[Beekissed]

Yep, halo.....look back a couple of pages and see the setup we had...it was hilarious!

Worked like a charm, though and the chickens plucked by hand in a matter of a few minutes, if that.

 

[Wolfwoman]

Quote:
Awesome!! I think I'm going to try that on the next three (well last three for this batch) and see how it goes! I might try it without scalding as I'd like to keep the feathers.

 

[Beekissed]

I had thought about keeping them also but was afraid they would stink but the next time, if there is one, I may pluck all the soft feathers dry for keeping and then scald for the tough and dirty feathers to come off more easily.

I'd like to make some feather pillows from the next batch.

 

[Wolfwoman]

Quote:
I think if set out to dry they will be fine. I'd like to save the larger ones for crafts.

 

[Wolfwoman]

Well we must have done something right. I am in the process of eating our first CX meal and it's wonderful! Nice and juicy and TENDER. I guess we let it rest the proper amount of time. I am pleased

 

[stanglover2001]

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How long did you let it rest? And did you rest it in a cooler or a fridge? And did you sit it in salt water?
I'd like to know so mine come out nice like yours

 

[Young MacDonald]

Hi. First, i want to say THANK YOU to Beekissed for starting this thread. I just read the entire thread and I really enjoyed the pictures you and Wolfwoman posted as well as the information.

I just started keeping chickens last year for eggs. We bought chicks, kept the pullets for laying and ate the cockerels. This year, I've had 4 broodies and we've given them chicks to adopt and raise. The chicks have been layers or dual purpose - no meat birds yet. I've got a broody now (she is extremely broody - this is her second time this year) and I'm considering giving her a mixed brood to raise including cornish cross. This thread has been very helpful.

I have a couple of questions based on your experiences.

Do you think a mixed brood would work? The CornishX are so large compared to regular chicks -- would a dual purpose chick do fine alongside those enormous meat creatures?

You said the heat was a major factor. It's very hot here - the upcoming week should have a heat index of 100-110 every day, but it should start to cool off by the end of August. How do they handle the heat when they're small chicks? If it's very hot now, but cools off as they reach 5-6 weeks, how do you think that would work in terms of stress?

Thanks again!