Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[HollyDuckFarmer]

I'm looking for some chicken processing information - On this thread I have heard about a woman that will come to your home and process chickens in her truck....apparently she has a system set up inside....If not that a processor in the Lansing/St. Johns area - I'm looking for the info ASAP...thanks much!

R&B Poultry Processing
989-743-3337
https://m.facebook.com/pages/RB-Pou...4982317780&refsrc=http://www.google.com/&_rdr

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

...

I just love seeing broody hens with their babies.

Came back from the Family Vacation to these two! Rouen's in the left corner, KC in the right. So far coexisting very well. the Rouen was sitting on 32, can you believe that?! I reduced her nest to 14. I love babies too-- but no way could I justify allowing her to sit on 32

 

[Opa]

As I sit here drinking coffee the news is recounting all of the tragedies that are befalling folks across the country. Massive fires is some areas and flooding in others. Any ills we must face pale in comparison .We are really fortunate here in Michigan that our weather calamities are reasonably benign.

I've been up for several hours and my old JRT hasn't moved from the spot she was in when I fell asleep last night. There once was a time when the slight sound would have her alert and investigating. She is 17 years old, deaf as a post, almost blind, and becoming extremely thin. She often appears to be lost and unable to find her way. Yet she doesn't seem to be suffering any discomfort so I will continue to cope with her disabilities. It only seems right that I do all I can for an animal that has provided so many years of companionship. Will Rogers once said that if dogs didn't go to heaven he wanted to go where they go.

 

[chickflick]

That's how my last two old dogs became. Still seem happy, but lost. Sad to see, but fact of life. I just gave them all the love I could and comfort that I could.

Good Morning! It's going to be a beautiful day!

 

[NovaAman]

I'd say people need to take a leaf out of your book, and treat their canine companions how they'd want to be treated when they are elderly.

Pullets be another beautiful day here on my side of the state. Going to get the meat bird coop together. Birds get picked up Tuesday... Gonna stat them in the garage brooder for a few. Then when they're big enough to not slip through then fence, they can go out to their out door coop and grass run. Today is a good day to assemble it.

 

[Huston's Happy Hens]

Ok I've got my processor, now if I'm going to have roosters processed are they worth processing after 16 weeks? I have a few older boys.....actually years older! Thanks

 

[1muttsfan]

Older birds are great for making stock, and for certain recipes such as Coq au Vin - very slow moist cooking methods. You might want to ask that they be packaged and labeled separately so that you don't accidentally try to roast them.

 

[NovaAman]

Depends. I just sent 3 last night. They'll be smaller, not like your meaties at all. But I like my cockerels for soups, shredding... Slow cook em.

It is WAY quiet here this morning. The terrorizing trio aren't here. The girls are quite, no fighting... Something seems wrong, though I know all is well... I don't miss the ninjas rapists. I do miss the crowing though. I am weird like that.

 

[gladahmae]

Ok I've got my processor, now if I'm going to have roosters processed are they worth processing after 16 weeks? I have a few older boys.....actually years older! Thanks

I had 3 20-weekers processed this spring, and crockpotted them. Firmer than what we're used to, but still good. There was a lot more dark meat on them than "normal" meat birds though, if that's an issue for your family (my DH doesn't like dark meat at all, so I usually end up using that for soups and casseroles)


I've had to catch and return chickens 3x already this morning. Darn 15 week old birds being flighty and curious! I'm starting to get my numbers whittled down for winter. I think I need to lose around another 5 or so birds and then I'll be at capacity. I could increase the density in my layer coop, but I don't really want them to get bored and mean this winter. As it stands now, I'm increasing the number of birds in there from the 15 of last winter to around 24 (which is the capacity if I follow the 4sqft rule). Need to figure out a CHEAP way to get them a more useable winter run area as well. Maybe I need to find one of those plug-in snowblowers on CL and just dedicate myself to blowing out their run regularly.

 

[Scifisarah]

Depends. I just sent 3 last night. They'll be smaller, not like your meaties at all. But I like my cockerels for soups, shredding... Slow cook em.

It is WAY quiet here this morning. The terrorizing trio aren't here. The girls are quite, no fighting... Something seems wrong, though I know all is well... I don't miss the ninjas rapists. I do miss the crowing though. I am weird like that.

You aren't going to make Pat into soup I hope? Is he still kicking/tripping around there?

Here is a video of my little cochin cuties, getting a bit older now:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10151598835042794