This is our first flock, and we got a variety of breeds in straight run, with the plan being to cull of the roos (save for one, I was hoping for a Welsummer roo and it appears that I probably have two) all along.
You may have seen my post elsewhere regarding the handicapped Welsummer hen who we reintroduced to the coop after letting her recuperate in the brooder cage here in the house for a couple of weeks, and how the ill-behaved White Plymouth Rocks immediately started to badger and bully her, so we removed the six of them from the coop and transferred them back to the brooder cage.
We have decided to cull all of them as meat birds, even though two may be hens. I am not liking this breed at all, and would prefer to populate our flock with nicer breeds. We have Buff Orps, Welsummers, and two RIR's, and they are all behaving much more nicely toward each other, the coop has a calmer feel to it, and nobody is being bullied. We do plan to add to our flock in time with some BCM's and Jersey Giants, which as I understand are both calmer, friendlier breeds - at least, from what I've read
They are in the cage now, and are continuing their high-strung, nasty behavior, including disassembling the waterer, and kicking pine shavings into the feeder so much that it was impacted over their food. I realize much of this has to do with their being freaked out about the move, and subsequently, the serious reduction in space, but I am increasingly hateful toward these birds. I don't want to be cruel, however.
What is the earliest we can cull them for meat? I mean, seriously, we are at the point where if I just get the equivalent of a few McNuggets, I'll be satisfied. There is nothing endearing about these particular birds like there is with the others.
Has anyone else had this sort of experience? Any tips or ideas?
You may have seen my post elsewhere regarding the handicapped Welsummer hen who we reintroduced to the coop after letting her recuperate in the brooder cage here in the house for a couple of weeks, and how the ill-behaved White Plymouth Rocks immediately started to badger and bully her, so we removed the six of them from the coop and transferred them back to the brooder cage.
We have decided to cull all of them as meat birds, even though two may be hens. I am not liking this breed at all, and would prefer to populate our flock with nicer breeds. We have Buff Orps, Welsummers, and two RIR's, and they are all behaving much more nicely toward each other, the coop has a calmer feel to it, and nobody is being bullied. We do plan to add to our flock in time with some BCM's and Jersey Giants, which as I understand are both calmer, friendlier breeds - at least, from what I've read
They are in the cage now, and are continuing their high-strung, nasty behavior, including disassembling the waterer, and kicking pine shavings into the feeder so much that it was impacted over their food. I realize much of this has to do with their being freaked out about the move, and subsequently, the serious reduction in space, but I am increasingly hateful toward these birds. I don't want to be cruel, however.
What is the earliest we can cull them for meat? I mean, seriously, we are at the point where if I just get the equivalent of a few McNuggets, I'll be satisfied. There is nothing endearing about these particular birds like there is with the others.
Has anyone else had this sort of experience? Any tips or ideas?
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