Naughty, nasty birds earn an early trip to freezer camp

[sourland]

Think tiny velociraptors with feathers. You are a gret protein source. Don't fall down in the pen or it's all over. Take down the barriers between chickens and us and you become part of the pecking order-or food chain. People are nasty-chickens are:-well, just chickens. Eat them. NYReds, it amazes me too.

 

[trase]

I will get some photos up ASAP, and perhaps the meat bird food will be a good solution - thanks for the idea, Scarter. If we determine that they are Cornish X we will get them some. And yes, we too are not going to put up with really aggressive birds. If that makes me some kind of ignoramus in the eyes of some, fine. But the other chickens we have are well behaved, even while demonstrating typical chicken behavior, and I'll take more of their sort, and continue to enjoy keeping chickens that way.

Chickens may be evolved dinosaurs, but this is one evolved primate who isn't going to put up with tiny velociraptors trying to make a meal out of her!

 

[NYREDS]

Insulting comments removed.

 

[trase]

Edited material removed by Staff

I'm making the point that I didn't go into this completely blind.


My outrage regarding these Rocks behavior is because it is so different than the other chicken breeds we have. I am not outraged about typical chicken behavior, and my point is that I wasn't unaware of pecking order, etc. But honestly, nothing I read said "expect chickens to attack you and draw blood whenever they have the opportunity." And my experience with the other birds demonstrates that is not necessarily "normal." If it were, I would not be interested in continuing to keep chickens.

So, we made a decision to cull these particularly aggressive birds, and I posted here looking neither for endorsements nor judgments regarding our decision, but simply for information regarding the earliest age at which we could cull them and expect to get any meat. I thought that was what this particular portion of the board was for, was getting information on how to handle meat birds, not to have others question my qualifications as a chicken keeper because we have made the decision we have.

 

[JenEric Farms]

Trase- If I had chickens drawing blood, whether out of hunger or being too aggressive, I'd get rid of them too! I have a 5 year old that feeds the chickens with me and gathers eggs and I would not want them doing that to him.

So what if it is normal chicken behavior, it's not worth it if you can have a nice manageble flock, that you feel safe having your children (and hand) around. I'd cull or sell in a heartbeat.

I have had several different breeds and none have acted this way. They are occassionaly to agressive, for my taste, with each other...and well, that's chickens being chickens as long as they have the feed and space they need. Which from the sounds of it, yours do. If any of them acted aggressive towards me, they would get the boot.

 

[speckledhen]

I have removed some very insulting comments and argumentative posts here. Honestly, I think there is a way for folks to word their comments so as not to be condescending and rude to the OP. Let's try that, please.

 

[trase]

Quote:
I'm sorry if what I said was offensive. I am feeling under attack by some here, and so it's ruffled my feathers.

I am, however, grateful for those who have reached out with sincerely helpful advice. Thank you.

 

[speckledhen]

I wasn't necessarily meaning you, trase. Some would do well to read the rules again, however.

Do's
* Be friendly and courteous to all members at all times.
* Respect the BackYardChickens Staff. They dedicate LOTS of volunteer time keeping the forum running smoothly.
* Be nice to newcomers and help them feel welcome.
* Respect that people may have a different political, religious, philosophical and cultural background than you.​

 

[PunkinPeep]

Trase, if they are six weeks old, and they are as big as it sounds like they are, i'm not sure i would even try the other feed. I might go ahead and butcher them. However, if you want to get a little more bang for your trouble, i'm sure the meat bird feed would help fatten them up a little before butcher. Maybe you should buy finisher. I can't remember if they sell it that way. But i think they do. But if you don't feel like going to the trouble, they should make some nice little freezer campers right now. And eating them after having them eat you might be very cathartic.

I, also, do not put up with people-eaters at my house. They learn differently very quickly - or they grace my banquet table. It is my opinion that i should not ever be under any fear of my own animals.

 

[EweSheep]

Any of them draw blood, they are GONE! I can not tolerate a mean or aggressive chicken.

If they are crosses or meaties, time for the dinner table. Butcher them all up and you can still get more hens.