North Carolina

[ramirezframing]

I have a real issue killing anything, even though I know it's the ethical way to do it if my children are to eat meat.

Last time my husband was away back in the spring I ended up with a sick flock and had to cull them. Which I sucked it up and did it, but I had a really hard time with it and the blood and I just can't do it again. I also kept hesitating on cutting them which made it way worse for both the birds and me and my favorite ended up taking a really long time to bleed out (in retrospect I didn't do it right) so it was just a mess.

On a meat thread I saw someone killing them with a b.b. gun. Like held them so they were comfortable (some put a sock over their head) and just shot them point blank with a BB which they said killed them instantly. Not sure if that would work with a turkey? I think all we have is a BB rifle anyway (and I don't even know where I told my husband I don't want guns in the house so he's got them hidden in the garage somewhere.

I don't even know anyone to barter with? Are there people that advertise processing? I'm still pretty new to the whole meat thing.

Also, what's the smallest amount of turkeys you can have? My husband loves his Tom and wants to keep him, but I'm really over the whole turkey thing and don't want to keep more than him. Will he be lonely? Can I put him with the chickens or is that not a good idea? I have a hen I can keep with him. I don't know, turkeys just didn't turn out how I'd hoped and ours eat so much they're a huge money pit and super messy!

Your turkeys are like that since they are the meat type not the heritage type like the tom your husband likes.

My silkies dog pile in the nest box, but they will also roost on the really hot nights. (my roost are about 1 to 2 foot off the ground, they jump higher to get into the nesting box)

 

[dutchbunny83]

Okay thanks
The tom, do you think I can just let him run free through my yard.
We have a big dogwood tree he can roost in in the backyard.
I think he's too big to be bothered by a hawk at this point, which is our only predator.
I know they can fly though so I don't want him taking off over the neighborhood. We let him free range and he doesn't try to, but if he has access to the yard 24/7 he might.

Also, what age do you guys let your kids get involved in the processing? Mine is about to turn 8 and I don't want to traumatize him, but I really can't do this by myself and I have no friends interested in helping haha!!!

 

[ramirezframing]

My kids haven't been present for the killing part yet, but have always watched while we cleaned the birds. I use that time to teach them about the organs and what they do.

 

[doubleatraining]

Okay thanks
The tom, do you think I can just let him run free through my yard.
We have a big dogwood tree he can roost in in the backyard.
I think he's too big to be bothered by a hawk at this point, which is our only predator.
I know they can fly though so I don't want him taking off over the neighborhood. We let him free range and he doesn't try to, but if he has access to the yard 24/7 he might.

Also, what age do you guys let your kids get involved in the processing? Mine is about to turn 8 and I don't want to traumatize him, but I really can't do this by myself and I have no friends interested in helping haha!!!

My kids haven't been present for the killing part yet, but have always watched while we cleaned the birds. I use that time to teach them about the organs and what they do.

I taught Bhep's kids how to kill and process chickens. We had a long conversation before. I'm not 100% sure on their ages but I'm sure the youngest was around 8 when we started. The oldest had the most problem with it the first time....by the end she was all in it though. They loved going through the organs and we talked about it. They did wonderful and were processing them on their own the second time. Beth can tell you more about it.

 

[dutchbunny83]

Absolute survival how long could a cat go without water before being dead?
He's pretty fat which holds water so one would think at least a week right?
He's been gone exactly a week and I've looked everywhere. My neighbor behind me 2 doors down got one of those POD things a few weeks ago (like a portable shed in your yard you fill with stuff).
Thinking back I haven't seen him in it since Halloween (not to say for sure he hasn't been). I just suddenly started thinking the cat could have gotten locked in there. Ran over, no answer at the door no one home. So I went in his backyard and started knocking on the pod and calling for my cat and listening and there was no response inside of it.
He would most likely still be alive at this point and be able to meow???
God I hope he's not in there. Not to mention I'd somehow have to replace all the stuff this guy has in his POD. I just don't know, he NEVER doesn't come home.



CHICK QUESTION-- What age can you leave them out overnight without a heatlamp this time of year? I have 4-5 week old chicks feathered out except the head which is still fluff. I have them in the downstairs bathtub as a brooder but they keep flying out. Put them out in my starter coop this afternoon, but didn't know if it would get too cold for them overnight?

 

[BHep]

I taught Bhep's kids how to kill and process chickens. We had a long conversation before. I'm not 100% sure on their ages but I'm sure the youngest was around 8 when we started. The oldest had the most problem with it the first time....by the end she was all in it though. They loved going through the organs and we talked about it. They did wonderful and were processing them on their own the second time. Beth can tell you more about it.

Yeah...youngest was 8..and she was the first to grab the knife. Oldest was 11 at the time..she processed in a skirt & high heels, it was funny. Anyway, they didn't have any problems with it and loved the outcome..DINNER.

And Alex is a great teacher...

 

[tammyfarms]

Cool! We can hook up and see the sights together!

That would be awesome. I hope to see Coop and RF, and maybe meet some more of the great folks on here.

 

[tammyfarms]

We have three roos "marked for execution". Thankfully my husband is a hunter and will do the killing. I am going to make myself be there for it and learn how. The problem is that the roos are so pretty I am going to have a hard time not trying to sell them first. Especially the Marans cross, he looks like a Blue Marans but is mixed with an Olive Egger. He is big and pretty. Another one is a big Blue Easter Egger that is really pretty....

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

Quote: A lovely BYC get together!

 

[dutchbunny83]

CAT FOUND!!!! Yay! He was in the sewer the next street over! What a mess!


Are my month old chicks good to stay out overnight tonight without a heatlamp?
Don't know if I need to go bring them back in the house.
I have a heat lamp in the regular coop, but I think they're a little small to be in with the big chickens and I never caught whatever that predator was.