North Carolina

[reereechickens]

Quote:
This is a major problem with hatching your own and buying chicks. We do eat ours and also have a family that we and a few family friends provide birds to for fairly cheap prices. There are only so many homes you can find for those extra Roos. Soooner or later everyone has to come to the realization that those extra Roos have to go one way or another. Too many Roos in with the hens doesn't work at all.

I know some that turn their roos out. They do have feed out and water, but no protection. They eventually get picked off by predators. This is a way that I do not agree with.

I am picky about who my birds go to. Even those I know will be processed. I make sure they will be treated well before the end. 3 years ago I tried and tried to find homes for a group of white silkie Roos. After 4 months I had to give up on the last 6. I placed an add at a local Asian market for processed freeranged silkie/black meat Roos. Mom and I did the processing since I didn't know the folks that called for the birds birds or how they would be treated. I had to go take the adds down due to the volume of calls.

Matt

Hi Matt I sent you a PM on where to find an Asian market for my Silkie roos. I had thought of turning mine loose and then figured they would have a more "humane" death by processing them for meat.

 

[vfem]

Quote:
This is a major problem with hatching your own and buying chicks. We do eat ours and also have a family that we and a few family friends provide birds to for fairly cheap prices. There are only so many homes you can find for those extra Roos. Soooner or later everyone has to come to the realization that those extra Roos have to go one way or another. Too many Roos in with the hens doesn't work at all.

I know some that turn their roos out. They do have feed out and water, but no protection. They eventually get picked off by predators. This is a way that I do not agree with.

I am picky about who my birds go to. Even those I know will be processed. I make sure they will be treated well before the end. 3 years ago I tried and tried to find homes for a group of white silkie Roos. After 4 months I had to give up on the last 6. I placed an add at a local Asian market for processed freeranged silkie/black meat Roos. Mom and I did the processing since I didn't know the folks that called for the birds birds or how they would be treated. I had to go take the adds down due to the volume of calls.

Matt

Hi Matt I sent you a PM on where to find an Asian market for my Silkie roos. I had thought of turning mine loose and then figured they would have a more "humane" death by processing them for meat.

I have a vietnamese neighbor at the end of the road with like 6 acres. He has a HUGE fenced in area out in the woods with a giant coop right in the middle and he raises silkies to eat. If end up with extra roos, he'll take them. However, I usually process my own extras. Though, I am YET to ever do a silkie, and I don't think I could.

 

[BHep]

Morning all..

Great action shot HT. I can sit outside with my camera until the battery runs out and not get a picture like that.

G&A...Allison...

I know what you mean. I have 1 to many roosters just because he is someones favorite. I also live on 8 1/2 acres with no near neighbors so I do not have to worry about that. But I have been taking my extra roosters to the auction. I know I can't process them. I would like to... but just can't bring myself to do the deed.

So to the auction they go and I use the money I make to buy feed and more hatching eggs.

Just because you fall in love with the critters doesn't make you a bad farmer, it make you compassionate. There is nothing wrong with that !!!!

P.S. I had my very 1st Quail hatch this morning... Holy Moly is it TINY

I will get pics as soon as the rest hatch and are out of the hatcher.

 

[gavinandallison]

Quote:
thanks so much it is tough ---

congrats on the quail WOW

 

[Bird Collector]

Hi to all and espcially the newpeople. I have to catch up with you all and get some pictures posted. I don't have babies but I have some pretty ladies who are crazy cute. Life just seems to be on the fast track lately. I make my own chicken calander and have been gathering shots of the girls for it so I will have to post some.
G&A...Allison... No worry.. I am also not fond of the cycle of life. I have a pet fund so I can take any chickens to the vet and have them put to sleep. Or I would be pushing you off the doctors couch for my turn on it. I grew up with my Gandfather raising rabbits for meat. However, he made me a pet pen where I got to keep 2 rabbits for pets. Needless to say I did not go behind his shed or look at the other rabbits. All my chickens even when they stop laying will be just pretty yard art.
BH Can'wait to see the Quail pictures.

Well back to finish my days work. By for now.

 

[Coop Scoop Boogie]

We have been trying the flock swaps as a place to find new homes for our extras but have also processed extra roosters and old hens. Not a pleasent chore but sometimes............

 

[reereechickens]

Gavinandallison, It is tough getting rid of the roos! I had 2 Delaware roos processed and it was TOUGH! And I didn't do the deed or watch when it was done! My Silkies are turning out to be mainly roos also! Dang it!

 

[Chickeninthemeadow]

Makes me glad we went with Sumner-Byrd for our chicks. They will take back any Roos that they sale as pullets. Processing is not something I'm looking forward to though. I know they were purchased for food and all, but I don't envy that day. I may contact the butcher at Mac's and see if he'll process them for me when that day comes.

 

[NewHomesteader2010]

G&A:

I understand your frustration/concerns. I anxiously await the advice more experienced folks send your way!! Still

!!

GOOD Morning everyone!! I hope you all are having a great day!! I am excited as it is close to the weekend, and the DH and I are fully prepared to finish the inside of the coop this weekend - including taking all the tools out

- and letting the boys/girls have the full run of the coop. This morning I found a few of the ladies perched on the pen we have separating the tools from their space!! She looked right at me as if to say, "Hey, if you'd hurry up and finish this place, I wouldn't be sitting here, now would I?" I just had to laugh at her. This was Mrs. Tiggy-Wiggie my LO!! I am surprised, but it seems there has been a shift in the pecking order and the BO which seemed to be "head honchos" are now the two that seem to be a bit of loners. I will say that my Black Roo is definitely the most aggressive (he's still SUPER sweet though, so please don't take that in the wrong way) - he literally climbs atop of anyone who is in his way to grab at the oats in my hand!! I have stopped feeding them by hand like that only because it was getting to the point where he would peck at your hand no matter what.

My fault for hand feeding I guess. I promise to post photos of the inside - once it's finished. We're just putting up some walls and hopefully working fast enough to get the final 2 doors put up. Once that is done, all we have left would be the trim work!! I can't believe it's SO close to being done!!

My MIL is still thinking about buying a sheep for us, and I have to admit, I am secretly hoping she does!! The terms of our agreement would mean she would pay to have our entire flat property (the orchard/woods and farmland exluded) fenced in...which means during the day I could let my boys & girls out of their pen and they could free range a bit!!

They follow me around - especially when I have a bag in my hand (oats seem to be their favorite treat from me...

) so I feel confident I would be able to get them to come in at night - especially since there will only be a lean-to for the sheep...hmmm....maybe we should expand our barn and allow the sheep to keep the chickens warm and vice versa?!?

I'm already expanding and we haven't even finished. Oh boy!! Hmm...I wonder if I can convince my MIL that a sheep needs a companion like a horse?!?

What? I've always wanted one. Nah - too much upkeep...I'd rather have a cow/pig to keep my DH's tummy happy.
Well, you all have a wonderful day!! I'm off to tend to the little one who has decided naps are no longer for her as there is just too much to see/explore!!

I'm not ready for her to grow up!!

 

[chickensioux]

Anyone in the vicinity of the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue that can help them? They are located just south of Charlotte. The storms that rolled thru recently destroyed Lake Wylie's Heron nesting sites. CWR is overrun with baby herons and injured adults. http://www.carolinawaterfowlrescue.com/

The cost of the care for this particular bird is high. Any help with feeding, etc. would be greatly appreciated.