North Carolina

[Tikkijane]

What do you all do with extra cockerels, grow them out and eat them?
I've got a couple Wyandottes, a Rock, and a Delaware that would be big enough size to eat, but would take them awhile...
There's a couple Leghorns that would be a waist of time, Easter Egger I don't know about.

People only want pullets (not that I blame them, I'm the same).
They're 6 weeks old I was trying to sell 10 of them for $20 but no takers :/

I'm going to have to process mine. :/ I've got 18 boys right now, which includes at least 8 large fowl. My two remaining originals will stay; my light brahma is behaving for now, and my SLW cockerel might not go right away. After I get done with the big boys, I really might need to deal with some of the bantams. I don't think I'll eat them, though. I really wish folks would want them. :/

 

[ramirezframing]

Quote: Just use the bantams for stock/ stew or throw 2 or so in the pot for supper, it's what I do with my extra silkie roosters that don't sell.

 

[Tikkijane]

Ice bottles.  Keep lots of bottles in the freezer and swap them out.  They'll snuggle with them.

Yep. I use mostly milk jugs. Sometimes 2 or 3 litre bottles if I have them. Smaller pop bottles (with lids) work well for littles. I like the sports bottle freezer sticks (can find them with the coolers/camping stuff) for the nesting boxes. Put along one side/edge it's fine.

I also wet down dust bathing areas and other shaded areas, like under the coops, or trees/bushes they like to hang out under. I have a mister I can use, but haven't had to yet.

Oh! I have an oscillating floor fan I use in the coop during the day. And then frozen treats are good- watermelon rinds are good ones.

Coming from the dery SW in southern NM, heat was not a joke. We'd get to 100+ by the end of May and stay there until late September. My heat index is 95- real feel with humidity is always taken into consideration, as is wind.

 

[Tikkijane]

Hahah that's awesome! Crazy amazing animals and eggs.

I left her and the 20+ keets along with the father and the other male since 1. I never would've been able to catch them lol and 2. I sort of gave them to the old landlord since she said she liked having them around I don't think my new neighbors would be so pleased with guineas ranging in their yards.
My old landlord has a couple of goats and an LGD which was so awesome when I had chickens there. But the guineas and keets will benefit from nesting nearby as he should scare most everything away.
I have a friend who had raised guineas for years and he seems to think that most of the keets will survive to adulthood. I hope the landlord doesn't mind 20 guineas! she only thought she was getting 3!

Fun! I had a horrible time with the keets this year. Horrible. Right now everyone seems to be holding steady. {Knock on wood}. Hope the babies can stay dry, and that the landlord keeps you posted.

 

[FVRM]

I have a few roosters I have to del with too. It's so much work to process them ughhhh.... I'm not too crazy about the meat but I love the hearts and livers

 

[starlingdaly]

Fun! I had a horrible time with the keets this year. Horrible. Right now everyone seems to be holding steady. {Knock on wood}. Hope the babies can stay dry, and that the landlord keeps you posted.

Thanks ! I hope so too! Oh she will keep me posted..lol. She is super nice. But I also visit every now and then (for the guineas and because I still have some things stored in their garage attic)

FWIW The year before last and every year before that that I tried to raise guineas I failed.. Something always happened to them when they were still teens! But l somehow managed to hatch some and raise three to adulthood last year.. I hatched a bunch of their eggs this year and sold the keets to reimburse myself for my previously failed efforts lol.. And now the population exploded! So hopefully at least a few survive to adulthood. There are three adults helping them find food so that's great.

(I love that the father guinea made sure the other male had absolutely nothing to do with the girl..until they hatched.. I think he was like "please..we need all the help we can get!" Lol

 

[starlingdaly]

I just wanted to say how happy I am! I thought my shipped eggs had all died but locked them down anyway because they are Marans and low and behold, a day late , I have a single surprise hatchling!!!

My little baby!! <3 <3

P.S. While I was being happy about this, my dog ate my last pizza slice in the other room. >.<

 

[ramirezframing]

HAPPY 4th OF JULY



Hope everyone made it through Arthur ok.

 

[BHep]

 

[Coop Scoop Boogie]

Happy 4th of July


be careful and have fun