NY chicken lover!!!!

[Chicken girl 15]

Speaking of chicken math, does anyone know how the breakdown of meaties for a family of 7 would work? We eat chicken 3-4 times a week. I told hubby 25 every 2 months and he laughed at me. Maybe 25 a month to get the freezer going good and slow down after that to just a restocking every few months.

 

[tao chick]

Speaking of chicken math, does anyone know how the breakdown of meaties for a family of 7 would work? We eat chicken 3-4 times a week. I told hubby 25 every 2 months and he laughed at me. Maybe 25 a month to get the freezer going good and slow down after that to just a restocking every few months.

My SIL raised 25 meaties. For the two of them she's planning on that twice a year, I think. She's using other meat too, though. Lamb, venison, dual purpose extras, and eventually beef.

 

[Gramma Chick]

I ate nearly this whole thing. There are three slices being tossed as I didn't eat it fast enough.

tossed to the chickens I hope ?

Everyone keeps saying they are getting fewer eggs now. Is that due to older hens? I have 18 pullets and all lay well, I get14-16 eggs a day. I guess the question in that is , if I want eggs year round should I grow out new pullets every spring? What age before a hen is no longer tender, and has to slow cook?

Yes -older hens lay less frequently & are more apt to take a break this time of year .
most chickens lay good for at least 2 years then after that they lay every 2 days or so .
Depends on the chicken also . I have 2 3 1/2 yr olds - they have quit laying .
If you add lights ..I believe they use up their egg supply quicker ..
a young chicken 5 -6 months is the tenderest ...they get tougher as they age ...
so I would say the older the chicken the tougher ...

 

[DeansMill]

One of my kittens, Chicory and my friendliest little girl in my flock, Abigail Adams competing for lap space in the sunshine today...

 

[Gramma Chick]

One of my kittens, Chicory and my friendliest little girl in my flock, Abigail Adams competing for lap space in the sunshine today...

cute lap buddies

 

[Gramma Chick]

Have any of you slaughtered a rooster for meat? Are they good? I cooked a particularly noisy rooster last week, and he looked good, but while my back was turned, my dog STOLE him off the counter! Doggy reported he was yummy, but I can't confirm because I didn't even get one bite.

a skinny rooster isnt good ...be sure to let the meat set 2-3 days before cooking so it relaxes ...it will also taste better

 

[Gramma Chick]

So, uh. Turns out our chickens are laying now.




They found a nice little hiding spot behind the shed.

New ladies do that sometimes ....train them by putting fake eggs / golf balls - anything egg like ...in the nesting box in the coop.
You dont have any windows in the coop do you ? they might lay inside more if it wasnt so dark in there ..
I imagine they are sleeping when it is closed ?

 

[rancher hicks]

All this talk of more chickens, ducks and turkeys!!! My chicken math brain is rearing its head... I have convinced my husband we NEED more chickens next spring, I have also convinced him, I NEED ducks for the garden.(because of all the slugs of course) after all we got none of our chard because of them last season. I am very lucky he loves me so much and is willing to do what he can to help me out.

I still have to be be very considerate because he is the one that cares for my animals in the winter months. Due to my illness I am unable to do it in the winter myself but I am able most times in the other season.

Okay now I have a stupid question but here goes. I would like to get a couple frizzled hens... The ones I have found are mostly frizzled "bantam" Cochin... Do they come in a regular size hen ? If they do who sells them? I really don't want bantams because right now I have some really nasty birds that will be replaced when I have others to fill there spots. They are absolutely horrid to the rest of the hens and especially to my smallest bird Omelet. I am afraid everyday that they are really going to hurt Omelet. She was supposed to be a Marans but she is tiny... about the size and shape of a D'uncle with the coloration of a dark buff laced bird.

Frizzles can be any sized. My Buckwheat while bigger than her mom is a cross between Frenchy a bantam and a Cuckoo Marans. I did not keep her near him very long as he was really big.

Now Frenchy who will be eight next Feb is with my Delawares. No one seems to bother her but she does sleep in an next box with Buckwheat. I let them because they're old girls.

Point? If you cross your frizzles to a larger breed you can work up to a large frizzle. I did have Cowboy Curtis who looked like he was riding a horse when he'd jump on top of the bigger girls. He was Frenchy's group mate in my first batch of chicks. I sold him long ago.

 

[Gramma Chick]

Point? If you cross your frizzles to a larger breed you can work up to a large frizzle. I did have Cowboy Curtis who looked like he was riding a horse when he'd jump on top of the bigger girls. He was Frenchy's group mate in my first batch of chicks. I sold him long ago.


He kind of looks like a shag rug ..
anyone remember those ?
Almost like grass in the house ..LOL

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Morning all. No eggs yesterday. They have lights and supplements and they get turkey/game bird feed for the higher protein content. I guess I'll just have to wait it out. My silkies are laying some in the one coop. The pullets aren't as of yet.

I looked at nip at one time but decided not to do it. I don't show and they don't really test for anything anyways. In some states they do but not here.

Rancher...I'm the one slinging the pills! In answer to your question, not really unless you take too much then it can make you loose. Ask your pharmacy to order you a bottle of cod liver oil. I get it from mine. It's not cheap but lasts a long time. I only use a little in their oatmeal during the winter.

Tonight is the town meeting on the zoning rules for having animals. I have to work but Dh is gking. Hopefully common sense will prevail.

Not sure how many meatier it would take to feed your family. The two of us eat all the cockerels and the older (2+) layers. If you can, get a pressure cooker. Makes for wonderful tender chicken. I also can chicken for quick meals. It's easy to do.

Off to fill the pills to pay the bills or as I tell the chickens, to buy the not so cheap feed!

Have a good day everyone!