Our introduction to keeping chickens, the high's, the lows and pics of our journey.

[Wrightsx4]

The naughty corner worked great for me when I joined my last group. My older RIR was horrible to the younger group, pecking, chasing, stalking...sneak attacks. She wanted them dead I'm sure. The others were okay as long as the little ones (15 week olds) didn't get too close. I took Rhoda (RIR) out for 2 days/1night of isolation and let the others work put their pecking order. When I brought Rhoda back she was the "new" hen and learned really quick not to mess with the young ones. It did take a couple months though before the two groups really meshed - shared the same roost, intermingled. Each group sort of had their own areas. Poor Rhoda...she still sleeps on a lower roost.

 

[Bens-Hens]

Great to hear Pam, I had planned to work it that way using the mobile coop.

Before you processed your roosters, did you separate them first, water only for a day (I have just read that some do that to clear the digestive tract) Not sure if it makes a big difference to the processing side of things.

 

[NovaAman]

It just helps make it less messy. But, if you do it in the morning before they've had a chance to eat... I don't like the idea of starving the bird on its last day. The point is to have a happy healthy bird. Make sure its calm prior to the deed also.

 

[Wrightsx4]

I read that too but did not starve them prior to their "end". I wanted them to go about their normal life. My boys were very good providers for the hens...probably why they were so trim as well...they "found" treats and food for the hens and called them over but only ate minimally themselves, usually filling up on regular pellet feed before roosting at night and when the hens weren't interested in food. When we butchered them we did have some spillage from the crop of one - didn't cause much mess. The other was empty.

Thanks nova - you saved us a very disappointing dinner!

 

[Wrightsx4]

It just helps make it less messy. But, if you do it in the morning before they've had a chance to eat... I don't like the idea of starving the bird on its last day. The point is to have a happy healthy bird. Make sure its calm prior to the deed also.

Exactly my thoughts. Right til the end everything was normal. Well, except when Jeffrey nipped my son he was given a pass ...no point in teaching him any lessons at that point. Here Jarod was trying to tell him and Charles goodbye and got nipped in the ankle. It made it a much less emotional day!

 

[Bens-Hens]

Sounds good to me, might separate them for the day and stick them in the mobile coop to have a graze and quiet time, with some scratch and fresh water. As long as it's not going to cause a processing issue other than a bit of mess I am happy to make them comfortable.

 

[NovaAman]

Ok... Here are some new 3 week old chick pics. They'll be 4 weeks already starting Sunday! Wow, time does fly...






I can't hardly wait for those blue ones (technically they are silvers) to finish coloring and filling in. They look so AWESOME!

 

[Bens-Hens]

I was looking at those blues and thinking they looked awesome!

What breed are they? Mega tail in the second last pic.

Next week, you will have more! How many in the next hatch?

 

[NovaAman]

Mega tail is a white Jap bantam. Then there is the lone polish. The rest are phoenix of various colors and then the white yokohamas.

 

[scottcaddy]

Yup. Use a slow cooker, 4-6 hours... Like a crock pot. OR boil till done and then shred the meat for Mexican fare, soups, BBQ sandwiches... I have several fav mix boys that'll beheading that way soon. I was reading somewhere, can't remember now, that higher proteinin the summer is better because it takes less energy to break down for body use, produces less heat than the lower protein feeds. I am going to have to find it... It was an interesting read. But basically, with the lower protein feeds, there is more corn, corn produces heat in the chicken during digestion... Its already hot, so its unnecessary. The higher protein also helps keep then healthier in the summer when they are by nature eating less to stay cooler... I gotta find it...

Not only in chickens, also in our horses. Here in North Carolina it gets hot in the summer, so we cut out the corn, do the same for the birds also.

I would like to see that article if you can find it again!

Scott