Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[fisherlady]

So sorry, I just went through this, this morning. Will your hubby be doing the deed, or will you? My thoughts are with you.

Sorry to hear the little pullets injury was too much for her...((((((Hugs))))))

 

[LadyBehir]

Ok, reading up on how to do this, why not just cut the head off? Why try to just hit the artery?

 

[BullChick]

Thank you so much guys for your support and kind words. I really appreciate it. I know you all have been there. I don't have anyone in my circle of friends that has been here, and my husband can hardly hear me talk about it.

I am very happy to say that if/when the raccoon came by last night, he left hungry. I made sure all of the younger chickens were perched on "roosts" (also known as a ladder) away from the edge. I put more cinder blocks around the bottom edge, and then I physically tested the edges for gaps or loose areas, twice. Everyone was safe this morning, except they were upset they couldn't come out and free range. I won't be home until after dark, so they are all going to have to be nice and get along today. Can't wait until I have a more permanent setup, but I'm happy with I've done so far. Also, got more building scraps from the still-being-constructed garage next door. I definitely have enough for some smaller roosts, nesting boxes, and maybe enough to make a chicken supplies shed next to the coop.

Zippy, Dupli, and Cate are getting dispatched today. Husband is tired of the rooster noise (me too) and Cate has not laid an egg since August. She was not very productive even when she did lay. First time processing for us. I am a little (ok, a lot) nervous about this.

Processing will give you food! e
I had an EE that stopped laying for a while, then all was well. Never knew why she stopped.
My mother and daughter EE are either hiding their eggs in the same place, or they have stopped. It's odd.

 

[stake]

I'm so mad. I had a predator attack last night. Nothing got into my "coop" setup, but some of the smaller chickens were near the edge. This was their first night in the big run and I thought they would be okay. A couple were near the edge on a cinder block, and I think a raccoon grabbed them. Two had heads missing, and the third one is alive, but barely. She has her leg almost completely bitten off. Is there any chance of me cutting her leg the rest of the way off and saving her? I just removed her from the enclosure and put her in a critter cage inside. I have to decide to do something in an hour or so.

I feel like such a jerk. I tried to predator proof it the best I could, but I didn't put hardware cloth around the bottom because it was temporary. I was supposed to have my shed delve red by now, but the guy called yesterday because his truck broke down.

. I don't know what to do...

Edited to add: She is chirping and alert, raised her head to look at me. I put some flour on her temporarily as a styptic. I think I might clip the leg and see if she makes it.

Anne:

So sorry to hear....don't beat yourself up....its happened to us all....(especially me)....I think losing chooks is part of having them ....they are a prey animal and attract predators of all sorts...If you want, I can fire up the bater and set some eggs for you? I hope Rusty wasn't one of the fallen....if so, I have his younger brother for you?

 

[LadyBehir]

Well, Zippy is done. That's all we are doing today. It was easier than I thought. Now to figure out how to cook him.

 

[BullChick]

Slow cooker! As he is cooking, you can decide (and keep changing your mind) if you want a buffalo chicken pizza, chicken and dumplings, chicken and broccoli...

 

[BullChick]

Chicken with spaghetti!

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

I'm so mad. I had a predator attack last night. Nothing got into my "coop" setup, but some of the smaller chickens were near the edge. This was their first night in the big run and I thought they would be okay. A couple were near the edge on a cinder block, and I think a raccoon grabbed them. Two had heads missing, and the third one is alive, but barely. She has her leg almost completely bitten off. Is there any chance of me cutting her leg the rest of the way off and saving her? I just removed her from the enclosure and put her in a critter cage inside. I have to decide to do something in an hour or so.

I feel like such a jerk. I tried to predator proof it the best I could, but I didn't put hardware cloth around the bottom because it was temporary. I was supposed to have my shed delve red by now, but the guy called yesterday because his truck broke down.

. I don't know what to do...


Edited to add: She is chirping and alert, raised her head to look at me. I put some flour on her temporarily as a styptic. I think I might clip the leg and see if she makes it.

Anne:

So sorry to hear....don't beat yourself up....its happened to us all....(especially me)....I think losing chooks is part of having them ....they are a prey animal and attract predators of all sorts...If you want, I can fire up the bater and set some eggs for you? I hope Rusty wasn't one of the fallen....if so, I have his younger brother for you?

Thanks Stake. Rusty is still the lady charmer over here. I am going to wait until I have my complete coop setup before I bring anymore in at all.

 

[LadyBehir]

Mkay, stupid question #78574.....when do we cut him up? I don't think a 1.5 year old bird would be good on the rotisserie. Or roasted. So I do need to cut him up.

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

Mkay, stupid question #78574.....when do we cut him up? I don't think a 1.5 year old bird would be good on the rotisserie. Or roasted. So I do need to cut him up.

From what I have seen, you can cut him up right away, but you should let the meat rest fir a day or so to let rigor mortis (sp?) pass. But that is just what I have read, not actual experience.