Processing Day Support Group ~ HELP us through the Emotions PLEASE!

[off-grid hen]

Awesome!
Yeah hand size makes a big difference, with my "wolf paws" I can get a turkey from bled out to dinner ready in no time.
I traded some eggs for simple things like screws with the local hardware guy when I build and improved the coop on the roof, was such a great feeling. I can only imagine how proud you must feel. Kick-butt job!

EDIT:
The worst part of this whole experience is losing the ability to start over with my chickens. I have a couple that are perfect for the next stage of what I want to play with color and size wise. My silkie is a MONSTER at almost 10 pounds and you just cant get that in the US and is nearly impossible here. Plus he has the 1 in 100 white plumage that is passable (now 1 in 1000 or more) because about 30% of his offspring have it too.
That's freaking priceless here and probably back home too.
I'd pay 500 just to have him legally imported, just him!

Its bad enough when you lost what you had in a relationship, but to have the government take away the rest.
Crap in a hat.

I had forgotten about your breeding projects. That's a whole different scenario. :-S. I would bring the roo, even if it IS a Silkie .

The next phase of this meat chicken idea is processing 20 birds, and do I want more next time? I guess we'll see how long it takes to process these. A friend and I are processing the same day, so I'll see what it's like to process 60 birds at once. I will be keeping mine separate from hers on processing day.

Right now I use an ecoglow to brood chicks, and can only brood 20 at a time. (Its the only way I can brood chicks, I'm off the grid. a 75 W bulb running 24-7 would be the most inefficient thng in my house and translates directly to generator fuel). Also, have to see if I have range space for 20, or can I feasibly range more birds? I have a moveable tractor but will fence in an area that can be moved. If I can do more, would I rather process in two batches, spring and fall? Time will tell. I haven't eaten store chicken since June, and I can't see myself turning back now. I have reached the point of no return. :fistpump

 

[fisherlady]

Off grid.... we are in a similar spot over numbers... we raised 20 this past spring and have also processed 7 extra roos. we about maxed out storage by June but the meat has been so good we are already getting low on smoking meat. Because of space restrictions we plan to do spring and fall next year. We have a bunch of barnyard mix chicks growing out right now or we would be getting more meaties this month.

 

[ronott1]

I had forgotten about your breeding projects. That's a whole different scenario. :-S. I would bring the roo, even if it IS a Silkie

.

The next phase of this meat chicken idea is processing 20 birds, and do I want more next time? I guess we'll see how long it takes to process these. A friend and I are processing the same day, so I'll see what it's like to process 60 birds at once. I will be keeping mine separate from hers on processing day.

Right now I use an ecoglow to brood chicks, and can only brood 20 at a time. (Its the only way I can brood chicks, I'm off the grid. a 75 W bulb running 24-7 would be the most inefficient thng in my house and translates directly to generator fuel). Also, have to see if I have range space for 20, or can I feasibly range more birds? I have a moveable tractor but will fence in an area that can be moved. If I can do more, would I rather process in two batches, spring and fall? Time will tell. I haven't eaten store chicken since June, and I can't see myself turning back now. I have reached the point of no return. :fistpump

China to the US--Nearly impossible to import from that scenario. He also said that the Government took his chickens. I am very sad about the whole situation.

 

[Kassaundra]

Thank you for responding--I was hoping you would chime in. You had previously sent in pictures of your set up that I didn't pay much attention to because there were other ways I was going to do it. I'm leaning towards what you do. Can you post that again? Or PM me with the details?

Thanks so much!

I will try and find the link.

 

[Kassaundra]

I will try and find the link.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/734945/found-a-butchering-video-method-i-am-going-to-use



The pictures are on page 8 but there is quite a bit of discussion before that you may find helpful

 

[off-grid hen]

China to the US--Nearly impossible to import from that scenario. He also said that the Government took his chickens. I am very sad about the whole situation.

Yeah. . I saw above that he said he'd be willing to pay the $$ to import the roo, which made me think there was a possibility. :-/

 

[off-grid hen]

Off grid.... we are in a similar spot over numbers... we raised 20 this past spring and have also processed 7 extra roos. we about maxed out storage by June but the meat has been so good we are already getting low on smoking meat. Because of space restrictions we plan to do spring and fall next year. We have a bunch of barnyard mix chicks growing out right now or we would be getting more meaties this month.

My space issues are specific to brooding numbers and freezer space. But it looks like I'll be buying a chest freezer and keeping at the neighbor's and maybe buying another ecoglow.

Good luck with your birds!

 

[Kassaundra]

There is a silkie breeder here on BYC in the U.S. that specializes in breeding very large silkies, getting eggs or chicks from her after coming to the States may be a best second option.

 

[ronott1]

There is a silkie breeder here on BYC in the U.S. that specializes in breeding very large silkies, getting eggs or chicks from her after coming to the States may be a best second option.

Do you have the BYC contact information?

 

[Kassaundra]

Do you have the BYC contact information?

I pm'd her some time ago when I was considering raising dark fleshed meat birds, I'm not sure if I still have the pm or if it was deleted. I would bet she is on the silkie thread, she had some very nice very big silkies.