She said/He said Who's right? Who's wrong? No one!

[WVduckchick]

He's a mind reader and a good one at that .also since he;s not quite a grown up he relates to all ages from this to  this :yiipchick to this  

 

[AmyLynn2374]

He's a mind reader and a good one at that .also since he;s not quite a grown up he relates to all ages from this

to this

to this

Love it! lol

 

[BYC910]

way behind here like always Andy was a great one of the best.

 

[BlackwoodHollow]

way behind here like always Andy was a great one of the best.

I think we're all a little behind here. 'Cept maybe those of us who are a big behind.

Speaking of which, @scflock , you forgot about me. I am a very good thing that will be coming out of Ga someday.

Oh he's scary!! Always plays weirdos, he has one of those faces.

Look ive replied now so will be trapped here

Welcome to the insanity.

 

[NTBugtraq]

How on earth do you know the average age of the posters on a thread?

Depends on how you've spent your time on this planet. But there are so many indicators its actually pretty easy. You can even identify people trying to be who they aren't...that's even more fun. Like a brit who says he's from "down south USA"...now there's a lark.

 

[RubyNala97]

Well I had a busy day and it took me forever to catch up!!

I really like Andy but I LOVE Tony!

So, all the best laid plans come to naught if you don't think them through entirely...

I just got off the phone with the only chicken processor within a reasonable distance (and its 1.5 hours away) to verify a few of my assumptions.

She was great in helping me guestimate the weight of my birds at the times I am hoping to process them. Weight them now, weight them a week from now, and that gain will roughly occur every week till I process them (or up to 16 weeks of age). Just a rough guess of course. Also, processed birds weight roughly 75% of their pre-processing weight. So, in a week I will be able to guestimate what the hens will be at 10 weeks, and roos at 14 weeks. Good to know. So I booked appointments for 3 birds on 3 different dates to try various ages.

I then asked the next question; "Do you stop processing at any point?" Answer; "We stop the last Tuesday before Christmas"...hmm..."when do you start up again?"...she says; "Usually the 3 week in May"...    I had planned to process on Jan 9, Jan 23, and Feb 20...38 birds each time...well, there goes the business plan!  

So now I have to change focus and build more brooding space. Additional run space is already planned for the young chickens area, and it will definitely hold the 200+ chickens that could end up there...its the brooding space that's a problem right now. Looks like my living room, which currently houses the 1 brooder, is going to have to find space for 3. Guess I'll move the dining room table out again...it is such a relief to not have a spouse to give me that look...

I have 2 brooders in my living room and a hatch due next week. I'm really trying to get the run done so I can move the older guys out and not have to add a third brooder!! Dust, dust, everywhere!!!

Our local processors also work on a seasonal schedule.  I don't, which is why I process at home.  That, and the closest processor is 40 miles north...

All you need is a sharp knife, a canning kettle, an old work table, and plastic bags for the feathers and innards.  I'm not real fast at it, but once I start the processing step it's only 15 minutes or so until they are ready to chill.  No blood in the house, and a bird raised on a good diet, withdrawn from feed at least 14 hours before processing, and hosed off after bleeding out makes almost no mess that can't be bagged.

No need to do them all at once, I prefer not to do more than 5 at a sitting unless I have help to make it a production line.

Build stackable brooders.

Walnut, I'd really like to spend a day, no...a week at your house! I'd watch and learn first hand experience from everything you do. From the incubators to the flocks to making sausage. If you have daughters, they sure are lucky!!!

 

[NTBugtraq]

I have 2 brooders in my living room and a hatch due next week. I'm really trying to get the run done so I can move the older guys out and not have to add a third brooder!! Dust, dust, everywhere!!!

I got the dust problem handled (only use chips), but the longer you leave them in the brooder the worse it gets. I had 19 in my brooder for 3 weeks and all smelled fine...during the 4th week I had to clean out everything and replace all wood chips...I honestly think its what I said, at week 3 they go into eating mode full time...which of courses leads to the resulting out-come. Nobody is staying inside past the middle of week 3 here.

Walnut, I'd really like to spend a day, no...a week at your house! I'd watch and learn first hand experience from everything you do. From the incubators to the flocks to making sausage. If you have daughters, they sure are lucky!!!

He is awesome, I am so impressed, and humble too!! Dang, now I sure hope he's a he.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I think we're all a little behind here. 'Cept maybe those of us who are a big behind.

Speaking of which, @scflock , you forgot about me. I am a very good thing that will be coming out of Ga someday.


Welcome to the insanity.

That's just evil!! lol

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I got the dust problem handled (only use chips), but the longer you leave them in the brooder the worse it gets. I had 19 in my brooder for 3 weeks and all smelled fine...during the 4th week I had to clean out everything and replace all wood chips...I honestly think its what I said, at week 3 they go into eating mode full time...which of courses leads to the resulting out-come. Nobody is staying inside past the middle of week 3 here.

He is awesome, I am so impressed, and humble too!! Dang, now I sure hope he's a he.

Good thing you didn't put money on that....you'd loose...lol

 

[sjturner79]

Depends on how you've spent your time on this planet. But there are so many indicators its actually pretty easy. You can even identify people trying to be who they aren't...that's even more fun. Like a brit who says he's from "down south USA"...now there's a lark.

Fair enough then I'm living down south but never been to Brit or USA.