Sources of animal protein

[Fairview01]

I have a surplus of rabbits and squirrels in my area. Thicker than fleas on a dog's tail. This population explosion occurred with the newest subdivision and the coyotes saying adios. Anyone ever use something like that to supplement the diet with animal protein.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

No, I haven't but totally would!

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

I haven't myself, but others on this site have. I've been contemplating a squirrel trap myself to thin the herd of "fuzzy tailed rats" in the neighborhood and turn chicken feed stealers into chicken feed.

For those with experience with this type of "free range" protein supplement, how do you, umm..."prepare" the carcass for the chickens? Just cut it open? Cut it up? Small pieces? Grilled with a twist of lemon and a sprig of parsley?

 

[sourland]

I have a surplus of rabbits and squirrels in my area. Thicker than fleas on a dog's tail. This population explosion occurred with the newest subdivision and the coyotes saying adios. Anyone ever use something like that to supplement the diet with animal protein.

Wouldn't hesitate to use it to supplement my diet.

 

[FlyWheel]

Anything else they catch gets eaten raw and unprocessed.

 

[Sara Ranch]

Stew. Then you can sneak the veggies in.

Although I'd like to come over and try the grilled meat, squirted with lemon, and served with a bit of parsley on the side.

 

[Fairview01]

Stew. Then you can sneak the veggies in.

Although I'd like to come over and try the grilled meat, squirted with lemon, and served with a bit of parsley on the side.

Well that's part of the challenge. Do I eat them or feed them. Hard choices.

For those with experience with this type of "free range" protein supplement, how do you, umm..."prepare" the carcass for the chickens? Just cut it open? Cut it up? Small pieces? Grilled with a twist of lemon and a sprig of parsley?

On the serious I'm concerned about parasites - namely worms. When I butcher all chicken edible parts - that which I don't eat goes through my wife's food grinder when she's at work and gets frozen in smaller packages. I'm wonder if I'd have to 'cook' this protein source to eliminate that potential.

 

[lazy gardener]

Squirrel stew is on my bucket list, for sure. As for feeding it to the birds, Not sure if I'd feed it raw, and if I'm gonna cook it, I think I'll be eating it myself. Just MO.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

Well, once trapped, I was thinking the squirrels would go into a large vessel full of water to dispatch them. From "large vessel of water and squirrels" to "stew", all that's missing is heat. I do have a king cooker for frying turkeys and making beer...although I may buy a different pot for chicken feeding than I use for making beer.

 

[RUNuts]

I have used a campfire to boil protein before serving for animal feed. Makes it softer and kills a lot of bugs. Unless you have a large flock, I don't see a dozen chickens eating a squirrel in one day. They will try, but soft and tender will make it easier and dumping it in a pot to boil is easy. I would say skin it first.

Since the dogs are on worm prevention, they enjoy it raw. However, this new pack wants me to skin it for them. The last one finally figured it out (3 squirrels in, I might add.) The first 2 were nasty.

Just to put a thought in your head. Pellet rifle. Quiet.