Straub’s search for colored eggs

[Tstraub]

The sun has set for the evening and Gena went up to roost. No sleeping in the nest box at this time so she’s not totally committed yet. On a side note while making dinner tonight I used the second to last quart of homemade chicken broth.

 

[2ndTink]

The sun has set for the evening and Gena went up to roost. No sleeping in the nest box at this time so she’s not totally committed yet. On a side note while making dinner tonight I used the second to last quart of homemade chicken broth.

I was going to love your post about Gena, but then your comment about using the second to last quart of broth. Now that sounds ominous

 

[Tstraub]

I was going to love your post about Gena, but then your comment about using the second to last quart of broth. Now that sounds ominous

My flock is a dual purpose flock extra cockerels will be used as meat bird.

 

[2ndTink]

My flock is a dual purpose flock extra cockerels will be used as meat bird.

We processed over 40 chickens last year, big mix of pride, shock, and a little guilt there

 

[wrathsfarm]

We processed over 40 chickens last year, big mix of pride, shock, and a little guilt there

Yea , but 5 of your tinys is one of ours. So you really only processed 8.

 

[Tstraub]

We processed over 40 chickens last year, big mix of pride, shock, and a little guilt there

If you’ve done 40 you’re ahead of me. It’s definitely a mix of emotions but it is part of having a breeding flock. It’s not something a lot of people like to talk about but I believe in openly discussing it to help others understand that it’s the normal and responsible part of the process.

 

[2ndTink]

Yea , but 5 of your tinys is one of ours. So you really only processed 8.

Touché to some degree but, I did have some various full size layer breeds we did too. Our smallest dressed out about 1.2 pounds and the biggest was about over 5 pounds. The silkies were typically around 2 to 2.5 pounds.

But the broth from these

 

[wrathsfarm]

Touché to some degree but, I did have some various full size layer breeds we did too. Our smallest dressed out about 1.2 pounds and the biggest was about over 5 pounds. The silkies were typically around 2 to 2.5 pounds.

But the broth from these

Ahhhh....that's right. I stand corrected.

 

[2ndTink]

If you’ve done 40 you’re ahead of me. It’s definitely a mix of emotions but it is part of having a breeding flock. It’s not something a lot of people like to talk about but I believe in openly discussing it to help others understand that it’s the normal and responsible part of the process.

Yes! To me this was the only way I could responsibly breed, I think it is a responsible and ethical way to handle the excess boys. I've seen the cockerels and roosters stuffed into big cages at poultry swaps by meat buyers. The boys are freaking out and fighting, it's awful.

My boys are well fed, have a really good life from hatch until that last day. They don't even have the stress of traveling anywhere. As much as I wish I could just sell the extra boys, I also feel relieved that they will never end up in a bad situation.

I think it's good to talk about it too, I've seen a lot of comments along the lines of "they're my pets I could never eat them" and I 100% understand! But, the reality is 50% of chicks hatched are boys and for everyone wanting 1 cockerel there are at least 50 people wanting pullets, so the other 49 boys, they have to go somewhere! I was pretty stressed that first time processing, but we've done it a few times now and we have a good process down. I've had time to think and consider, and weigh the pros and cons and come to terms with the emotions.

It's honestly a great way to see the health of your flock, I don't know all of what I'm looking at, but I've seen fatty livers in my old hatchery hens, I've seen signs of organ failure (fluid retention I think that's heart related?) and just look for anything different from one age or breed to another.

 

[2ndTink]

Ahhhh....that's right. I stand corrected.

The silkies are interesting to process though. The internals are a bit darker than the non fibro breeds.