Straub’s search for colored eggs

[Tstraub]

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.

I agree with everything here.

 

[Tstraub]

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

I’ve never had a silkie but I’ve seen pictures and videos of them being processed. They do look different. You get that bonus toe that’s gotta be good for the broth. It’s like 20% more toes than most birds.

 

[2ndTink]

I’ve never had a silkie but I’ve seen pictures and videos of them being processed. They do look different. You get that bonus toe that’s gotta be good for the broth. It’s like 20% more toes than most birds.

The second to last time we processed I saved all the feet for broth, my husband commented about how nasty that was, so the feet got chucked

I did just find a guy who'll take the livers and hearts so I'm glad those will be getting eaten and not composted. The hen livers will still be composted, but all those nice dark livers from the cockerels have a home

Lol, my phone keeps chamging livers to lovers, if I missed any getting charged back just roll with it

 

[Tstraub]

The second to last time we processed I saved all the feet for broth, my husband commented about how nasty that was, so the feet got chucked

I did just find a guy who'll take the livers and hearts so I'm glad those will be getting eaten and not composted. The hen livers will still be composted, but all those nice dark livers from the cockerels have a home

Lol, my phone keeps chamging livers to lovers, if I missed any getting charged back just roll with it

Last time I used the hearts and livers as fishing bait.

 

[2ndTink]

Last time I used the hearts and livers as fishing bait.

Fishing for gators!?!

 

[Tstraub]

Fishing for gators!?!

No gators in Indiana. The target is catfish but some days the turtles are faster to the bait.

 

[2ndTink]

No gators in Indiana. The target is catfish but some days the turtles are faster to the bait.

So you use your hand? Because that just looks crazy!

but, if you still have 10 fingers I'm going to assume you don't as the turtles probably would have taken a few by now

 

[Tstraub]

I think that’s a southern thing too. State law prohibits catching fish by hand in Indiana. I’ve seen the tv shows those people are a whole different kind of crazy.

 

[NanaK]

I think that’s a southern thing too. State law prohibits catching fish by hand in Indiana. I’ve seen the tv shows those people are a whole different kind of crazy.

I've seen this on tv too. It takes a crazy person to stick their hand in some of the holes around the banks where you can't see.
Only rod and reel for me!

 

[2ndTink]

Same, there is NO way I'm sticking my hand into some hole with who knows what in it hoping something with bite me...