The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[SallyinIndiana]

I don't think she will be. I plan to cull tomorrow night. She was really bad this evening, but I did get some food into her. Also culling that blind rooster. He's not gaining weight like he should. Sigh... Sometimes having a farm sucks... I get attached to the ones I try to get better, but I will be strong and end their suffering.

So sorry, culling this time of year is rough.

 

[RedRidge]

RR - after you do the broth and remove the bones, do you grind the bones for feed?

No... Because if you cook them long enough all of the minerals and good stuff is in the broth... The bones have no nutritional value at that point because they have been depleted.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

@aoxa Here's a thread on wry neck with a duckling. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/761308/peking-duckling-with-crooked-neck-help

Hope it gets better.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote:
what do you use to get the bones out of the broth? Some of the bones from the chicken I used were rather tiny and hard to find among the small bits of meat also in the broth.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I'm also guessing you put some acv in the stock pot to bring the minerals out of the bones...am I correct?

 

[RedRidge]

 

RR - after you do the broth and remove the bones, do you grind the bones for feed?

No... Because if you cook them long enough all of the minerals and good stuff is in the broth... The bones have no nutritional value at that point because they have been depleted.

what do you use to get the bones out of the broth?  Some of the bones from  the chicken I used were rather tiny and hard to find among the small bits of meat also in the broth.

I use a curd spoon (cheese maker retired) ;-)

 

[Leahs Mom]

But Sally, you could just pour it through a strainer that's fine enough to catch the stuff. (I have a curd spoon too but, I'm guessing you don't...just sayin'

)

These work pretty well. Or one w/a handle.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/sto...olanders-Set-of-3/1011508006?categoryId=12106

 

[lalaland]

I don't think she will be. I plan to cull tomorrow night. She was really bad this evening, but I did get some food into her. Also culling that blind rooster. He's not gaining weight like he should. Sigh... Sometimes having a farm sucks... I get attached to the ones I try to get better, but I will be strong and end their suffering.

so sorry Justine. I agree 100%, sometimes it sucks!

 

[lazy gardener]

I cook all my bones down into broth, then throw them into the wood fire. I figure any mineral content left in the bones will eventually end up on my lawn or garden that way.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

I think it was mentioned before, but what are some good ways to use the chicken bones after roasting the chicken?

I take the bones, and sometimes I re-roast them, then I put them in a big pot of cold water (if you have bleach in the water it is probably best to filter it, but we have well water here), with the peeled feet (and I've been told the head is good to toss in there, too, but I haven't braved that yet), and I simmer it for a day. I add some carrot and celery and garlic and onion and spices, but that isn't necessary. Then I strain it. Then I have super nutritious bone broth.

If I use the crock pot or stainless steel, I also add in some vinegar to help draw the nutrients out of the bone. But I don't do that in an aluminum pot. I need a bigger stainless-steel pot.