The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

What about separating them before processing? Do you cage them the night before, or just catch them the next morning?

 

[loanwizard]

Easier to get them on the roost at night, at least for me.

 

[stonykill]

What about separating them before processing? Do you cage them the night before, or just catch them the next morning?

the answer is yes. I do either.

 

[lalaland]

.. I meant how about socks or gauze tape and a little Blu Kote or Nustock for a couple of days. I don't know as I have never removed any.

the little new spur looks pretty small - maybe the blue kote would work .
delisha, how soon did the new spurs harden up? if I do it at night from the roost, will the pinkness/raw looking go away by morning light?

 

[aoxa]

Easier to get them on the roost at night, at least for me.

Do you have kids? My dad was always the one who caught chickens in his family for slaughter. Everyone had a job.

I find it easy to catch them in the barn. I don't have anywhere to put them overnight just yet. I will once my breeding pens are finished. I'll use them to house roosters that I don't want ranging with the flock (ie: my silkie boys - as the standard roosters kick their behinds).

 

[ocap]

I have a 30' by 32' fenced area and will need to improve the system that my wife and I used to catch the birds. it took us four hours to catch 95 rocks. I will probably build a temporary plywood funnel that leads to a 2' by 8' area (with the "far" 2' end wire) so they will bunch up and make daytime catching easier.

 

[JeffOeuf]

... it took us four hours to catch 95 rocks. ..

I think I would pay to watch a video of that.

 

[Mumsy]

Congrats on the first egg Kian! It is a happy moment even for an OT like me. I found a shelless one in the DL back in a corner yesterday. I think it is probably from Judy. A black Ameracauna/Orppington cross I saw Johnny cover her last week.

It's been a long time since I've had a problem with leg mites in my flock. I used what I was taught to use by another OTway back a long time ago.. Kerosene. Dip the legs. Don't get it on the feathers. Kills mites instantly. I keep Nu Stock in my barn these days.

About spur removal. No matter which way you do it: Blood stop powder and Blue Kote. Healthy chickens heal from this procedure very quickly. A bird that is compromised by some other issue might have a difficult time healing.

On pre-caging night before and non-feeding before processing: Yes and Yes. Less drama. Less mess.

 

[Melabella]

this is the loin(cloth) wizard

Holy Moly Quacamole, did stonykill wander OT??????????????????

Drinks are on the HOUSE!

MB

 

[Leahs Mom]