The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[loanwizard]

I might pith the others off when I lop their buddy' head off....

Pithing is too technical for me. I just go caveman on them. Which is more humane? I don't know and at this particular moment, don't care. What are we talking? .86 seconds vs. .73 seconds?

 

[stonykill]

Got it.

I wouldn't do that. Don't see the point.

agreed, just an extra step to take

 

[stonykill]

I might pith the others off when I lop their buddy' head off....

Pithing is too technical for me. I just go caveman on them. Which is more humane? I don't know and at this particular moment, don't care. What are we talking? .86 seconds vs. .73 seconds?

speaking of caveman....

I've had a few I did recently that were just going ballistic on me as I was grabbing them and or carrying them, Trying to swing up to bite me...etc. So those received a broken neck before they ever reached the chopping block....a short distance away.

 

[nxb161]

NXB161 not really familiar with traveling distances in pa, but while visiting lancaster a few yrs back I found a company called lancaster agriculture, an all natural menonite run company. www.lancasterag.com. they sell organic chicken feed. If nothing else, they mail an interesting newsletter and catalog.

The price is great for organic @ $22.30 / 50lbs but I found these in the the ingredients "roasted soybeans, & soy oil,"
The more I read about soy, the more I want to avoid it.

 

[Mumsy]

Got it.

I wouldn't do that. Don't see the point.

X2

 

[Mumsy]

Something that us old time breeders like to do but I don't see a lot of info on is progeny testing. I'm formulating a couple theories based on hands on experience. Anybody on this thread progeny test?

 

[armorfirelady]

While browsing on amazon today I found this waterer......

Its the water cup but you can use a soda bottle with it.

http://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Lit...d=1359415189&sr=8-59&keywords=chicken+waterer

Mumsy I thought of you from todays post when you said you have a bottle waterer for them. They also have the glass bottom ones you guys were talking about a ways back.

I have decided I am going to start making the bucket nipple waterers and sell them on amazon.......One person is selling them for $12!!!! Mine cost a whole $3.00.......thats A good profit

 

[PeepsCA]

Quote:
Got it.

I wouldn't do that. Don't see the point.
I think the main purpose of pithing poultry is that it's a quick kill method that does not tense the birds up and they release the feathers easier so you can dry pluck.

Pithing's been around for a long long long time, it's nothing new. And not just used for poultry.

My birds don't thrash themselves and they are easy to pluck... so I'll just keep doing what works for me/my processing method

 

[Mumsy]

@amorfirelady: Very nice!
Here are pictures of my original pop bottle waterers. I bought a dozen of the plastic ones from Strombergs catalog more than twenty years ago. Yep. I'm old like that.

Only have three left that aren't cracked. And...You guessed it. I don't use pop bottles. (don't drink pop) I use wine spritzer bottles. Hah! Any hoo...I love these things for the Silkies. Used them for my Polish back in the day too. Great for watering crested show fowl.




Can you tell that bottle is laced with Un-ACV?

 

[delisha]

Something that us old time breeders like to do but I don't see a lot of info on is progeny testing. I'm formulating a couple theories based on hands on experience. Anybody on this thread progeny test?

Right now I have those Orpingtons in the bator Progeny testing. I am not going to show them if they are bad producers.

It is a test. I think to some extent free ranging is progeny testing. We use culling of the unsuccessful. I never collect eggs for incubation in some of my layers they have small breasts or pinched tails. I eat the ones I don't like or do not breed better.

I think the chicks I have growing up now with the RIR are some of the best chicks I have bred. These were a test. The hen is young, just a year and I was not sure if I wanted to use her half brother since I knew nothing about his father. Normally I do not like to propagate with unknown. These chicks are really nice looking.