The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Mumsy]

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.

Yes! You are progeny testing. You are on the path to breeding up your flock.
There are many many things to progeny test for. Fertility, vitality, egg production, breed type, feather quality, and so on and so on.
Good record keeping and marking chicks and then following their life span. That...My friends is good progeny testing. You start on day one and shoot for a ten year date to see where you get. That is what I'm talking about.

 

[delisha]

Never pith killed. Sounds like something to look into or at least trying. So after you insert a knife into the roof of the mouth and hopefully brain kill them, can you miss? Does the heart continue to pump? It sounds like it might be instantanious at least from the birds point of view. How do you do this. What equipment do you use?

 

[rambunctious]

Kinda teetering off subject of pithing...but related to watering implements. I'm planning on the push-in water nipples...I'm assuming there won't be an issue using Un-ACV? Anyone use water nipples and Un-ACV?

 

[loanwizard]

Kinda teetering off subject of pithing...but related to watering implements. I'm planning on the push-in water nipples...I'm assuming there won't be an issue using Un-ACV? Anyone use water nipples and Un-ACV?

I use screw in nipples with no issues.

 

[off-grid hen]

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

I have been considering pitching when I get my meat birds this spring. There is a farmer down the road who will train me first, and I'm grateful fr the lesson. If they truly do not need to be scalded if this is done correctly, then this would be my preferred method. Does it still work if you do the throat first? Have seen it suggested to do it either way.

 

[stonykill]

I have been considering pitching when I get my meat birds this spring. There is a farmer down the road who will train me first, and I'm grateful fr the lesson. If they truly do not need to be scalded if this is done correctly, then this would be my preferred method. Does it still work if you do the throat first? Have seen it suggested to do it either way.

ok, curious. Why not scald?

Once I figured out how to scald. Pretty much ignoring what I read on the subject I find the feather come off by the handful. And being wet don't blow all over the place. Here is what I do.
Bring the water to a rolling boil. Shut off the heat. Keep a lid handy. Cut the zip ties holding the legs together. Dunk the bird, moving it up and down and side to side for 20 to 30 seconds. Lift the bird out and let the water run off of it for maybe another 20 seconds. Recover the water. Pluck the bird. Set it aside, just plucked and repeat. I get 4 or 5 birds done before the water needs to be brought back up to a boil. I don't dunk the bird in cool water or let it cool in any way. Just pull out handfuls of feathers.


Takes me about 20 minutes to go from dead hanging bird to this each bird.

How does everyone else do it?

 

[Eggcessive]

I worked on it more last night. I rechecked what I already did.
My fiance is terrible with keeping receipts. Actually I am as well. It's a good thing my feed store printed out anything we were missing.
I am in complete agreeance! That is amazing!
I only feed grower. I'd love a flock raiser. Unfortunately my store does not carry it. I'd like to have higher proteins. I do supplement.

I'll PM you more info.

Do you keep your grocery store bags in a collector bag or recepticle? This past year I started tossing all of my receipts in my bag that I save my plastic bags for reusing?recycling. I might have to dig a bit, but I can always find them. I sell my eggs at a local farmers co-op and each week I take in my extra bags for them to put their merchandise into for customers.

 

[Bulldogma]

I use zip ties. Quick and easy. Grab the bird, zip tie it's legs. Grab the axe and remove the head while holding onto the bird. Keeping the entire body on the chopping block. It can wiggle, can't flap.I never checked for bruised ankles

. 2 reasons I do it this way. 1 like I said earlier it is the way I was taught. AND there is no way anyone can convince me that bleeding to death is more humane than an instant death with an axe. I'm all about the quickest death possible. I owe it to the birds.

This is basically how I do it. I figure if you sever the spinal cord, that's an instant end for the bird. That said, I also believe there is more than one way to do something correctly, (and I know Stony feels the same). Everyone needs to cull in whatever way works best for them. My DH just feels very macho when he gets to use his machete - LOL!

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?

Today I was able to find out which of my 2 Swedish Flower Hens lays what egg - they each lay a slightly different shaped egg which makes it easy! I will certainly be keeping track of which chicks come from which eggs, and the qualities/traits of these chicks!

ok, curious. Why not scald?
Takes me about 20 minutes to go from dead hanging bird to this each bird.

How does everyone else do it?

I do it the same way - works well for me, so I'll stick with it for now.

 

[jendodd79]

Thank you !! I just ordered some seeds and clover was one of them but was thinking to order some more.....& seet pea vines intrigue me so I think I will get some of those as well. Tho I dont think I can plant as early as you since we can get snow thru April

So any sweet pea vine? I love this idea!!

 

[loanwizard]

Stony that skin is kind of yellowed. If you scald the bird too hot, or too long and that yellowing occurs over the entire bird, it is tougher than HE double hokey sticks to pluck. My method is very similar to yours though. I use a turkey fryer and a stock pot and bring the water to just too hot to the touch, not enough to redden but uncomfortable I guess. The water has bubbles but not boiling at all. I adjust my flame down to maintain that level and dip the bird gently up and down for 30 seconds, longer than you but cooler water. Feathers come out easily. I don't care for the feathers sticking to my hands and everything else it touches but they come off easily. I generally only do 4-6 birds at a time so that I can pluck, eviscerate and can all in one day.