The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[armorfirelady]

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?

Yes I use ACV in all my waterers....I have a nipple waterer made out of a pvc pipe & and bucket waterers with nipples with no problems.

Of course I cant us them during the winter lol

 

[stonykill]

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!


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!


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

agreed. Sharing my way. Killing any critter one must do it how they feel is the most humane. When hunting bleeding out can be a quick humane death. My thought is with a chicken in my hands I can do it faster than I can from 40 yards away and a weapon. So I do it the way I do. I treat a mouse with the same respect. None of these high tech devises that slowly strangle the mouse or none of these sticky pads that catch it but leave it terrified over night.No water buckets for it to drown in. Drowning has to be a horrible death. I choose the old fashioned mousetrap that crushes the skull. More humane in my eyes.
Like you said, more than one correct way to kill a chicken, but the way I see it is, the more ways listed here, the more ways someone who hasn't ever killed one will have to chose from. Same with plucking. That is why I asked. Through trial and error I came to my way. I'm sure others have similar results using different methods. Information is King

 

[Leahs Mom]

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

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

It would be hard to wash that soda bottle...I guess you just throw it away and use a new one.

 

[stonykill]

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.

the feather practically jumped out of those birds. I think the yellowing is my terrible camera. I also use a turkey fryer and the pot to fry the turkey in. It was offered to me for free and my 1st thought was scalder

 

[ocap]

Yes I use ACV in all my waterers....I have a nipple waterer made out of a pvc pipe & and bucket waterers with nipples with no problems.

Of course I cant us them during the winter lol

i found this waterer
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/summer-winter-chicken-nipple-waterer
and am going to give it a try next winter, his comment about freezing is in the remarks and comments
Chicken Techie 1/4/13 at 6:09pm
****UPDATE****

 

[delisha]

I use a candy thermometer..180 it is not boiling, just before. I dunk the bird a few times and test on the leg..the feathers need to wipe off easy or I redunk. All I do is wipe my hand down the body. it takes no time at all to remove the feathers. Ducks on the other hand take more than a wipe to remove. ugh

 

[Mumsy]

It would be hard to wash that soda bottle...I guess you just throw it away and use a new one.

Nope. That bottle was first used in 1996. I use a bottle brush and scalding water to clean them out. I never throw anything away if I can get one more days use out of it.

 

[stonykill]

I use a candy thermometer..180 it is not boiling, just before. I dunk the bird a few times and test on the leg..the feathers need to wipe off easy or I redunk. All I do is wipe my hand down the body. it takes no time at all to remove the feathers. Ducks on the other hand take more than a wipe to remove. ugh

mine is no longer boiling either. Otherwise pretty much the same results. Ducks...uggg.

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote:

****UPDATE****

I had seen that before. I only have 4 hens so its much easier for me for the winter to use a heated dog bowl with a plastic bowl inside for the winter. Heck they rarely drink out of it since they get water with the FF and prefer the snow and dirty puddles to fresh water

I am not going to argue with them its easier for me.....but yes I do change the water every few days when its full of DL. Lots of free snow right outside the coop to melt into water

 

[Zanna]

mine is no longer boiling either. Otherwise pretty much the same results. Ducks...uggg.

Dawn Dishwashing soap in the blanching water for the ducks is supposed to break through the oils in their feathers so the hot water actually gets down to the skin. Never butchered ducks but a friend does and swears by this.