The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Mumsy]

Did anyone else know that coturnix quail reach sexual maturity at 6-8 weeks. They lay eggs at 6-8 weeks. Am I the only one who is shocked by that age?!

What do quail taste like? Now I want to raise some..

I have not raised it but eaten California wild quail often. It is delicous. I process by just slitting open the breast with a sharp knife. Carefully cutting the breast meat out. I don't bother plucking or processing. Rasising domestic quail is common here. So is raising Pheasant. It takes a special setup. I've often thought about doing it but don't have the space.

 

[Mumsy]

I have the perfect enclosure for them.

You're supposed to skin them. Never skinned one before, but it doesn't look too difficult. Just read up on how to process them. 2 quail per person for a meal.

I may just try it. Easy enough to scrap the idea if it doesn't work or is too much work.

I have skinned chickens, quail, and pheasant. Sold them to fly fishing tie guys. Not difficult to do at all. I used a very sharp fish filet knife and pliers. Go slow and it gets easier with each bird. Being careful not to tear them is the trick.

 

[aoxa]

She is beautiful!!!

Thanks!!

I have skinned chickens, quail, and pheasant. Sold them to fly fishing tie guys. Not difficult to do at all. I used a very sharp fish filet knife and pliers. Go slow and it gets easier with each bird. Being careful not to tear them is the trick.

I'm thinking my new breeding pen enclosures would work great for them.

They lay an egg every day when young. From 6-8 weeks. That's amazing lol.


I use a sharp fish fillet knife for slicing the jugular. It works really really well. I don't use it for any other part of the processing, but I could get a spare for doing just that.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
Would you possibly be able to describe - or show photos of - a step x step on how do do w/out tearing? Maybe a video you could recommend? I've seen a couple of "field dressing" videos but I'm thinking maybe not done w/the care you're saying.

Also - when you sell to the fisher guys - do they buy the whole skin in-tact? What kind of price can you get for those?

 

[stonykill]

Demon Plastic! OUT!

(Sorry...just had to use that smiley sometime... )


Plastic isn't the issue here...just wouldn't want it to get too tight on the leg or hurt her!

says the woman typing from a plastic computer

 

[Dahlisgrams]

Would you possibly be able to describe - or show photos of - a step x step on how do do w/out tearing? Maybe a video you could recommend? I've seen a couple of "field dressing" videos but I'm thinking maybe not done w/the care you're saying.

Also - when you sell to the fisher guys - do they buy the whole skin in-tact? What kind of price can you get for those?

I'm interested in photos of this too..

For those that process their own, at what age do y'all generally process cockerels for meat, assuming you don't rehome all of them of course?

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
I'M NOT EATING MY COMPUTER OR COOKING ON IT!

Not eating anything laying on it after it sat out in the hot sun either... for that matter

PS: I resemble that smiley creature thing up there...that's why I don't use photos of myself in my avitar.

 

[stonykill]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Leahs Mom

You know...that brings up another question, Del.

I was reading an article regarding raising roosters in Backyard Poultry and the gal that wrote it said something I've never seen anyone of you experienced folks mention. It made me want to ask you, Stony, Aoxo, Mumsy.... and any other OTs (or is that ot ??) for your "take" on it.

She was talking about training a rooster to respect you as "top rooster" or dominant so he will be submissive in your presence. Pretty much what we've already learned from y'all here. Then she said this as part of that process:

"Whenever your rooster is breeding a hen, stop it immediately! Make it clear to him he is not allowed to "breed" in your presence. This tells him you are the dominant rooster and only you are allowed to "breed" the hens when you are around. A dominant rooster shows the submissive rooster his place by attacking him if he breeds a hen in the dominant's presence." Quote: A Guide to Raising Roosters; Backyard Poultry; Brittany Thompson Georgia; February/March 2013 edition

Your thoughts, please

my thoughts. Why? Why deter a rooster from breeding? There are only 2 reasons to have a rooster. Flock protection and breeding.
ok.... thanks for the Pm. Back to the shop.

going to elaberate a little more...being I was asked to via pm. Here is how it works in the chicken world. When a non dominant rooster mounts a hen, the dominant rooster knocks the lower ranking off of the hen and THEN MOUNTS HER HIMSELF. To assert his dominance. So unless the human rooster plans on mounting the hen, you are not asserting dominance. Simply teaching the rooster to be trickier.

 

[stonykill]

WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO MARK A CHICKEN WITH SOMETHING I ALREADY HAVE LAYING AROUND? Without bands, please...I don't have any.

The 2 BRs are pretty much twins and I can't consistently tell them apart. One of them is seriously cranky and from as long as I can remember will just attack the others for no good reason at all...just because they exist. I'd like to mark her and really watch her for a few weeks but...

Right this minute she's looking like a nice bowl of soup to me. Atilla Soup.

Hate to lose the eggs, but I also hate watching her just stirring things up for no reason at all. And now w/the babies, she's a possible threat. We'll see...

because I like you Sue

I don't mark, and honestly at her age a toe punch is way past due. Here is what I would and have done for trouble/bossy hens. Solitary confinment for a week. Dog crate away from everyone. She returns on the bottom of the pecking order. Works many times. Sometimes solitary is needed a few times to get the message.

 

[Melabella]

Hi everyone,

I remember a while back, I think it was stony saying what he does when a hen/pullet goes broody, as in refrence to replacing an egg with a golf ball for so many days till she is sitting on a group of golf balls, and then when one is sure she is broody, replaces them with the eggs one wants hatched. Am I remembering correctly, or was a sleeping through reading the post and have it all wrong? Is the purpose of doing this to be sure your girl is indeed broody and going to commit to staying on the nest? Do broody hens stay as long as it takes to hatch or do t hey have an internal clock that only does it for so long? Sorry for the silly, ignorant, inexperienced question, but I was trying to find the post, and just can't seem to. Anyone remember?

THanks,
MB