The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[farmerfogg]

That decision is the hard part. The deed is the yucky part. The realization that you provide a service for the health of the flock and nutrition for your family is a sense of ..pride and relief.



I am butchering out a few NYD chicks this weekend
Young and tasty
I look forward to the food, not the deed

I agree. And I'm very greatful for the opportunity to have learned so much today, first hand, that text and video just can't teach you. I will enjoy the meals he makes for my family.

 

[Ashdoes]

Double post.

 

[Ashdoes]

So, on the subject of freezer camp, how old is too old? I know you can eat any age chicken, but I've read that if they're too old they're tough to eat. Our Cochin boys will be about 8 months when hubby is home to help (if I don't sell them) and the Wyandotte (not handing off those little snots to irritate others) girls will be just under a year. Thoughts from the experts?

 

[PeepsCA]

LM,
As far as cost for donkey feed vs LGD canine feed... 2 flakes of hay per day (at about 2% of it's body weight, per day... depending on how much pasture the donkey has to graze) vs 3-6 ups of dog food per day depending on breed/size of dog and brand of feed. Then there's the hoof trims every 8-10 wks and worming every 8 wks for the donkey, on top of yearly vaccinations to add in. Plus fencing and a shelter. I don't see him as an alternative to my dogs, but an addition (my dogs are not LGDs tho).

 

[countrygirl74]

Today was a rough day for me. I did my first culling. I did a lot of research, asked a lot of questions from several people. I went through the steps, one by one in my head, atleast 100 times. I made peace with my choice a couple of weeks ago. But there is just nothing that truly can prepare you for the process. You just have to do it. I have to admit that once the rooster was culled, the hens seemed to have a peaceful day. I'm still at peace with my decision. So thankful that it's behind me. And now we have a wonderful looking roasting chicken in my fridge.

I know EXACTLY how you feel. We did this about a month ago - took me several days to get over the images in my head even though I knew I did the right thing and felt a sense of accomplishment AND fed my family. I think everyone should have to experience how difficult it is to take a life to eat your meat. I still get a little sad when I see their baby pics... they were all named as they were professionally sexed and supposed to be our pet layers - bad sexing gave us 5 roos to cull. My husband had to walk away for a few moments after the first 3 - it was getting to him, but he finished the job. It's good to know you did the right thing and you know that, if needed, you could do it again.

 

[countrygirl74]

It is hard for me to comment on all that I wish I could. Trust me when I say I read everything and audibly ooo.. and aww... on all the good news and nod my head to all the rest. This is my favorite thread and for sure the greatest peeps hang out here.

X2!!!!

 

[countrygirl74]

So, on the subject of freezer camp, how old is too old? I know you can eat any age chicken, but I've read that if they're too old they're tough to eat. Our Cochin boys will be about 8 months when hubby is home to help (if I don't sell them) and the Wyandotte (not handing off those little snots to irritate others) girls will be just under a year. Thoughts from the experts?

I am by no means an expert but I can tell you our experience at the different ages... we butchered 5 roos last month for the first time. One was 8 months, the others were 4 months. We found that the 8 month had more flavor but no one really liked the dark meat - too tough. However, the 8 month's breast meat was wonderful! The 4-month-olds had more edible meat as the dark meat wasn't too tough to eat. I slow-cooked all of them. I'm sure the dark meat, bones, etc. would be great on all of them for stews, broth, etc.

 

[delisha]

So, on the subject of freezer camp, how old is too old? I know you can eat any age chicken, but I've read that if they're too old they're tough to eat. Our Cochin boys will be about 8 months when hubby is home to help (if I don't sell them) and the Wyandotte (not handing off those little snots to irritate others) girls will be just under a year. Thoughts from the experts?

I recently ate my 7 year old egg layer. When you do it for years you simply know what you can and can't do with the chickens. One of the things I like to do with older chickens..

Put them in a zip-lock bag..add salt, milk, and vinegar. I remove as much air as I can. I leave in the the fridge for 24hours.
1/8 cup salt-1 cup milk-2 tbs vinegar

start the grill and put them on a nice smoky grill..I add apple wood from our trees. I try to infuse the smoke flavor, not really cook the bird for 1 hour.

while that is smoking
I boil 8 oz of pasta shell and cool
wash and slice in half 1 lb of dark red sweet grapes
chop fine 1/2 cup valdalia onion
chop fine one cup celery hearts(safe 1/2 cup for soup)
1 cup mayo
1/4 cup miracle whip
1/4 tsp spanish paprika
1 tsp salad season

refridgerate

take the chicken off the grill and cool
remove the breasts and cube, add to salad and refridgerate
put the rest of the chicken in a pot of boiling water with the celery and 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp white pepper (5 qts)


soft boil for 4 hour..strain (remove meat off bones after cooled)
put the liquid back on the stove

add 1 cup baby carrots
add 1 1/2 cup cubed potatoes
boil for 1 hour
add 1/2 of your meat


the other half of the meat, add mayo, chopped celery and mix for sandwiches or cracker spread

1 old chicken..3 meals

 

[countrygirl74]

 

[Sally8]

Leahs Mom love the pic. While others are oohing and aawing over the hen and legs, what made me drool was the green peeking though the brown ground. We're looking to get snow again. I can't wait for some weather over 29.

Mumsy, I always wanted to try putting the eggs in a carton. Mornings when I'm trying to hurry to get going, 45 eggs seem to take forever to turn.

I had another poult hatch today. I also had a 3 - 4 week old chick trying to crow. At least that is what it sounds like. And it's in my bathtub.