The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Ashdoes]

Cochins that have free ranged their whole 9 months. So, three days just sitting in the fridge, or in ice or ice water? Crock pot does seem to be the last resort.

 

[aoxa]

3 days rest.

But what kind of roo are we talking? And did it run all over the place it's whole life? My Sumatra's are best in the crock pot. Otherwise the legs are so tough you can't rip the meat from the bone with your teeth. BUT if you cut it with a knife you can eat it. But we have found crock works best for us on the game type birds

Cochins that have free ranged their whole 9 months. So, three days just sitting in the fridge, or in ice or ice water? Crock pot does seem to be the last resort.

Definitely crock pot them. I hated my dual purpose free ranged birds until finally breaking it out and trying it. Now the meat is just as tender as store bought, but SO much more flavour!

My crosses were Barred Rock x Cochin. They were active birds.

Yum.. they tasted so good.

 

[aoxa]

Today's progress!!


Oh and had to add this. Really.. it kills me.. I was never a bunny person, but these guys are so stinking cute. They free range too with their parents. They can outrun all my dogs, who seem to think it's a game when they start running.. Anyway... So cute.

 

[Ashdoes]

Omg! Bunnies! Too cute.
Ok, so we'll try our last boy in the crock pot.
Thanks guys.

 

[stonykill]

Cochins that have free ranged their whole 9 months. So, three days just sitting in the fridge, or in ice or ice water? Crock pot does seem to be the last resort.

I just let them rest in the fridge. Crock pot is the way to go

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

yeah I have 30 acres but the chickens seem to roam on 3 acres maybe. Maybe 4? They go wherever they want. There are plenty of good spots with leaves etc to dig into get bugs, slugs, mice, frogs, snakes etc in a small area. It has been so long since I only had 10 birds

Yes, I agree, my ducks stick to about 3-4 acres here, although we own more. Easier for me when it comes time to pen up. So reading here tho, http://poultry.ces.ncsu.edu/feeding-ducks/ even with FR, I don't see how that amount of feed, wet or dry, would ever be enough to sustain ducks that are 10-12# each on avg. I'm especially curious about keepers who have harsh winters, as I do, and what difference is seen during seasonal change. Nonetheless, I'm still looking to set up a *sustainable* FF System ~Tomorrow~. .... So if you have any helpful advice for me, I do appreciate it. Thank you, Holly

 

[aoxa]

Yes, I agree, my ducks stick to about 3-4 acres here, although we own more. Easier for me when it comes time to pen up. So reading here tho,
http://poultry.ces.ncsu.edu/feeding-ducks/
even with FR, I don't see how that amount of feed, wet or dry, would ever be enough to sustain ducks that are 10-12# each on avg.

I'm especially curious about keepers who have harsh winters, as I do, and what difference is seen during seasonal change.

Nonetheless, I'm still looking to set up a *sustainable* FF System ~Tomorrow~. ....
So if you have any helpful advice for me, I do appreciate it. Thank you,
Holly

Your ducks should not be consuming this much. They should be foraging for a high % of their diet.

I know raising ducklings, they eat 3 times that of a chick.. It's crazy. My geese ate less than ducks!

 

[RedRidge]

Nonetheless, I'm still looking to set up a *sustainable* FF System ~Tomorrow~. ....
So if you have any helpful advice for me, I do appreciate it. Thank you,
Holly

I'm not sure where you live, but "sustainable" being our thing here, we supplement with BSF (Black Soldier Fly Larvae).
There are folks in every state raising them... it's simply a matter of providing the right environment.
That may be something you may want to check into.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Thank you RR & Aoxa.

 

[stonykill]

Yes, I agree, my ducks stick to about 3-4 acres here, although we own more. Easier for me when it comes time to pen up. So reading here tho,
http://poultry.ces.ncsu.edu/feeding-ducks/
even with FR, I don't see how that amount of feed, wet or dry, would ever be enough to sustain ducks that are 10-12# each on avg.

I'm especially curious about keepers who have harsh winters, as I do, and what difference is seen during seasonal change.

Nonetheless, I'm still looking to set up a *sustainable* FF System ~Tomorrow~. ....
So if you have any helpful advice for me, I do appreciate it. Thank you,
Holly

so how does a 6 lb wild duck or a 20 lb wild turkey survive?