The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[lalaland]

These hens were given to me to butcher for my dogs. They had mostly stopped laying, or had soft shell eggs. I'm sure they were on some cheep brand of feed and never out of their pen. This person had given me her last hens too. I had never butchered a bird, so I took them to a friend. She decided she wanted to keep them and as far as I know, they are still laying pretty well for her. Those girls were older birds, so I'm not sure why these did so much poorer.

maybe the second batch was from a different hatchery, or she went to even cheaper feed....

 

[Shan30]

Seriously - Ask around.

"My" hunter tells me that most of them dump the entrails - including the liver - in the field while field dressing.  He always keeps the heart for himself but they would dump everything else.  It was no extra trouble for him to take a zip loc and bring it home.

We save the heart, liver and kidneys when we can but nothing else. I considered just throwing the entire gut bag out for the birds last year but due to parasites decided not to. It's pretty common to be able to see worms while gutting game so I only utilize what can be easily frozen for a while first. We would keep the hearts but frequently they are destroyed by the shot.

 

[Leahs Mom]

 

[armorfirelady]

 

[lalaland]

I culled buster the rooster tonight. Very hard to do, but necessary for the flock.

He was starting to take exception to the little icelandic hen with the crest, and at least 4 of the chicks have crests....and the three sulmtalers are crested and they already have their own coop because of him.

The only positive thing is being able to do it quickly so he was gone in seconds. And the dread and anticipation is far worse than the deed, but I'm still sad about it.

So tomorrow I will rebuild some of the fencing around the little coop and make it so the sulmtalers and the chicks have access to the main coop and run, and I'll start the process of putting them in the main coop at night til they know that is where to go. I am not expecting to have much problem integrating as there has already been some grazing in the same area by all the flock and that has been pretty peaceful except when the rooster got involved.

I can't wait to get down to one coop !

 

[user213590]

I culled buster the rooster tonight.  Very hard to do, but necessary for the flock.  

He was starting to take exception to the little icelandic hen with the crest, and at least 4 of the chicks have crests....and the three sulmtalers are crested and they already have their own coop because of him.

The only positive thing is being able to do it quickly so he was gone in seconds.  And the dread and anticipation is far worse than the deed, but I'm still sad about it.  

So tomorrow I will rebuild some of the fencing around the little coop and make it so the sulmtalers and the chicks have access to the main coop and run, and I'll start the process of putting them in the main coop at night til they know that is where to go.  I am not expecting to have much problem integrating as there has already been some grazing in the same area by all the flock and that has been pretty peaceful except when the rooster got involved.

I can't wait to get down to one coop !

I am so sorry to hear of your loss, sad but sometimes it has to be done.
I hope your heart can heal quickly.
Please love on your other darlings and tell them they are safe and all is well in Chickieland. Sincerely, Cowgirlboots.

 

[armorfirelady]

Lala while I'm sure it was hard to cull him I'm sure the peace now in the flock will be better.

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed. The rooster theatrics can sour the pleasure of keeping a flock. I'm hoping that the rooster I'm planning to keep will settle down and be a nice boy. If not, I'll go roosterless, and hope to pick up a seasoned rooster from someone in the spring... one who has already been taught the ropes by a well functioning flock. The perfect rooster must be people and chick friendly, dance for and tid-bit the ladies, and not be overly aggressive in the performing of his husbandly duties.

 

[Leahs Mom]

@lalaland

Sigh. I bet that's a relief. I still have "Mister" separated in his own 10x6 kennel with a dog house he's been sleeping in. Not weasel-proof at all but so far no weasels. I've just been putting off doing the deed.

Will you be able to use the meat? I thought I'd at least make stew or bbq if I ever get it done.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Agreed. The rooster theatrics can sour the pleasure of keeping a flock. I'm hoping that the rooster I'm planning to keep will settle down and be a nice boy. If not, I'll go roosterless, and hope to pick up a seasoned rooster from someone in the spring... one who has already been taught the ropes by a well functioning flock. The perfect rooster must be people and chick friendly, dance for and tid-bit the ladies, and not be overly aggressive in the performing of his husbandly duties.

My Heritage RIR roosters are a bit like that, very people friendly, rarely do more than chase another rooster, but they love to mate. My blue sumatra while not as people nice does the mating dance better.

I used a year old rooster for chicken salad and it turned out well. I think as long as the older chicken meat is cooked with a moist heat slowly over a low heat, it is not overly tough.

@Leahs Mom if you are ever down in the indy area, my Dh can process your roo. He can also let you have a hands on experience with the plucking, and such.