The road less traveled...back to good health! They have lice, mites, scale mites, worms, anemia, gl

[Beekissed]

Not sure. None of my chickens seem to peck at other chicken's wounds even when they are not dressed with something and they haven't done so with the NS either, so I can't say why that would happen. I think my inexperience with birds confined to pens/runs shows through on this whole picking at each other thingy that everyone always describes....never, ever had it happen in any of my flocks and so I can't really say how to stop that unless it's to let them get some space away from each other. Seems to work for mine!

 

[bobbi-j]

I hang them and leave for a few minutes. They are all relaxed and eyes closed. I use a very sharp knife and slice off the head. I used to use poultry sizzors and found a sharp knife works a little easier and I can do it in one stroke. I leave again and let the bird drain. It is still a bit disturbing for me after all of this time. My DH thinks I look and act detached. It is a necessity that you do what is going to work for you. I do not like to handle the bird at all during the process.

We use the hatchet and log method, but that's because there's two of us. DH sticks the neck between the nails, I hold the chicken by the feet and slightly stretch the neck. He chops. If I were ever to have to do this by myself, I would probably do it the same way you do. No way could I hold the chicken and chop at the same time. DH does it, but I'm just not that coordinated. (Still way behind, but commenting as I come across things so I don't have to try to find them again.)

 

[normanack]

I

...

haveahart means nothing to me. So far, we've killed whatever has ended up in that cage. LOL)To me, Haveahart cage means "have a heart and just kill them outright instead of dumping them on your neighbors!" LOL!

I think the original meaning was to catch the animal humanely, i.e. without the pain of a leg trap for instance, so that you can then kill it humanely, i.e. shoot it. In other words, what you said.

 

[weaversfarm]

Beekissed, I started reading this thread about your chickens, the deplorable conditions they were living in and what you were doing to get them back to health. I read through page 16 and seeing another almost 400 pages ahead of me, I was wondering if you could just tell me how they all turned out. I have started from page 453 and worked back, but cannot find anything on you chickens. Would you please enlighten me? I would like to take the time to read every page, but for now I would just like to know how your chickens are doing. I would appreciate it so much if you would give me the scoop, or give me an idea of what pages to read. I have never seen a thread this long before!

 

[Beekissed]

Beekissed, I started reading this thread about your chickens, the deplorable conditions they were living in and what you were doing to get them back to health. I read through page 16 and seeing another almost 400 pages ahead of me, I was wondering if you could just tell me how they all turned out. I have started from page 453 and worked back, but cannot find anything on you chickens. Would you please enlighten me? I would like to take the time to read every page, but for now I would just like to know how your chickens are doing. I would appreciate it so much if you would give me the scoop, or give me an idea of what pages to read. I have never seen a thread this long before!

Never??

Take a gander at this beauty....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...l-up-a-rockin-chair-and-lay-some-wisdom-on-us

They turned out great! They are all fat and sassy...well, except little Turkey~I don't think fat is in her future but she sure is sassy! I culled out Speckled Suzy and had her for soup but not because she was sick, she just had a deformity called wry tail and was having difficulty functioning in a free range flock.

It didn't take long to right the wrongs and you can see some of the before and after pics on these links...you can follow the whole saga at a blog site( http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/ )because we have an amazing lady that put it all together for those who are interested. Make sure you post a comment on the blog if you visit...she is getting sponsors and needs to show traffic. She has already gotten two great sponsors and over 9,000 hits and the site hasn't been up for just a few weeks or so. She's amazing!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ant-to-follow-their-progress/750#post_9768680

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...nt-to-follow-their-progress/1960#post_9868036

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...nt-to-follow-their-progress/2950#post_9922528

 

[weaversfarm]

I am going there now Beekissed. Thank you so much for the thread and all the valuable information in them. I will be sure to post to the blog. Thank you again and congratulations on getting your chickens back to being happy, healthy birds.

 

[texasmomma]

Not sure.  None of my chickens seem to peck at other chicken's wounds even when they are not dressed with something and they haven't done so with the NS either, so I can't say why that would happen.  I think my inexperience with birds confined to pens/runs shows through on this whole picking at each other thingy that everyone always describes....never, ever had it happen in any of my flocks and so I can't really say how to stop that unless it's to let them get some space away from each other.  Seems to work for mine! 

 

I was going to have them free ranging today, but the hawk was out. It was a beautiful, warm, and windy day, which often means we see a hawk or two. Sure enough, that is what I got. I think they would have Ben fine given some more room; since I can't always do that, I had to come up with another solution. One day, maybe we will live where I won't have to pen up my animals. I think it brings out unnatural behavior.

 

[Turkeytruff]

I had the same problem. Reading how to do it, can be misleading...I mean, I read what do do, I thought "easy enough" then I tried to apply what I read, which I happen to be good at, and it did not go well. I'm horrified that when I thought I had done it, I left to dig a hole and came back to a chicken walking around looking at me like I was evil. The only plus is how can it ever possible be that hard again?
That's fantastic that your daughter took it so well. If you don't want silkies because of the size, I'd say maybe take a look at the polish? They're LF and look a bit like silkies.
Sorry you had to cull that pretty little bird.
~Ashley

Same. So I don't watch if I can help it. I only do 1-3 at a time and use the cone. I slit the throat and turn my back. I've done my share of them and still prefer to turn around.

Is this way of culling better than the axe and block? I'm afraid that I'd botch this even worse...
Is there a quicker and more precise way to do it?
Like using super strong shears and a killing cone? this is an awful topic, I apologize.. My fiance and I want to find the least possible botching method we can. A method that is the least stressful on the bird, as well as us.

I think the girl in the video is a bit on the putsy side too because she's answering questions and explaining at the same time and this poor hen is being demo'ed out here to show technique so everyone can see. I think on a big processing day she would drive me nuts too Bee if this was how she did it all the time. I pray she's a little faster without a camera and questions breathing down her neck.

At the risk of being thrown off this thread, I'd like to just say that whatever method you chose to get you through your first one whether you're by yourself or with kids involved, is okay with me as long as it's humane. I think BDM did a great job explaining the options to her kids on what to do with the bird. She gave them informed choices (eat or a nice little burial) To be sure with each culling, lessons will be learned and you'll be just be and little more agile and affective. Personally speaking I think it will be easier the next time I need to do it, but there's a little bit of me that hopes I remember a bit of my first one so I don't become too jaded about the whole process and can remain sympathetic with those that might have a harder time with it...............

I am so thankful to be reading this on the forum. I am working my nerve up to kill 2 BB turkeys and 1 rooster in the next 2 weeks. Everything you all have said has been so helpful. I was an ER nurse for 5 years and have my share of carnage that I have dealt with but yes, this relationship thingy that we have going on with our poultry can be intense. It REALLY helps to hear about the difficult ways people have done it and when it has 'gone wrong'; this is how we learn I guess. My husband won't help me (he has Asperger's too, as does my step son - there seems to be a thread going through here) so I have someone who has done it before coming to help me - but I am determined that I have to do it and get on with it

. And yes I will probably have a cry but I know it's doing the right thing to give them a good life and then as quick a death as I can. Wish me luck!

 

[cpchicks]

Bee.
Seriously considering getting twin ewes.

Thoughts? They are Suffolk sheep.
I PM'd this to you. Hoping it will let me post now

Aoxa,
Nice lambs, but they are not purebred Suffolks. Look to be a cross with a wool breed which is a good cross. They could raise some nice lambs for you. Check the mouth on the one on the left. She may be just chewing in the picture......but could be her bite is off.

 

[Beekissed]

I am so thankful to be reading this on the forum. I am working my nerve up to kill 2 BB turkeys and 1 rooster in the next 2 weeks. Everything you all have said has been so helpful. I was an ER nurse for 5 years and have my share of carnage that I have dealt with but yes, this relationship thingy that we have going on with our poultry can be intense. It REALLY helps to hear about the difficult ways people have done it and when it has 'gone wrong'; this is how we learn I guess. My husband won't help me (he has Asperger's too, as does my step son - there seems to be a thread going through here) so I have someone who has done it before coming to help me - but I am determined that I have to do it and get on with it

. And yes I will probably have a cry but I know it's doing the right thing to give them a good life and then as quick a death as I can. Wish me luck!

Good luck, dear!

Please let us know all about it, good or bad...we all learn and it helps to talk about it the first time.

Aoxa,
Nice lambs, but they are not purebred Suffolks. Look to be a cross with a wool breed which is a good cross. They could raise some nice lambs for you. Check the mouth on the one on the left. She may be just chewing in the picture......but could be her bite is off.

I'm trying to get her to get Katahdins instead!

This is little newborn Mo' Fats.



And Black Betty, Little Mo and Ugly Betty, respectively.