Thinking of an experiment

[MissE]

Wow! Now i wish i woulda waited! I was scared the roos would get tough if i waited too long, but i guess in reality, i could have waited 16 weeks. The next batch, ill hold out a little longer. When do you plan on processing these guys?

I will process when the older ones are 16-18 weeks. Depends on the weather and what I have going on. The main downside to waiting is the skin is not as tender as it is with an 8 week old CX. Meat has more flavor though.

 

[Sally PB]

Interesting thread! Thanks for documenting this project.

 

[PurpleCArTires]

@MissE question about your adult rangers and their behavior. I saved back 4 hens and two roos. 1 hen and 1 roo are starting to limp . And the other roo has a blood pool under the skin from (i assume) laying around. Also, they all suck at dust bathing/hygiene and now have mites. They are nearing 16 weeks now. When did you notice they stopped slapping on the weight? Do your adults have a limp at all? Mine all still can run and partially fly (even the ones who limp are quick). But I am thinking of culling the two that limp, but they seem fine otherwise and i am kinda hoping they heal. What are your thoughts?

 

[MissE]

@MissE question about your adult rangers and their behavior. I saved back 4 hens and two roos. 1 hen and 1 roo are starting to limp . And the other roo has a blood pool under the skin from (i assume) laying around. Also, they all suck at dust bathing/hygiene and now have mites. They are nearing 16 weeks now. When did you notice they stopped slapping on the weight? Do your adults have a limp at all? Mine all still can run and partially fly (even the ones who limp are quick). But I am thinking of culling the two that limp, but they seem fine otherwise and i am kinda hoping they heal. What are your thoughts?

My rooster still has no problem getting up on the roost at night. My 2 girls don't really like the roost. One sleeps on the floor and the other on top of the nest boxes (but not in them). No limping. They dust bathe, but the girls have really fluffy butts and will get poo stuck every now and then. I imagine its because they don't roost and it sticks at night. They were probably about 30 weeks when they hit their full weight. They also prefer to lay eggs on the floor, but will occasionally use the nest box.

Do you think it's a joint issue or bumblefoot? Mine certainly aren't as nimble as the others, but can sure hurry their fat behinds when food is involved. Or if they make a jail break. If it looks like a joint problem, I would cull. I didn't even process anyone until 20+ weeks. I had one that limped, but he got his foot stuck. The others were fine.

 

[PurpleCArTires]

My rooster still has no problem getting up on the roost at night. My 2 girls don't really like the roost. One sleeps on the floor and the other on top of the nest boxes (but not in them). No limping. They dust bathe, but the girls have really fluffy butts and will get poo stuck every now and then. I imagine its because they don't roost and it sticks at night. They were probably about 30 weeks when they hit their full weight. They also prefer to lay eggs on the floor, but will occasionally use the nest box.

Do you think it's a joint issue or bumblefoot? Mine certainly aren't as nimble as the others, but can sure hurry their fat behinds when food is involved. Or if they make a jail break. If it looks like a joint problem, I would cull. I didn't even process anyone until 20+ weeks. I had one that limped, but he got his foot stuck. The others were fine.

Thanks for the info!! I am trimming their butts today and dusting them again in some DE for the mites.

Its def not bumble foot. More than likely a joint issue. Ill probably end up culling them if it gets worse in the next few weeks. .