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Well....it is freezer camp day for some assorted birds.......gotta go sharpen the knives.
been waiting for decent weather.


Next week, Monday to be exact, we get the 2nd shipment of meaties.
That's be the 9th.......and on the 13-14 is freezer camp for the first shipment, now very rolly polly.
The cockerels go first as they are heavier.
The hens we often save a week longer.


As RW said, that is why males cost more, they grow faster.
I get straight run.
So the new meaty chicks will be in the brooder a week or so and then out in the tractor once it is empty.


th.gif

Gotta go clean out the freezer & stock up on big freezer bags...time to get ready.
It truly is amazing how fast they grow !

Can I come watch on the 13th-14th? We want to do meat birds next year, and NOT paying a mobile butcher would be nice...
 
ChickieLady - Everyone is now on medicated starter feed (Purina). I changed out the water to fresh (decided to use ACV for the next few weeks and see how it goes). Today I'm going to experiment with the newbies and see how they do with just a few girls in the run. I might let them out? Don't want them lost though...

One question though. You said you put your grown flock on 20-27% protein feed? But I thought grown birds don't need that much protein?

Also, for everyone: What type of grown bird feed do you use that is widely available. I'd like to start researching what I will use. I think Scratch and Peck just won't work for us here.
"Growing on" birds are birds that are started out in the world, and are growing on, but not yet at POL.
For example, chicks from hatch to 2 mo, started birds (no heat lamp and have access to outdoors 2 mo to 4 mo of age, growing on birds are in a "big bird" coop, and usually 3 mo to 6 mo of age.
Once they are fully grown, they do not need continued high protein feed.
Some folks do give grown adult birds high protein when they are moulting, for better feather developement.
But otherwise they get layer feed.
 
Am I just going to have to come to grips that some of my chickens are less than personable and will always hate me? LOL Some of them really flip out when I try to pet and/or hold them, and these are the ones I have had since they were day olds! Particularly my RIR, Welsummer, and GLW really despise being touched. It's weird.

I raised half of my layer flock from chicks I hatched and although they were held, loved, and fed from my hand, they would prefer that I not pet them or pick them up. They did go through a particularly skittish stage when they were teens - typical right? They calmed down again once they started laying. They'll tolerate my attention - squat when I'm near so I give them a little pat and send them on their way. They don't freak too much when I have to pick them up for some reason so that helps when I need to examine or bathe them. But I've come to terms with my layer flock not being the cuddly little feathered beings I had imagined although they do follow me EVERYWHERE when I'm in the yard. I know they "love" me. I am the provider of all good things in their life. Juju will come up to the back litchen door looking for me if I haven't brought them treats yet. But it's a good happy relationship.

Now - if you're looking for really snuggly chickens - I have just discovered that the Silkies are the lap dog of the chicken world. Sure they're eggs are small, sure they go broody a lot, but these babies LOVE to be held. I pick them up, put them in my lap and with a little stroking and petting they chirp softly and fall asleep in my lap. I'm sure they would be happy to be held all day long!

But I doubt your chickens will continue to "hate" you. Once they're through this stage you'll probably be their favorite person in the world. Especially when you come bearing treats!
 
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