AL - Recording baby steps: Newest Addition

[Farmfresh]

Unless you had disease in the run with your last batch I would still not start with medicated feeds. I like to at least give them a chance to develop an immune system of their own instead of propping them up with meds from the very start.

How many are you ordering? That will make a LOT of difference on where you set them up at and the amount of space they will require.

 

[AL]

Ok... makes sense about the medicated feed. So still the starter crumbles - for how long?

I ordered 25 cornish rock

 

[Farmfresh]

You are going to need a much bigger space than a tote then.

I use a stock tank to start mine in. It is about 18 inches across and 4 feet long. With 25 Cornish Rocks in it it is full in two weeks. These little buggers grow FAST and stink MUCH.

Here is what my brooder looks like at about 2 weeks with about 25 birds in it.

I keep my brooder in my mud room closet that is attached to the house, but not heated or cooled and that helps keep the stink out of my living quarters.
The CxRs will not scratch and keep their litter fluffed so it will get pasted down on top unless I fluff it. I keep a little weeder hoe for the task and fluff it at least daily.

I feed 24% unmedicated chick starter until they are fully feathered and then lower the protein to about 20% for the next couple of weeks.

Added to say: the birds in the pic are all pullets, which are cheaper to buy. I often still get a cockerel or two in the batch to raise as a nice big roaster.

 

[AL]

Awesome... I have a stock tank just like that only rubbermaid, so I can do that. I ordered from Ideal and straight run was about 50 cents cheaper than either sexed bird. I am putting oak leaves in my chickenhouse for "litter" in cooler weather, can I use that in the brooder, or should I stick with shavings?

I thought I had too many people wanting eggs, but turns out they just wanted them all at the same time - I have just over 3 dozen in the fridge waiting for buyers!

I have to set up for the Fair this weekend, but if I get done in time I am going to the farmer's market to pick up some fresh veggies. Especially seeing that the dust bowl will be getting no rain until probably at least the 20th. (earliest forecast)

Now that I am feeling little better (after working overnights and beign sick) I need to get back in the habit of waking up early to get stuff done, then taking a nap before work.

Still to do this month:
- tarp the "walls" of the meatie shelter
- rig up hardware cloth cover for brooder
- pull dry peas and shell for next year
- oak leaves for the chicken house
- oak leaves (2 truckloads) for the compost pile / garden (this can wait - see if anything comes of the garden, then clean it and till it before "leafing" it)
- clear out extra stall for Buddy's hay
- contact trainer for estimates on Buddy

Saving $ for:
- house insurance - December
- extra deep freezer
- beef from Gizmo

 

[Farmfresh]

I would probably stick with shavings ... at least at first. You need something pretty absorbent. I swear these birds are juicy!

 

[AL]

blah
I may try to rig up the 300 gal stock tank for a brooder.... lots more room and they can stay outside!

IT rained!!! not much.... not enough... but rain is rain! Especially considering that up until yesterday there was only a 30% chance today and 0% until the 20th!

 

[Farmfresh]

Just though I would share a pic I took today of my meaties. They are 4 1/2 pounds and 45 days old today. I really did my best to slow this batch down this time too.

It rained all day yesterday, so they are pretty muddy today. I brought 10 home tonight to butcher tomorrow.

 

[AL]

they look like little volleyballs with legs!

If you get a chance / have the time I would be interested in some details on your processing tomorrow.

The "plan" is to butcher ours at about 7- 7 1/2 weeks. That will work, right?

I am curious about one thing - most everything I read people cut the throats and let them bleed out. Is there something wrong about using a hatchet and just taking off the head? I don't know if we can do the slow death thing

 

[Farmfresh]

I break necks for a fast death, then chop off the head with shears and drop them in a 5 gallon bucket to bleed and flop.

The hatchet method is fine, but when they flop about you get a lot of blood flung about. If you break the neck correctly the skin stays whole while a lot of flopping goes on. Then when you remove the head the blood drains out and MUCH less mess.

You might find yourself butchering sooner. At 7 to 7 1/2 weeks your males will probably weigh about 7 to 8 pounds each! That is pretty big, almost roaster size.

If you want to see how I process my birds I did a pictorial thread about butchering turkeys. I clean chickens in a very similar way ... only they are lots smaller! http://www.sufficientself.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=6387

 

[AL]

that is awesome!! thanks!
And I think we (as in they, not me ) can do the neck-breaking.


So I need to get settled somewhere and make a list of stuff I'm gonna need. I know for sure there will be 3 of us, and my dad may help kill the birds and my friends son may come to pitch in. But let's go worst case and have just 3.

K will do the deed - requiring a 5gal bucket and shears
at least 2 of us will be doing the rest:

scald - 2 cookstoves and 2 pots w/ thermometers, citrus dish detergent

Chill - tub / ice chest with salt and ice water

pluck - garbage can, rounded knife

gut - sharp knives, boxes for discard
(if you don't split a bird open, do you use a 'lung scraper" to clean it out??)

chill do I just keep the bird in a covered pot at this point, or go ahead and vacuum seal / freezer wrap it?


ETA - random stuff like stainless bowl for parting birds, garden hose, extra lighting avail