[Food] Production - Poultry (was Backyard Chickens)

Heineken · Last edited by Heineken on Sun Jul 20, 2008 6:59 am; edited 1 time in total

Given the cost of commercial feed, I'd think foraging ability was the single most important factor in chicken breed selection. That, plus an efficient ratio of feed conversion to animal protein.

Previously I've free-ranged Barred Rocks and White Rocks and few individuals of oddball breeds like Speckled Sussex and Black Australorp. The rocks were huge eaters but had a gentle temperament. I butchered and dressed a few but found the meat to be tough. I'm not hard-hearted enough to keep chickens confined to a small space all their brief lives to ensure the meat is tender.

If I keep chickens again it will be leghorns for egg production. Some sort of leghorn that is tough (as in disease resistant) and that has exceptional foraging ability (any suggestions?). I'd guess that egg production is achieved more efficiently than meat production (and, obviously, on a more ongoing basis). At present, egg prices still aren't high enough to make this worth the trouble to me, though.

I would use the tractor method and use my chicken coop just for getting them through our relatively mild winters.

Leghorns and breeds with large combs are not appropriate for northerners unless they have heated coops (and are willing to pay for that heat!).
_________________
"Actually, humans died out long ago."
---Abused, abandoned hunting dog

"Things have entered a stage where the only change that is possible is for things to get worse."
---Me and my brother

Ludi

I would try the Rose Comb Brown Leghorns.

http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/product/rose_comb_brown_leghorns.html
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"...powerdown so soft and fluffy you'll think you're living in a pillow..." - jboogy

the48thronin

I would go back to the barred rocks myself... I loved my rocks for eating.. So maybe you killed and cooked too fast? for tender chicken, kill the day before clean and refrigerate... 2 or 3 days is even better. Fresh killed meat needs time to tenderize...

When I kill a deer or a steer, I hang the meat 5 or more days before cutting and wrapping. chickens 2 days...

You do realize all meat other than fish is aged before cooking right?
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Heineken

No, my chicken-butchering days are over, so the particularities of processing the corpses are irrelevant to me now. I find the whole process too emotionally unpleasant. This is not to criticize others who do it; it just relates to what feels right for me. As I said, if I keep chickens again it will be for eggs only.
_________________
"Actually, humans died out long ago."
---Abused, abandoned hunting dog

"Things have entered a stage where the only change that is possible is for things to get worse."
---Me and my brother

Heineken

JJ · Heavy Crude Joined: Aug 07, 2007 Posts: 296

Ludi

iamron · Coal Joined: Jul 20, 2008 Posts: 2

I got some chicks from Murray Mc Murry last week, so far they are doing GREAT. Ordered 32 but they gave me some free ones so wound up with 39, most are Red Star Hens, but some Wyandots, some Sultans, only 4 or 5 are roosters, but since I live in a restricted subdivision I am not so sure I would be allowed to have chickens if anyone complained. I sure do not need that many layers either, hahaha so many of these will wind up in the freezer, but I may want to keep at least 2 roosters if they are not too noisy, anyone have any suggestions on how to keep them quiet?

Ludi

iamron · Coal Joined: Jul 20, 2008 Posts: 2

I was thinking of maybe keeping the roosters in a smaller area that although ventilated would have some sound proofing so the noise not carry too far, or how about a dog collar tha is used to stop barking, everytime the dog barks it sends a small electrical shock so discourages barking , may discourage crowing also, hahaha

wisconsin_cur

mystiek

Are the chickens on strike? We've been looking for fresh eggs, our friends who run a CSA farm said the chickens are hardly laying any eggs and apparently other farms have seen a decline in production. Is anyone else experiencing this-possibly due to the heat.
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Rev 21:4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be death, there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.

CarlinsDarlin · Moderator Joined: Jul 02, 2004 Posts: 1376

mystie,
My chickens usually go on strike during the hottest part of summer - or at least a slowdown if not a strike Smile

- so it wouldn't surprise me. If I were a chicken I wouldn't be working too hard in this heat either Laughing

Kathy

Ludi

We still get a few eggs every day, but I mean a few, like 3, from over a dozen hens. Very high temps do seem to stop laying for most hens.
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"...powerdown so soft and fluffy you'll think you're living in a pillow..." - jboogy

mystiek

Thanks for the info-I'll pass it on. At least I was able to meet the chickens that lay green eggs (when they ever get around to it!!!)
_________________
Rev 21:4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be death, there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.