Joined: 16 Dec 2004 Posts: 22789 Location: Montgomeryshire
Posted: Tue May 10, 05 10:24 am Post subject: First day in the big outdoors
We have just transferred our latest batch of meat chickens from the barn to their outdoor pen. For ten minutes, they just sat there huddled together, looking scared. Then one took a peck at a blade of grass, and another. The others suddenly realised that he was eating something, and rushed to have a look. Gradually they all came to the realisation that their whole world was edible! They are now rushing around, pecking at everything for five minutes, then collapsing in a heap to enjoy the sunshine.
Broiler chickens aren't the most attractive critters you've ever seen, but at this stage they are rather endearing with their big clumsy feet and unsuccessful attempts to fly.
Posted: Tue May 10, 05 10:32 am Post subject: Re: First day in the big outdoors
Judith wrote:
Gradually they all came to the realisation that their whole world was edible!
I think that would go some way to making up for that date they have lined up with the oven! How long have they got?
Quote:
Broiler chickens aren't the most attractive critters you've ever seen
Are these the Ross/Cobbs again?
judith
Joined: 16 Dec 2004 Posts: 22789 Location: Montgomeryshire
Posted: Tue May 10, 05 10:56 am Post subject: Re: First day in the big outdoors
Bugs wrote:
I think that would go some way to making up for that date they have lined up with the oven! How long have they got?
They are just a tad under six weeks old now. At the broiler houses, they would be coming up for slaughter soon. We let them grow slowly, and run about to develop a bit of muscle tone - 12 weeks is about right. The last lot went to 14 and were like small turkeys. Poultry farmers would despair at the way we do it, but we like the end result!
Joined: 16 Dec 2004 Posts: 22789 Location: Montgomeryshire
Posted: Wed May 11, 05 12:42 pm Post subject:
What is?
wellington womble
Joined: 08 Nov 2004 Posts: 15051 Location: East Midlands
Posted: Wed May 11, 05 1:36 pm Post subject:
Where do they go Judith? And do they come back oven ready? I can deal with killing them (well morally, not practically - at first I'd be scared of being inneffient) but I really can't say the thought of gutting and plucking appeals much.
Oh, and how does it cost (just the deed, not the general raising and pecking!) I like chicken, but it is sooo expensive, and hard to get the good stuff!
Gutting is quick and easy once you've done it a couple of times, plucking isn't too bad either, of course you could just skin without plucking.
judith
Joined: 16 Dec 2004 Posts: 22789 Location: Montgomeryshire
Posted: Wed May 11, 05 1:58 pm Post subject:
WW, they don't go anywhere - we do it all here. They are used to being handled, so by the time they realise anything might be amiss, it is too late. They are dead within a minute or so of being picked up from their run.
That said, it still isn't a nice job, and I find it doesn't get any easier with time. Even though I know they have been raised humanely, had the sun on their backs for most of their short lives and have been dispatched with the absolute minimum of stress to them - you are still killing something you have looked after for several weeks or months.
Once they are dead, I don't have any problem at all with the plucking/gutting - that is just a job that has to be done. At that point I just want to get it over with and have a beer!
judith
Joined: 16 Dec 2004 Posts: 22789 Location: Montgomeryshire
Posted: Wed May 11, 05 2:06 pm Post subject:
As for cost, it works out at �6 - 7 per bird, depending on how long we keep them. Non-organic feed would bring the cost down quite a bit. It sounds quite expensive, but they are big birds - the last lot were between 6 and 8 lbs each.
(Sorry for all the questions, but I think this is a perfect scale for a lot of people here and I know we're seriously considering it for the future on a similar scale...although if it were practical we'd like to breed dual purpose birds and keep the girls and snack on the boys).
I suppose in theory if you raised more, you would be less attached to them?
judith
Joined: 16 Dec 2004 Posts: 22789 Location: Montgomeryshire
Posted: Wed May 11, 05 3:11 pm Post subject:
We use an air pistol. We have tried other methods, but this is the fastest and most reliable for us.
I don't know whether larger numbers would make it easier. To tell the truth, I don't ever want to become complacent about it. Our porkers are going for their one-way trip in less than a fortnight. I'm really not looking forward to that.
Thanks. For what it's worth I think you have a good attitude to it all and hope we'll manage the same when the time comes. Good luck with the porkers (is it terribly tactless to mention Alison's bacon cure article?)
I'm intrigued.
I would love to raise chickens. I understand Black Orpingtons are good birds to eat but they are so beautiful I have trouble with the thought of killing them. I hope that given the circumstances I would deal with it.
Supposing you sold them to a local restaurant, one specialising in high quality food? Would it be difficult?
I think that would go some way to making up for that date they have lined up with the oven! How long have they got?
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