Came out this am to find my hen has actually hatched a chick. It was pretty doubtful at many time along the way. She laid on these eggs on a perch near to next doors dogs out in the elements. She had 12 eggs she was down to 5 as she kept accidentally knocking a few off the perch when she left the nest at feeding times. she now has 7 eggs so she is laying eggs whilst hatching chicks.
I took the decision today to move her off the ledge into the nursery. I risky decision as very high risk of her going off the eggs. This is balanced with chicks falling off the ledge when they hatch and dying. Touch dilemma. Anyway I lifted mum and eggs and baby chick all at the same time and put her in the nursery coop. Phew Mum hasn't rejected chick or eggs. Whilst doing it out of protection cockerel flew and landed on my head and shoulders to see what I was doing with his lady and child. All is well in the chicken coop now.
Monday 22 May 2017
Sunday 7 May 2017
Chickens for eating
This blog is a diary of my life as a smallholder and my smallholding is about knowing where my food comes from.. This is about eating my chickens so if you veggie or don't want to read its time to move away from this blog until the next post.
I have chick births today and yesterday. Its also been a sad day but a time to mark out of respect to the animals that I raise for food,.I had some very kind friends who are licenced to dispatch Chickens come round this afternoon. I had far too many cockerels and had to dispatch two of my cockerels. There was no horror story they are very professional. They stunned the birds within seconds no pain no trauma. Very dignified and they had a happy life.
I then plucked the chickens. I have plucked pheasants but never a chicken. Lot easier with a chicken in my opinion. Then removed all the inner bits. Considered saying the livers but didn't in the end. The two Birds are now in my freezer. Need a couple of days before I will look forward to the meat.
I have to admit its taken me 4 years to get to this point of been able to dispatch my own chickens.
Time to check on the other 4 hatching chicks in the incubator
I have chick births today and yesterday. Its also been a sad day but a time to mark out of respect to the animals that I raise for food,.I had some very kind friends who are licenced to dispatch Chickens come round this afternoon. I had far too many cockerels and had to dispatch two of my cockerels. There was no horror story they are very professional. They stunned the birds within seconds no pain no trauma. Very dignified and they had a happy life.
I then plucked the chickens. I have plucked pheasants but never a chicken. Lot easier with a chicken in my opinion. Then removed all the inner bits. Considered saying the livers but didn't in the end. The two Birds are now in my freezer. Need a couple of days before I will look forward to the meat.
I have to admit its taken me 4 years to get to this point of been able to dispatch my own chickens.
Time to check on the other 4 hatching chicks in the incubator
Chicks a hatching
Yesterday on day 19 I think! The first hatched now up to 5 and another 4 breaking through.
5 in their new warm home
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)