SUSAN:
Harriett Houdini (AKA #8) is at it again! Tonight when I went down to feed/water, I found Harriett on the "boys side" of the coop, just chilling on the roost. This is the SECOND time since we separated the roosters from the hens that she has "appeared" on the rooster-side.
How does she do it? These are some options....
A. she is flying over the short fence that separates the rooster from the hen yard
B. when Nigel goes out to collect eggs mid-morning, he is accidentally letting her out
C. she has a secret passageway
D. none of the above
In any case, she has 9 roosters all to herself ... she's quite the girl.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Free Range!!
NIGEL:
The chickens are really taking to exploring a larger area. They particularly enjoy scratching around in the trees & bushes. More & more a building confidence to leave the safety of the coop grounds.
The chickens are really taking to exploring a larger area. They particularly enjoy scratching around in the trees & bushes. More & more a building confidence to leave the safety of the coop grounds.
2nd Harvest
WARNING - GRAPHIC PHOTOS BELOW!
NIGEL:
Well the roosters are fighting more often among themselves (we have them separated from the rest). So we moved onto our 2nd effort. We moved our harvest location to the side of the house as the rest are really free-ranging it!
We went over to some organic farmers in our neighborhood to watch them process chickens. They had a plucker, which makes the process much quicker & easier... it removes the needle feathers as well so you don't have to spend time burning them off.
We were fortunate enough to have Jimmy back & his wife Diana joined us. Also our mate Lance joined in to be part of the process.
We doubled our effort this time, doing 8 roosters. It took us about 2 & 1/2 hours including clean-up. We gave one processed rooster each to our super helpers. We had a pretty efficient & smooth operation, although the initial killing was no less stressful. We also started on some of the Columbian Wyandottes. Each time we returned to the coop to catch more... the roosters became more stressed. One Australorp took a good long bite of me!
We were not sure about our harvest this time, so we didn't stop feeding the roosters. We wont make that mistake again. They had huge amounts of food in their craw & subsequently throughout their intestines...... Really slowed down the eviscerating part of the process.
NIGEL:
Well the roosters are fighting more often among themselves (we have them separated from the rest). So we moved onto our 2nd effort. We moved our harvest location to the side of the house as the rest are really free-ranging it!
We went over to some organic farmers in our neighborhood to watch them process chickens. They had a plucker, which makes the process much quicker & easier... it removes the needle feathers as well so you don't have to spend time burning them off.
We were fortunate enough to have Jimmy back & his wife Diana joined us. Also our mate Lance joined in to be part of the process.
We doubled our effort this time, doing 8 roosters. It took us about 2 & 1/2 hours including clean-up. We gave one processed rooster each to our super helpers. We had a pretty efficient & smooth operation, although the initial killing was no less stressful. We also started on some of the Columbian Wyandottes. Each time we returned to the coop to catch more... the roosters became more stressed. One Australorp took a good long bite of me!
We were not sure about our harvest this time, so we didn't stop feeding the roosters. We wont make that mistake again. They had huge amounts of food in their craw & subsequently throughout their intestines...... Really slowed down the eviscerating part of the process.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
She CROWED!??!?!!?
SUSAN:
Today in the coop I heard a loud cock-a-doodle-doo ... looked over, and it came from #46!! I couldn't believe my ears! Later I noticed that she also has SPURS! (All of this might explain why I saw her on top of one of the hens yesterday).
Yes, we have been "duped" by #46 ... SHE is apparently a HE!
This makes my explanation of her behavior a bit more relevant. Remember when I said that she/he is like a 9th grade geeky boy in his first week at high school? Well, she is a BOY!
Friends Diana & Jimmy will be disappointed that they can no longer call him "Lucy". What about "Elvis"?
Today in the coop I heard a loud cock-a-doodle-doo ... looked over, and it came from #46!! I couldn't believe my ears! Later I noticed that she also has SPURS! (All of this might explain why I saw her on top of one of the hens yesterday).
Yes, we have been "duped" by #46 ... SHE is apparently a HE!
This makes my explanation of her behavior a bit more relevant. Remember when I said that she/he is like a 9th grade geeky boy in his first week at high school? Well, she is a BOY!
Friends Diana & Jimmy will be disappointed that they can no longer call him "Lucy". What about "Elvis"?
Coop Emblem
NIGEL:
Here is the coop emblem. Barns in the area all have their own "quilts" which are created in a series of squares. This is ours..... its been up a while... the glare blinds it a bit. Oh well.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
A dozen
NIGEL:
we are over the dozen mark... just hit 13!!!!
They are small but very tasty.... no more buying eggs we hope!!!
we are over the dozen mark... just hit 13!!!!
They are small but very tasty.... no more buying eggs we hope!!!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Action
NIGEL:
Well I have now finished fencing in the first half of our paddock. The chickens are now free to roam... but they didn't do much! Only Blackbeard & #93 ventured out initially, & not for long... it may take a while. Then today 2 roosters & to hens went on a group wander which was brill!!!
I finished the gutter & moved the rain barrel down. Also built a new low shelter for the coming winter. Our chicken coop's barn symbol has pleased the neighbors. Most of the neighbors seem to love the new addition to the community.
Susan & I separated the cockerels (except for Blackbeard, #93 an Australorp, #65 a Wyandotte & two other wyandottes) from the pullets/hens. The roosters/cockerels were stopping the hens/pullets from eating, drinking & relaxing/laying with their aggressive behaviors & harassment. We may complete the harvest this weekend if we can locate a plucker machine.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Harvest Time!!
NIGEL:
**WARNING - GRAPHIC PHOTOS FOLLOW**
Well after being GANG ATTACKED (me by 3 once!! as I was working on the gutter & finishing the iron siding) & seeing an increase in fighting, we realized it was time to begin harvesting our cockerels/roosters (not sure when this transition happens, but there has been lots of non-consensual sex)! All of this has changed the way many of the pullets (hens) now behave. Most rarely venture outside!!
Art (#75) who had become alpha-male was being a bad influence on several cockerels, (with attacking Susan or me & harassing the coop in general) including Blackbeard & TOT! So we were hoping to get a loan of a mechanical plucker. It didn't work out for Saturday, but we thought we should do the entire experience, including hand plucking!
It happened that 4 of the "Art (#75) Gang" were outside, so Susan suggested we isolate them for later in the day. Once I finished some work on the gates for our internal fence in our pasture we prepared to harvest. We bought some knives for processing earlier in the day & a large glass cutting board.
We reviewed several Youtube videos to ensure we knew ALL of the potential issues.
This is the one we checked on the most. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAJh9ehtTmA
Heated the water for scolding to 175'F, & set up a line to hang the cockerels from so they can bleed calmly & well. We moved a table to our processing site (in the pines) along with a large trash/garbage can, plastic bags rags & water. Jim our great neighbor wanted to participate & learn about the experience. Being a biologist, he offered many interesting details (chickens link to reptiles & dinosaurs) various biological names for the different internal parts of the chicken & some much needed humor as it was quite stressful (the killing part at least) for me.
Decided to do 2 at a time, so I caught #56 & then #75 & hung them by their feet in a noose. I was very nervous about cutting their throats in the least painful/most efficient way. My first attempt barely cut into #56's skin! Fortunately I did it properly the next attempt & both died calmly....with a little flurry right at the end.
Then Jim & I began plucking as Susan did other organizing/readying. The feathers came out quite easily for the most part. The we removed all of the other parts, keeping the heart & liver to eat later. Susan went off & burnt off the small hairs/feathers that remained. Then back in to catch #74 & an un-banded cockerel.
We continued the process, except Susan helped with the plucking. I burnt the small hairs/feathers that remained while Susan & Jim cleaned up.
We rinsed them thoroughly, dried two & put them in bags & into the freezer. The other two were going into the oven!! It was an intnese afternoon evening!! Thanks Jim..... awesome!
**WARNING - GRAPHIC PHOTOS FOLLOW**
Well after being GANG ATTACKED (me by 3 once!! as I was working on the gutter & finishing the iron siding) & seeing an increase in fighting, we realized it was time to begin harvesting our cockerels/roosters (not sure when this transition happens, but there has been lots of non-consensual sex)! All of this has changed the way many of the pullets (hens) now behave. Most rarely venture outside!!
Art (#75) who had become alpha-male was being a bad influence on several cockerels, (with attacking Susan or me & harassing the coop in general) including Blackbeard & TOT! So we were hoping to get a loan of a mechanical plucker. It didn't work out for Saturday, but we thought we should do the entire experience, including hand plucking!
It happened that 4 of the "Art (#75) Gang" were outside, so Susan suggested we isolate them for later in the day. Once I finished some work on the gates for our internal fence in our pasture we prepared to harvest. We bought some knives for processing earlier in the day & a large glass cutting board.
We reviewed several Youtube videos to ensure we knew ALL of the potential issues.
This is the one we checked on the most. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAJh9ehtTmA
Heated the water for scolding to 175'F, & set up a line to hang the cockerels from so they can bleed calmly & well. We moved a table to our processing site (in the pines) along with a large trash/garbage can, plastic bags rags & water. Jim our great neighbor wanted to participate & learn about the experience. Being a biologist, he offered many interesting details (chickens link to reptiles & dinosaurs) various biological names for the different internal parts of the chicken & some much needed humor as it was quite stressful (the killing part at least) for me.
Decided to do 2 at a time, so I caught #56 & then #75 & hung them by their feet in a noose. I was very nervous about cutting their throats in the least painful/most efficient way. My first attempt barely cut into #56's skin! Fortunately I did it properly the next attempt & both died calmly....with a little flurry right at the end.
Then Jim & I began plucking as Susan did other organizing/readying. The feathers came out quite easily for the most part. The we removed all of the other parts, keeping the heart & liver to eat later. Susan went off & burnt off the small hairs/feathers that remained. Then back in to catch #74 & an un-banded cockerel.
We continued the process, except Susan helped with the plucking. I burnt the small hairs/feathers that remained while Susan & Jim cleaned up.
We rinsed them thoroughly, dried two & put them in bags & into the freezer. The other two were going into the oven!! It was an intnese afternoon evening!! Thanks Jim..... awesome!
6 eggs!!!
NIGEL:
Halfway to a dozen....!!! the most expensive 1/2 dozen eggs in the world!! ;)
Obviously they are on the left...compared to the regular organic eggs.
All but two were laid in the new laying boxes, so that's good. Have no idea (except that it is one/some of the pullets) which chickens are producing these small, but VERY tasty eggs! Mmmmmmmm......
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Coop Update
NIGEL:
Well, there has been action...
We found a 2nd EGG!! Then nothing since!
Have been updating the coop. Internal insulation, laying boxes, electricity & water have ALL been added in the last week! Susan is thinking about moving down. I keep reminding here that it is for hens... a few roosters & mother-in-laws!!!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Blackbeard
NIGEL:
Well after some searching we have determined that Blackbeard (former alpha male) is a Silver Lakenvelder cockerel. Must have snuck in?
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
EGG!!!!!
.JPG)
SUSAN:
YES! We have our first EGG!!! You can imagine my excitement ... like a mother hen, "clucking" over her young - I'm walking on air with happiness! Start the celebrations - we have an EGG!!! Fortunately Dad and Jane are here to witness the first EGG, and Jane (who you might remember is the one who gave Nigel the Chicken Bible for Christmas) is a super excited grandmother hen, just like me!
Here's what I know: Nigel found the EGG! this morning while he was insulating the chook house for the winter (it's 40 degrees or less here in the evenings already!) the EGG! was resting on the chicken wire underneath the roosts.
Which pullet/hen laid the EGG is unknown!? Despite my inquiries this afternoon..... no hen has come forward to claim the EGG!
What size is the EGG ? Our EGG is the smaller - we're showing a free-range/organic store-bought egg (on the right) so that you can compare the size of our first EGG! It's normal for the eggs to be small at first (yes, we can still eat it!).
How did the hen feel when she laid the EGG? This has been the biggest conundrum for me all day ... who is she? How is she feeling? What happens the first time you lay an EGG!? I'm sure this must be an emotional (& perhaps painful) time for the pullet/hen, but there's no way to provide any support, since we don't know who laid the EGG.
When will we get more eggs? We aren't sure, but probably within the next 3-4 days the same pullet/hen will lay again!!!!. This EGG is a great big surprise for everyone (probably most especially for the hen - see above). These pullets/hens should not typically start laying (according to the Chicken Bible) until they are about 6 months old. Our chooks were 4 months old on September 22. This little hen is "advanced" for her age, having already laid her first EGG!!
Was the EGG laid appropriately in the boxes constructed in the coop for this purpose? No, the boxes have not been constructed yet because well......Nigel has been goofing around on other projects like fences... saying they wont be laying until mid-November!!!
How should we cook & share the EGG? Advice is welcome!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Art again!?!
NIGEL:
Building upon his success terrorizing Susan.... Art (#75) tried attacking me as I was sharing watermelon with the chooks! Hey came at me to peck me. I gave him a couple of gentle whacks with the watermelon to no avail??? Then he came at me with his claws & I whacked him with my open hand a little harder. He stopped, thought (well who knows with chickens????) & then came one more time. I whacked him with an open hand & he stopped & looked for a while before walking off & crowing.
Very bizarre, & yes, as a result, he will be in the first group of eating chickens.
This may occur next week as the Australorp Chicken Gang (4 or 5 Australorp cockerels)are starting to be bullies & have their wicked way with non-complying pullets. The action never stops, even if our blogging does!!!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)