We chose to do this in the later part of the year for a few reasons. If we get them now and start processing birds in 8- 12 weeks then generally our work load will be lower. Also the much lower temperatures will mean that the birds can "rest" once prepared for a few days making the meat much more tender. We don't have the fridge space to do this in the summer.
Currently we're still buying in day old Ross Cobb chicks and this is something I'd liek to eventually move away from as they're not the easiest breed to work with. We've never had much problem with them going off their legs and things (common problems) but it's not something I want my stock to experience either.
In the future it would be great to have a breeding group of hens with a cockerel so that they could produce a much smaller, regular supply of birds through the year, without having to buy in any chicks. This is something I've talked about for years now and really need to get and do it!
Let me know what you think. Would 25 chickens provide your chicken meat for the year for your family? These birds do get big and one breast will generally provide our family of five with enough meat for a meal.
Probably would but we don’t have room. How would you and your neighbours feel about an early wake up call from your cockerel?
ReplyDeleteIts the countryside so that's a part of life here. This is the first time in seven years I've not had a cockerel living here (my friend is looking after him at the moment so he's not on his own). At one stage we had seven and they'd have competitions to see who was loudest! They went as they got violent!
DeleteHave you never thought of fattening birds for Christmas? I am sure a local butcher or friends and family would want them for Christmas dinner.
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly something we think about every year. It's the plucking I hate! If I could get a chicken plucker, or make one then I might consider it for friends and the like.
DeleteWe get three batches of day olds during the year: 20 x chicken, 20 x ducks and 10-12x turkeys. The latter are mostly sold on as oven ready at Christmas. This easily meets our poultry meat needs. Instead of Cobb Ross chicken breeds we go for white rangers which we find behave like normal chickens and still get up to a decent weight by 12 weeks (2.5 - 3.5 kg).
ReplyDeleteAH, they sound better. To be honest if I get an incubator then I think I'll try hatching out lots of different types and see which does well. I fancy trying ducks next year, meant to be great for slug control as well! Not sure why but I've never fancied turkeys. I think a chicken plucker has to be one of my next projects to make. That's the bit I hate!
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