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Barnyard Buddies:  raising chicks for meat  |
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schoolmama
True Blue Farmgirl
70 Posts
Amy
WI
USA
70 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 24 2010 : 6:56:56 PM
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this is the first time we've raised chicks, now that we have a little farmette.we came upon them by accident though- my dd's friend was "given" some chicks and couldn't keep them, so she asked if we wanted them.
So we said sure... she told us they were "broilers", but the strange thing is they are mixed varieties. some red, white, black/white (don't ask me what breeds, I have no idea) but I do know friends of ours that raise meat chicks every year have the all the same kind.
anyway- ours are about 11 weeks old, and they look nearly as big as our laying hens (rhode island reds) - does that mean they're ready to butcher? How would we know when they are big enough? |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2010 : 7:21:15 PM
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well my humble opinion would be go for it. i like mine about that size. we have some that are even bigger. i cut them up and use the parts seperate. i wonder if they are a cross of a laying hen and a broiler? mine are always white. this year i did get a few with a little brown on them. how are you going to butcher. we use cones. papa made them. we put them in upside down. let the blood run to their head a little. then we cut the juglars. i bet in my 15 years i have done thousands. i think teresa has done quite a few too.the gals might have another idea on the breed. interesting,, happy eating sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farmgirl #1014
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2010 : 7:31:37 PM
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Don't let them get any older, or you will end up with bony, tuff meat. I always raise cornish X's for meat, and butcher between 8-10 weeks of age.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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schoolmama
True Blue Farmgirl
70 Posts
Amy
WI
USA
70 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2010 : 8:18:59 PM
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we're actually not doing the butchering ourselves (although dh said he would) . We are taking them to the amish farm to have it done. I've helped butcher before, but am not very proficient at it.
Maybe next year! |
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Barnyard Buddies: raising chicks for meat |
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raising chicks for meat
