Chickens for bug control and food recycling.

[PennyJo]

my sewing room had them thought they safe in greenhouse cats killed 5

 

[Ridgerunner]

I have a broody! So happy.

I can remember being really excited when I'd get a broody. Those hatchery dual purpose birds don't always go broody that much. But I purposely hatched eggs from hens that went broody to try to breed that into my flock.

It worked. I have eight adult hens. One is raising a bunch of chicks. I took one out of the broody buster yesterday, and put three more in. I've already got all the chicks I need to hatch this year. So out of eight hens I only have three that are laying right now. This same thing happened a couple of years ago. That time I was trying to collect eggs for a broody but so many were broody it took a while. Be careful what you wish for.

 

[PennyJo]

see only my Barreds where hatchery birds they are going on three... never collected eggs from them to hatch
used my green and blue eggs

 

[lcertuche]

Now I have another hen that has decided to be broody with her sister. My little New Hampshire's are half grown now and so sweet. They are definitely pullets. I am so happy to be getting some more layers (eventually). With any luck I will have some chicks before long. I tried candling the eggs but my flashlight gave out on me. One egg for sure had some movement.

 

[Smart Red]

On a totally different tack. . . I bought a chicken plucker this weekend. Thought I saw $54. on one in a box. Went online to find they were closer to $540. Checked back at the store. They were on sale for $359. Brought one.

Yes, I will have to pluck a lot of chickens to warrant that cost, but I'm considering my time and temper as well as the cost. Now I need not fear those rascally hens hiding their broody nests and bringing home babies.

 

[Nyboy]

Red you can also rent it out so much for the day and a large deposit to cover any damage.

 

[PennyJo]

I sold the one I bought lost 30 on the deal BF does not want to butcher except like now
have a bird eating eggs 2 yesterday it need to be soup

 

[lcertuche]

I would love to find a good deal on a chicken plucker. If me or DH was mechanically inclined we could build one but sadly we are not.

 

[canesisters]

They sell hand held ones. It's a drill bit with 4 or 5 of the 'fingers' attached. the drill spins the fingers, the feathers come off.
Not expensive at all.

 

[lcertuche]

I was going to make one. After buying all the parts for the handheld drill version, I couldn't loosen up the bit with my drill chuck to put the long threaded thingy in. I was not happy.