Chicken math - the subtraction success

Morrigan

Free Ranging
8 Years
Apr 9, 2014
3,115
12,371
702
N. California
Kudos for right-sizing your flock. It's so hard to do, but so necessary. The remaining birds thank you for the additional space and lack of stress.

We butcher our culls, and the older hens truly to make the best stock, schmaltz and canned chicken for soups. And the excess pullets, although smaller in size are really very good eating.

But, that's the hardest chore in my chicken keeping -- butchering older layers and deciding which of my pullets gets to be a keeper, or an eater. I'm in the midst of these decisions right now. A couple of already in the freezer, but I have a bunch more to go.
 

Happy hen lover

Crowing
Jan 14, 2021
1,632
7,209
496
SW Nebraska
You have to set the goal and reach for it. I made mine, and way ahead of schedule. I was saying to myself by September. I too kept Mrs. Feathers, a proven broody. A little age on her, I think she will be 4 next spring.

I too am expecting my pullets to keep me in eggs this winter. And in the past, froze eggs in the summer, but have you seen where you jar them up in lime? I am recovering from a wreck last summer, but next summer, I plan to jar some up and see.

Mrs K
I dehydrated 7 in my dehydrated, as a test. It will save on freezer space . Yes I have seen the saving in line and I thought about that as well for winter.
 

Sussex19

Songster
Jul 3, 2022
165
356
100
NSW Australia
@Mrs. K I was wondering what do you do if you've got a particular nice looking cockerel, but that doesn't have the characteristics one wants and one doesn't need another rooster anyway? I'm trying to reduce the flock and well I don't normally have a problem with culling cockerels, I'm struggling slightly with this one.
Oh and I can't sell it either :(
 

U_Stormcrow

Crossing the Road
Jun 7, 2020
7,698
26,473
756
North FL Panhandle Region / Wiregrass
For a host of reasons, my "right sizing" (I also need to take a goat) is once again, pushing two weeks behind schedule. KUDOS to you for doing one of the more important (and least enjoyable) parts of keeping.

Definitely curious at to the dried. We have a dehydrator, I keep thinking about trying chicken jerky. or duck.
 

Mrs. K

Free Ranging
12 Years
Nov 12, 2009
10,509
16,536
726
western South Dakota
@ Stormcrow - I think she is dehydrating eggs.

Sussex19 - I know, I got an exchequer leghorn, kind of tiny, bright black and white with a brilliant red comb. Cheeky, is what I am calling him, and I am SO hoping someone will take him...

But otherwise he has to go. I am one rooster long now... the subtraction part is tough! But it has to be done.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Top Bottom