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I will volunteer my services. I want to learn how to slaughter a hog first hand. Anywhere in VA, MD, NC is an option. Looking for the next month or two. If you could use a hand let me know. Thanks

I used 3 pieces of scrap wood, 4 bolts, a few screws, and 2 sets of old training wheel tires. The little car can be put under any of the four sides of the pen. It lifts the side just high enough to clear the grass and keep chickens and turkeys in. This pen is 8X10X3. I have heavy ropes...

How long can a shrink bag preserve freshness when the turkey is kept in the fridge and not frozen, with no preservatives? I generally freeze all my meat birds after they have rested a few days. I am trying not to freeze the one that is destined for Thanksgiving dinner. It looks like...

Here are some pics of an outdoor brooder I made. It is made entirely out of scraps. The next time I build one I would make some adjustments. At least this will give others some ideas. The brooder is 8'X8' and about 44" high. It has a small-holed hog-wire skirt inside and out to prevent...

When this term is used in reference to broilers I am assuming they mean those with the condition where ascitic fluids build up in the body cavity?

I am looking at raising 6 BBW in a 10X12X3' pasture pen moved daily. Can anyone offer the pros and cons if you have tried this?

I can't seem to find a metal processing table or even an old workable countertop. I think I will build it out of light wood and overlay with a type of metal sheeting. I'll have a drain etc to direct the water to the back of the yard. I know some of you have nice stainless tables, etc but I...

I am building pasture pens for this year's meaties. I have seen some pics on this site and I have read Joel Salatin's book on the topic. I have a good idea of what I am going to do. I am just wondering if anyone has some new innovations on the old idea. Does anyone use a skirt of hardware...

Pre-paid orders for 100 meat birds (cornish X) fell into my lap. I will raise and process them in early spring. I usually do my own birds in lots of 25. I process my own birds at about 7 weeks. The reason being is I can get them into the 11" food saver bag and freeze them whole. For this...

I have a 10X12 foot 3-sided run in horse shelter. I would like to use it for turkeys as their shelter. I would like to keep about 6-10 birds, maybe 3 varieties, so I can taste and see which ones we like best. Leaning towards Narragansetts, Bourbon Reds, Midget Whites. I have just started...

One of my hens had a bunch of bugs all over her. You could see them crawling on the top of her feathers on her back and her wings, etc. They were about 1/3-1/2 the size of a sesame seed and a yellowish tan/brown color. You do not have to strain to see them. I could not make out any legs...

I have read that you should wait 48 hours before freezing meat birds. I was told to keep them in the fridge to allow rigo to do its thing. Is this true? I will have 22 birds I will slaughter in about 6 weeks. I can keep 2-3 in the fridge but will put the others in the chest freezer. What is...

I have the Hova Bator 1602n still air bator with an egg turner. I would like to hatch 12 Bourbon Red turkey eggs. Can this model be used for turkey eggs? Will the eggs fit on the automatic turner? Will it put them too close to the heat element? 28 days to hatch? Thanks -Dan

I am getting my first 25 cornish X in few days. I have a choice of a chick starter feed with 20% protein, 2.5% Fat and 6.0% Fiber. It also contains .0125% Amprolium. Or I can get turkey and game bird grower at 25% protein, 2% Fat and 5% fiber with no amprolium. I will probably only be able...

I'm starting my first order of meat birds next week. I have read when butchering them to remove the glands from the roos tails or simply cut the tails off. I don't recall store bought birds having the tails cut off or cut open. Am I missing something? Can someone go into some detail on the...

A friend gave me this rooster yesterday. What breed does he look like? Thanks

I just ordered the BBQ special from McMurray. This is my first time with meat birds. I have been reading many many posts on many different sites. I have a 4' x8' brooder box that I partition when the chicks are small and increase to full size as they grow. How long can 25 total Cornish X...

Just wanted to say Hi. I am new to the site and have been raising chickens for over a year. I currently have about 28 layers, red stars, 1 australorp, and 5 backyard mixes. I am looking to do some turkeys this spring. Check out my 8 year old daughter's new web site we made. We do use it to...