Story of our raising and hatching own to process of mixed flock

[PrettyBirdRocky]

I'm sure there may be a better location, but since this is gonna be our trial and error of rooster and hatching own chicks to process/butcher, thought this would be area-

To start, we want to start processing our own birds- butchering them ourselves or having someone help us with the process.

2yo hens: black Australorpx2, light Brahma x3, olive eggersx2, buff Orpington X1

Less than year olds: buff Brahmax4/X3, Eggersx7

Rooster: buff Brahma heritage from a local breeder, hatched (3) Aug 1 2024 so they are only 22weeks right now(2/3/25) and not mating yet. Two are not staying

Had been doing some reading on Brahma crosses with Eggers, and we love our girls for their colors and eggs, and would like to cycle out them every few years but also have some to butcher.

I was raised where we butchered beef and hog. I was never around the killing, but after they skinned it , was out there from gut to freezer. So my only issue is the death, the actual act of killing. My mom is like, I can use the axe! Lol I don't necessarily want to do it that way. (I have hard time killing spiders, or pet fish)

So! While we are waiting for our flock to grow out and hatch, we'll be doing more looking for handy-me-down processing equipment to make it easier. As well as locals to assist, or even a place that processes them for us.

And doing much more research. My dad did give us a book last year and I read it with son, and he's like "we don't have any of this stuff" (even makeshift)

In the meantime, here are some photos of our flock!

And who knows! Maybe we'll find a place to process and donate some (live) birds to local 4H and sell some here and there. We're thinking ahead and how to sustain at least a little if worse comes to worse.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Gorgeous birds. My husband does the butchering here. I've read using a cone is a good way to go. Seems to be the less stressful on bird and owner. I have childhood nightmares from the ax and stump. It can work too. You just have to find what you are comfortable using.

I wish you the best on your new adventure. I admire those who understand where their meat comes from, and give the animals the respect they deserve.

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

Meet Broken Tail. He is hopefully going to be our sire. Luckily the kids(older teens) are bigger than me and won't have any issues with him, but we've discussed how to handle him.

Yes. He's in a cage for now. All three were bc their hormones started up and they started ganging up on girls, luckily we were out there... So they went into timeout until they cool their jets lol

This one has been cooing to the ladies, and trying to do a shuffle, so he's getting there. We were hoping to be rid of the other one by now to give him a bigger area, which we will this weekend regardless. We've been sick and it's been bitter cold.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It is the time of year for naughty rooster behavior. We put one in the freezer that wouldn't leave the older rooster alone. Now there's peace again.

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

It is the time of year for naughty rooster behavior. We put one in the freezer that wouldn't leave the older rooster alone. Now there's peace again.

Yup lol all our other roos we've raised started shenanigans between 8-18 weeks, so we knew these guys would take longer to get there. They're handsome though. Fingers crossed our boy works out

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Yup lol all our other roos we've raised started shenanigans between 8-18 weeks, so we knew these guys would take longer to get there. They're handsome though. Fingers crossed our boy works out

I have penned some in the past that first breeding season, and released them in late fall with good luck. They were about 8-18 months. Most turned out to be great roosters.

Some seem to need to mature more before being allowed to mingle. Most worked out. I always try to give them all a chance.

That teenage phase can be rough on them as hormones surge for the first time. So if they misbehave they would go back in the pen for another month or two. As long as they can interact through a fence they seem to still learn, and are still a part of the flock.

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

Found a neat chart for possiblity of offspring egg colors! Although our Brahma's lay pink/peach eggs and more cream than brown eggs. (Heavy bloom!) So it'll be fun to see what new ones lay. While we do plan on butchering, we know we can also sell laying girls too. (Especially if we only grab hatching eggs from our light Brahma girls) Although I plan on calling our local Blue Wheaten Amerucana breeder to see if I can add in two blue wheatens! (I'm a sucker for the eggers lol) But shhhh don't tell lol

I'm getting that chick fever and want to start but I know our boy isn't quite ready, plus it'll take him time to figure things out.

We were hoping to re-home the other one but not takers yet.

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

BrokenTail has been a good boy so far since letting him mingle today. Finally got home for second roo.

He's attempting to dance and tripping over his wings lol he's clucking at food, although they aren't too interested in him yet.

The three girls he was raised/hatched with were first to stay with him, and block his attempts. Have witnessed three matings so far. He didn't care that we were in there or not, even taking food from my hand.

Will continue to watch and observe, for now letting him continue to mingle, but seems calm

ETA: when sons first let him out I guess there were a couple squabbles, to be expected, but son is protective over his girls and recaged him. Since letting him out again only one not-quite-a squabble, although he does seem to be afraid of HeyHey lol

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds like he's being a good boy.

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

Sounds like he's being a good boy.

Yup. Can't wait for him to figure out his dance without tripping lol he's a clumsy gentleman right now. Not forcing them or chasing them.