The Results Are In - Processing Day!

[@canaryco-op]

It’s nice to be able see the process

[@ChickenHues]

I’m glad it was helpful.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

that plucker worked a lot better than that expensive Yardbird plucker we used to have.

[@ChickenHues]

Did it really? I'm surprised at that. I would expect the tub pluckers to do better....especially considering the cost.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

@@ChickenHues we only used it a couple of times and the motor quit, but the way they did it,, the motor was right under where the water comes out.. I put a different motor on it and was lucky enough to sell it. I'd never buy another one of those.

[@houndsmanone4563]

Stacie, I was going to say 6 pounds for the processed male Rudd Ranger. The rudd ranger males do seem the way to go for a meatier bird. So Steve doesn't want to process the ducks yet. I hope waiting to process the ducks doesn't make the meat tougher. I know nothing about ducks or chickens when it comes to processing but I'm dang good at giving you a taste perspective on cooked chicken, ha 😁. So the Svart Honas are black throughout their body. Quite interesting. BTW, do you guys still have the little cat you had gotten years ago? I just remember she was an explorer. Enjoyed a full-watch. Have a fine week and say hey to Steve. Don 🤠 7/13/23

[@ChickenHues]

We've actually missed the window of optimum butcher age. ;) But it's not something I can do without a giant emotional show, so it is what it is. lol If it's the kitten we had, we do still have him. He shows up in the video that will post later this week. We also have a tortie that we've had for a few years that is the great hunter. Thanks for watching! :)

[@ScaryFear]

That was very interesting thanks for sharing. A lot of my birds are skinny like that. I was worried because I always give them food. Mine are pets but I want fat chickens. Well not fat but muscular and filled out. I was worried they aren't getting enough food or are most young birds just skinny in the keel? They free range too.

[@ChickenHues]

Yes - most young birds are skinny in the keel like that. It takes time for them to fill out. The issue is with cockerels being processed for meat at an early age. It's nice if they can be a little chunkier than a toy rubber chicken. lol

[@jinga2535]

I tried Ranger bird a few years ago and didn’t like how they sat around so much so I haven’t raised any since. Skinny heritage birds are more my style. I process my heritage cockerels at 12 weeks too. Their behavior really gets annoying after that point! We raised ducks last year and I had a hard time with the culling. I cull my chickens at night so they don’t know what’s happening but it’s not the same with ducks. I felt like a monster so we aren’t planning to raise ducks again. They make great pets though.

[@ChickenHues]

The Rudd Rangers did sit quite a bit. They are very similar to Cornish Cross but had enough regular behaviors to work well in the flock. That sounds like our experience with the turkeys. We both hated it and felt like monsters, too. I think this will be similar if we actually cull any. Thanks for watching and thanks for your comment! 😊

[@frankh.3849]

I can't bring myself to eat a black skinned bird..... Couldn't even eat my Plymouth Barred Rock

[@petepeterson2504]

You might want to get rid of a male duck or at least get a couple more females as a male duck without enough females will try to mate with chickens and can do some damage.

[@ChickenHues]

Thank you for that! I've been reading similar things, and was hoping someone would mention that. It almost sounds like one male to two females is too much? Would we do better with just the two females?

[@petepeterson2504]

@@ChickenHues I have read that 1 male to two females is ok during breeding season but it is recommended for the ratio for large breeds like pekins is for 1 male to every 3-5 females.

[@ChickenHues]

Thank you for the info!