It has been a long time since we have butchered our meat chickens, but I figure we should document the process. We got 2 meat chicks back in June. I had done a little bit of research on them and they basically eat non stop for 6 weeks until they are so big all they can do is lay around... and eat some more. I heard they were really messy so I thought 2 would be a good number to start out with to see if it was something we would even like doing. I set up a little brooder in our dining room and we all loved them! Well, except Bo. He just thought they were stinky and couldn't wait for them to feather out and move outside. Once they were feathered we moved them to the outside coop and they had a really nice life chasing bugs, getting scraps, and laying around and eating. They grew so fast and before we knew it, they were 6 weeks old.... but I let them live until 8 weeks, haha!
When it came to butchering time, we made it a family affair. It was a little hard emotionally for me, but the process was easy. It helped knowing that if we let them continue to live they would start to have health problems. It also helped that we knew this would be their purpose from the beginning. The whole point of getting meat chickens was to show the kids where meat comes from. They weren't phased by it at all, I'm sure because of all the meat we eat from hunting and overall it was a good experience. I would definitely do it again!
Then, about 14 weeks ago one of my hens, Henrietta, went broody and wanted to hatch out some eggs. We don't have a rooster, so we went and got 5 fertilized eggs and put them under her. 4 of them hatched out and 1 was a dud. They were so adorable and it was so much fun to watch little chicks following their mama around.
When it came to butchering time, we made it a family affair. It was a little hard emotionally for me, but the process was easy. It helped knowing that if we let them continue to live they would start to have health problems. It also helped that we knew this would be their purpose from the beginning. The whole point of getting meat chickens was to show the kids where meat comes from. They weren't phased by it at all, I'm sure because of all the meat we eat from hunting and overall it was a good experience. I would definitely do it again!
Then, about 14 weeks ago one of my hens, Henrietta, went broody and wanted to hatch out some eggs. We don't have a rooster, so we went and got 5 fertilized eggs and put them under her. 4 of them hatched out and 1 was a dud. They were so adorable and it was so much fun to watch little chicks following their mama around.
I moved Henrietta down to the bottom of the coop, under the nesting boxes and put up a wire barrier so that the other chickens wouldn't bother her. After a few days, I was able to take it down and Henrietta and her chicks mingled with the rest of the flock no problem.
Taking her chicks out into the yard for the first time.
The chicks would follow their mommy around looking for treats and hanging out. I could seriously watch them forever. There is something so calming about watching a mama hen with her chicks.
And they quickly grew and started to feather out!
And the "teenagers" who aren't teenagers any more, started laying eggs! This was one of the first ones! Pretty tiny compared to the veterans!
Then, once the chicks reached 9 weeks, Henrietta started laying eggs again and left her young to fend for themselves. They've been doing great in the flock and wouldn't ya know, 3 weeks later, Henrietta is broody again! Time to give her a few more fertilized eggs!
I love being a chicken farmer!
And because a post wouldn't be complete without some pictures of our children's smiling faces....
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