Back in the meat bird business

[farmertrappe]

I got the brooder together last eve and picked up the first batch of birds from the post office today. I should have four + pound birds (finished weight) ready for the plucker in eleven weeks. Depending on the weather these will be in the brooder for about a month before being moved outside to pasture in movable pens.Attachment Deleted

[farmertrappe]

Attachment Deleted Takes two day to get from Ohio to me in Maryland.

[farmertrappe]

Attachment Deleted Getting settled in, found the feed right away. Took about 10 mins before one started to drink, 20 chicks were on the water as soon as they saw that chick drinking.

[rendezvous]

Very nice! What do you have to pluck them?

[farmertrappe]

I have a featherman plucker.

[rendezvous]

Apr 23, 2015 15:59:47 GMT -5 farmertrappe said:

I have a featherman plucker.

I checked them out on the internet and youtube. They work really nice, but too pricey for my wallet. You must have a nice operation there!

[Deleted]

Nice. I'll probably be getting some Rocks here in the next week or two. Man do they start plowing thru the food at about the 6th week.

[farmertrappe]

The plucker was high dollar but I figure it should last as long as I need it. CJ you are right, when things are in full swing The meat birds burn thru over 50 pounds of feed a day.

[hunt4it]

Living through you on this adventure.  Thank you so much for sharing the pics and storyline farmertrappe.  That's one of the coolest things about this forum....the willingness to share ideas/stories/successes/suggestions/etc.  Many thanks again!

[rendezvous]

I figured you would appreciate that joke! And that is a nice plucker!

[John Gusmano]

Awesome!

[farmertrappe]

Into the second week, only lost two chicks so far. Definitely growing, cleaning out the small feed tray twice a day and the first 50 pounds of feed will be gone by Monday am. Tried to upload a pic, could not resize it to fit???

[farmertrappe]

Attachment Deleted Third week, birds ready to go to pasture. 100# feed so far, opened bag today. Looking happy and healthy.

[farmertrappe]

Attachment Deleted Tightened up the pen and recovered it, I replace the covers every year or two depending on weather.

[farmertrappe]

Attachment Deleted First night outside.

[farmertrappe]

Attachment Deleted 100 more chicks came in today, took extra half day to get to me than usual. They were hungry and thirst, but look ok so far. I split them in half between two brooders, much cleaner that way after the second week.

[rendezvous]

Holy Chicken, Batman!  

That Featherman Plucker is going to get a workout!

[farmertrappe]

May 16, 2015 17:13:08 GMT -5 rendezvous said:

Holy Chicken, Batman!  

That Featherman Plucker is going to get a workout!

damn Skippy, trying to make that money. $2.50 a pound finish weight,= $10.00 for a four pound bird. $2.99 a pound is what most farms in the MD/DC area charge for free range birds. Farm fresh pasture raised goodness. Where I live Factory Farm chicken rules the economy, at around $.69 a pound, I market to the affluent.

[rendezvous]

Capitalism at its best, fill the demand and make a profit!    And may your chicken business be a great "Cash Cow" for you...  

[farmertrappe]

Attachment Deleted Birds will be five weeks old on Thursday. Looking good, eating 50 pounds of feed every two and a half days.

[farmertrappe]

Attachment Deleted Got everything cleaned good and ready to roll tomorrow am. Picked up 40 pounds of ice tonight to cool packaged birds. I'll be loading up a dozen or so in the crates as soon as its dark.

[js]

Looks like work with some dollar bills behind it hopefully.

[farmertrappe]

Butchered the first birds of the year this am, 2.75-3.25 pounds at six weeks old. These will be used as a half roasted or grilled chicken. I'm very happy with the new shrink bags. Compared to the zip style freezer bags I used in the past these are excellent for presentation. Attachment Deleted

[farmertrappe]

Attachment Deleted

[nytrapper23]

Man those came out nice, great job.

[hogkiller]

I agree,,,those bird look good in that new shrink bag. Way better presentation than ziplocks,,hopefully that will mean more $$$$ for you.

[rendezvous]

farmertrappe, looks like a clean, well organized operation and a quality job on them chickens. 

[farmertrappe]

I delivered birds to two high end restaurants today and I will one other tomorrow. Rest of birds are sold for $2.50 a pound. High end restaurants pay $3.50 a pound. They want special treatment, want birds with little notice, only certain size birds ect...Will call"can we get four birds tomorrow?" If I can I do, but it cost a little more, God Bless Capitalism.

[farmertrappe]

Butchered 29 birds today, all day event for me solo. Two did not make the cut and I dropped the last one in the damn slop bucket when I was done cleaning it. I could have saved them for the dog, but just did not do it this time. 14 going to a caterer for a wedding this weekend, six to a high end restaurant, two to a good boat customer and friend. One for my belly and the rest in the freezer if I don't find them a home elsewhere. 14 left in the first pen, and the beat goes on.

[rendezvous]

That's eating high on the hog!