tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957074720324686869.post5701386070225771530..comments2024-03-12T14:47:27.655+10:00Comments on Life at Arbordale Farm: New Life on the FarmFiona from Arbordale Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05196630415124998431noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957074720324686869.post-79063378267488525382012-03-29T21:32:08.737+10:002012-03-29T21:32:08.737+10:00We haven't gone down this path yet, Fiona. I d...We haven't gone down this path yet, Fiona. I did happen to see a really interesting documentary a while back on ABC that featured 'the cone', as mentioned by others above. <br /><br />It looked like a humane way of dealing with the situation and was well thought out in regards to confinement and clean up. <br /><br />Good luck - please keep us posted. :)Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18204291906401193716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957074720324686869.post-58522663545889236692012-03-28T20:00:16.508+10:002012-03-28T20:00:16.508+10:00We have layers and meat birds. And we're now ...We have layers and meat birds. And we're now in a place where we are ready to breed off the meat birds to get our freezer up and running. We will be using "the killing cone" after looking at all the options. The breed we are using for our meat are Light Sussex's and they are twice the size of our white leghorn layers.Energiser Bunnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11017705741027153101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957074720324686869.post-14068233452000062092012-03-22T23:08:50.545+10:002012-03-22T23:08:50.545+10:00such an interesting post!! good luck! I am glad...such an interesting post!! good luck! I am glad someone else does this stuff..my kids love chicken!momto8https://www.blogger.com/profile/13964950285763339907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957074720324686869.post-67620723182168984092012-03-22T22:32:29.873+10:002012-03-22T22:32:29.873+10:00Lisa yes it is true that they run without their he...Lisa yes it is true that they run without their heads it is just the nerves. I will be posting be posting about this journey, don't worry i will warn you if the pictures are grafic.Fiona from Arbordale Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05196630415124998431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957074720324686869.post-8219001098652414492012-03-22T20:41:50.852+10:002012-03-22T20:41:50.852+10:00Its strange I eat chicken but I couldnt eat one th...Its strange I eat chicken but I couldnt eat one that I saw running around. Is it really true that they still run around after their heads are off? The only chicken I see is in a package at the grocery store. New York USLisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06298778607580628487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957074720324686869.post-45203107117984639872012-03-22T20:25:05.861+10:002012-03-22T20:25:05.861+10:00Jode yes being attached is hard which is why these...Jode yes being attached is hard which is why these ones are going to be raised specifically for that purpose. That way we will not loose sight of the plan.Fiona from Arbordale Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05196630415124998431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957074720324686869.post-67516236451779802002012-03-22T20:16:00.423+10:002012-03-22T20:16:00.423+10:00SL yep I have those memories too, minus the show a...SL yep I have those memories too, minus the show and tell and tearsFiona from Arbordale Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05196630415124998431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957074720324686869.post-75954791222702739142012-03-22T20:15:11.071+10:002012-03-22T20:15:11.071+10:00Mel it probaby be hubby who does the beheading but...Mel it probaby be hubby who does the beheading but I am the one who will have to do the plucking and gutting.Fiona from Arbordale Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05196630415124998431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957074720324686869.post-76106124839024784212012-03-22T20:12:29.731+10:002012-03-22T20:12:29.731+10:00Kathryn I will keep you postedKathryn I will keep you postedFiona from Arbordale Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05196630415124998431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957074720324686869.post-41188774610590229292012-03-22T20:11:58.797+10:002012-03-22T20:11:58.797+10:00Hi Wendy Yep the rain is driving us nuts! I shou...Hi Wendy Yep the rain is driving us nuts! I should clarify these are full sized chickens being raised by our bantum. Yep have got the gormet Farmer DVD and that is the method I think I could use but I want to look at all my options.Fiona from Arbordale Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05196630415124998431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957074720324686869.post-8572425713464293852012-03-22T15:30:40.452+10:002012-03-22T15:30:40.452+10:00I'd love to do the chickens for meat thing too...I'd love to do the chickens for meat thing too but just can't bring myself to go there yet...you are so sensible and brave though.<br />I'm a little too entrenched with them as pets now i think (as you saw on my last post, lol!)<br />I thought the Gourmet Farmer had lots of good tips around chickens too so perhaps worth a look.<br />Good luck...sorry your other bundle didn't make it!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07586610467519318424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957074720324686869.post-56559448052980160352012-03-22T12:07:55.342+10:002012-03-22T12:07:55.342+10:00I would love to get chooks some day, but all I hav...I would love to get chooks some day, but all I have for now are childhood memories of headless chooks running around the yard after my uncle cut their heads off and me crying because I wasn't allowed to take one to school for show and tell !!Something lubelyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13779464626619619487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957074720324686869.post-58352226099996869922012-03-22T11:53:06.522+10:002012-03-22T11:53:06.522+10:00Hi Fiona, we also plan on getting some chickens fo...Hi Fiona, we also plan on getting some chickens for meat too and my hubby has agreed he will be in charge of the messy side of it. It's not harsh - just part of the road to self-sufficiency, but I will have to try not to get attached to the meat chooks. Sorry I have no advice but the method mentioned above sounds quite good - The Gourmet Farmer can't be wrong! Good luck<br /><br />Ps Congratulations on your year of Blogging - somehow missed that post xxMel @ Coal Valley Viewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00773581188651200076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957074720324686869.post-90825980374324683102012-03-22T10:04:41.567+10:002012-03-22T10:04:41.567+10:00We don't have any birds but have been talking ...We don't have any birds but have been talking about it... Starting with laying hens and then eventually meat birds. I'm interested to see what you decide.Kathryn Rayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12990925295124938262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957074720324686869.post-49862996377699105542012-03-22T09:30:05.081+10:002012-03-22T09:30:05.081+10:00Hi Fiona - they are so cute. I'd never though...Hi Fiona - they are so cute. I'd never thought about bantams for meat birds. We did try (early on) with bought 'meat' chickens, but found they were too tough after scratching around so much. The only solution seemed to be locking them up more and we didn't like that idea. Maybe bantams would be more tender, not sure. (My Little Banty is such a good mum, I couldn't do that to her - and yes she def is Bubble's twin!)<br /><br />Re the killing. I'm an absolute squib and DH does that - I won't even go close. Lately it's only if they have to be despatched for other reasons. I always call out 'be gentle' as he walks towards the chook pen with the axe .. lol.<br /><br />Don't know if you watched the Gourmet Farmer series? If not, it's worth getting out on DVD (library). He has a good method which involves putting the head in a funnel and using a sharp knife. Yuck I know, but it is quick. <br /><br />sorry for the ramble..... enjoying the rain?! cheers Wendyduchess_declutterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01763062839151537111noreply@blogger.com