what is the best hatchery to get chickens from?
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We harvested our meat chickens today. We used cones to keep them calm and still during blood letting. This is considered to be the one of the most humane ways of killing a chicken. After allowing the blood to drain, the chickens are dunked in 145*F water. This scalding loosens the feathers. We rented a chicken plucker to remove feathers. The devices spins while rubber fingers remove feathers. After removing the innards, the chickens are put in an ice bath. When all the chickens are butchered and cleaned, we bagged them in freezer bags. We used water submersion to remove excess air in the bags. Lastly, we store the chickens in the refrigerator for 24 hours before transferring them to the freezer. It is the same concept of hanging a deer. The time in the refrigerator allows the chickens to complete rigor mortis. After an animal dies, it’s body goes into rigor mortis. This means the muscles are contracting. If you were to freeze the meat at that point, it can be noticeably more tough (some people think it’s not noticeable). The time in the refrigerator allows the meat to relax again which means more tender meat.
Moosicorn Ranch is an experiment in sustainable living www.moosicorn.com
Question by k_erdahl: what is the best hatchery to get chickens from?
i have not found one that i have really like yet. anyone found one that is very good? it does not have to be broilers but really good chickens. i have found meyer hatchery in ohio and i think they sound really good. any ideas? thanks.
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7 Responses to what is the best hatchery to get chickens from?
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Kroger
FlyingEagle
July 9, 2012 at 7:33 pm
NEITHER
I got three chicks from Murray McMurray, then hatched some fertile eggs in an incubator. You would not believe the difference in the docility and trust! I could actually hold the chick that hatched under my care, while those that came from the hatchery remain neurotic to this day! (2 yrs)
If you ever watch “How it’s Made” or “Dirty Jobs,” you will see the things those poor birds go through at one day of age, that teach them to be terrorized of human hands.
If you do not intend your chickens to be pets, buy them from a hatchery. But if you do, get some fertile eggs on ebay and invest in an incubator. If I could do it all over again, I’d only do it that way.
Wanda
July 9, 2012 at 7:58 pm
I never get my ducks or chickens from hatcheries, I save lives by looking in papers, lood up chickens for sale in what ever state ur in, or going to petfinder.com or other shelters like exotic shelters or farms,even go to farms sice some sell them.
I do this because alot of people get them from hatcheries with nit great success and it saves lives. I saved 6mth old roo and hen who were bates for pits and there feathers grown back.
beth
July 9, 2012 at 8:51 pm
You might want to check out Murray McMurray (SP) I have bought chickens from them in the past. I was always satisfied with the chicks.
Pigeonboy
July 9, 2012 at 9:19 pm
I like ideal poultry farms. they don’t have a min. bird order and there prices are great.
Fancie
July 9, 2012 at 9:40 pm
try strombergs.com
tintin211
July 9, 2012 at 10:27 pm
Generally it depends on what breed you are getting. Some hatcheries have really good stock of one breed but not of another. I have always got mine from Murray Mcmurray, but I am finished with them, their prices are high, most of their stock sucks, and the chicks always die. I prefer to buy mine from a breeder or an auction. If you are absolutely set on getting chickens from a hatchery, find the hatchery that is nearest to where you live. That way your chickens will be less stressed out when they arrive and have more chances of staying alive. Also, its near the end of the season for most, so you will have to wait till at least february before getting any chickens.
Mary M
July 9, 2012 at 10:45 pm