Best products from r/chickens

Yes clean around wound. The flap has to go. It’s going to bleed when it’s clipped but that’s good cause you’re getting healthy tissue with blood vessels. Self-Adhesive Cohesive Wrap Bandage Tape by LotFancy, Elastic Non-Woven, FDA Approved, 10 Rolls, Assorted Colors (2Inches x 5Yards) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6C91ZS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_qNCLBbBSFG2VC
Remedy and Recovery Professional Groomer's Styptic Powder for Pets, 1.5-Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004PJ55KC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_xOCLBbAKS8A0G
Stash Tea Original Honey Sticks 20-3 oz Sticks Individually Sealed Portable Honey Tubes 100% Pure Clover Honey Kosher Certified Individually Wrapped Sticks of Pure Clover Honey, Sweeten Tea or Coffee https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I4PY1S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_gPCLBb9TNCZHV
Dealmed Gauze Pads, Non-Sterile, Non Woven, 2" x 2", 4 Ply, 200/Bx https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M63XDS7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_kQCLBbVN65JRZ
Manna Pro Theracyn Poultry Wound and Skin Care Spray https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I5XHK88/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_IXCLBb28EDCFH
Silver Nitrate Solution, 0.1M, 100mL - The Curated Chemical Collection https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0787GCSKG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_E0CLBb42XWGRC
SE CS100-6 100 Count 6" Cotton Swabs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002V0ZY2Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_G1CLBbQDJ3WQT
10 - Black Twist Open/Close 2oz Refillable Artist's Bullet Bottles https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N59CU9J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_.2CLBb6123ZF2
Swan Isopropyl Alcohol, 99 percent, Pint, 16 OZ (Pack of 2) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZCCYTWG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_G4CLBb3V54WRP
Dynarex D1415 Povidone Iodine Prep Solution USP, 16 Fluid Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005R8580M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_G5CLBbMTA0YK8
Squip Nasaline Salt-box Of 50 Pre-measured Packets, 400 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009EXQLM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_y7CLBbW76XN59
Teenitor 3ml Pipette, Top Quality Disposable Pipettes Transfer Pipettes 3ml Eye Dropper for Essential Oil Pipette Makeup Tool 110pcs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071JXVGNK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Y8CLBbG25KBC5
Save A Caf Sav A Chick Electrolyte Vitamin Supplement 3 PACK/.25OUNCE https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004UQOZC4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_19CLBb3BFM046
Gorilla 7500101 Super Glue Brush & Nozzle, 10 g, Clear https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7AVQKA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_SgDLBbTME6VWX
MedPride Nitrile Exam Gloves, Powder-Free, Small, Box/100 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GS8W2HC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fiDLBb1X2K42G
Panasonic ES246AC Bikini Shaper & Trimmer for Women with Compact, Portable Design and Adjustable Trim Settings, Battery Operated https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005JS5C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_sjDLBbY10CSTW

Think that covers basics. Alcohol, self adhesive wrap, salt for saline, styptic powder, gauze, theracyn (antibiotic for superficial injuries), silver nitrate (only use with wooden applicators- strong cauterizing agent), pipette, electrolyte ( 1/16 tsp to 8 oz water. If chick is ill add honey for quick energy then mix solution with food to make mash), bottles, betadine ( I cut to 50% strength with saline), and gorilla glue with brush and dispenser. Oh and gloves and shaver:)

Congrats! This may get a better response at r/homstead or something similar. Many people have very different ways they like to process animals, but here's how we do it:

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Put the chicken on a board, stretch its neck, and sever it with one blow with a sharp hatchet.

Hang the body upside down by the feet (we built a T shaped stand with hooks) to let the blood out into a bucket.

Use a crawfish boil setup to scald the bird.

Use a Whizbang plucker to get the feathers off. It's a kit, and you can build it yourself.

Clean out the bird and put it in an ice chest full of ice water.

When you are done put all the birds in a big sink and let them drain, pat dry.

Shrink wrap birds in bags made for this. The Whizbang site has some.

Store in freezer.

Offal and blood go to the hounds.

Cooking:

If you have an 8qt Instant Pot you can put the whole frozen bird (we've sawed off the end of the leg bones before) in there with your favorite seasonings and a cup of water and cook for 45 minutes. It will be falling off the bone. Cool slightly then broil in the oven, either whole or in pieces (or spatchcocked) for 7-15 minutes and it will be perfect. Works for turkey and duck too.

If no instant pot, defrost bird in fridge. Rub with dry brine. Wet brine works fine too but it takes up a lot of room in the fridge to have a big tub of submerged bird and it's no better quality. A dry brine can be any seasoning combo with a lot of salt. Let sit, covered, for a day or so. Roast in oven, either whole, in pieces, or spatchcocked, probably 45 mins to an hour at 400, or 350 degrees.

My favorite seasoning that I use as a dry brine is here. I also adore TexJoy Steak Seasoning, but that's just nostalgia. Cajun seasoning like Tony's works well too.

Spatchcocked on grill works as well.

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Notes:

I have experimented with all phases of letting the chicken rest through rigor mortis, covered, uncovered, in wet brine for days, etc. None of it mattered in my chickens, turkeys, or ducks. The above is what I do for all three types based off of much testing. My goal is to maximize meat quality while increasing ease of processing. This is my happy balance.

As a side note, you could keep a few hens and a rooster and have a sustainable meat/egg source.

Goodluck!

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Edited to add: Don't feed the birds the night before/morning of slaughter so processing is easier and cleaner.

I’m new too!! But I’m further along than you are...my chickies look like Real Chickens^TM 😭

My in laws bought me the book Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens as a housewarming gift (knowing I wanted to raise chickens). I thought it was a nice gesture, but started flipping through the section on breeds to pick out what type of chickens I wanted, and holy cow. It’s like the Chicken Bible. I’ve read the whole thing cover to cover, dogeared pages, highlighted, and written in the margins. It’s a thick book and can be a little intimidating, but so so useful. I also have a good friend who is raising 32 backyard chickens, and has done a really great job of giving me her very crunchy, natural view on chicken raising. Between her, the chicken bible and this sub, I don’t think I’ll have any questions ever again! Feel free to PM me. I don’t have as many long-term answers, but I’ll help whenever I can!

Don't do anything. Raising baby chicks is what mama hens do best. The less you bother her, the better. I know it's hard, but just let her do her thing. She may fight you to the death if you get too close to those chicks.

The chicks are completely fine without food or water for up to 48 hours after hatching, they have enough nutrition saved up from the egg yolk to last that long.

Usually after a day or two, she'll give up on any remaining eggs and leave the nest and start wandering around with the chicks. Make sure you have a source of water for them, like a chick waterer, so the little ones can reach it easily. They sell these at Tractor Supply if you have one.

I wouldn't worry much about the roosters or other hens bothering the chicks. I've never had problems with this and my flock has hatched a lot of clutches of eggs. Sure, roosters can be mean, but not nearly as savage as a mama hen protecting her babies.

She'll walk around, scratch and cluck and the chicks will come running to see what she's scratched up and peck away at it. She'll show them where the food and water is, and how to forage. It's really fun to watch, just sit back and enjoy it!

Cozy Products CL Safe Chicken Coop Heater 200 Watts Safer Than Brooder Lamps, One Size Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LX9K1JI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_oNiTCbQ2FATS4

Found it from this site, and we have 3 Ameraucanas. My plan was to keep straw on the ground in the run, and in the coop.

For when it gets very cold, we were going to have this heater in the coop, and also a heated water bowl.

Any other suggestions you all have would be greatly appreciated.