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The sumos get a taste of the big wide world

6/11/2011

2 Comments

 
It’s Saturday and the powers that be assure us that although the skies are currently grey and miserably heavy we are going to see warmer temperatures and sunshine later in the day. Question to self?….do  I follow in blind faith and take my sunglasses or trust in instinct and pile on the rain gear. Problem solved, put on the raingear and stash the sunglasses in my pocket. Sometimes I think I am just too smart for my own good…NOT!!!!

Something has started frequenting the hen house on a nightly basis. Each morning a pile of feathers and nothing else, no bone or sinew, no carcase or wattle left to show that once that chicken was with us. Our problem is, we haven’t seen the perpetrator, does it come visiting on four legs or does he attack from the sky. Plans are being made to defend our birds, by the time all the suggestions have been put in place, our chicken house will look more like an embattled bunker. With just a little luck and a lot of good timing we may be able to catch the offending chicken thief before he decimates our dwindling flock.

Yesterday was a good day for the sumo chickens! We are raising a batch of these Cornish Cross Fast Growers as an learning tool for our WOOFER interns. We have been weighing test birds every other day and comparing weight, condition and quality of life with slow growing meat birds of the same age. The sumos were not happy when they were invited ( driven) outside of the chicken house into the big wide world. It was very gratifying to watch the birds, who typically eat-drink-poop-sleep in that order, (no deviation) to actually look like they are doing chicken stuff. Hopefully all the exercise wont have been too much for them and this morning the sumos will be looking happy healthy….and well fed.

Sadly, Jasper didn’t make it here yesterday but if everything goes to plan we will be picking him up this evening so hopefully all is well in Wisconsin today. Safe flight Jasper, see you this evening.

So, it is that time again. Neither Greg or I are firing on all cylinders today, we are both moving quite slowly, hopefully the fresh air will give us a burst of oomph. Take care, keep safe, M
2 Comments
Mom Sikora
6/11/2011 04:03:35 am

I know both fo you are tired and someday say we are going to sleep in and won't have to take care of so much. You can slow down. Will see you soon.

Reply
Jean M (So Texas)
6/20/2011 03:57:08 am

When the kids were raising birds similar to these, by the time they were 8 weeks old we had birds weighing as much as 15 pounds. These types of birds require feed and water in front of them 24/7. They do tend to fall over from heart attacks as there body can not really handle the rapid growth rate. BOy are they good eating though. 1 bird will feed a family of four two meals. enjoy :)

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