Hens on Board

[beau]

Has anyone had experience with having Poultry on board. For example two hens in cages for a supply of eggs, and if they don't lay, fresh cooked chicken.
Any experience?

[GordMay]

This is where our Haiitian members should chime in with their expertise.

[Sunspot Baby]

Eggs are cheap, available almost anywhere, and keep a long time. I couldn't justify the work involved with caring for or cleaning up after live poultry.

Have you ever tried plucking a chicken? I have. No way Jose.

George

[delmarrey]

Why do they call them fowl?

I had a baby goose once a long time ago. That was the big mistake.

[ssullivan]

We've thought about this, but figured the seed you have to carry for the chickens as well as the water they consume might outweigh the advantages of having a couple of birds.

While the eggs you get from real chickens that are well cared for are literally 10x better than any store bought, it seems they might consume too many resources that are precious on a boat.

[cat man do]

Would'nt they just eat leftovers?

I thought chook's were like small goat's and ate just about anything, even fish scrap's.

I agree though, eggs last long enough to get betwen shop's, but may be tough to get in more remote areas.

Chicken head's are exelent crab pot bait.

Dave

[Benny]

I've read somewhere that coating the eggs with wax or something else? keeps them fresh much longer. Anybody know about this?

Regards

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by Benny

I've read somewhere that coating the eggs with wax or something else? keeps them fresh much longer. Anybody know about this?

Regards

Mmmm, I am not sure about keeping Bees on board

Might go for a pig though


Dogs look up to you
Cats look down on you
But Pigs treat you as an Equal

[Tnflakbait]

I hate chickens; they are stupid and they stink.

[s/v 'Faith']

Not sure about chickens.....


... I have had goats before, and they might be suited to cruising.

They eat darn near anything, and the wonder of the things is that they poop little round pellets that look like rabbit turds. I mean you can literally pick up the waste with your bare hands straight from the goat and not even get your hands dirty.

Maybe an idea for what all you 'big boat' sailors could do with all that extra space...

[Greg S]

Ah, Churchill. Never was at loss for words was he?

[CSY Man]

I hate chickens; they are stupid and they stink.

I have had fellow shipmates that fit the same description, but they did not lay eggs.

[Temporarily Landlocked]

We have had pet ducks before (wife's idea). They are a complete mess! Even on 1/3 acre, they left enough mess for us to "let them be free" after just a month or two. Don't do it, you will regret it. About the wax, I have heard the same thing. Wax will help them keep longer.

[unbusted67]

I know that you can dip eggs in bees wax and they will keep a while longer. Also heard a regular vegetable oil coating will help. The key though is to get eggs that have never been refrigerated. Once eggs go below a certain temp the coating that protects the yoke from the shell breaks down. The best bet is to get fresh eggs from a farmer and not refrigerate them. These can last up to 6 month without any treatment! Most eggs that you get in a supermarket were layed a few months before anyway. I have also heard of flash boiling them to creat a thin cooked layer between the yoke and the shell.

[GordMay]

"...The best bet is to get fresh eggs from a farmer and not refrigerate them. These can last up to 6 month without any treatment!...



True – but only if you rotate them (weekly, or so).

Waxes,oils, and other barriers can help maintain the egg-shell’s impermability, and extend self-life; but, as above, it’s not normally necessary.