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ORDERED 100 CORNISH CROSS BROILER CHICKS FROM MEYER HATCHERY TODAY. THEY ARE SCHEDULED TO BE DELIVERED AROUND 6/11/25. CHICKS WERE $2.13 PER BIRD PLUS $15.00 SHIPPING. ALSO PURCHASED ONE 50LBS BAG OF WILD BIRD SEED FOR $16.00 AND ONE BAG OF WOOD SHAVINGS ($7.50) FROM CHERRY VALLEY FEED.

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WE PURCHASED 2 WEEKS FOR A CLASSIFIED AD FOR A PASTURE LEASE IN MILLERS FREE PRESS NEWSPAPER ($22.00). WE GOT A RESPONSE ON 3/21/25. WE AGREED TO LEASE THREE ACRES FOR $15/ACRE FROM MAY THROUGH AUGUST ($180.00). INCLUDED, WE WOULD ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO THE UTILITIES WATER/ELECTRIC ON SLAUGHTER DAYS.

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ORDERED 1 SCALDER #PP930 ($363.34/EA), 1 PLUCKER #PP760 ($624.59/EA), 200 HEATSHRINK BAGS #PP989 ($0.47/EA), GAME CLEANING TABLE #PP944 ($70.34/EA) FROM STROMBERG'S CHICKENS.

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BOUGHT 1 300 GALLON RUBBERMAID STOCK TANK AT RURAL KING. WE WILL USE THIS AS THE CHICK BROODER. WE WILL HAVE TO ADD A ROOF AND CASTERS TO THE TANK LATER ON.

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CHICKS ARE SET TO ARRIVE VIA POST OFFICE ON 6/12/25. WE PURCHASED 20 GALVANIZED ROOFING SHEETS ($19.98/EA) , 1 10FT GUTTER ($17.88/EA), 4 GUTTER END CAPS ($5.56/EZ), 1.5" SCREWS ($14.98/EA).

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WE BOUGHT 1 50FT 1/2" HARDWARE CLOTH ROLL ($36.31). DELIVERED ALL RECLAIMED WOOD AND PURCHASED BUILDING MATERIALS TO THE FARM TODAY.

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WE BOUGHT 25 2X3X8 BOARDS ($2.98/EA), 1 2X4X8 BOARD ($3.65/EA), 1LBS CASE OF 1.25" DRYWALL SCREWS ($7.28/EA), 1 SHRINKWRAP ROLL ($26.98/EA)

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CUT BOARDS AT TEAM MEMBER'S HOUSE FOR THE CHICKEN PENS.

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STARTED CONSTRUCTING PEN ON FARM.

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PURCHASED TWO KILLING CONES FROM PREMIER 1 ($34.00/EA)

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WE BOUGHT 1 BENCH BRUSH ($2.49/EA), 1 PACK BUNGEE CORDS ($4.29/EA), 1 PLASTIC SHEET ($4.99/EA), 1 BOTTLE SUPERGLUE ($1.49/EA), 4 8" CASTERS ($15.99/EA). WE BUILT THE CHICKEN BROODER CART TODAY.

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WE DISASSEMBLED A FEW OLD CHICKEN PENS WE ALREADY HAD, FOR RECLAIMED MATERIALS INCLUDING WOOD AND 1" CHICKEN WIRE. THESE MATERIALS WILL BE USED TO BUILD THE CHICKEN PENS AT A LATER DATE.

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WE INSTALLED CHICKEN WIRE AND REMOVABLE ROOFING ON THE BROODER CART.

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100 CHICKS ARRIVED IN THE MAIL TODAY. LIVE CHICKS MUST BE PICKED UP FROM THE CLOSEST POST OFFICE. WHEN WE OPENED THE BOX, 15 OUT OF 100 CHICKS DIED DURING SHIPMENT. MEYER HATCHERY REFUNDED THE 15 DEATHS. WE USED A 250W RED HEAT LAMP AND A SMALLER BLACK HEAT LAMP IN THE BROODER. WE FED THEM SOAKED WILD BIRD SEED COATED IN RAW EGG AND SPRINKLED WITH SAND. CHICKS EAT/SLEEP ALL NIGHT BECAUSE THEY CAN SEE IN THE RED LIGHT FROM THE ONE HEAT LAMP. CHICKS CIRCLE AROUND THE HEAT LAMPS WHICH MINIMIZES SMOTHERING. BROODER FLOOR WAS FILLED WITH FINE PINEWOOD SHAVINGS.

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2 MORE CHICKS DIED TODAY, MEYER HATCHERY REFUNDED THE DEAD CHICKS. CHICKS EATING 0.75 LBS OF FEED PER DAY. BLACK OIL SUNFLOWER SEEDS ARE TOO BIG FOR THE CHICKS. THEY DO EAT THE MILLED CORN, SORGHUM, MILLET, EGG, SAND AND WHEAT. BURYING CHICKS UNDERNEATH

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RAINY DAY. CHICKS ARE HEALTHY AND DRY UNDER BROODER ROOF. ROTISSERIE CHICKEN TRAYS WORK GOOD AS FEEDERS, WITH THE LID SET UPSIDE DOWN ON TOP OF THE FEED IN THE BOTTOM TRAY.

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EGG COVERED SEED HAS SPOILED BEFORE THE CHICKS COULD EAT IT. GOING FORWARD, WE WILL GIVE CHICKS 1.5 LBS OF DRY FEED WITH RAW EGG IN A SINGLE TRAY.

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CHICKS ARE SHOWING WHITE FEATHERS ON THEIR WING TIPS. WE PUT 1 CHICK IN ISOLATION THAT STRUGGLED TO WALK, IT RECOVERED AFTER WE GAVE IT SOME WATER, AND PLACED IT BACK IN THE BROODER.

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WE PUT 1 CHICK IN ISOLATION BECAUSE IT LOOKED SICK WITH AN INFECTION IN ITS ANUS AREA.

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THE CHICK IN ISOLATION STILL HAS AN INFECTION. TRIED RUBBING ANTIBIOTIC ON ITS INFECTED AREA TOPICALLY. WE TESTED OUT THE SCALDER AND PLUCKER TODAY AT THE FARM. SCALDER TAKES 2 HOURS TO HEAT UP TO 150 DEGREES F. KNIVES SHOULD BE SHARPENED BEFORE EACH SLAUGHTER DAY. WE PLACED ANOTHER CHICK IN ISOLATION DUE TO SICKNESS/FATIGUE SYMPTOMS. THERE ARE TWO CHICKS IN ISOLATION TOTAL RIGHT NOW.

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THE CHICK IN ISOLATION WITH AN INFECTED ANUS DIED TODAY. IT RAINED OVER THE COURSE OF THE NIGHT. WATER DRIPPED IN THROUGH A CRACK IN THE BROODER ROOF. WATER TOUCHED THE RED HEAT LAMP CAUSING IT TO EXPLODE IN THE BROODER CART. FOUND 2 DEAD CHICKS IN THE BROODER, LIKELY SMOTHERED. FOUND 1 CHICK INJURED, UNABLE TO WALK, AND WE PLACED IT IN ISOLATION WITH THE OTHER ISOLATED CHICK. WE HAD TO SWITCH OUT WOOD SHAVING BEDDING TO REMOVE GLASS SHARDS. WE REPLACED THE CHICK WATERER WITH A 3 GALLON NIPPLE WATERER IN THE BROODER. WE SWITCHED THE CHICKS TO BOILED SEED FOR EASIER DIGESTIBILITY. WE BOILED THE SEED IN A POT OVER A PROPANE BURNER. THE BOTTOM OF THE POT BURNED THE SEED, IT MUST BE STIRRED REGULARLY ON LOW HEAT. CHICKS NOW EATING 2 FULL TRAYS OF SEED EVERY DAY. WE REMOVED THE BLACK HEAT LAMP BECAUSE ONE 250W RED HEAT LAMP IS SUFFICIENT TO HEAT THE BROODER WITHOUT CHICKS SMOTHERING EACH OTHER TO KEEP WARM. CHICKS SHOULD CIRCLE AROUND THE HEAT LAMP AND NOT CROWD UNDER IT OR THEY WILL SMOTHER EACH OTHER. ALTHOUGH CHICKS DO SLEEP MORE SOUNDLY WITH NO RED LIGHT AND JUST HEAT.

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REMOVED 1 OF THE CHICKS FROM ISOLATION AND RETURNED IT TO THE BROODER. DROVE TO FARM TO CUT METAL ROOFING TO SIZE, BUT FORGOT THE TOOL TO SWITCH BLADES ON THE GRINDER WHEEL.

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THE POT OF COOKED FEED SMELLED SPOILED TODAY, WE COULD NOT USE IT. WE SWITCHED BACK TO DRY FEED WITH NO EGG.

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THE CHICKS PREFER THE SHADE OVER THE DIRECT SUN. IT WAS HOT TODAY, APPROX 100 DEGREES F. WE TURNED THE HEAT LAMP OFF TODAY, THROUGH THE EVENING. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS HOT ENOUGH AT NIGHT FOR THEM, THEY HUDDLED TOO MUCH, SO WE TURNED THE HEAT LAMP BACK ON TO PREVENT SMOTHERING.

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THE INJURED BIRD IN ISOLATION DIED TODAY.

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TROUBLESHOOT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PENS TODAY. CHANGED A FEW THINGS WITH THE WOOD SO IT WILL ACCOMMODATE THE ROOF PANELS BETTER. WE SCREWED ON THE SIDE ROOF PANELS AND CHICKEN WIRE SIDING ON THE TWO PENS TODAY.

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BEGAN PUTTING RAW EGG BACK IN THEIR DRY FEED SINCE ITS ONLY ONE DAY SERVING AND WONT HAVE TIME TO SPOIL.

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IN BROODER BIN, WE REMOVED SMELLY BEDDING AND REPLACED WITH FRESH BEDDING. WE FOUND 2 MORE DEAD CHICKS UNDER BEDDING IN BROODER. THE CART UNDER THE BROODER BIN, MADE FROM A PALLET AND CASTERS BROKE. THE PALLET WOOD MUST BE REINFORCED UNDERNEATH WITH AT LEAST 2X6 BOARDS TO ATTACH THE CASTER TO. GOING FORWARD, WE WILL TOP THE EXISTING BEDDING BY HAND WITH MORE FRESH BEDDING.

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WE TRIED USING THE RED HEAT LAMP FOR ONLY A FEW HOURS AFTER DUSK TO ENCOURAGE BETTER SLEEP IN THE CHICKS.

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WE FOUND 2 MORE DEAD CHICKS IN THE BROODER. WE SHOULD LEAVE THE RED HEAT LAMP ON ALL NIGHT BECAUSE THE CHICKS MAY HAVE DIED FROM SMOTHERING AFTER THE LIGHT SHUT OFF.

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THE CHICK STILL IN ISOLATION DIED TODAY.

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CHICKS ARE BIG ENOUGH TO EAT BLACK OIL SUNFLOWER SEEDS NOW. CONSTRUCTED REMOVABLE WOOD/CHICKEN WIRE LIDS FOR CHICKEN PENS.

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CHICKS ARE AGILE ENOUGH TO JUMP OUT OF BROODER BIN. SOME HAVE TAIL FEATHERS SHOWING NOW.

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CHICKS ARE STILL EATING RAW EGG COATED, DRY FEED, SINCE WE STARTED DOING THAT ON 6/25/25.

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CONTINUED BUILDING THE TWO CHICKEN PENS AT THE FARM LEASE.

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CHICKS ARE TINY FOR THEIR AGE. THEY SHOULD BE ~2LBS NOW, BUT THEY ARE ALL UNDER 1LBS AND SOME STILL LOOK LIKE CHICKS. WE ARE GOING TO BUY A HIGHER PROTEIN PREMIXED FEED FOR THEM.

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THE CHICKS HAVE HAD SOLID STOOLS UP TO THIS POINT.

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WE PURCHASED A 50LBS BAG OF KALMBACH MEATBIRD CRUMBLES AND STARTED GIVING IT TO THE CHICKS. WE FOUND 1 DEAD CHICK IN THE BIN, CAUSE UNKNOWN. WE ALSO INCREASED THEIR SERVING SIZE TO TWO ROTISSERIE TRAYS FULL, WHICH IS EQUAL TO 3 LBS.

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WE DECIDED NOT TO MOVE THE CHICKS TO PASTURE BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO SMALL STILL, EVEN THOUGH TODAY WAS THE SCHEDULED MOVE TO PASTURE DAY.

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WE DROVE TO TRACTOR SUPPLY. WE PURCHASED 1 40LBS BAGS OF NUTRENA NATUREWISE MEATBIRD FEED 22% PROTEIN ($21.99/EA).

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INCREASED TO TWO GALLONS WATER IN NIPPLE WATERER.

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BIRDS HAVE DIARRHEA FROM THE NEW FEED. THEY USED TO HAVE SOLID 'TURDS' WHEN THEY ATE BIRD SEED AND EGG, BUT THAT MIX CLEARLY DIDN'T HAVE THE RIGHT MIX OF NUTRITION SINCE THEY ARE UNDERSIZED.

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BIRDS EAT 6LBS FOOD PER DAY NOW AND THREE GALLONS WATER.

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WE PURCHASED A SET OF 10" CASTERS AT HARBOR FREIGHT ($18.99/EA). WE PLAN ON USING THE CASTERS AS PART OF A TYPE OF LARGE SKATE/DOLLY TO MOVE THE CHICKEN PENS AT THE PASTURE LEASE.

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BECAUSE THE FIRST BATCH OF CHICKS ARE STILL TOO UNDERWEIGHT TO MOVE TO PASTURE, WE ARE ORDERING ANOTHER BATCH OF 100 CHICKS FROM MEYER HATCHERY. THE CHICKS WERE $2.13 EACH AND THE 4OZ. POWDERED VITAMIN PACK WAS $5.25. WE WILL FEED THE NEXT BATCH OUR OWN MIX OF SOYBEAN MEAL, MILLED CORN, OYSTER SHELLS AND MEYER MEATBIRD VITAMIN/MINERAL PACK. ALSO, WE WILL PICK UP THE CHICKS DIRECTLY FROM THE HATCHERY THIS TIME. WE HAD TOO MANY DEATHS FROM THE BATCH THAT CAME IN THE MAIL. WE ARE SCHEDULED TO PICK THE CHICKS UP ON 8/4/25.

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WE DROVE TO TRACTOR SUPPLY AND BOUGHT 1 40LBS BAG OF NUTRENA NATUREWISE MEATBIRD FEED ($21.99/EA). WE REPLACED THE CASTERS ON THE BROODER DOLLY WITH THE NEW 10" HARBOR FREIGHT CASTERS. WE WILL TAKE THE 8" CASTERS TO THE FARM TO MAKE A SKATE/DOLLY FOR THE CHICKEN PENS.

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BEDDING STINKS LIKE AMMONIA STRONGLY DESPITE DAILY REFRESHING OF BEDDING. THUS FAR, WE HAVE USED 4 BAGS OF TOP BEDDING WOOD SHAVINGS. WE FINISHED THE BAG OF NUTRENA FEED WE BOUGHT ON 7/11/25. WE ARE INCREASING THE CHICKENS FEED TO 9LBS PER DAY STARTING TOMORROW.

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WE DROVE TO CHERRY VALLEY FEED. WE PURCHASED 4 50LBS BAGS OF KAHLMBACH MEATBIRD FEED 22% PROTEIN ($17.25/EA). WE PURCHASED 4 BAGS OF FINE TOP BEDDING WOOD SHAVINGS ($7.50/EA).

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BIRDS DIARRHEA HAS BECOME BLOODY. THE BEDDING IS WET AND UNCOMFORTABLY HOT WITH DIARRHEA. THIS IS DESPITE 3 DAILY BEDDING REFRESHES. WE TRIED HARDWOOD SHAVINGS AND SOFTER PINE SHAVINGS. THE PINE SHAVINGS ARE MOST ABSORBENT, AND THE HARDWOOD SHAVINGS ARE SLOWER TO ABSORB MOISTURE AND STAY DRY/FIRM FOR LONGER THAN PINE. WE PREFER FINER SHAVINGS AND THE MORE SAWDUST IN THE MIX, THE BETTER.

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FOUND 2 DEAD BIRDS. STARTED ON THE 5TH BAG OF TOP BEDDING. WE SWITCHED TO A TROUGH FEEDER BUT STILL FEEDING 9LBS PER DAY.

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THE LARGEST CHICKEN IN THE BROODER WEIGHS 2.10LBS LIVE WEIGHT.

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2 CHICKENS DIED TODAY. WE WERE UNABLE TO APPLY FOR A REFUND AFTER 48 HOURS OF RECEIVING THE BIRDS. FEEDING TIME IS BECOMING DANGEROUS FOR THE BIRDS. THEY SMOTHER EACH OTHER. AND JUMP ON THE FEEDING TROUGH, WEIGHING IT DOWN AND CRUSHING ANYTHING UNDERNEATH IT. LEGS OR HANGING THE TROUGH ARE A MUST OR THERE WOULD BE A DEATH OFTEN AT FEEDING TIME.

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CHICKENS STILL RECEIVING 3 BEDDING REFRESHES A DAY. THEY EAT 3 FULL FEEDER TROUGHS PER DAY. TWO REFILLS OF THE 3 GALLON NIPPLE WATERER.

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CHICKENS STILL RECEIVING 3 BEDDING REFRESHES A DAY. THEY EAT 3 FULL FEEDER TROUGHS PER DAY. TWO REFILLS OF THE 3 GALLON NIPPLE WATERER.

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CHICKENS STILL RECEIVING 3 BEDDING REFRESHES A DAY. THEY EAT 3 FULL FEEDER TROUGHS PER DAY. TWO REFILLS OF THE 3 GALLON NIPPLE WATERER. WE WILL BEGIN TAKING THE CHICKENS TO PASTURE TOMORROW.

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WE DELIVERED 25 CHICKENS TO THE PASTURE PEN. WE ARE ONLY USING ONE PEN FOR THIS BATCH OF CHICKENS.

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WE DELIVERED 25 CHICKENS TO THE PASTURE PEN.

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WE DELIVERED THE REMAINING CHICKENS TO THE PASTURE PEN. WE MOVED 71 CHICKENS IN ALL TO PASTURE. THEY EAT ONE 15LBS TROUGH OF FOOD DAILY AND TWO 3 GALLON WATERERS DAILY. IF THERE'S ANY WATER LEFT OVER FROM THE DAY BEFORE, WE DUMP IT INTO THE TROUGH BEFORE WE SERVE THE FEED, SERVING WET/SOAKED FEED CUTS DOWN ON DUST AND MINIMIZES RESPIRATORY ISSUES AND COUGHING WITH THE CHICKENS.

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TODAY WE DROVE TO MEYER HATCHERY TO PICK UP THE CHICKS. THEY GAVE US AN EXTRA 5 CHICKS FOR FREE. FOR A TOTAL OF 105 CHICKS. WE ALSO PURCHASED 7 50LBS BAGS OF ORGANIC CHICK STARTER 21% PROTEIN ($31.07/EA). WE BOUGHT 3 50LBS BAGS OF ORGANIC 27% CHICK STARTER ($35.20/EA). WE BOUGHT 1 250W RED HEAT LAMP ($11.23/EA). WE BOUGHT A MEDIUM SIZED KILLING CONE ($42.69/EA) WE BOUGHT A 5-PACK OF REPLACEMENT NIPPLES FOR ONE OF THE WATERERS IN THE CHICKENS PEN. THIS BATCH WILL BE FED ONLY FEED WITHOUT YEAST AND CHICKEN MEAL, TO SEE IF DIARRHEA ISSUES IMPROVE. WE STARTED THE CHICKS OFF WITH 20LBS BAG OF CLUCK AND CO BRAND CHICK STARTER THAT HAS NO ACTIVE YEAST OR MEAT-MEAL IN IT ($20/EA). UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN WE GOT HOME FROM THE HATCHERY, WE REALIZED THE INGREDIENT LABEL ON THE WEBSITE DIDN'T MATCH THE LABEL ON THE BAG. THE ORGANIC FEED WE PURCHASED CONTAINED THREE DIFFERENT FORMS OF ACTIVE BREWER'S YEAST. WE CALLED TO GET A RETURN APPROVAL AND WE WOULD RETURN IT AT A LATER DATE. THE CREDIT FOR THE FEED IS REFLECTED IN THIS ENTRY IN THE MONEY SPENT FIELD ABOVE. GOING FORWARD IN THE LOG, THE FEED AND WATER AMOUNT LISTED ABOVE IN ALL ENTRIES WILL REFLECT THE AMOUNT USED FOR BOTH BATCHES OF CHICKENS.

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WE DROVE TO CHERRY VALLEY FEED. WE BOUGHT 4 50LBS BAGS OF KAHLMBACH MEATBIRD CRUMBLES ($17.25/EA). WE BOUGHT 1 50LBS BAG OF CRUSHED OYSTER SHELLS. WE NOW FEEDS THE PASTURE BIRDS 3/4 5GAL BUCKET OF KAHLMBACH MEATBIRD CRUMBLES ~16LBS. WE FEEDS THE CHICKS THE CLUCK AND CO, STILL.

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1 CHICK IN THE BROODER DIED. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH 350LBS OF FEED FROM START TO TODAY, BASED ON THE EMPTY FEED BAGS WE HAVE ACCUMULATED.

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WE DROVE TO MEYER HATCHERY STORE TO RETURN ORGANIC FEED AND BUY ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES. WE BOUGHT AN ADDITIONAL NIPPLE WATERER 3 GALLON ($31.05/EA) FOR THE BROODER. WE BOUGHT 1 RED HEAT LAMP 250W ($10.41). WE ARE USING A TOTAL OF 3 3GALLON WATERERS BETWEEN THE BROODER AND THE PASTURE PEN CHICKENS.

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DROVE TO JEFFERSON MILLING CO. WE BOUGHT 2 100LB BAGS OF MILLED CORN ($16.00/EA). WE BOUGHT 2 100LBS BAGS OF SOYBEAN MEAL ($36.00/EA). WE BOUGHT 1 5LBS BAG OF CHICK GRIT GRANITE CHIPS ($7.50). WE BOUGHT 1 50LBS BAG OF CONCENTRATED CHICKEN NUTRIENTS TO BE ADDED TO THE GRAIN. UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN WE GOT HOME, THE 50LBS NUTRIENTS CONTAINED CHICKEN MEAL AND YEAST. WE READ THROUGH LABELS MULTIPLE TIMES BUT YEAST AND MEAT MEAL SNUCK PAST WE A FEW TIMES. ITS BEST PRACTICE TO READ THE LABEL SLOWLY A FEW TIMES IN THE STORE BEFORE BUYING OR LOADING INTO THE CAR AFTER PURCHASE.

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WE BUILT TWO PENS. ONE WAS MADE FROM HEMLOCK WOOD. ONE WAS MADE FROM PINE. WE PREFER THE HEMLOCK BECAUSE A 2X4" IS ACTUALLY 2X4", MAKING IT BETTER TO SPLIT. WE DECIDED TO BAIL ON THE PINE WOOD PEN AND DISASSEMBLE IT THAT DAY BECAUSE IT WAS CRACKING AND BREAKING AS WE TRIED TO MOVE IT WITH THE CUSTOM DOLLY WE MADE. WE MADE THE MISTAKE OF SPLICING SHORTER RECLAIMED PIECES OF WOOD TOGETHER, THEY DIDN'T HOLD UP TO CRACKING AS WELL. NEXT TIME, WE MUST BUY THE FULL 12FT AND 10FT LENGTH BOARDS TO KEEP THE PEN STURDY WHILE MOVING. THE WOOD PIECES LIST FOR ONE PEN ARE: 6 PIECES OF 2X2X2' HEMLOCK. 8 PIECES OF 2X2X12'.10 PIECES OF 2X2X10'. 8 PIECES OF 1X2X3'. 1.25" DECK SCREWS HEX BIT. 10 PIECES 8X~2FT GALVANIZED CORRUGATED ROOFING. 1.5" METAL-WOOD ROOFING SCREWS. 25' OF 2FT TALL 1/2" HARDWARE CLOTH. WASHERS. 25FT OF 5FT TALL CHICKEN WIRE 1". tHEE DOLLY FOR THE CHICKEN PEN TO MOVE IT WAS NOT VERY EFFECTIVE, SO IMM LEAVING OUT THE LUMBER WE USED TO MAKE THE DOLLY. WE USED A SMALL CAN OF BLACK FLEX SEAL AND DILUTED IT WITH HALF GALLON OF PAINT THINNER TO PAINT THE WOOD. IT PROVIDED PROTECTION FROM THE POOP AND WATER THROUGH THE SEASON EVEN THROUGH IT WAS A THIN LAYER OF FLEX SEAL PAINT.

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FOUND ONE OF THE ROOF PANELS RIPPED AWAY FROM THE SCREW AS WE WERE PULLING TO MOVE IT. FUTURE PENS NEED THE ROOF TO BE MORE SECURELY SCREWED DOWN. CHICKS IN BROODER ARE EATING 1.5LBS OF FEED PER DAY. OUR MIX IS 1 PART SOYBEAN MEAL, 2 PART MILLED CORN, ADD OYSTER SHELLS ANGD GRIT OVER THE TOP. ADD WATER TO REDUCE DUST. THE CHICKS ARE DRINKING MEYER MEATBIRD VITAMIN PACKS EVERY DAY IN THEIR WATER. Ingredients Vital Pack Plus (meat birds): Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (source of Vitamin E), Vitamin A Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, d-Calcium Pantotenate, Menadione Sodium Bisufite Complex (source of Vitamin K), d-Activated Animal Sterol (source of Vitamin D3), Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid and Biotin Supplement.

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BROODER CHICKS ARE DRINKING ONE GALLON PER DAY OF VITAMIN WATER.

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TOMORROW IS THE FIRST SLAUGHTER DAY OF THE PASTURE BIRDS. WE PLUGGED THE FILLED SCALDER INTO A TIMER THAT WILL TURN ON 90 MINUTES BEFORE WE ARRIVE IN THE MORNING, SOP THE WATER WILL BE READY WITH NO DELAY. CHECKLIST FOR SLAUGHTER DAY: SCALDER, SCALDER TIMER, KNIVES, PLUCKER, EXTENSION CORD, WASH BUCKETS, ICE, CHILL TUB FOR ICE, LARGE TRASH LINERS, CLEAN CHANGE OF CLOTHES, HEAT SHRINK BAGS, SCRUB BRUSH, CUTTING BOARD, ODORLESS SOAP FOR SCALDER, TRANSPORT TUB, INLINE HOSE WATER FILTER, SALT/SUGAR FOR BRINE, KILLING CONES, DRILL/SCREWS TO MOUNT CONES,

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THIS IS THE ORDER OF PROCESS: SETUP, KILL CHICKEN, HOSE OFF CHICKEN IN CONE, TRANSFER CHICKEN TO SOAKING TUB OF COOL WELL WATER, CONTINUE KILLING CHICKENS UNTIL FINISHED. REMOVE CHICKEN FROM SOAK TUB AND PLACE IN SCALDER FOR APPROPRIATE TIME BY WEIGHT. THESE CHICKENS WERE 2-3LBS SLIGHTLY BIGGER THAN A CORNISH GAME HEN. TAKE CHICKEN IMMEDIATELY FROM SCALDER TO THE PLUCKER. PLACE CHICKEN IN COOL TANK. TAKE ANOTHER CHICKEN FROM SOAK TANK TO SCALDER, PLUCKER, CHILL TANK AND REPEAT UNTIL FINISHED. REMOVE CHICKEN FROM CHILL TANK, PULL OFF HEAD, REMOVE COOP AND ESOPHAGUS. CUT OFF FEET. CUT OUT ANUS AND REMOVE GUTS. RETURN TO CHILL TANK. REPEAT UNTIL FINISHED AND CHILL TANK IS FULL OF PROCESSED BIRDS. PLACE IN HEAT SHRINK BAG AND DIP INTO SCALDER WATER. WE KILLED A TOTAL OF 10 BIRDS TODAY. WE SPENT 6 HOURS ACTUALLY KILLING AND PROCESSING BIRDS. WE HELD THE BIRDS UPSIDE DOWN FOR A WHILE BEFORE PLACING THEM IN THE CONE. THEY DIED RELATIVELY QUICKLY. WE HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THEY STOP FLAPPING THEIR WINGS DUE TO DIZZINESS TO THEN PLACE THEM IN THE CONE. WE FOUND THE PLUCKER TO BE RATHER AGGRESSIVE, SO WE HAD TO PULSE THE MOTOR ON AS THE BUTTON ALLOWED. WE ATE ONE OF THE CHICKENS 24 HOURS AFTER WE KILLED IT. IT WAS THE MOST DELICIOUS, TENDER CHICKEN WE HAD EATEN. THE CHICKENS WE ATE THAT WERE FROZEN AFTER 24HOURS CHILL TASTED EXACTLY LIKE A GOOD SUPERMARKET CHICKEN. WE BELIEVE ONLY THE FRESH CHICKEN IS WORTH THE EXTRA COST OF A PASTURED CHICKEN. PASTURED CHICKEN TYPICALLY SELLS FOR ~$4.00/LBS IN SUPERMARKETS.

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WE BOUGHT A ROUTER SPEED CONTROL DIAL FOR THE PLUCKER MOTOR, TO SLOW IT DOWN A LITTLE AT HARBOR FREIGHT ($17.99/EA). IT DIDN'T WORK FROM A BLOWN 15A FUSE IN THE DIAL BUT WE WILL CONTINUE SLAUGHTERING TOMORROW BY JUST PULSING THE PLUCKER BUTTON. THE PLUCKER SAYS ITS RATED FOR THE DIAL BUT IT MUST SPIKE ENOUGH TO BLOW A 15A FUSE. IT MAY BE OUR FAULT WITH AN INCORRECT SCALDING ALSO. WE ALSO BOUGHT A 32GALLON RED TRASH CAN AS A CHILL TUB ($26.99/EA) AND 20 COUNT 39 GALLON LINERS FOR IT ($9.59)

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BEGAN SLAUGHTERING AT 8:00AM. FINISHED 12 BIRDS AT 2:00PM, BEFORE CLEANING UP. WE TRIED MAKING ICE IN 5 GAL PLASTIC BUCKETS IN A DEEP FREEZE. IT TOOK 48 HOURS TO FREEZE BUT IT DIDN'T WORK TOO GOOD. WE RECOMMEND USING RUBBER BUCKETS NEXT TIME TO MAKE THE ICE 3 DAYS IN ADVANCE TO BE SAFE. WE TRIED TRANSPORTING THE CORNISH CROSS TO THE CONE USING CRATES THIS TIME, WE DIDN'T HOLD THEM UPSIDE DOWN FOR LONG. AND IT TOOK THEM MUCH LONGER TO DIE. CORNISH CROSS DIE HARD. ALMOST ALL OF THEM TURNED THEMSELVES UPRIGHT IN THE CONE WITH THEIR STRONG LEGS AND SOME EVEN JUMPED OUT. THEY DIED MUCH FASTER AND CALMER AFTER HOLDING THEM UPSIDE DOWN. THE SLAUGHTER WAS UNSETTLING TODAY BECAUSE OF ALL THE SCREAMING THE HENS WERE DOING AS THEY REFUSED TO DIE AND PANICKED. BEST PRACTICE FOR ANIMALS WELFARE IS TO HOLD THEM UPSIDE DOWN BEFORE SLITTING THEIR JUGULAR WITH THE KNIFE. ONLY THE JUGULAR SHOULD BE CUT, NOT THE WINDPIPE. A WINDPIPE CUT IS INDICATED IF BLOOD COMES OUT OF THE BEAK. WE FINISHED 16 BIRDS TODAY. WE ARE NOT MOVING AS FAST AS WE ANTICIPATED. AT THIS RATE ITS GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER WEEK BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE THIS MUCH UTILITY TIME IN OUR CONTRACT BUT THE LANDLORD WAS UNDERSTANDING OF OUR SITUATION. WE TRANSFERS THE CHICKENS TO A DEEP FREEZE AFTER WE ARE FINISHED SHRINK BAGGING THEM. WE WASN'T HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS OF THE STROMBERG'S HEAT SHRINK BAGS. THEY ARE DURABLE, BUT THEY DON'T SHRINK ENOUGH WHEN HEATED FOR A PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE LIKE THE STORE.

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WE BOUGHT 3 SMALL BAGS OF ICE AT FAMILY DOLLAR BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO FREEZE MORE ICE IN BUCKETS. WE WANTED TO KEEP MOVING. WE DECIDED TO PROCESS THE BIRDS BY REMOVING BLOOD, FEATHERS AND THEN STOPPING. THESE WOULD BE CHICKENS FOR LARGE DOGS TO EAT AS RAW FOOD TREATS. WE GOT 20 BIRDS DONE TODAY. WE TRIED SLAUGHTERING THE CHICKENS IN THE FIELD THEY WERE IN. BUT THIS WAS THE WORST METHOD IN TERMS OF ANIMAL WELFARE. THE CHICKENS KNEW WHAT WAS COMING AND THIS WAS THE WORST METHOD FOR ANIMAL WELFARE. BEST PRACTICE IS TO TAKE A CHICKEN, WALK IT TO A DISTANT CONE UPSIDE DOWN, AND THEN KILL IT ONCE ITS DIZZY. ONE THING TO KNOW ABOUT CORNISH CROSS BIRDS IS HOW FRIENDLY, FILTHY, TOUGH AND STRONG THEY ARE. THE PLUCKER SHOULD DUMP FEATHERS INTO A SCREENED BUCKET TO SHORTEN CLEANUP.

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HOPING TOMORROW IS THE FINAL SLAUGHTER DAY FOR THE FIRST BATCH OF CHICKENS THAT ARE CURRENTLY OUT TO PASTURE.

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STARTED SLAUGHTER AT 8:00AM. EARLIER BETTER BECAUSE OF THE HEAT. BECAUSE THE FLOCK WAS DOWN SO MANY BIRDS IN THE PEN, THEY STILL HAD FOOD, WHICH MEANS THEY HAD FOOD IN THEIR THROATS. THIS WAS A TEAM MISTAKE, WE SHOULD HAVE CUT THEIR FEED APPROPRIATELY. BECAUSE THESE CHICKENS WOULD BE SLAUGHTERED FOR DOGS, WE MOVED FORWARD WITH THE SLAUGHTER. WE FINISHED 25 CHICKENS TODAY. WE REALIZED CHICKENS MUST GO FROM THE SCALDER TO THE PLUCKER IMMEDIATELY OR THE FEATHERS BECOME DIFFICULT TO REMOVE AGAIN IF THE CHICKEN SKIN COOLS OFF. WE ARE DONE PROCESSING OUR FIRST ROUND OF MEAT CHICKENS.

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DISASSEMBLED PEN.

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BEGUN REMOVING ITEMS FROM FARM LEASE. WE PLAN TO WRAP UP LEASE BY END OF AUGUST.

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CONTINUED REMOVING ITEMS FROM FARM LEASE. WE PLAN TO WRAP UP LEASE BY END OF AUGUST.

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CONTINUED REMOVING ITEMS FROM FARM LEASE.

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CONTINUED REMOVING ITEMS FROM FARM LEASE.

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THE DIARRHEA IS MINIMAL WITH THE YEAST/MEAT FREE FEED MIX. HOWEVER, THE CHICKS ARE TOO SMALL AGAIN. THE BIGGER CHICKS ARE ABOUT 1LBS AND SOME OF THE SMALLER ONES STILL LOOK LIKE CHICKS. IT APPEARS THE MEAT AND YEAST COMBO IS THE DRIVER OF THE RAPID GROWTH IN CORNISH GAME HENS. THERE WAS ENOUGH PROTEIN IN THE GRAIN BUT IT WASN’T ENOUGH FOR EXPLOSIVE GROWTH OF THE BIRD.

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WE HAVE DECIDED TO GIVE AWAY THE CHICKS FOR FREE TO LOCAL RESIDENTS. THE FEED STUDY SHOWED THAT ALTHOUGH DIARRHEA WAS SOLVED, THE GROWTH OF CHICKENS ISN'T QUICK ENOUGH AND RUINS THE SYSTEM OF RAISING THEM AND INCREASES THE COST TO RAISE THEM. IT WOULD TAKE 8 WEEKS TO RAISE A CORNISH GAME HEN 2-3LBS PROCESSED WEIGHT.

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WE SET CHICKS OUT NEAR THE ROAD IN THE BROODER CART. A “FREE BROILER CHICKS FOR LOCALS” SIGN WENT UP. WE DROVE HOME TO RETURN FARM EQUIPMENT AND WHEN WE CAME BACK, ALL THE CHICKS HAD BEEN TAKEN BY LOCALS.