Maine - Page 332

Agh I need to stop dreaming so hard, hah. I still live with my family for the time being (I'm 21), but my next major goal in life is to be able to afford LAND!! I really wish I could have a few acres and some room for a bunch of chickens, a couple pigs, a couple goats, a nice little cow, and a garden big enough that I wouldn't have to buy much produce. I mean, I garden here and I've been give the all-clear to build a chicken coop, but I so wish I could really jump in. Blah. Every time I see a goat, I die a little, haha. I've just been trying to content myself by reading memoirs about farm living.

Are there any other places in Maine I could buy Delawares? It looks like I'll be buying a rooster and three pullets from someone on here, but I'd like maybe a handful more. With the size of my [as of yet unbuilt] coop, I can have 10-12. Plus, if I start breeding, it'll give me more blood to work with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MKandtheforce 

Agh I need to stop dreaming so hard, hah. I still live with my family for the time being (I'm 21), but my next major goal in life is to be able to afford LAND!! I really wish I could have a few acres and some room for a bunch of chickens, a couple pigs, a couple goats, a nice little cow, and a garden big enough that I wouldn't have to buy much produce. I mean, I garden here and I've been give the all-clear to build a chicken coop, but I so wish I could really jump in. Blah. Every time I see a goat, I die a little, haha. I've just been trying to content myself by reading memoirs about farm living.

 

Are there any other places in Maine I could buy Delawares? It looks like I'll be buying a rooster and three pullets from someone on here, but I'd like maybe a handful more. With the size of my [as of yet unbuilt] coop, I can have 10-12. Plus, if I start breeding, it'll give me more blood to work with.

You could always get eggs shipped later, there's plenty of people on here (but not in Maine) that raise Delawares.

And I felt the same way about wanting a space/place of my own. But the time spent working towards that goal (college, then working and renting to save up) was well worth it. Just remember that if your goal doesn't materialize quickly. The place I rented in Lewiston before I bought my house wouldn't even allow me to put a tomato plant in a bucket on the back porch! That made me actually spend less money and save up more to get the heck out of there.

My youngest daughter is not very happy that Pete the Sizzle has gone broody. she has been tryin gto break into the coop since i blocked Petes area off so she can hold her. I feel bad for her, she and Pete are buddies!

just tell her that pete is having babies and soon she will have a little pete if she can be patient. maybe make a calender of when the babies are due and have her mark off each day.

maybe that will help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by annabananaandfamily 

My youngest daughter is not very happy that Pete the Sizzle has gone broody. she has been tryin gto break into the coop since i blocked Petes area off so she can hold her. I feel bad for her, she and Pete are buddies!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MKandtheforce 
Are there any other places in Maine I could buy Delawares? It looks like I'll be buying a rooster and three pullets from someone on here, but I'd like maybe a handful more. With the size of my [as of yet unbuilt] coop, I can have 10-12. Plus, if I start breeding, it'll give me more blood to work with.

You could try going to Chickenstock in NH in July.  I know one guy is breeding ythem up the coast but he JUST started.  I also recommend talking to the folks in the Heritage Large Fowl forum.  They are very helpful.  If you are up front and say you are new but trying hard to find good breeding stock Delawares they are usually able to hook you up with some people who aren't online.

Does anyone here have Australorp pullets. If so how are their temperments? Also will they get along with my silkie pullet? I have been eyeing them they look awesome!

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickenhatcher 

Does anyone here have Australorp pullets. If so how are their temperments? Also will they get along with my silkie pullet? I have been eyeing them they look awesome!

I have five but they are only two weeks old. So far they have a great temperament. I did have a couple adults a few years ago and they were also wonderful birds. And I did have them housed with some Silkies with no issues. I agree they are a nice looking bird.

We took our first batch of meat birds for processing today. I was just wondering how long I should wait before I cook them? Is there a certain amount of time they need to settle or rest or anything? Anyone want to share their favorite recipe?

On another note, we blended our 2 flocks of young ones today. It went quite smooth and was very entertaining. However, now seeing them all together it is VERY clear that I will be thining the ranks as soon as we can tell what genders we have!

Speaking of thining the ranks, anyone want a couple of polish/sultan crosses? No idea what sex they are, but we have 2 that we aquired by accident.

Quote:

Originally Posted by annabananaandfamily 

We took our first batch of meat birds for processing today. I was just wondering how long I should wait before I cook them? Is there a certain amount of time they need to settle or rest or anything? Anyone want to share their favorite recipe?

You want to wait 48 hours for rigor mortis to pass or else they'll be really tough and chewy. We keep them in the fridge for 48 hours then freeze or use them. Did you get all your necks and other parts (ie if your chickens were cut into wings, legs, breasts did you keep the bones?) - it makes the best stock... ever.

If you do have that stuff, or get it for next time, roast it for about 90 minutes at 350... (the below picture is pre-roast)

Add water and put it in a slow cooker for 24-48 hrs...

Strain fluid and put into canning jars and into fridge for 24 hrs... save the meat and place in freezer bag and freeze - use for pieces for soups, give rest of strained stuff to chickens to pick through (guess I need to replace my socket)

Skim the fat off the top (I feed back to the chickens, others save it for cooking) and freeze. You now have the most amazing stock (and pieces of meat) for stew.

This is the amount of stock from 6 chicken necks, 1 duck neck, and 4 chicken carcasses.