Recent content by bucketgirl

Thanks.

Back after a long hiatus. Finally got a property where I can do eggs and meat again...I am beyond elated. I want your advice on what specific charger to buy. Here is the scenario. It will be some time before my new property is fully fenced (need a survey and a lot of chain link). Until...

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Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. Number 9 went into the garbage can today :( I have four more that don't seem thrifty enough to walk separated into a separate environment. I was hoping this would help. I think in the future I'll stick to Rangers...multicolored and hardy...

Thanks for posting this...this is very helpful information. Do you mind giving me a pointer to where you got electrolytes/vitamins? Thanks.

Normally, I raise pastured rangers. Never lost even a single chick, except once to an accident. Decided to try, on a farmer's reco, the breed sometimes referred to as Cornish X. I have 50 plus whatever extra he gave me. They are dropping like flies, it seems. First one died, maybe due...

Nope, doesn't sound horrible. The farmer I work with said he tries to keep his losses to 5% and expects not more than 10%. Does that sound right to you?

First, I want to say that I totally understand how foolish it may seem to worry this much about a bird that cost me $1.50 and I'm planning to kill in 6 weeks. This is less about worry and more about learning. Here's the story. I've always raised pastured rangers. Never lost a chick. I lost...

dumplings made with chicken fat are sublime. When we peel chicken feet, we swish them again in the scald water again. Then, if you pinch the nail, the skin/cuticle/peelings slides off like a sock on each toe. Slide off from the nail - very creepy, but quick.

I don't see why not. In our first batch, one of the birds made it through the plucker and into the freezer with everything from neck to vent intact. I had quite a surprise when I thawed him out, but the guts came out in a neat, partially frozen package, the dogs enjoyed the proceeds, and the...

I bought some DE and also wood pellets. I assume the DE works by keeping the bedding really dry? Or does it sequester the ammonia somehow? How much should I use? (I bought food grade)

Quote: As an aside, some cultures consider cold foods (iced tea, ice cream, gazpacho) to be cooling in hot weather. Other cultures believe hot foods cool you down the best (notably hot tea). I am from the U.S. but have found over my lifetime that I don't like the feeling of consuming...

>:[ Grr... hating raccoons right along with you. Mystery to me why they are protected by everyone and even fed by a few people.

I find that resting for 3-4 days is helpful. Low and slow cooking is helpful. I took a cue from a local grower and always refer to it as a "firmer" meat, instead of a chewier meat. Remember back in the day when pork was 'the other white meat'? Well, it was selectively bred that way, in order...

I have 50 Freedom Rangers in the brooder right now, and I would like some ideas on keeping the smell down. I have an air filter that moves air over the bedding 8 hours during the day and 2 in the evening. I use pine chips for bedding, and constantly add fresh. However, they sometimes spill...