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  1. bucketgirl

    What equipment do you use for your poultry netting?

    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...
  2. bucketgirl

    Cross Post - Huge losses in my meat flock. Your help appreciated.

    Sorry, we don't allow cross posting. edited by staff
  3. bucketgirl

    Meat birds - normal losses or is something wrong with my flock?

    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...
  4. bucketgirl

    How often to give water by syringe & how much?

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

    Meat birds - normal losses or is something wrong with my flock?

    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...
  6. bucketgirl

    Feeding a chick that is not thriving.

    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?
  7. bucketgirl

    Feeding a chick that is not thriving.

    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...
  8. bucketgirl

    chicken feet

    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.
  9. bucketgirl

    How long can a bird go between dispatch and butchering?

    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...
  10. bucketgirl

    Lime in the Brooder?

    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)
  11. bucketgirl

    What did people do 100 years ago when there was no freezers?

    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...
  12. bucketgirl

    sudden end to freedom ranger experiment

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

    What causes fresh chicken to be a little rubbery/chewy ?

    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...
  14. bucketgirl

    Lime in the Brooder?

    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...
  15. bucketgirl

    Turkey Processing in WA

    Quote: Fresh ground, non-GMO feed is probably never going to be "cheap" against commercial feed. They do not compare. When compared to a similar product I get - whole grain non-GMO layer feed at $27/50lb bag - it's very cheap.
  16. bucketgirl

    Turkey Processing in WA

    Quote: Indeed, we'll be slaughtering around mid-august as well. 50 Freedom rangers hatched around 05/15. We slaughter in Kirkland. (That makes me giggle every time)
  17. bucketgirl

    Salt and pepper

    There's a pretty strong anecdotal history of various types of animals tasting different based on regional diets. There is also a video about a foisgras producer that acheives lots of flavors in the liver, like you say, with a mix of plants and fruits that the geese have access too. I don't...
  18. bucketgirl

    Turkey Processing in WA

    Quote: Aren't they great? We always pay an extra day's rent just as a thank-you for the service. The only downside is that long drive, and the fact that the pickup is at a farm store, where I always find so many things I NEED. Where are you located? We should talk about coordinating our...
  19. bucketgirl

    Turkey Processing in WA

    Quote: Have yet to find cheap feed in western WA. Still nearly 18$ for 50# of 20% flockraiser. Do you know something I don't? May be referring to my deal. I get 1k lbs freshly ground as needed for $350 in Monroe. Right now he is double checking the formula because he is not seeing the...
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