BigBlueHen53: Just BukbukbuKAAWS

[BigBlueHen53]

Well, I was right. I was pretty sure I'd inadvertently banded a big, shiny pullet as a cockerel, so I've been needing to get in the hh* with DH some evening and un-band her. SO much fun, finding one specific black bird out of a field of 15, in the dark! Especially when I hadn't exactly ID'd her yet. So yesterday I stood and observed as they ate their afternoon snack. Observed, not merely watched. And I saw that the cockerels approached timidly, a bit fearful of the OG.** They entered the feeding group cautiously and snatched a few bites before one of the OG swiped at him, as if to peck him. But he was fast and ready, and quickly got out of her way, as did two of the other cockerels.

But wait! What was this? Right smack in the middle of whst I call the feeding circle, was the fourth cockerel! And he was practically rubbing shoulders with two or three of the grumpy OG's that had sent the other cockerels leaping away.

Well, no wonder! The fourth "cockerel," marked by a bright green leg band, was a pullet! Ameraucana cockerels, by this age (16 weeks) have a distinctive tail shape and carriage that marks them as male. Their legs are typically longer and more stout than those of their female counterparts.

I smiled as I looked at her now. Yes, she was definitely a "big ol' gal," significantly larger than any of her flock-mates. But she was all girl, this one. The tail was decidedly feminine, as were the legs.

DH and I successfully unbanded her before going to bed that evening.

But that wasn't thd worst of it.

I'd tagged her as an Amerucana cockerel and dhe wasn't.

She was a Black Australorp!


******

*hh = hen house. Around here a "coop" (rhymes with COOK) is a cage you use to transport chickens in the back of your truck from one farm to another.

**OG = Old Gals. These hens are mostly 2-yo, with some being a little over 1 yo and one being maybe 3 yo. They are: BYM, SS, Lavender Orp-based EE, Sapphire Gems and Prairie Bluebell Eggers.
**BA = Black Australorp

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Bedtime. I appreciate all who are following along on this silly saga! Tomorrow when I can actually type, I will tell you what chicks I ordered for April 15 pickup at Cackle!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

MAGIC POTATOES

I learned how to make these from my friend Sharrel in Farmington, NM. This process changes the harmful simple sugars in potatoes into "resistant starches" that are much better for you, esp if you are insulin resistant or diabetic. Here's the short version: cook the pitatoes till they're barely tender, then refrigerate till thoroughly cooled (several hours or overnight), then cook again.

In following post I will give more detsil.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

MAGIC POTATOES, Pt. 2

The best way to cook the potatoes initially is to steam them rather than to drown them. If you have an Instant Pot, oressure them for about 6 minutes. I use nice big Russets, cut in fourths, side to side and top to bottom. I'll tell you why later. Don't peel them, but do give them a good scrub.

Then refrigerate, preferably overnight.

Next day, grate on large holes og box cutter to make hash browns. Crisp them in a hot skillet in a little healthy oil, salting to taste. Excellent with scrambled eggs.

You can also cook in other ways. I've grated fine and made mashed potatoes(1), grated fine and made potato soup (2), or you can cut into wedges, toss in a little oil, season with Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning (for example, or just salt and pepper) and roast in the oven. Or use your imagination!

(1) I heated in the microwave with a half stick of butter, added some warm milk and bizzed with the electric mixer till smooth.

(2) add a carton of chicken or vegetable stock, a half stick of butter and half a cup of milk, bizz with mixer or stick blender till smooth, add some sauteed onions and celery if desired, a little heavy whipping cream, s/p, garnish with fine-sliced green onions or parsley.

 

[alinas2010]

Bedtime. I appreciate all who are following along on this silly saga! Tomorrow when I can actually type, I will tell you what chicks I ordered for April 15 pickup at Cackle!

Hey what about those chicks?! Thanks for sharing about the potatoes, I have some to use up!

 

[BoundlessLove]

MAGIC POTATOES, Pt. 2

The best way to cook the potatoes initially is to steam them rather than to drown them. If you have an Instant Pot, oressure them for about 6 minutes. I use nice big Russets, cut in fourths, side to side and top to bottom. I'll tell you why later. Don't peel them, but do give them a good scrub.

Then refrigerate, preferably overnight.

Next day, grate on large holes og box cutter to make hash browns. Crisp them in a hot skillet in a little healthy oil, salting to taste. Excellent with scrambled eggs.

You can also cook in other ways. I've grated fine and made mashed potatoes(1), grated fine and made potato soup (2), or you can cut into wedges, toss in a little oil, season with Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning (for example, or just salt and pepper) and roast in the oven. Or use your imagination!

(1) I heated in the microwave with a half stick of butter, added some warm milk and bizzed with the electric mixer till smooth.

(2) add a carton of chicken or vegetable stock, a half stick of butter and half a cup of milk, bizz with mixer or stick blender till smooth, add some sauteed onions and celery if desired, a little heavy whipping cream, s/p, garnish with fine-sliced green onions or parsley.

This is brilliant!!
I will try this! My body does not like a lot of starch. Hurts my joints.
Thank you

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hey what about those chicks?! Thanks for sharing about the potatoes, I have some to use up!

Oh! I thought I did sorry! Okay here:
I ordered
5 Ermine Ameraucana pullets
5 Blue Ameraucana pullets, and
5 Dominique pullets

Lol, thanks for keeping me honest!

This is brilliant!!
I will try this! My body does not like a lot of starch. Hurts my joints.
Thank you

You're very welcome! I lost 10 lbs in a week after learning about these potatoes and eating them!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I can't believe it, I feel SO STUPID! But guess what. I was out there the other aftetnoon watching my birds during afternoon snack time and I about had a heart attack. I do NOT have three Ameraucana cockerels! I have TWO Am cockerels. And ANOTHER Black Australorp pullet with a green leg band, marking her as a cockerel!
You have to understand, when I marked these guys it was at night, they were all shuffling around, they all had their tails down and it was really tricky trying to identify them. And the BA hens had not sprouted nice big adolescent combs yet! It's obvious she's a pullet NOW and should be laying soon. Good grief!

 

[BoundlessLove]

I can't believe it, I feel SO STUPID! But guess what. I was out there the other aftetnoon watching my birds during afternoon snack time and I about had a heart attack. I do NOT have three Ameraucana cockerels! I have TWO Am cockerels. And ANOTHER Black Australorp pullet with a green leg band, marking her as a cockerel!
You have to understand, when I marked these guys it was at night, they were all shuffling around, they all had their tails down and it was really tricky trying to identify them. And the BA hens had not sprouted nice big adolescent combs yet! It's obvious she's a pullet NOW and should be laying soon. Good grief!

Wow! That is now two pullets that aren’t cockerels.
You have the exact opposite situation of around 99% of people posting on “What breed or gender” thread.
Quick! Go check the other two cockerels.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm sure of the other two, but you're exactly right, lol!