Consolidated Kansas

[cherwill]

I was almost 20 pages behind. We've been tree cutting again. A friend had several blue spruces die and said we could have the wood if we would help cut them down. It's very dry and doesn't weigh anything; it's like picking up balsa wood. It may not provide much warmth, but will probably be good for helping the harder woods catch fire if we mix them in the fireplace.

Hawkeye, I hope your MIL is better; it sounds serious but hopefully they'll figure it out and be able to do something about it.

Averytds, our store must not keep as close an eye on the chicken bins, because two of the first six birds we got from the pullet bin ended up being roos. The one chicken I got from the straight run bin was a pullet, though. I LOVE the "screams like a little girl" test, but I'm pretty sure it means one of my four is a roo. It has a fit every time I pick it up. It makes all kinds of noise and flaps its tiny wings and gets everyone else riled up. Not that it's hard to rile them up.

Ivy, I'm sorry about your Serama roo. Runt was precious! Also, I'm dying to hear how the garlic jam is. My aunt made a caramelized bacon jam once that was really good on eggs. BTW, I say "runnoft" all the time, ever since I saw the movie (I've seen it multiple times now). I'm sure anyone who hasn't seen thinks I'm nuts.

Danz, sounds like you had an early Easter egg hunt. I'm so glad I don't have to look all over for my eggs. Mostly they lay in the nesting boxes, but occasionally they lay in the shavings underneath the boxes. Once in a great while one will lay an egg in the yard, usually under one of the lilacs. I can't believe how big Chopper is getting! Sounds like your mom is improving bit by bit; that's good.

MarcAustin, the only breeds I've had from your list are a silver-laced Wyandotte and a RIR. The Wyandotte is very friendly and interested in everything that's going on. The RIR was the friendliest, nicest little chick (sort of made into a pet by the boy living with us at the time). He turned out to be a roo and when he was fully mature, began attacking us. Since I had a little niece who loved going in the chicken yard, we had to find him a new home.

Pikeman, sounds like a lot of us are having trouble leaving the stores without critters (I'm looking at your DH, too, Tweety)! I'm sorry about Pepper, and I hope your kids get better quickly.

Tweety, I'm horrified by the behavior of your daughter's friends about the shower. What a disappointment. Your new chicks are adorable and I particularly love Pearl's pose, looking sideways over her shoulder at us.

Tazcat, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that your MIL is doing better and not in pain.

Tntblake, so sorry about your son. I'll keep my fingers crossed for him, too, that it's fixable and not too painful.

Karen, that's so funny about Dale the Whale and his spa day. Thanks for the laugh; I needed it.

 

[chicken danz]

Cherwill I don't have to look for eggs per say. There are just some of the younger pullets that have chosen remote places to lay. I could leave them when I find them but why not get extra birds? I just use the gals for layers and sell the boys for meat chickens.
I'm so sick of this wind. It is warmer than I expected this morning though.
Hawkeye, that is so sweet. I didn't know what that that leak proof fabric was or where to find it. I haven't found a diaper pattern on line. I looked and that is why I ended up ordering the ones I have. I don't really like their style very well. I've seen pictures of others I liked better. The diapers kind of have to grow with the size of the duck. The ones I have are still way too big for Chopper.
Trish I am so tickled that you found your rabbits. It all worked out nicely. Now you can use those lovely bucks you got.
Josiechick I love that picture of your sabastopols. You should post that full size so we can see them. They are so pretty.
Here are a couple pics I took of Chopper and two new ducks just for size comparison. The had just eaten and are settling down for a nap. It's a good thing I haven't gotten the floor refinished in here!

 

[HEChicken]

That is an amazing difference in size - Chopper is so pretty! It looks like he is still pretty fluffy though and hasn't developed much in the way of feathers yet. I haven't kept ducks since I was a kid so can't remember much about their development. What breed of duck is he?

 

[Deerfield Acres]

Oh Danz - Chopper is SOOO adorable!!! I'm hoping our ducks warm up to us soon. The chicks will hop right onto the hands, but the ducks freak out anytime I come near them.

Karen - I don't know how you do it. No way could have think of eating one of my birds. I couldn't do it. I'm not a vegetarian by any means (love me some steak), but I couldn't physically or mentally butcher another animal. I love them all too much.

Tweety:

I don't know how I do it either, since I haven't yet.

I do apologize for bringing up the subject because I know there are lots of pet owners here. It's just that I'm new to the whole thing and the thought flew in my head and out my fingertips. Believe me, I really get your perspective.

But I will try to explain. Don't worry, I won't explain more than once, I'm just not that dogmatic a person.

My mom, I swear, must have been the very first subscriber to Organic Gardening. I grew up being taught to respect nature and to be aware of the delicate balance that, when respected, makes the world a better place and when ignored causes imbalances, erosion, poor air quality, etc. Her father always had a place in the country with an orchard, gardens, and animals where all his grandkids spent a week every summer, but we also spent as many weekends at his place as we possibly could. We saw the changes in seasons over our childhood, looked at the stars that actually shone brightly in the country, slept outside and ate everything fresh. We rode horses, boated and swam in a pond he had built just for us in a beautiful wooded area. He even had a rope swing tied from a huge tree that we could swing out over the pond, let go and splashdown! When we stood in our boat and rowed it up the creek that twisted and turned in the woods up stream from the pond, we called it Tom Sawyering. We learned to appreciate even the good snakes and recognize the poison ones. We could snack on blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, peaches, pears, apples. We had fresh-from-the cow milk, our eggs came from the chickens and yes, our chicken soup came from chickens he raised himself. I understand now how much work this was but took it blissfully all for granted as a child. My grandfather's example taught us more than plain words ever could have. He taught us that we need to take responsibility for the animals who provide the food we eat. He absolutely hated commercial farming and the treatment of animals like commodities. He taught us that butchering a chicken is something that should be done with respect. He hated seeing acres of beautiful oak trees poisoned in his area to clear the land for pasture that would ultimately be over-pastured. He taught us that an animals life should be the best quality possible and he loved them all. When we were young adults he took us to a laying facility and showed us what the animals' lives were like. It wasn't pretty but it's nirvana compared to what a meat birds' life is like in a commercial operation.

Once I adjusted to the loss of my mom, I realized that all the things I had been taught were not just their beliefs. They were mine. I wanted to do something about it and honor my grandfather and mom in the process. Of all the cousins, I'm sure I would have been voted the least likely to be doing what I am now doing. So I guess it came as a surprise to everyone. Did I ever believe I would butcher a chicken myself? No way. But it truly is the only vote I have against commercial practices. The chicken that I now eat from the grocery store comes from birds who have been treated abominably, never loved or appreciated. That is, unless I buy from a small acreage producer, but then, I have 8 kids to raise and retirement looming for my husband and I can't afford it. This experiment with meat birds is a test for my family. We can either take responsibility for the animals that provide our food, or give it up. Perhaps we will become vegetarians. Even before the loss of mom, I had this idea that I could contribute to lowering our carbon footprint. I had 3 babies in diapers for 2 years and used cloth diapers, not because we couldn't afford disposables but because it was better for the environment. I want something better for the earth, for the animals and for my family and I feel very passionately about that.

We had just purchased this acreage when my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She and I were going to raise chickens together and build an organic garden and orchard. She was going to teach me all the stuff I just took for granted as a kid. After we lost her, my family moved back to the city to help my Dad adjust and only just came back last year now that he's back on his feet.

It's funny now that I think about it. I did my best to ignore my mother's perspective growing up, but I didn't even give birth to any of my children. They are all adopted. My mom and dad took in foster children and I realized when I was 8 years old that there were perfectly lovely children who needed homes, so why add to the population when I could adopt? I don't feel any animosity toward those who prefer giving birth, even when they have lots of kids. It's just not me.

Anyway, I hope that makes it the tiniest bit easier to understand. I promise not to bring it up again, though, because I know it's just too painful to think about for many people.

I guess I'm just an old hippy (without the psychedelic drugs).

 

[chickmama1662]

Hi Karen, well said! I don't post on here too much but had to contribute on this subject. I too love my birds and I'm sure my family thinks I baby them too much; but one can only have so many roosters. I don't process them myself, we found a nice Amish family in Windsor, Missouri that processes the extras for us. They were very respectful and did a great job. It was much easier on us than doing them ourselves. I applaud those of you who do, that was just one step that I didn't want to take; maybe eventually. I feel we do the best we can for our birds while they are with us and then everyone has to make their own choice how to handle the extras. Thanks again for your post.

 

[HEChicken]

Well said, Karen. That is basically my philosophy as well.

I gave up eating meat several years ago because I didn't want to contribute to the abominable way that animals are treated in the meat industry. I decided then and there that if I can't raise and process an animal humanely, then I have no business eating it. As Karen said, I don't push my views on others - just explaining how I feel.

I grew up keeping poultry of all kinds but didn't for many years as an adult as my life situation was not conducive to it. When my family decided several years ago to keep chickens again, we explained to the kids that excess roos would be eaten. DS immediately said he didn't want any part of killing them, and to that we responded that in that case he had no business eating them, because meat is not manufactured onto those styrofoam trays in the supermarket. He saw our point.

I will never ENJOY killing an animal. I don't even like the processing part - plucking eviscerating etc. But I do see it as a necessity. 50% of chicks hatched are male but only a small portion of those actually have a place in the world. So many people are unable to keep roos at all due to city ordinances, and even those who can, don't need more than one roo per 10 or so hens. That means there are a LOT of perfectly lovely birds for whom there is no real purpose in this world. So - when I hatch boys (and I've been fortunately so far to hatch more girls than boys) - they get the same life the girls do - plenty of space in their brooder, transition to outdoors, run around catching bugs, dust bathing, enjoying the sun and eating greens and kitchen scraps in addition to their on-demand feed. But when it is time (and by that I mean when they start to crow), we have no choice but to end it. I won't go into details on our method to avoid upsetting anyone. Suffice it to say that I spent many, many hours online googling various ways to process until I felt confident I had arrived at a method that is humane - fast and virtually pain free. They are handled gently up to the end, I talk to them immediately prior and make sure they are calm and happy when the time comes.

I am excited that we are moving somewhere I will be able to keep roos, however even then I unfortunately won't be able to keep them all so will have to be selective.

 

[Deerfield Acres]

Hi Karen, well said! I don't post on here too much but had to contribute on this subject. I too love my birds and I'm sure my family thinks I baby them too much; but one can only have so many roosters. I don't process them myself, we found a nice Amish family in Windsor, Missouri that processes the extras for us. They were very respectful and did a great job. It was much easier on us than doing them ourselves. I applaud those of you who do, that was just one step that I didn't want to take; maybe eventually. I feel we do the best we can for our birds while they are with us and then everyone has to make their own choice how to handle the extras. Thanks again for your post.

That's a great solution -- how very fortunate to have found them! Maybe I'll be able to find someone like that as well. Gives me hope, anyway!

 

[Candace69]

Hi all came on for a brag, but hadn't been on in a few days and I fall SO far behind.

I know I'll say this, I do eat some of the chickens I raise, along with the rabbits, hogs, goats, etc. I am on some sites, that even though they raise the meat goats, they can't eat them themselves, they may sell them for that purpose, or try to avoid selling them for that purpose, etc. Some can do it, some can't. Either way, we all do what we can, and raise and care for our animals. Some for more pets some for the idea of having something in the freezer.

I personally like the fact that I KNOW what is in the food my family consumes, know how it was raised, know it had a good life, know it didn't suffer or didn't go without. I will admit, I can do some of the dressing, and DH does the butchering; I try to help, but am more squeamish....I learned long ago not to judge one or another, we each have differences, that is what makes the world more interesting.

With the bunnies, I am trying to keep my distance, they are so stinkin' cute, but I am mentally keeping it in my minds eye, keeping it where I remember, they are for the freezer. They are going to benefit my family. Healthy eating.

I will be honest, I got out of the meat goats, but mainly due to them having only one end, the meat end, I have the fiber animals so I can have more than one end. The fiber I get two crops, kid and fleece. And if I want, I CAN dress one, it's not as big a carcass, but it's still a goat or sheep. The Shetland sheep are actually a very fine meat; bred for meat and fiber.....And then I have my milk goats. So I am trying all the way around, with eggs, meat, and putting in my garden, to have as much as I can without having to get it from the store.

You think fresh eggs taste good; you should try a fresh steak! I had no idea how much better flavor there was in your own meat, but I SO understand those that can't do it.

But, now, for my brag, my happy, my excited announcement.....I got my chicks in today!
Picked them up at the post office, from Cackle, not a single death loss, they all look great!!!

 

[Deerfield Acres]

HeChicken: It's so nice to find people who understand. My friends all think I am completely nuts! How does the song go "I've been a fool for lesser things" so it's all good.

Candace: Your birdies are soooooooo cute!!!!! What kinds did you get? I've gotta run but will check back later...

 

[Candace69]

Thanks!

Mainly Speckled Sussex, 25 hens and 2 roos....Then I got more of my Phoenix! (15) Just a hatchery choice, I love the roos and then hens in those... They will hatch Anything for me!
Then we got in 5 buttercups, Kelsey wanted to try those...Then I FINALLY got my polish again! It's been about 8 years since I had them...
I got in 5 each of the blue, black, silver laced and golden laced!

Happy chickie dance...
lol That's not counting what Theresa is going to be sending me come end of April. This is our chickie year!