Consolidated Kansas

[HEChicken]

I make a powdered version using bar soap (Fels Naphtha when I can get it), baking soda, washing soda and borax. I have a used front loader and have never had a problem using this formula. If it sudses, I haven't seen it. I only need to use about 2 T. per load, so the amount of actual soap involved isn't that much.

Some other thoughts I had about what we do to save money here and there:
- Salad dressings are expensive for the amount you get and are so easy to make at home. Homemade tastes better, too. DH hated vinaigrette salad dressings until I started making our own. He couldn't believe how much better it tastes. For 5 minutes of effort, we get a superior product without all the additives and preservatives. Vinaigrette lasts forever in the fridge, too.
- I wash and reuse baggies until they get holes in them.
- I do all the laundry in cold water unless I have some specific reason to use warm or hot. I was a little skeptical about that when I first started doing it, but I can't see any difference in the cleanliness of my clothes.
- DH trims my hair. That saves a ridiculous amount of money. Of course, I basically have Cher hair, so all he has to do is cut it straight across the bottom. My MIL used to cut her daughters' hair. I love her dearly, but I'd have to be pretty desperate to do that to my hair!

Where do you get Fels Naphtha? I have heard of it but don't even really know what it is. Also, Borax? Is it at the grocery store, or do you have to go to a hardware store?

Oh, some more good suggestions! I also reuse baggies, wash in cold water (it means I don't have to separate clothes into whites and coloreds) and I forgot all about the hair cuts. I trim DH and DS's hair myself, and haven't been in a salon for years. My hair is in a long braid down my back and about every other year I have DD cut 12" off that I send to Locks of Love. They use donations of hair (they need a minimum of 10") to make wigs for kids with cancer. For salad we don't really use dressing but just drizzle a little vinegar and oil over the top of the salad.

I did think of another money-saving thing we do as I got ready to take a shower this morning, and that is....cut down on showering! I used to be a showering fool - I didn't like to start the day unless I'd had 20 minutes under hot, running water. But eventually, in order to sleep in a little longer, I stopped showering EVERY day and now DH and I each only shower about twice a week. That also meant I cut down on hair washing. I used to think I had oily hair that needed washing every day. But it turns out, the more you wash it, the oilier hair gets as it goes into overdrive, trying to replace the natural oil that keeps getting washed. So if you think you have oily hair, the solution is to wash it less often! A little counter-intuitive, yes? I now only wash my hair once a week and then it is because it is too dry and I need to wash it to add conditioner to moisturize.

The benefit of showering and washing hair less often is the obvious - less hot water used, and less water used period. There is also a small savings in bathroom products. I don't go through a bottle of shampoo nearly as often as I used to, and a bar of soap lasts a lot longer too.

For Basil - would you mind sharing some recipes that you use it for? I have some growing that my mother-in-law gave me, but I honestly have no idea how to use it or what to use it in. I believe I have regular basil and a variety called purple basil.

On the Borax - if you haven't heard, there are places you should not use it. They say not to use it with newborns, if you're pregnant, etc. I don't currently fit in any of the categories that they say not to use it in, but if you read up on it, it sounds like pretty harsh stuff. I avoid it for that reason, but I know that there are a lot of people who use it in so many different places around the house. (NOTE: I did not, in any way, intend to sound mean on this, so please forgive me if I do. I'm just trying to let everyone know that there are quite a few people who refuse to use Borax because of all the situations that are listed in the "Do Not Use" category.).

I don't have any actual recipe. For pesto I used to just pick as many leaves as I could in 20-30 minutes (stripped off their little branches), then throw them in the food processor, and start to pulse. I drizzle olive oil in until it is the desired consistency. Oh - I forgot the pine nuts - throw a handful of those in, and if you like garlic, add that to taste as well.

The only thing I know about Borax is that my neighbor in Australia used it to poison ants, so I guess it is something to be careful using.

 

[michelleml]

Sounds like your rooster might have mites or a cold. That is usually why they do that. I have one that does it all the time and I keep treating him for mites but it hasn't stopped.

How to i check for mites or know if he has a cold?

 

[checoukan]

The best way to check for mites, is to look at the birds vent. If you see some silvery powder looking dust in the feathers under the vent, that is Mite POO. You got mites. Sometimes if you move the feathers on the back of the bird and look at he skin you will see the little tiny things run. Have you ever held a chicken, and then felt like you had something crawling all over you. That is mites.

A cold, look for nasel discharge, watery eyes, a sneeze, fluffed feathers, and sitting around hunkered down with eyes closed. The "KAW" sound. just some quick tips.

 

[cherwill]

Lizzy, I love basil. Next to rosemary, it's my favorite cooking herb. I use it in marinara sauce, which I make in big batches and freeze. I use the marinara for pizza, spaghetti, sauce over any meat, and for a meal where you bring the marinara to a simmer, then gently cook eggs in it. You can make a well in the sauce to crack the egg into and then simmer until the eggs are as cooked as you like them. Basil is also good in marinades and soups. I used to make a French-type bread with olive oil and basil in it but for some reason I haven't done that in a long time. Fresh basil can be chopped and sprinkled into salads or over pastas. You can do it with basil that's been frozen, but it's not as pretty -- it turns a pretty dark color when frozen. Pesto is good mixed with potatoes or pasta, as a spread for bread or sandwiches, makes an interesting potato salad. Jamie Oliver has a recipe for a nice salad of fresh mozzarella with dollops of pesto, lemon zest and olive oil. If you're really adventurous, a small amount of basil goes well with blueberries both fresh and in muffins. You can use it in vinaigrettes, but the vinaigrette might not keep forever with a fresh herb in it so you'd want to use it fairly quickly. If you want specific amounts on any of these, I'll try to get that to you. I don't like uncooked tomatoes, but basil is used in a lot of tomato salads including one where you layer slices of tomato with fresh mozzarella and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with basil, salt and pepper. You can also drizzle a little balsamic vinegar over it. What does everyone else use their basil for?

Just because I've mentioned the marinara so often lately, I'll share the recipe. It's from Giada de Laurentiis and my niece and I think it's the best! It makes 8 cups per batch.The vegetables can be as finely or coarsely chopped as you like. It depends on how chunky you like your sauce and how much you need to disguise them.

It doesn't call for basil, but I often add a couple of tablespoons of fresh basil. You can also sprinkle the basil over whatever you're using the sauce for.

1/4 c. olive oil
2 small onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 large cans crushed tomatoes (I think they used to be 32 oz. but are now 28 oz.)
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
2 dried bay leaves

In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and saute until the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the carrots, celery, salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and bay leaves, and simmer over low heat until the sauce thickens, about 1 hour. Season with more salt and pepper to taste, if you like. Remove bay leaves before serving.

Thank you for the info on borax. I knew it wasn't a great product though I don't fit into any of those categories either, but I didn't know how else to make my laundry detergent. It's the only thing I use it for. I saved some of the links that have been posted here and I think one had a detergent that was borax-free. I might try that when I need more. I think it was a liquid recipe, though, and I prefer powder. I'll have to see what I can find out there.

You can just use pure baking soda to brush with. That's what I usually use, along with the cinnamon oil. I have a small jar I keep it in, so I was just mixing the oil in -- just a drop or two -- to suit me. This last batch I tried a different recipe I found and it's pretty good: 2 T. baking soda, 1/2 t. finely ground sea salt, 1/4 t. powdered ginger and 3 drops peppermint oil (but I used cinnamon oil). The recipe says the baking soda whitens teeth and freshens breath, the salt tightens the gums and the ginger and oil fight bacteria and provide flavor. I mixed up a couple of batches and put what didn't fit in my jar in a baggie. I think if you make too much at one time, the essential oil might get weaker over time I think. The recipe says to use 1/2 t. powder when you brush. I've only been using this recipe a couple of days, but I like it. It's still salty, though ... I don't have a recipe that uses the Xylitol, but I've seen it online occasionally.

 

[cherwill]

Where do you get Fels Naphtha? I have heard of it but don't even really know what it is. Also, Borax? Is it at the grocery store, or do you have to go to a hardware store? Our Wal-Mart has both of those products now, as well as washing soda. They didn't used to carry those when I first started making detergent, so I used a bar of Ivory soap instead. I think I got the Borax at an Ace Hardware store. When I can get the Fels, I only have to use 1/2 a bar per batch instead of whole bar of regular soap. If you have a recipe for powdered detergent without the Borax, please share!

My hair is in a long braid down my back and about every other year I have DD cut 12" off that I send to Locks of Love. They use donations of hair (they need a minimum of 10") to make wigs for kids with cancer. Wow, what a good person you are. I don't think I could do it. I've spent so many years growing my hair long and it's my one nice feature! I really admire you for doing that.

The only thing I know about Borax is that my neighbor in Australia used it to poison ants, so I guess it is something to be careful using. Something to think about ...

You might think I have nothing better to do today with all the time I've spent here, but you'd be wrong. I'm just doing a better than average job of procrastinating!

 

[sarajoy]

Thanks all for the suggestions - and, yes, I'll keep the younguns separate. Seems wisest on all fronts. The big ones have come and "checked them out" - they have a hidey place, but also a run/pen, and were out exploring. The big ones came up and clucked at them, the rooster sounded forth a bit, but they pretty soon lost interest. the young ones hid out for a bit, but are back exploring their pen now. They were completely inside till they arrived here, so they are having a big adventure!!

Another question - do any of you have LGD's? I am buying a male puppy, 3 months old, who has grown up in a shelter rightside a busy henhouse. The parents guarded both the chickens and several goats. The puppies were learning from the parents. So I'm guessing he'll be okay with the chickens. I'll keep him in his own pen for awhile and only let him out while I'm out to supervise, and make sure he is trained and responds to my commands. But I'm also hoping to find a female puppy or young dog to companion the male. The one I'm getting today is a mix, 3/4 Pyrenees, 1/4 Anatolian. And no big price tag on him. So far I am striking out in finding any females anywhere close enough for me to drive, and none without a huge price. Do any of you have a mixed LGD female puppy or young dog who is accustomed to chickens, and you might be willing to sell for fifty dollars or less? I live on 400, 7 miles west of Parsons. I could travel fifty miles or thereabouts. We'll be moving (probably to Wilson County KS) in spring, and at that point will get two dairy goats, so it would be ideal if your puppy was also familiar with goats. But it seems most LGD's will work well with goats, some will chase chickens. So I'm more concerned about the familiarity with chickens. Thanks, Sara

 

[chicken danz]

Many of us have LGDs and most are Great Pyrenees but I don't think any one has a pup to spare right now. There are often adds for them on Craigslist. I will keep my eyes open for you. I don't know that you'll find one for $50 unless someone has to rehome one though.
I've been out working on pens again all afternoon. I got my gate built for my new enclosure but I'm not liking it so I think I will rebuild it to fit and different way and use this one in one of the other pens.
I never got my eggs ready or made it to town with them. My customers are going to start buying eggs elsewhere if I don't get my act together. This darn predator owl and getting ready for winter weather is just about more than I can handle.
I've still got chicks to feed again so I'd better get back to it.

 

[tweetysvoice]

I make chinese fried rice all the time-- I start with the white rice and cool it. Then put it in the pan and brown it, throw in seasoning and soy and THEN push it all to the side and drop in eggs and scramble them in the skillet and then when they are chopped and how I want them, just mix it all together. YUM!! (in Walmart, you can buy powder packets of fried rice seasoning in the Asain section-- it's good!) I also use Sesame Seed Oil in the rice and it makes it taste more authentic. (also in the asian section)

Chinese food is my absolute favorite and I had NO IDEA that fried rice was this easy to make!!

Rice is something that my tummy has been able to handle, and I've been eating a couple tablespoons of scrambled egg as well, so I could easily make some of this and get 1/4 cup of something that would taste much better than the plain white rice! Thank you!

- I wash and reuse baggies until they get holes in them.
- I do all the laundry in cold water unless I have some specific reason to use warm or hot. I was a little skeptical about that when I first started doing it, but I can't see any difference in the cleanliness of my clothes.

I wash and re-use baggies as well. I've started writing on them and putting "apples", "red pepper" So i know what was in there before and I can use the same bag for the same product. It even saves on washing them everytime! We have Darwin, our american bulldog, on a diet. (He weighed in at 167 at the last vet appointment.. oops.. lol) so the dogs now get apples, red peppers, and carrots as their daily treats. No need to rewash those bags!

I also use only cold water for laundry and have never noticed any difference! I've also never shrank anything either because of it! Every great once in a while I'll use hot water with my whites if they are starting to look dingy, but that's about twice a year at the most.

Quote:
I am so glad that I'm not the only one that realizes this! I'm almost embarrassed when i mention to someone that I only wash my hair a couple times a week. The snobby ones think it's "gross", but I am in complete agreement with you! The more I washed it, the more I HAD to wash it!


So my friend, Rayna, is going to give me a few definitely fertilized silkie eggs!! I'm so eggscited! I'm not too sure how fertile the ones laid by my silkie are and I don't want her to not be the mommy she so wants to be. She is definitely purring as well. She purrs everytime I put her back from the daily mandatory potty time (LOL) and she's arranging the eggs again. I had to let DH hear it because he didn't believe me. It's so adorable!

I've been working the past couple days, so at least I've been progressing to the point that I'm not in so much pain that I can't work, and I'm keeping food down as well. a little progress is at least progress. I talked with my Dr again today and she reassured me that it might still take another week for me to really know if the botox worked or not. She's still not discounting it. She's wanting to do a different diagnostic procedure on me as well, something I'd never heard of before - endoscopic ultrasound. It's apparently just like an ultrasound of the guts, only from inside out. how cool is that? LOL. Thanks again for all the well wishes. I love that I can share this with the worlds best bunch of gals

 

[mommahen10]

Danz, I have a 5ish mo old roo that is scared of chickens too. I have him penned with 3 girls, not because I want them to breed but because they're the odd balls. He girls in there, they are just like the picture that I posted of the hen that creeps me out because her head is all red. I didn't even realize that all 3 white hens look like that. I don't see mites, but I'm not sure what I'm looking for either. They've been in the pen for 2 days now. My kids looked up removing Daniel's spurs on youtube last night and were insistent on doing it. We all went out, I had to bring the little kids out too because I didn't want them to be alone if the rooster freaked. The rooster did just fine but my 8yo was bawling she was so scared it was going to hurt him. It didn't seem to hurt him, but he's walking carefully today. I had them use a styptic stick to stop what little bit of bleeding there was and I had them use gentian violet to turn it purple so no one would peck. I'm not sure we will do it again, I will look up just filing them next time. It was a good thing though, it turns out that he's a nice rooster after all. My 13 yo went out today and just picked him up and held him for a while just to. He didn't get mad at all. Danz, that is sad about your brother moving. I know that stuff happens, what can you do? If I brought my boys to your place could you just tell them what and how and have them work for you? I've been tempted to ask so many times, they're young but they're just workers. I go out and work with them all the time. They need instruction still sometimes but they're tough and strong. I have younger kids that are good with picking up outside, we cleaned out a big corner of our property yesterday that I'm not sure we've ever touched. One was trimming out the trees so we could get underneath and we were picking up concrete blocks and big pipes and such, and we made ahuge brush pile. We flat got it done in a few hours. Seriously, if we can help we could put it on the calendar and it wouldn't cost anything.

Speaking of dragging hoses around. Does anyone have a watering system with the nipple waters? We are seriously considering building one. Right now I think I could have one system water 3 different groups of chicks/chickens. I would need another system for the other coop. I saw where you can heat the tank and use a pump to keep the water moving so that it doesn't freeze. It's supposed to be very effective. If it did freeze, I could add heat tape. I've also seen them where you can just use heat, or heat tape to keep them from freezing. I can't decide which way to go. If I do the one that circulates the water, then that would mean that it would need the pump year round, maybe the other way would be better because I wouldn't need electricity all the time.
YAY for egg delivery day, what kind of eggs did you get this time? How do you know it's just one owl? I agree, something has to be done. They seem to know that you have an easy food source. They keep coming back for more. I'm so sorry that you are dealing with this !@#$@#$~~~!!!! I don't understand why they tear off the head and not eat them. That makes it worse. It's like they're not really even hungry.

Hawkeye, when I was a kid my mom locked us out during the day and I percieved it as mean when I was a kid. I don't think that now. We also lived in Louisiana. Anyway, because of that, I can't lock them out. I tell them that they can go out on official business, such as taking out trash or chores or whatever I tell them that needs done. Then in addition to that, when they go out to play that's fine, but once they come in they have to stay in. They get one chance for play time outside so they better prepare before running out the door. That's still a lot of in and out times considering how many people. I thought about running a window unit and having everyone sleep in one room so we could have some relief at night without cooling the whole house. Seriously, when the bill gets over $500, it was well over $500, I'm thinking it was $575, who can pay that? It wasn't even that cool in here. We also opted for running the canner outside but again it created more in and out. Thanks for the DE link, that's not bad at all and free shipping too. I will definitely be trying the vinegar instead of CLR.

maidenwolf, I haven't tried adding essential oils to my cleaning things other than bath soap. I'd like to try the lavender in the laundry I just don't want to use up my precious lavender. My dd saved her money at 14 yrs to go to France with another family and this is what she brought me. I would use it on our skin though. I really like the idea of having wireless thermometers, it would be like having a baby monitor. Gosh, I would need several.
Yay for new chicks sarajoy! I want to see! A very long time ago we put 4 chicks that were 4 weeks old with the other hens. My dh assured me they would care for the babies. They all died. I don't know how old yours are.

Checoukan! They're precious!!!

HEChicken, I use the delay on my washer and my dishwasher to have them wash right before I get up. I don't use my dishwasher often though, maybe once per week, doubt that much. I think it's that I'm washing so much. We do reuse towels, but it's not uncommon for me to do 6 loads in a day. I feel like our house is like glorified camping, we all get dirty and I just keep on washing. My dh calls me on the home phone every morning while he's at work. He couldn't call me on my cell phone because it normally doesn't work here. I don't understand why I can text here but not talk. His phone is the same way, the cell phones have always been this way here. So what was it with your furnace? YES, YES, YES homemade soap works great in front loaders, it't not too sudsy. I only use about 1 1/2 T. of my powdered mix. It lasts so long and the clothes are clean. I've never broken my washers with the soap. I have however clogged our sew pipe with store bought soap. It got solid in the line and it broke off in chunks and felt like soap.

I don't watch TV either Danz, I never have except for maybe Little House on the Prairie. I don't miss it at all. I did feel bad when I didn't know that the hurricane was going to hit my oldest in Louisiana though. The boys put an old dishwasher inside of our big coop to put feed in. That's one of our goals to put feed storage in each feeding area so we don't have to carry feed cans everywhere. It takes 2 trips to get enough feed to this coop. Anyway, I sat there on top of the dishwasher and they laughed at me. I told them I was going to hang with the chickens for a bit, we needed some quality time. I love to watch them so much. Speaking of them, I have one 3 mo old that looks like a barred rock but he/she (I'm not sure) went into the nest box and just sat there. I was surprised, it was their first day in this coop. There was an egg already in there. Today, I found a tiny egg. Surely not????? If she is a girl, she would be half barred rock and half austrolorp. Most of my chicks are on the later side. I feel like everytime I leave the house I waste a day and there is so much to do around here. It's been even moreso since this summer and I started working outside all the time too, now I'm behind on the housework all the time and I feel even more pressured to use my time wisely. I feel like if we both go then neither of us are working, it's better to divide and conquer. If my dh is already in town, then it makes sense to let him get things. I opened the DE link, I plan to read that. I remember you talking about allergies, I have one child that there is just no way I can hang out her clothes. It makes her so miserable. What is it with the dogs and the clothes? I finally got our pup to quit pulling them down and now he's peeing on them. GRRRRR!!!! I'm gonna get a zap wire up yet. OMGOsh! You went through this 4 times. You are very forgiving. I bet he regretted treating you that way when all was said and done. You're right, everything that we go through is what makes us who we are and that may hurt but it makes us better people. I really need to try to add the egg into the rice next time, just to see what happens. I wonder if they kids will mind, I'll have to try it to see. We made your chicken and milk tonight, I think I put way too much flour mixture in it. The whole thing was set like a pudding. It was really good though. I kept the thick stuff, I was going to try to thin it down and add to chicken and noodles tomorrow. For lunch today, I did macaroni and cheese but homemade of course. I made a white sauce and tempered in a few eggs and then added cheese, it didn't take as much cheese this way and they didn't realize I snuck in some good protein. The good part is I have one child who gets a stomach ache from cheese, he was able to eat it because it wasn't as much as I normally put in. You couldn't even tell the egg was there, it was completely smooth. UGH, is that why ramen gives me a headache? I call McDonald's headache food, it happens every time we eat it so we just don't eat it.

I'm going to try the esnipe thing too. All this talk about herbs, I'm going to have to do that next year. I have basil growing in the house but that's it.

I'm sorry you had to give up Sarge, he will surely do better with larger livestock. That's hard.

Sharol, that is cheaper still on the DE. I will look next time we get to Topeka but I don't hardly ever go that way. Thanks for the info.

maidenwolf, it sounds like you really know your doggie treats! That's wonderful!

cherwill, I use the powdered too, my recipe doesn't call for baking soda but it doesn't matter. I'm sure it's safe too for front loaders. We make salad dressing too, we also wash in cold mostly, I cut everyone's hair here, my dd trims mine, the girls get a treat to get a hair cut at a salon sometimes once per year but not every year.

Lizzy, I'm not using my basil either. I bought it for my DIL when they spent 6 weeks here over the summer. The previous time that they came she asked for 'shake basil', I don't know what that is. I should try the toothpaste again too, but I seriously couldn't get by the taste but I should try it again because I was pg then.

HEChicken, I get Fels Naptha at the little grocery store in town. Another lady asked them to carry it. It's hard to grate, I use a food processor. I agree totally with what you are saying about the constant washing teaching your scalp to make more oil but it doesn't seem to stop me. Sometimes in the winter I will skip a day of hair washing, but it's just a habit. I start my day with a shower and I end it with another. I know it's obsessive, I can't go to bed dirty, and I don't feel ready for the day if I don't get clean and dressed. It's my thinking and planning time too.

Thanks for the mites info checoukan. I didn't see any on my suspect birds but I will check again.

Yay Tweety! It sounds like fried rice is an excellent choice for you. Your improvements sound really hopeful. I hope this is the beginning of the end of this terrible tummy trouble. Keep us updated. *hugs*

Night ya'll.

 

[chicken danz]

Glad to hear you are doing better Tweety. I normally wash my hair once a week unless I get really dirty dusty like shoveling out a chicken house or something. My hair however is VERY dry and fine and if I wash it more often it just becomes almost crispy and breaks really easily. I do rinse it every day and use a conditioner on it. It is also naturally curly and ties itself in knots if I don't. I do have to take showers though. I can make it a second day but there's no way I could go longer. I just feel totally grungy. I can't stand body odor on anyone and have always worried about that. I don't mind my hands, feet, legs, and arms being dirty but I want my torso clean!!!!
I was thinking I should print out a little booklet with every one's suggestions so I don't loose track of them. Heaven knows when I might need one of them.
I just thought of something I do that is a bit on the frugal side when it comes to not making your own products. I save my left over lotion bottles. (I also have very dry skin and have to slather lotion on from head to toe or I look like a snake. When I get several bottles collected I put them in the microwave to heat them up and little and put a funnel in one and pour all the old lotion into it. You would be surprised how many times I have filled an entire bottle from a few bottles that wouldn't pump any more up. I tend to do this type of thing with several things. I just saw a show where a guy took the bar soap slivers and put them in the end of a pair of old panty hose and used that to wash with. I never use bar soap because I am allergic to most of it. I have to be very careful about using much of anything with fragrances. But it seemed like a good idea.