Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

I'm delighted: I had just heard that beginning of the month, they measured the snow in the Sierra Nevadas. Last year at the same time: 5 feet. This year: 5 inches. Last year: nasty on fires. Implication: this year is worse. (Provided the info on the snow load is true). At this point, ANY moisture is a WONDERFUL THING!!!

Then I agree.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Expect to have to back track at some point. Don't get down on yourself when it happens. Expect it and keep going.

Helpful advice & good for me to hear, thank you!

 

[Kris5902]

Harvest 1/3rd of the flowers and make dandelion wine.

I tried this in 2020… it didn’t go well. I need a better mold free environment. I have trouble even getting sauerkraut and Kombucha to work out. I did try a dandelion Jun that didn’t turn out too awful, but it was a little sweet (kombucha made with honey and dandelion flowers essentially). I used to do a lot of fermentation back in our house in the city, I was producing enough Kombucha for several friends and myself, and got pretty decent at the flavourings and secondary fermentation to carbonate. I’m just itching to get something going again, but the different moods, mildews and other trailer cultures seem to just overwhelm things. And keeping a stable enough temperature is also a challenge.

 

[micstrachan]

At this point in time she is a red chick as far as breed goes. Cinnamon Queens are supposed to have straight combs, she has a pea comb. She came out of a bin that had Cinnamon Queens and Americuana's in it. The only other breeds listed on their bins that could have turned into a red hen were Rhode Island Reds. That pea comb just throws me for a loop, are there Rhode Island Reds with pea combs?

Well, Rhode Island Reds with pea combs are Buckeyes.

 

[rural mouse]

I tried this in 2020… it didn’t go well. I need a better mold free environment. I have trouble even getting sauerkraut and Kombucha to work out. I did try a dandelion Jun that didn’t turn out too awful, but it was a little sweet (kombucha made with honey and dandelion flowers essentially). I used to do a lot of fermentation back in our house in the city, I was producing enough Kombucha for several friends and myself, and got pretty decent at the flavourings and secondary fermentation to carbonate. I’m just itching to get something going again, but the different moods, mildews and other trailer cultures seem to just overwhelm things. And keeping a stable enough temperature is also a challenge.

Try doing an oil infusion: dry the flowers face down low/warm overnight in the oven. Then put them in a glass jar (canning jars work well), 2/3 full. Cover with olive oil (or other liquid oil of preference) to at least an inch above, stir to remove bubbles. Lid it, set in sunny window 6 weeks (or so) stirring daily (pick up jar, turn over a few times and set back down). strain by removing lid and screwing ring back on over a coffee filter, invert jar (angled) over another jar, prop jar, puncture filter above oil line (in a dry patch) and let drain. Lid and label the oil, compost the dandelions or add 1/3 fresh and start another. Use the oil in salad dressing with dandelion greens or make soap or make an arthritis salve (dandelions supposedly have some minor pain relieving properties, particularly for arthritis). BONUS: early bee food for the flowers, chickens love the leaves, and the roots (dried and grated) make an ok coffee substitute.

 

[micstrachan]

I am going to do a formal introduction to Granny. This is the only 1 of the 3 chipmunk chicks that I am fairly sure is a pullet. I keep going back and forth on the other 2. If she is a suspected EE she has one thing going for her to pass off as a Cinnamon Queen, she's going to be red. Then again, I also now question the EE as she has yellow legs. I truly do not know what breed Rural King sold me as Cinnamon Queens.
View attachment 3060442View attachment 3060443View attachment 3060445View attachment 3060447

@ChicoryBlue do you think we could be looking at a Buckeye here?

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Here are a few photo's of the 2 that keep me guessing on their gender.

 

[Kris5902]

I'm delighted: I had just heard that beginning of the month, they measured the snow in the Sierra Nevadas. Last year at the same time: 5 feet. This year: 5 inches. Last year: nasty on fires. Implication: this year is worse. (Provided the info on the snow load is true). At this point, ANY moisture is a WONDERFUL THING!!!

If I could ship you all my wet I would… fires suck.

 

[Kris5902]

Try doing an oil infusion: dry the flowers face down low/warm overnight in the oven. Then put them in a glass jar (canning jars work well), 2/3 full. Cover with olive oil (or other liquid oil of preference) to at least an inch above, stir to remove bubbles. Lid it, set in sunny window 6 weeks (or so) stirring daily (pick up jar, turn over a few times and set back down). strain by removing lid and screwing ring back on over a coffee filter, invert jar (angled) over another jar, prop jar, puncture filter above oil line (in a dry patch) and let drain. Lid and label the oil, compost the dandelions or add 1/3 fresh and start another. Use the oil in salad dressing with dandelion greens or make soap or make an arthritis salve (dandelions supposedly have some minor pain relieving properties, particularly for arthritis). BONUS: early bee food for the flowers, chickens love the leaves, and the roots (dried and grated) make an ok coffee substitute.

I could certainly do the oil, and if I wait until it’s warmer and drier out can dehydrate with solar. The propane oven is tricky with temperature maintenance… something about mice, missing insulation, and wet heat…

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I should also point out that it is almost impossible to get decent pictures of the hooligans. When I am with them they have 2 favorite past times. The first is eating, their 2nd is their new favorite game of flying up and perching on me. They like my lap, shoulders, arms and 2 of the orps insist the best spot is the top of my head.