Getting the flock out of here - a diary of a crazy chicken man

[ozexpat]

I would make you some bone broth if you were closer, but I need at least a days notice! Seriously get well fast, that stinks

some one who loves me (the local thai rest) just brought me some chicken soup.

I am good now!

 

[LAChick]

We have had a horrible cold go through our little town. Feel better and take advantage of the little things while being at home.

 

[ozexpat]

Its Saturday in the Phils.



The fence is now just 25 panels from complete. Hopefully by the time I arrive they will be on the last panel or going back to stucco the cinder blocks.



What a huge project! 2.5 acres feels small when you want to buy fat tailed sheep but massive when you want to build a concrete fence around it.



The garden is doing well. Analou germinated 5 heirloom tomato seeds from 2012 season I had, It will be great if they survive. I have a few more varieties on my bedside table over there so next time Mrs Oz goes to the farm she can try more.



The egg plant and bell peppers have started as well.



The quail are 3 weeks old tomorrow. Almost half way to sexual maturity. I expect quail eggs the week I am there. My kids will be happy. Boiled quail eggs are their favorite snack.

 

[Tomtommom]

Wonderful news, Oz! Glad things seem to be looking good on several fronts.

I will be starting my peppers indoors next week. And chicks should be hitting feedstores mid february as well. With the unusual weather here, I cannot wait for spring!

 

[ozexpat]

They have so many local tomatoes growing its madness. 50 plants will fruit at once. We will be doing some serious stewing.

The animals will be happy! They say goats love tomatoes.

 

[Tomtommom]

Mmmm chicken stewed in tomatoes.... I actually learned this recipe from a neighbor who came to Holland from the Dutch Antilles.

Take bone-in chicken (wings are nice, so are legs and thighs), simmer with stewed tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, loads of garlic and a bit of chili paste (sambal) and 1-2 boullion cubes. Serve with rice.

 

[perchie.girl]

Hey Oz, thanks for your help with all the chicken site stuff and the name! The site wasnt up more than 24 hrs and I had images stolen and used! so I am going through and adding my name to them....

is there an easy way to watermark then adding text? I will ask around! Thanks oodles! These are some of the last hatch!

I use Corel software and there is a provision for watermarking your pictures... YOu have to put it across the picture though. So that in order to remove the water mark they have to redraw most every pixel in its path. A very painstaking process.... I have done it just for practice... BUT once you post your pictures on the internet they are common law copywrited. Because of the time stamp that the original was posted with. Sigh So the Watermark keeps people honest.... but it can be defeated.

So your text would work except you placed it in postions where someone could easily crop it out or duplicate it out.... IF your picture software has the ability to print in semi transparent color and font that you like then place the text diagonally across the photo. Also find the copywrite symbol and place that in the text as well with the date.

IF you want I could do it for you.... You have to give me permission though. I need the practice.

deb

 

[ozexpat]

I am of Italian heritage.

We have a never ending list on how to use tomatoes

I have just never had 50 plants. We are talking 500-1000lbs if they all fruit!

Dont get me wrong, I am good with it and have more seeds to plant in a month.

 

[ozexpat]

Today I had a lesson in yokes

Yes yokes - not yolks. I am talking the device that attaches to a beast of burden to disperse the load they are pulling

There are two types in the Phils (both withers yokes) that water buffalo use - one for plowing and a different design for carts.

As it is time to get motza used to a load, she is getting one of each.

 

[perchie.girl]

Today I had a lesson in yokes

Yes yokes - not yolks. I am talking the device that attaches to a beast of burden to disperse the load they are pulling

There are two types in the Phils (both withers yokes) that water buffalo use - one for plowing and a different design for carts.

As it is time to get motza used to a load, she is getting one of each.

I am very very interested in this process.... Working cattle or Oxen can out work a draft horse in some cases.... Oxen... Motza.... have a lower center of gravity... so in my opinion they are much better at farm work at a younger age than horses. Horses go faster... Yep even Drafts can book it... but that wastes energy... Hard work means slow work.. Plowing ... mowing... hauling logs..

Historically Any Bovine that reaches the age of 4 can be used as an Ox. Though training needs to start really early actual work needs to wait till the Bovine is old enough. With Cattle that is around three to four years.... Cattle dont sweat like horses do so heat is a factor.... Water Buffalo have an added advantage... they work in an environment where they can take advantage of places to Cool off.

IF I get a cow... I want a minature breed. Something that when I breed it to refresh... that the calf will get a good chance at life. Or be good for the freezer. Training momma to be an oxen will be fun wether or not we succeed.

For what its worth .... Steers that become Oxen keep growing... Till they are as much as seventeen hands and over 2000 lbs. Those can move mountains... and because of the training process become Pocket bovines.... LOL.. very friendly .... surprisingly intelligent too.

I love my draft horse... she needs a companion... cows work. So do goats.... LOL>

deb