34* and little white things blowing around off and on. I hate the cold. But I am glad it has been raining instead of snowing, we would be in a world of snow. We have lots of floods and mud and rain and more rain. I did manage to get plastic around the two D'Uccle attached runs, yesterday in the mud. Today finishing the windows in the house.
I don't know which is worse! UPDATE - JUST A FEW MORE LEFT...
- Thread starter EggsForIHOP
- Start date
Quote:
please do not singe pinfeathers in the house! (I know you didn't mention doing that.. but i thought i would throw it out there)
As a kid growing up we butchered our birds.. and my mother had an old gas stove in the laundry room that she would use to singe off the pinfeathers.. it STUNK !
I could be at the other end of the house and smell that awful smell (and yup.. she would do it in the dead of winter in Delaware too.. so no opening windows to get that smell out)
so maybe process in the house and make sure you singe them outside lol
As for me.. well.....
i have too many dogs and cats in the house who would want to "help" with processing .. even though they won't kill a bird they sure would want to help and see what I was doing (nosy buggers)
so I have to process outside
please do not singe pinfeathers in the house! (I know you didn't mention doing that.. but i thought i would throw it out there)
As a kid growing up we butchered our birds.. and my mother had an old gas stove in the laundry room that she would use to singe off the pinfeathers.. it STUNK !
I could be at the other end of the house and smell that awful smell (and yup.. she would do it in the dead of winter in Delaware too.. so no opening windows to get that smell out)
so maybe process in the house and make sure you singe them outside lol
As for me.. well.....
i have too many dogs and cats in the house who would want to "help" with processing .. even though they won't kill a bird they sure would want to help and see what I was doing (nosy buggers)
so I have to process outside
Reality check - yesterday morning: -16 degrees and 25 mph wind. Actual comment to DH yesterday at +16 degrees and 10-20 mph winds with 35 mph wind gusts: "Wyoming has made me into a weenie - it feels cold outside". I grew up in northern WI - winter lows into the -30's and summer highs upto 105. Along with sand flies, mosquitos, gnats, 99% humidity ...
I love it here - 7500 feet in elevation.
Killed 8 mosquitos last summer (new record), highest temp was 92, highest humidity was about 65% (not on the same day), and lows at night in the 60's
Back to topic - relatives would use wax because they did chickens and ducks at the same time. They would do 150 birds in a single day. Cut the heads off and bleed out outside. Dip in the wax and hang to cool in the garage. Take into the kitchen to strip the wax and feathers - that all went into a clean garbage can to be taken outside and remelted in a pot seperate from the dipping pot. Feathers were dipped out to reuse the wax. Feathers ended up as a solid block in a garbage can, easy to dispose of.
Birds gutted and organs sorted on the kitchen table. Chickens washed in the sink - bagged and into the freezer.
We also butchered our venison on the kitchen counter. Hung it in the garage to skin and DH would remove a quarter and bring it in for me to cut up and package.
I love it here - 7500 feet in elevation.
Killed 8 mosquitos last summer (new record), highest temp was 92, highest humidity was about 65% (not on the same day), and lows at night in the 60's
Back to topic - relatives would use wax because they did chickens and ducks at the same time. They would do 150 birds in a single day. Cut the heads off and bleed out outside. Dip in the wax and hang to cool in the garage. Take into the kitchen to strip the wax and feathers - that all went into a clean garbage can to be taken outside and remelted in a pot seperate from the dipping pot. Feathers were dipped out to reuse the wax. Feathers ended up as a solid block in a garbage can, easy to dispose of.
Birds gutted and organs sorted on the kitchen table. Chickens washed in the sink - bagged and into the freezer.
We also butchered our venison on the kitchen counter. Hung it in the garage to skin and DH would remove a quarter and bring it in for me to cut up and package.
You're kidding. Right?
If not, get thee to a WalMart and buy some clothes to get you through the winter.
And a tip -- I/we know it gets hot in Orange County -- there's nothing wrong with sweating when it's hot out, especially if you're exerting yourself.
Listen up, Toto. You are not in Orange County anymore.
That sounds more harsh than I mean it to be. You're a regular and valuable contributor to the boards on BYC.
But, sometimes what we do for our birds goes beyond being a labor of love/respect.
It's work that has to be done, 365/24.
If not, get thee to a WalMart and buy some clothes to get you through the winter.
And a tip -- I/we know it gets hot in Orange County -- there's nothing wrong with sweating when it's hot out, especially if you're exerting yourself.
Listen up, Toto. You are not in Orange County anymore.
That sounds more harsh than I mean it to be. You're a regular and valuable contributor to the boards on BYC.
But, sometimes what we do for our birds goes beyond being a labor of love/respect.
It's work that has to be done, 365/24.
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mmmm... Tamales... I so wish they didn't take so darn long to make!
I'm with you though. I was up at daybreak and out working till around 11. My nose was running like a river but I had my ski overalls on and it wasn't too bad. It was around 32 at first and 45 by the time I came in. Something on a person's neck and ears helps tons. I knitted myself a hood thing that really kinda looks like a tube top lol out of really thick yarn and I love it. Fits snug around my head and neck or I can just wear it around my neck. But wear a knit cap that covers the ears and a warm scarf at least, really helps. Oh and sometimes you can find knit fingerless gloves. Those are the only kind I can work in that are warm.
I've been in Ohio and in Oregon during the summer ans told both times, "Oh it gets hot here too! It's gonna be a scorcher today! In the 90's!" and was just as comfortable as can be. Same when I went to Maine one summer. It's all relative, and all what you're used to. We get cold easily down here and don't always know how to dress for it. Hot weather is what we know. Sweating when you're working is one thing. Sweating buckets of water when you've just gone outside and are standing in the shade is another thing completely. During the summer I wear head bands to keep the sweat from getting in my eyes. I have more than one because they get soaked and the sweat drips into my eyes anyway after about 45 minutes.
So like I said, I'm with you IHOP. Only really, I'm enjoying the cold more than I was the heat. It makes me want to cook. I guess that's cause it's a good way to keep warm
Lots of people process in their kitchen. I'd cheat and do it inside and even if hubby finds out, threaten him with a lashing if he so much as brings a tarp to the door or a deer to the porch!
I'm with you though. I was up at daybreak and out working till around 11. My nose was running like a river but I had my ski overalls on and it wasn't too bad. It was around 32 at first and 45 by the time I came in. Something on a person's neck and ears helps tons. I knitted myself a hood thing that really kinda looks like a tube top lol out of really thick yarn and I love it. Fits snug around my head and neck or I can just wear it around my neck. But wear a knit cap that covers the ears and a warm scarf at least, really helps. Oh and sometimes you can find knit fingerless gloves. Those are the only kind I can work in that are warm.
I've been in Ohio and in Oregon during the summer ans told both times, "Oh it gets hot here too! It's gonna be a scorcher today! In the 90's!" and was just as comfortable as can be. Same when I went to Maine one summer. It's all relative, and all what you're used to. We get cold easily down here and don't always know how to dress for it. Hot weather is what we know. Sweating when you're working is one thing. Sweating buckets of water when you've just gone outside and are standing in the shade is another thing completely. During the summer I wear head bands to keep the sweat from getting in my eyes. I have more than one because they get soaked and the sweat drips into my eyes anyway after about 45 minutes.
So like I said, I'm with you IHOP. Only really, I'm enjoying the cold more than I was the heat. It makes me want to cook. I guess that's cause it's a good way to keep warm
Lots of people process in their kitchen. I'd cheat and do it inside and even if hubby finds out, threaten him with a lashing if he so much as brings a tarp to the door or a deer to the porch!
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- Thread starter
- #16
LOL....I told Toto we weren't in OC anymore...and Toto told me something VERY not nice, and put herself on the couch!
Actually, her name isn't Toto, it's Ming, and she really has only dashed out to potty and then come back in for several days now...even the Shar Pei hates this cold! Usually, she's right there with me, hanging out, being my little wrinkled best bud and helper - she still hasn't gotten off the couch today...she too is waiting for the ice to melt I guess.
Yinepu - I TOTALLY forgot about the pinfeathers! I wouldn't singe 'em in the house though...I would go back out on the porch
I can't stand that burnt smell either!
Yesterday wasn't too bad actually, though it was shot straight to heck before I could get much done...hopefully today it warms up like yesterday, if it does, i may give this processing thing in the winter a go...OUTSIDE! I'm still looking for my "big girl panties"...I know I need to put 'em on and suck it up and get out there and just "get 'er done"!
Right now however, there is still ice everywhere...I have baby birds I had NOT planned on in my kitchen...there's things to feed and I am still in my pajamas...and there's that ice...
And ScottyHOMEy...I'm not kidding...I guess because I never learned to smother myself down in "winter clothes" I have a HARD TIME putting on more than a sweatshirt and jeans...even the hood on my hoodie tends to go unused...hats make my head itch...we own a TON of "winter clothes"...long johns, gloves, scarves...I can't stand to be in 'em! I feel stifled and claustrophobic! My husband was stationed in Alaska for a year...he can run around in freezing weather in a t-shirt and jeans and be fine...I just watch from the house...BUT...you are right...time to suck it up because I wants some chicken for dinner!
I'm gonna give the outside processing a go if it gets warm today....maybe...I'll report back with the results if I do! Otherwise, I have until Friday to process by stealth in house...either way we are having fresh chicken this weekend!
And Galanie -cooking IS a great way to stay warm! Tamales take forever, but your house will be toasty warm and you won't need to run the heater hardly all weekend if you start a batch right now...I have a shoulder off of our last big hog...you come get it...bring me back a few of your tamales...and we'll call it a trade
Should keep you cozy AAALLLLL weekend with all the cooking it requires!
Actually, her name isn't Toto, it's Ming, and she really has only dashed out to potty and then come back in for several days now...even the Shar Pei hates this cold! Usually, she's right there with me, hanging out, being my little wrinkled best bud and helper - she still hasn't gotten off the couch today...she too is waiting for the ice to melt I guess.
Yinepu - I TOTALLY forgot about the pinfeathers! I wouldn't singe 'em in the house though...I would go back out on the porch
Yesterday wasn't too bad actually, though it was shot straight to heck before I could get much done...hopefully today it warms up like yesterday, if it does, i may give this processing thing in the winter a go...OUTSIDE! I'm still looking for my "big girl panties"...I know I need to put 'em on and suck it up and get out there and just "get 'er done"!
Right now however, there is still ice everywhere...I have baby birds I had NOT planned on in my kitchen...there's things to feed and I am still in my pajamas...and there's that ice...
And ScottyHOMEy...I'm not kidding...I guess because I never learned to smother myself down in "winter clothes" I have a HARD TIME putting on more than a sweatshirt and jeans...even the hood on my hoodie tends to go unused...hats make my head itch...we own a TON of "winter clothes"...long johns, gloves, scarves...I can't stand to be in 'em! I feel stifled and claustrophobic! My husband was stationed in Alaska for a year...he can run around in freezing weather in a t-shirt and jeans and be fine...I just watch from the house...BUT...you are right...time to suck it up because I wants some chicken for dinner!
I'm gonna give the outside processing a go if it gets warm today....maybe...I'll report back with the results if I do! Otherwise, I have until Friday to process by stealth in house...either way we are having fresh chicken this weekend!
And Galanie -cooking IS a great way to stay warm! Tamales take forever, but your house will be toasty warm and you won't need to run the heater hardly all weekend if you start a batch right now...I have a shoulder off of our last big hog...you come get it...bring me back a few of your tamales...and we'll call it a trade
- Thread starter
- #18
Oh to be spoiled with a garage!!!! We have a cabin...those do not come with garages out here!!! I miss the concept of a garage...but I do not know that I miss it so badly I would spend the money on one...the people that built this place I think felt the same way...no garage funding was available to them when they built I guess...
I would love to have a place to do things with a concrete floor and all that...but I haven't had access to a garage where I live since I left California and since my father in law passed away...he had a "city house" complete with garage...we don't even have a tub in the bathroom! Just the shower...no tub...no soaking...no bubbles unless it's soap on poofy!
IF I had a garage, I would use it though
I would love to have a place to do things with a concrete floor and all that...but I haven't had access to a garage where I live since I left California and since my father in law passed away...he had a "city house" complete with garage...we don't even have a tub in the bathroom! Just the shower...no tub...no soaking...no bubbles unless it's soap on poofy!
IF I had a garage, I would use it though
So I take it that ice fishing is not your cup of tea?
Summer in AZ is the worst. I'd move back to CO or OK and take winter anyday. Maybe not the northern IA winters, they were pretty long and nasty. But even N. CO winters were better than AZ summers.
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