INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[JanetMarie]

We butchered 5 muscovy drakes this past weekend. They were still young, but wanted to be able to handle them without their flight feathers.

Cooked the livers the same day, and they were really good. Pressure cooked then fried the gizzards yesterday, and they were gourmet quality, although I just had one.

I don't eat the muscle meat, but saved some in the freezer for husband, and the kitties had a raw bowl in fridge to eat.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

We butchered 5 muscovy drakes this past weekend. They were still young, but wanted to be able to handle them without their flight feathers.

Cooked the livers the same day, and they were really good. Pressure cooked then fried the gizzards yesterday, and they were gourmet quality, although I just had one.

I don't eat the muscle meat, but saved some in the freezer for husband, and the kitties had a raw bowl in fridge to eat.

Are these drakes all from one hatching? How many females did you get?

 

[JanetMarie]

Are these drakes all from one hatching? How many females did you get?

Yes, all from one hatching. She had a nest hid outside. There are three females from that same hatching, two all white and one lilac/chocolate and white.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Yes, all from one hatching. She had a nest hid outside. There are three females from that same hatching, two all white and one lilac/chocolate and white.

Amazing that the drakes outnumber the hens by that large of a ratio.

 

[Puffwool]

Hello I am needing someone close to Muncie, IN to help transport a pair of chickens to Sevierville, TN ! Please help

 

[pginsber]

We want to hatch some fertilized eggs that have been in the fridge awhile. What’s the limits of fridge time before they’re no longer viable?

 

[JanetMarie]

Amazing that the drakes outnumber the hens by that large of a ratio.

Last year we had four females and one male.

 

[JanetMarie]

Hello I am needing someone close to Muncie, IN to help transport a pair of chickens to Sevierville, TN ! Please help

A courier service may be able to help.

 

[Indyshent]

Oh grief, @Faraday40, if I'd known you were looking for a dog...

We are having a really hard time right now. DH has sold the house out from under us, our nicer car was totaled by a drunk who ran off, we're going to have to move into a dinky apartment, the kids are moving in with my in-laws... and nobody seems willing to take our bigger dog (or want any of our animals).

My parents are willing to take in the old pug mix and our cat, but the Rottweiler (possible Lab mix) is just too big, and--even if we could find an apartment willing to let us bring her--she's just not well suited for apartment life. She'll be 2 this spring, is housebroken, is good with other dogs and cats, kills mice and rats but nothing else, did break from chasing and killing poultry before we got out of them though. She still chews (especially if left alone) and leans on people and really needs a more active, spacious household with people who can invest more time into training her.

 

[Faraday40]

Oh grief, @Faraday40, if I'd known you were looking for a dog...

We are having a really hard time right now. DH has sold the house out from under us, our nicer car was totaled by a drunk who ran off, we're going to have to move into a dinky apartment, the kids are moving in with my in-laws... and nobody seems willing to take our bigger dog (or want any of our animals).

My parents are willing to take in the old pug mix and our cat, but the Rottweiler (possible Lab mix) is just too big, and--even if we could find an apartment willing to let us bring her--she's just not well suited for apartment life. She'll be 2 this spring, is housebroken, is good with other dogs and cats, kills mice and rats but nothing else, did break from chasing and killing poultry before we got out of them though. She still chews (especially if left alone) and leans on people and really needs a more active, spacious household with people who can invest more time into training her.

Our pup comes tomorrow when they do the home inspection. As long as there are no potential warning signs (like strong prey drive or other unseen behavioral issue) the dog is ours. If he doesn't work out, I'll let you know.

Unfortunately we can understand some of your hardships. DH's car broke in spring - no money to repair. That leaves us with one working car & a tightly balanced schedule sharing it. Summer was fine, but school is a whole different story. DD has been having some health issues which require several appointments, lots of driving to & from school, appointments, & other activities. Then there's the reg errands & DH's work. DD's main comfort & support through all her troubles came from our wonderful dogs. A month ago we lost both - in 2 days! DS is also very weepy b/c those dogs have been part of the family for longer than he's been alive.

The recent icing on the cake was when a young lady made a left turn from the right lane & slammed into the passenger side of our car. There was a solid white line between the lanes. OK accidents happen - but unfortunate that's our only working car! Her insurance co has an app - but our only smart phone is too old to run the app. Our son's Kindle is the newest device - only 2 yrs old - but they don't have an app for Kindle. Tried to email the pics from my computer - but too large for the adjuster's email account to receive. So without seeing pics of the damage or the intersection, the insurance co said DH is 20% at fault "failure to avoid an accident" and they will only pay 80%. Also, since the car is still drive-able, they will not pay for a rental. HUH!?! Meanwhile the damage prevents the passenger door from opening, so we look like a family of clowns trying to climb up front from the back seat. We cancelled all plans for the past 2 weeks so we only drive when necessary. There's also a rubbing sound when we turn sharp - like backing out of a parking space. I fear we're damaging it further, but we can't do anything until they send a professional photographer out. That will be another week...... 2 weeks have passed already. I really feel like their delays are on purpose to avoid paying out.

OK. My venting is done. Back to better things....

It doesn't make financial sense to adopt a dog right now, but our family really needed some happiness to counteract all the negatives. We've always had a dog or 2, and the house is so quiet without one. Call me lazy but when I accidentally drop a piece of food on the floor, my 1st reaction is to tap the floor with my foot - expecting a dog to come running & clean it up for me. Also, our doorbell doesn't always work. A dog is needed to bark when someone comes. It's also a decent security system (as long as a burgler don't see the wagging tail. LOL) Hoping we can add hawk deterrent to the dog's chores as well. My poor flock has been under attack by this one:
Anyone know the species?

This annoying bird was sitting on top of the chicken tractor yesterday. Our neighbor phoned to let me know & I ran out back. When I was about 25' away, it still hadn't taken off. As I was running toward it I suddenly thought - but what if it doesn't fly away? That's when I picked up a toy shovel & thew it toward the hawk. Finally it flew.... a little. I picked up the shovel & threw it at the bird again. It flew another 15' to another tree and eventually to the neighbor's tree. DS banged on pots for a while & we asked the neighbor to let his dog outside. The hawk reluctantly flew away.

I sold 2 orpingtons today & the 2 seramas leave tomorrow. I love chicks but I'm also glad to be getting the number back down to manageable. The turkeys will also be leaving soon - but in a different way.