Maine

[superchemicalgirl]

I am allergic to a lot of things topically. Good old fashioned hot process lye soap with no or minimal fragrance added does the trick for me.

Had another rat death overnight. Another female. This has been a good week.

 

[lazy gardener]

I admire people who have the backbone to process their own birds. Still, it seems like $4/bird is a bargain, even with the hassle of appointments and travel.

Soap is a little time consuming, but easy, LG. We like to make a big batch that lasts almost a year. Sometime soon, I'm going to try making a small batch of moisturizer/lotion. I made the mistake of reading a book called what's gotten into us, and now everything seems like poison. We just switched to unscented laundry detergent, since phthalates are used as a vehicle for adding fragrance. And I just bought a shampoo made out of Shea butter (haven't tried it yet).

If I could get them processed for $4/bird, I'd pay it. My time is more valuable than that (when I'm working.) But I was 6 months w/o work last year, so my time wasn't bringing in any money. Can't justify paying someone to do what I can do myself, no matter how poorly I do it!

As far as soap goes, I've looked at some on line recipes that are done in a blender, making 16 oz. at a time. Basically, you put the oils in the blender, dissolve the lye in water, and when it's cooled to approximately the temp of the oils, you slowly add the lye/water. Sound like I'm thinking right here??? I'm guessing, from what I've read that you could do the same thing and mix with a whisk, or a stick blender, and it's best to do it outside, and protect everything, especially skin, from spatters. What do you use for your oil(s) Bucka??? I was wondering if coconut and olive would be a good combination.

I made my first batch of home-made laundry detergent, and it's the best detergent I've ever used, even compared to some pretty pricey stuff. Super easy to do. I think my clothes come out much cleaner, and I know for sure that my HE washer smells better! Plan to try home made dish washer detergent eventually.

 

[buckabucka]

How are you killing these rats, SCG?

LG, I always use coconut and olive oil, in varying percentages. We put it in the kitchen aid mixer with a splash guard and paddle attachment. Sometimes it takes a couple hours of mixing, perhaps because we make a large batch and it can't be stirred quickly at first. After it is done, we wash everything throughly with vinegar.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Bucka, I got the first one with a sulfur smoke bomb. The one last night was my first ever snap trap "success." Although, to be honest, it was only a success because of the death. Luckily it was short lived... but not to be too graphic, the snap trap only got a small portion of the face and it bled out. The success was with goober grape peanut butter (which I had tried before) and a ginger snap piece on top. I put it not against the wall, but where the duck food bowl sits. The rats have been collecting the uneaten pellets that are frozen to the ground that I can't pick up. So I put the trap there. The trap was an unexpected kill, but a kill nonetheless.

I contacted a pest company earlier this week and explained my situation. They're sending me a couple samples of things to try. I'll keep you posted if anything is worthwhile.

 

[lazy gardener]

Thanks, Bucka

 

[dowgirl71]

How's everyone faring in the storm? Last night, was the baby Silkies first night alone. They were QUITE vocal from the time that had been their usual bedtime under mom around 7:30-8pm. I went to bed at 10pm & they were STILL going! Not sure what time they finally quieted down-probably just collapsed (like kids do).

Mama Silkie did well, too. She was out checking out the snow but looking longingly towards the house-probably wondering WHEN I'm going to come get her.

 

[lazy gardener]

So is Mama all done taking care of them? How many??

 

[buckabucka]

I had a bunch of errands this morning, so I did not go out to check on the chickens until 10:30 or so. As I walked to the coop door, there in the driveway was a large raccoon. I stopped in my tracks, and when he ran towards me, I bolted for the house! I thought he must be rabid.

Later when I investigated, it looked like his running toward me may have been a mad dash to the shelter of an open shed. Following his tracks, he had come along the road, up a steep bank and across the back yard, ran for the shed, and then exited the shed and headed into the woods away from the road. I had seen some tracks that looked like raccoon about a week ago by the compost. Still, I was surprised to see him in broad daylight. I hope he doesn't cause issues this summer when the chickens are out...

 

[lazy gardener]

Got a gun??? He'll be sure to cause issues if he's still around.

 

[Hiltonizer]

Anyone have any leads on per-ton poultry feed? I know of the places in Augusta and Detroit for pig/cow feed... but haven't been able to find per-ton feed for layers/meaties.