Michigan

[Opa]

Just came in from setting a coyote snare. I wanted to set more but ran out of daylight so it will have to wait until tomorrow morning. David and I will be going out before sunrise to attempt to procur a few more deer. I need more since next week I will be making hard salami. I also want to do some roasts in a brine that turns the venison into a product similar to corned beef except I like it better.

Going through some xmas stuff today and found a box that was from the years of each son having their own ornaments to place on the tree. It was just one small box that belongs to my baby but it did get me feeling sentimental. Then I remembered that the "baby" is 6'1, weights 250 lbs and just turned 37. I immediately went from sentimental to old.

 

[Opa]

Thermos is filled and I'm just waiting for David so we can head to the woods. Still plenty of coffee left in the pot if anyone wants a cup.

 

[Opa]

What an incredible morning to be in the woods. The deer are starting to herd and I saw over 100. Unfortunately all of them are still in the woods. None are hanging in my shop. Maybe tonight. I did have one shot be for some reason the gun didn't fire properly. I wasn't even sure till I reloaded that the bullet had even left the barrel. Muzzleloading sure can be frustrating at times.

 

[wyliefarms]

Opa- ggod luck tonight! The weather is great compared to a fewdays ago.

I made Chex Muddy Buddies this morning...they are going down way too good! I need to exersice to burn off some calories!

Rachel has lost another chicken this week. One was dead in the AM a few days ago. #2 died in the night and was having balancing issues. Both chickens only 10 months old. Hope there aren't any more that die soon.

Off to keep on cleaning the house.

Sarah

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Sarah, sorry to hear of Rachel's loss. I lost a hen last night due to an impacted crop. I tried to treat her but no luck. I have never had this happen before.

It got pretty darned cold here last night. Just below 0 degrees. DH is worried abot my 6 week old wellies. I have a heat lamp in there with them and it is just 2 feet above the floor. They are pretty much feathered out so I think they will be fine.
Today is our monthly dinner with the kids and we are also celebrating DH's birthday. I made a black forest cherry cheesecake for the occasion.
Good luck hunting Opa!

 

[Kovalciks Chickens]

Opa I got a deer the last day of firearm season. We hung it up in the barn and my dad was gunna butcher it. So we went back in their once all the blood drained out and it is frozen. Any suggustions?

 

[zephyrcreek]

Went out to feed the birds this morning and found Gyrtle, my Del hen, covered in blood. There was blood sprayed on the walls, feeders, and other chickens. Seems some of the other chickens decided to pick on her in a big way. I brought her in the house and cleaned her up as best I could in the few minutes I had before leaving for work. Then I placed her in a tote with feed and water. She was in shock, but starting to drink for me. She spent the day in the laundry room on top of the upright freezer with a child gate on top. (talk about using what you already have.) When I got home she was active and bright eyed. Tomorrow I will move her back outside on her own. Hopefully in a few more days I will put her back in the small coop with the other Dels instead of the big pen. Poor little girl.

 

[lighthawk]

Quote:
I had the same thing happen to me last season and I swore I would never let it happen again. It took three times as long and twice as much effort to skin and quarter it than it normally would have. I would suggest that you find some way to get some heat into the area where it is hanging to at least partially thaw it before you skin it. If you can't do that you will just have to bite the bullet and skin it frozen but be prepared it's not going to be easy. good sharp skinning knife will help as you will probably wind up having to pare the skin from the meat almost all the way down. Neck area will be the toughest. A few pairs of brown cotton gloves will help as well when one pair gets damp and cold switch to a dry pair. This will help you get a better grip on the hide as well. This year I hung my gambrel on a chain fall so I could easily adjust the height I was working at. Helped a lot. Good luck. Rich

 

[CATRAY44]

Hello everyone! Ellen, you might want to think about keeping the pecked chicken seperate until she is healed, if there are injuries visable. The others may start in on her again, if they see the wound. Any idea why they were picking on her?

 

[Ooopsy_daisy]

Good Morning Everyone.

What a week its been for me. I sold an older truck and had an extra tire in the back and I thought, wow that would be a great feeder for under the barn for the meaties so they wouldnt scratch out all the grain and could perch on top of it while eating also. BAD idea. Seems when the temps here went down to the teens, the birds perched on that tire and sat on each other in the center hole and smashed 2 of the meat birds. One was dead and the other was so weak I butchered it right away. Are chickens that dumb? As my other birds dont seem like this. Ive never seen them piled on top of each other like that. And under that barn is so warm, the regular water spicket doesnt even freeze.

You know I love my chickens but these meat birds I dont care for so much. Its like they dont have a brain in their heads.

You all enjoy your day, its so pretty out there right now with all the frozen rain hanging on the trees. My whole woods looks like its dancing with diamonds. Another awesome sight that mother nature shares with us.