Michigan

[Steve]

Seems I remember seeing a video on them telling the sex by the length or shape of the wing feathers, ever so small, but there was something about it. I think it was a video about Ideal hatcheries being able to sex them

Re sent PM Wynette.

 

[Wynette]

Feather sexing only works for American breeds, unfortunately. I tried it with my Marans, and darned if they all didn't look exactly the same, every time I looked! Frustrating. But, I feel like if I've learned anything from having chickens, it's patience. Wait for eggs to hatch....wait to be able to sex them....wait for them to begin to lay....wait to check fertility....

 

[chicky chicky bok bok]

Quote:
The bad thing about the waiting is the cost of feed! I hate spending the money feeding roosters. Last spring we hatched 25 straight run's and had to butcher 13 of them. The problem that no matter how you cook them, they was some darn tough birds! We wanted to avoid that this time around. I saw the utube video and ya....nasty. That's where I thought you had to put your finger up the vent to detect the bump. Whatever it is, I don't want to do it. I can handle changing diaper (which I have 2 in thank you very much) or cleaning up vomit (which I have done more times than I care to count with 6 children). I can even deal with the butchering process, BUT I CAN NOT STOMACH STICKING MY FINGER ANYWHERE NEAR A CHICKENS VENT! NASTY! Whatever, if you know a sexer, let me know.....do you think I could find one on craigslist.....personal adds I think! HAHAHA

 

[Opa]

Cold weather always gets me in a soup making mood and this cold spell is no different. Thought I'd share what I made for tonight's supper. Note it does take 2 days to make.

Cabbage Soup
1 beef brisket about 2 lbs
1 small head of green cabbage thinly chopped
1 large can tomato puree
3 cans diced tomatoes
1 small onion diced
Nature's Season & salt to taste

Salt & pepper brisket then sear all sides
Place in roasting pan and cook for 5 hours at 250 degrees
Remove and place in stock pot
cover with water and bring to boil.
Allow to cool, remove meat from liquid and place stockpot in cold place to allow fat to congeal and remove.
Trim all remaining fat, membrane and connective tissue from brisket the cut into small pieces.
Four hours before mealtime add all ingriedents except meat to stockpot.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
Two hours later add meat.
Serve with homemade bread previously posted.

 

[citalk2much]

Sounds yummy
I make a boiled dinner that uses most the same things. I use beef or pork or both no tomatoes add potatoes sometime mushrooms my family likes carrots in it I think carrot are gross then I boil it on the stove

 

[vicki2x2]

I think that arctic front is moving in.

It was 18 degrees this afternoon, it was 10 about 7 pm, now at 11 pm it is -6 already!

YIKES!! I think I will go check the chicks in the brooder, bump the thermostat up a notch and go to bed!!

 

[shelleyb1969]

I went out to check all of my flock around 10...they were all doing really well. They weren't acting any colder than "normal". I'm going to bed and just say my prayers for them. No point in worrying about them...it's outta my hands.

 

[Steve]

I turned on a heat lamp for the hens.

My wife was worried about them, but I told her I had read on this forum as long as the coop was draft free and dry they would be alright.

For a lady who originally wasn't to keen on getting some chickens....she sure has gotten protective of them.

Calls them "her girls"......I just chuckle to myself.

 

[citalk2much]

Hummmm soup that dose sound good. I am cold I hate cold come on summer.
As I think I have said before my house is very old built before the days of furances. So guess what I don't have one. Someone took the wood stove out years ago and set it up for those gas fireplaces out I have had to replace them every year my new DH said he was going to put in one of those out buildings with the wood stove that you run the heat to the house sounded good to me so I did not replace the gas fire place hummm he never did it so I am heating with an Eden Pure the oil electric heaters and bad me the stove it is chilly in here today the main level floors are ice cold
Okay I am done whining for now

 

[Steve]

Quote:
My view from here. I'm stayin inside as much as I can today.