Michigan

[Hillbilly Hen]

Jen those are sure some cute chicks. Do you still have Frank the Tank? We invited his brother to dinner

We made quite a bit of progress on the new coop and run today. It's amazing what a few beers and wine coolers will accomplish

. Hopefully we will be done tomorrow. I still have to get things ready for Saturday.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Mom2, we will be using FIL's GPS. We are not real experienced with it.

I had the coolest thing happen to me today... for the first time ever I actually heard an egg peep. My broody hen left the nest for her daily constitutional and I had to check the eggs. Tomorrow will be 21 days. Well one of them had a little peck out and I could hear peeping from the eggs! I hope she will be a good Mama, she is not even a year old.

 

[Opa]

About one more hour and the smoked chicken will be done. Yesterday the birds were cleaned, the wingtip and neck removed along with the tail and all the fat possible. Next I placed them in mesh bags to fold them together and to allow the to be hung from hooks in the smoker. They were then placed in the sugar and salt brine with bottles of ice to soak over night. This morning at 7am I was up and at 'em draining and air drying the birds prior to placing in the smoker. Slow and easy produces the best result, so the birds have been cooking since 9am. When you are cooking at 200 degrees it takes quite awhile for the internal temperature of the birds to reach 180. Tomorrow I will be slicing up the finished birds for our Chickenstock lunch and vacuum sealing a couple that will be entered in the drawing.

 

[wyliefarms]

Quote:
Cannot wait to taste them

Reminds me that I have to make some desserts!

 

[wyliefarms]

Quote:
I drove that way last week and it was open. Do you have someone's cell phone number in case you get lost?

 

[chickflick]

Shelley, I think the dark EE you gave me is a roo!! He is so beautiful. Hasn't crowed yet, but looks like saddle feathers are coming in. What to do. Know you don't want him back since you are trying to sell some others. But, you know I can't have roos. Hope you are doing ok. Haven't heard from you in awhile. Know how busy you are and I'm been busy too.l Keep meaning to give you a call but time always gets away from me.

 

[RIRJen]

Quote:
Nope, no more Frank...he went away early this spring because my hens were not producing the way I wanted so he went with them. He was sooooo pretty but he was a complete jerk who loved to see if he could get me if I grabbed his girls. Took more then one boot to the butt to discourage his attempts too! Was his brother ornery?

 

[shelleyb1969]

Quote:
pm'd you, my friend.

 

[Mom 2em All]

Opa and BethanyRae thank you!
Im really excited. I plan on getting there at 8 a.m. so we can help set up. My girls are old enough to help (12 and 14).
I have to work NIGHTS tonight...just hope there are no late night emergencies that keep me at work until 2 a.m.

I will sneak out at five am and get the banties and the Turken and load them up. Then grab the Muscovy drake. I have the coolers ready and will grab ice on my way there.
Im really excited to meet everyone!

 

[vicki2x2]

Quote:
Kristin,

I think my kids are all set, but I will ask around, as I know other leaders and let you know if I hear anything. Buttercups have such cool combs!