North Carolina

[Tikkijane]

Woohoo!  Fall break at last!  And I get an extra day since I don't have classes on Wednesday anyway!  Five whole days!!

To clean my house.

Welcome to the new folks!  This is a good, helpful group here.  Jump right in!

I found myself having nightmares about the coming winter.  I hate winter.  I have pretty severe Raynauds, and doing chores in the predawn is killer on my hands and feet.  The absolute worst are the caged stock...the rabbits and quail.  I have to haul water bottles for them a couple times a day, and I can't hang them wearing gloves or mittens.  So, I  had a discussion with hubby and the upshot is that the quail are all going to freezer camp, and I'm reducing the rabbits to one trio. Three regular cages only to care for, plus overflow of young ones growing out.  That will be much easier for me to handle that the current 12 cages, not including babies.  Nightmares.  Gotta listen to them!  We will start putting quail in the freezer tonight.  There's only about 50-ish of them at the moment, but I still don't want to do them all in one day.

Hope everyone has an awesome day!

I have "grippy"gloves that fit over slim knit gloves, fwiw. That helps keep my hands warm enough without restricting movement. If I was in a colder climate, I'd try gloves with hand warmers to see. Mornings are when I'm out scooping the coop.

Another thing I've found that helps are arm warmers. Those along with the layered gloves seem to be the tipping point for me. Lots and lots of layers. Glad you're finding a workable solution!

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

When you process quail, do you freeze them individually or as 2 or 4 packs?  How big to they actually "dress out" (weight?)?  Curious...  And do you pluck or peel?

Hope that this arrangement works for you and helps!

I skin them. Much quicker. Hearts and livers get cooked up for dog treats. Packaging depends on if I leave them whole or separate breast and legs. I don't weigh them. Supposed to be two for a serving, but I will eat one and hubby will eat three, so if whole I pack four.

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

I have "grippy"gloves that fit over slim knit gloves, fwiw. That helps keep my hands warm enough without restricting movement. If I was in a colder climate, I'd try gloves with hand warmers to see. Mornings are when I'm out scooping the coop.

Another thing I've found that helps are arm warmers. Those along with the layered gloves seem to be the tipping point for me. Lots and lots of layers. Glad you're finding a workable solution!

Layers for sure! And I definitely use hand warmers. I couldn't manage without them. But I still can't use my hands with gloves or mittens, as I also have neuropathy in my hands.

It's ok, though. Once the quail are frozen and the extra rabbits and pheasants are gone, winter will be better.

 

[willzpapa]

I don't know which is which but this one looks just like the feller totin him around lol

They are great

Looks like Ashton has way more hair than Emmet LOL

 

[Katieboosmama]

Making some good progress on the coop. Dont think we will finish this weekend though. Tried to upload pics but it won't let me will try from the computer later.

 

[Katieboosmama]

Coop so far photos

 

[Buckbeak01]

and as if Friday hadn't been busy enough, I'd contacted Naliez about the two pullets she had. https://www.backyardchickens.com/u/350483/naliez So from my Dr appointment in Lillington, I drove down to Fayetteville and picked up the two Australorp pullets she had. Got them home and got them settled by them selves in the empty coop tractor before I finished the pony/chicken feeding chores. The only two pictures I have at the moment! Now more research on a new breed for me! Prretty girls, don't you think?

You will love australorps! They are my favorite breed. Lovely ladies

 

[Buckbeak01]

Hey y'all! I enjoy hearing about everyone's little flocks and families.
I'm a 32 year old dad of a 6 year old boy and a 7 year old girl! My wife works full time and I work part time as a nurse. I'm originally from a small town in Wilkes where I grew up on a small farm and raised all kinds of chickens! I had a pet RIR rooster named Big Red. I miss being a kid myself. Life was so much simpler back then. I moved to Winston Salem after my wife and I married 9 years ago. (Her idea....more work opportunities for us as nurses) I really miss my small town life. Especially the part where I could have as many chickens as I wanted and roosters, too! Lol! But I'll make the most of it here in the city with my little coop and my 6 hen flock that I love!
Hope everyone has a great week!

Ben

 

[Buckbeak01]

My kiddos

 

[Katieboosmama]

My kiddos

Cute Kiddos! Hey solution, Move to my side of the Yadkin over here in Advance, Close enough to commute to W-S and still be in the country