Opa's place -Where an old rooster visits with friends

[Ec_Prokta]

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OMG She's sooooo cute!!! Is she a bantam?

No, not a bantam, but slightly smaller than some of my other girls. She's about the same size as my RIR's. I just named her Minnie so that I would remember that she is half Minorca. LOL!

I have a chicken who is just like Minnie in terms of size! Her name is Sailor Moon and she's a Red Sex Link.

 

[YakLady]

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Yep that's the bird. I wish others could see her as the picture doesn't really do her justice. The red gold lacing on the gray feathers are incredible.

Thanks again for a wonderful day.

This picture was taken back in November, when the lighting was bad and her comb was pale. She does look better now-you're right. I'll take another picture of her soon and post it.

Woody, I have not yet combed the yaks out for fiber. I know I should, because I could easily sell it. It's an extremely labor-intensive process, though, and I'm not sure where to start. With a comb? LOL!

 

[Slywoody]

Could they be sheared like a sheep???

 

[Opa]

Woody, I found this to be interesting reading.

1.6.1 Introduction to the Yak

Yak hair is regarded by some as being an acceptable alternative to cashmere, although it is not produced in commercial quantities.

Although a member of the hoofed bovidae family, the yak is actually a unique species in itself, weighing 700-800 lb (315-360 kg). It differs from other bovines in several of its characteristics - for instance, its tail is similar to that of the horse but is less mobile, having long, thick/wavy hair.

1.6.2 Production of Yak Hair

Each yak only produces an average of 100 gm of hair a year, which is pulled or combed in the spring moult. The outer hair needs to be separated from the down hair. One estimate reported in Wool Record in 1989 put the numbers of domestic yaks on the plateau flanking the Himalayas at 13 million with the majority in China: in Qinghai province, which borders on Tibet; in the adjoining provinces of Sichuan and Gansu; and in the autonomous region of Tibet itself. The output from Qinghai province was estimated in 1989 at a steady 500 tonnes a year.

Note: The Wool Record is a journal published monthly in the UK and covers a wide range of topics of interest to the world's textile industry.

1.6.3 Fibre Characteristics of Yak Hair

Yak are widely used in the mountainous regions of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau as beasts of burden and for subsistence through its milk and meat. The hides are used by the local people and in more recent years herdsmen have earned money from selling the hair. The animal, which lives above the snowline, has developed a thick coat of long hair reaching almost to the ground.

Wild yaks tend to have black hair, but domestic yaks have hair which is often piebald, predominantly black and brown with white markings. White hair is inevitably the most precious, as it can be dyed. However, only about 10 per cent of yaks grow white hair. The underhair of the one year old calf has a diameter of 15-17 microns and is 4-5 cm in length. Adult underhair is 18-20 microns in diameter and 3.0-3.5 cm long.

1.6.4 End Use of Yak Hair

The hair is used locally for weaving coverings for huts, blankets, mats and sacks. Strong ropes are made from the tail hair, and felted fabrics from the down hair. Once dehaired, the fine down hair can be made into yarn comparable to cashmere.

 

[Slywoody]

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Sounds like a big job, not only pulling and/or combing,but,separating as well. Caycee could be doing that in her spare time.

 

[ranchhand]

Hi everyone,

I have been AWOL tending a sick DH, but I'm finally catching up a little. A sick person requires coddling, and trying to find the balance between bugging him and taking care of him is always a puzzle!

Cayce, it looks like ya'll had a great time! You and Tom have a beautiful place. Thanks for posting the pics, how fun. I get to talk to Sam, Hope and Granny on the phone, one of the days I'm going to tell Bingo "road trip!" and we're going to come that way. Now if only I could drive to Scotland........ Hey Sam, can you build us a seaworthy car?

All you crazy hatchers are giving me the itch to hatch, but I am contenting myself with the ducklings. I have raised them before, but that was many years ago. They are messy little stinkers!

Because of ill DH I am running way behind on the planned projects, but I think tomorrow will be a good day for cleaning and then I can do the outside chores. Really need to rehome some roos, they are taking over again. Hush, Opa.

 

[easttxchick]

Sally-sure hope your DH gets to feeling better soon!

 

[Opa]

I don't need to say a thing. The word must already be out or why else would there be smiley guy signs state the obvious fasct?

 

[ranchhand]

Humph. What part of hush Opa didn't you get????

I am just now getting some dinner for myself, I was starving! I don't do take-out or fast food, and I haven't been cooking....

This is gonna kill ya'll, Ranchies idea of a wonderful late night "dinner"....


Boiled peanuts
Smoked oysters

and licorice twists for dessert!

PK, we may have to start planning menus again!

Thanks Sheila, so do I!

 

[easttxchick]

As long as those licorice twists are strawberry, I'm with ya(I hate black licorice-GAG).
I ate Cheez-Its and a Reeses Cup for dinner-told DH he better let me know when he's coming home from his trip because I haven't cooked in a week!