The Front Porch Swing

[Beekissed]

Duct tape!!!! Genius!!! I would never have thought of putting on a live chicken unless it was slated for death....a big THANK YOU! Now THAT kind of apron (back protection) I can get my mind around and you just might have saved me~and this White Lightning rooster~some hassle and freed up my spare pen for a broody hen. I can't tell in that pic but did you place it all the way around her or just on the back?

Killed the meaties this morning and they had quite respectable meat on them, though I didn't like this particular set of genetics....too short of body and legs, not hardy, not especially good at foraging though they did attempt it. Will be taking some of this meat on our fishing trip for BBQ on the grill. Don't know that too many people take their free ranged goodness on a fishing trip with them but I feel blessed to have the opportunity to do so.

Another duckling was dead this morning...it was small and weak and didn't seem to be eating much anyway (crop was empty)...but it got outside the brooder heater and couldn't find its way back, apparently. These ducklings are far more stupid~and fragile~ than chicks, I can tell you that. That's two from this shipment that weren't real strong or vigorous. I guess when it's all done I'll have the strongest of the bunch~ they are a bit pricey for this sort of survival of the fittest....but, if the survivors remain and are productive, perchance I can sell their offspring to repay the original costs.

It's turning out to be a beautiful day, though the sky is a bit dramatic, so I am chilled one minute and warmed the next...got pretty cold last night and will continue like that for some days. I LOVE it! Fat girl likes to work in the cool weather, not hot and humid.

 

[Blooie]

Duct tape!!!! Genius!!! I would never have thought of putting on a live chicken unless it was slated for death....a big THANK YOU! Now THAT kind of apron (back protection) I can get my mind around and you just might have saved me~and this White Lightning rooster~some hassle and freed up my spare pen for a broody hen. I can't tell in that pic but did you place it all the way around her or just on the back?

Killed the meaties this morning and they had quite respectable meat on them, though I didn't like this particular set of genetics....too short of body and legs, not hardy, not especially good at foraging though they did attempt it. Will be taking some of this meat on our fishing trip for BBQ on the grill. Don't know that too many people take their free ranged goodness on a fishing trip with them but I feel blessed to have the opportunity to do so.

Another duckling was dead this morning...it was small and weak and didn't seem to be eating much anyway (crop was empty)...but it got outside the brooder heater and couldn't find its way back, apparently. These ducklings are far more stupid~and fragile~ than chicks, I can tell you that. That's two from this shipment that weren't real strong or vigorous. I guess when it's all done I'll have the strongest of the bunch~ they are a bit pricey for this sort of survival of the fittest....but, if the survivors remain and are productive, perchance I can sell their offspring to repay the original costs.

It's turning out to be a beautiful day, though the sky is a bit dramatic, so I am chilled one minute and warmed the next...got pretty cold last night and will continue like that for some days. I LOVE it! Fat girl likes to work in the cool weather, not hot and humid.

Wait, DUCT TAPE??? Um, doesn't that pull out re-growing feathers and cause abrasions when you take it off? Gorgeous day here too...supposed to be almost 70 but I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[LBejaran]

I find out older daughter doesn't want to be at the farm because I don't have the washer and dryer set up yet (whole other story) and it will be too loud when I work on the house, etc, etc even though this is where she WANTS to live (women!). Wife and younger daughter were going to the other house anyway so my wife could do the laundry and younger daughter wants to be. She wants nothing to do with the 'farm' house, it isn't "home".

Bruce

Can I be your daughter?

Mom and I have discussed how much we wish we could have a genuine farm house for us to live in. We love projects and working on our home. I think that's part of the joy of moving to a new place. You have to put in the work to make a house a home, no matter where you are. Mama and I dream about eventually having a tiny house and lots of land where we can build a coop and have a good-sized pond with ducks and geese. We would have a couple dairy cows/goats and grow heirloom veggies and tropical flowers.

It's a dream of our's and I'm really praying it will be realized eventually. It make take a couple decades, but I've always been very patient.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote: You leave it on till the feathers molt it off....

deb

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Duct tape!!!! Genius!!! I would never have thought of putting on a live chicken unless it was slated for death....a big THANK YOU! Now THAT kind of apron (back protection) I can get my mind around and you just might have saved me~and this White Lightning rooster~some hassle and freed up my spare pen for a broody hen. I can't tell in that pic but did you place it all the way around her or just on the back?

Killed the meaties this morning and they had quite respectable meat on them, though I didn't like this particular set of genetics....too short of body and legs, not hardy, not especially good at foraging though they did attempt it. Will be taking some of this meat on our fishing trip for BBQ on the grill. Don't know that too many people take their free ranged goodness on a fishing trip with them but I feel blessed to have the opportunity to do so.

Another duckling was dead this morning...it was small and weak and didn't seem to be eating much anyway (crop was empty)...but it got outside the brooder heater and couldn't find its way back, apparently. These ducklings are far more stupid~and fragile~ than chicks, I can tell you that. That's two from this shipment that weren't real strong or vigorous. I guess when it's all done I'll have the strongest of the bunch~ they are a bit pricey for this sort of survival of the fittest....but, if the survivors remain and are productive, perchance I can sell their offspring to repay the original costs.

It's turning out to be a beautiful day, though the sky is a bit dramatic, so I am chilled one minute and warmed the next...got pretty cold last night and will continue like that for some days. I LOVE it! Fat girl likes to work in the cool weather, not hot and humid.

I love how quickly a meaty project can go. I guess it was bound to happen that one batch wouldn't be as awesome as the rest.

I'm with you, I always feel luxurious when I'm feasting on real "cooking from scratch" food. I think taking them on a family trip is an excellent use of home-grown meat. They will be delicious.

I'm sorry your ducklings aren't all thriving. When I was running the Duckling Death Camp last spring it was incredibly depressing. I just couldn't keep that first batch alive ... for me they were confined and had steady heat, so I believe I was just having a water problem (they'd spill their water then choke on their feed). It made me feel so guilty. I gave them open bowls of water and the remaining ducklings did great, as did the next big batch we brought home. In some ways ducks are way easier than chickens, but in other ways they are a mystery.

 

[perchie.girl]

woke up to the sound of helicopters.... the property here backs up to the last lake of the Santee lakes. The copters with snorkels are doing round robins.... Every two minutes.

Right below us is the gate to the outback from the Santee lakes and the fire Marshall seems to have a group of engines there. Thats where they staged for the firestorm in 2007 The fire is working its way away from us in a canyon Where we regularly see Golden eagles. Lots of Sycamores in that canyon. There is no wind at this time... So I imagine the fire crews are pushing the fire away. If such a thing can be done.

If we have to evacuate... People first ... I will take the portable hard drive and the box of manuscripts.

There are a couple of stages for evacuation thank goodness.... first its voluntary.... We would be doing that so I can come back a couple of times...

deb

 

[Blooie]

woke up to the sound of helicopters.... the property here backs up to the last lake of the Santee lakes. The copters with snorkels are doing round robins.... Every two minutes.

Right below us is the gate to the outback from the Santee lakes and the fire Marshall seems to have a group of engines there. Thats where they staged for the firestorm in 2007 The fire is working its way away from us in a canyon Where we regularly see Golden eagles. Lots of Sycamores in that canyon. There is no wind at this time... So I imagine the fire crews are pushing the fire away. If such a thing can be done.

If we have to evacuate... People first ... I will take the portable hard drive and the box of manuscripts.

There are a couple of stages for evacuation thank goodness.... first its voluntary.... We would be doing that so I can come back a couple of times...

deb

Be safe, my friend....my prayers are with you, those affected, and those amazing men and women working so hard to manage these fires.

 

[Blooie]

You leave it on till the feathers molt it off....

deb

Ahh, see, just another example of me being smart enough to know how smart I ain't so I can learn.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

Deb, I can't find the original post, but what is the "Brazilian" method of cooking ribs?

Sheila

 

[Beekissed]

I love how quickly a meaty project can go. I guess it was bound to happen that one batch wouldn't be as awesome as the rest.

I'm with you, I always feel luxurious when I'm feasting on real "cooking from scratch" food. I think taking them on a family trip is an excellent use of home-grown meat. They will be delicious.

I'm sorry your ducklings aren't all thriving. When I was running the Duckling Death Camp last spring it was incredibly depressing. I just couldn't keep that first batch alive ... for me they were confined and had steady heat, so I believe I was just having a water problem (they'd spill their water then choke on their feed). It made me feel so guilty. I gave them open bowls of water and the remaining ducklings did great, as did the next big batch we brought home. In some ways ducks are way easier than chickens, but in other ways they are a mystery.

I doubled down on these ducks...I have a brooder heater, a heat lamp, a nipple bucket (they are finally using it!) and a heated dog bowl for swimming and drinking. They have a veritable spa, fresh air and natural light as well.

I'm going to try a little broody magic if this Del broody will tolerate it...she is due to hatch on the 25th and if she has anything at all hatching out...or even if she doesn't...I'm going to slip these ducks to her in the middle of the night, keep her brood box covered and dark until I can observe interactions in the morning light. I'm praying she takes on the ducklings along with her own so I can stop worrying about them so much.

woke up to the sound of helicopters.... the property here backs up to the last lake of the Santee lakes. The copters with snorkels are doing round robins.... Every two minutes.

Right below us is the gate to the outback from the Santee lakes and the fire Marshall seems to have a group of engines there. Thats where they staged for the firestorm in 2007 The fire is working its way away from us in a canyon Where we regularly see Golden eagles. Lots of Sycamores in that canyon. There is no wind at this time... So I imagine the fire crews are pushing the fire away. If such a thing can be done.

If we have to evacuate... People first ... I will take the portable hard drive and the box of manuscripts.

There are a couple of stages for evacuation thank goodness.... first its voluntary.... We would be doing that so I can come back a couple of times...

deb

Deb, will be thinking of you and praying for you today as I chore around....please keep us informed and then you and your grandma bug out sooner than later. Well...don't need to tell you that, you are an old hand at this sort of thing, aren't you? Keep us posted?