The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

I used to have Nubians; loved them and really miss them. As soon as I'm retired I'm getting some more (crazy work schedule will not allow dairy animals right now). Nubians have the highest butterfat content of all dairy goats tho of course it varies by individual. What I used to do was I strained milk into quart jars and put right into the refrigerator. I noticed if it wasn't moved for two or three days there would be a fine skim of cream on the top. I bent a spoon handle so it was 90 degrees to the bowl and would skim off the two or three tablespoons per quart and put it in a container in the freezer.

Then for special holidays I would have enough to make whipped cream for our pie. Never really got enough that way to make butter tho.

This is a video of someone doing it the way you mentioned, without a separator.

I don't pasturize the milk, would that make a difference? The girl in the video does.

 

[maryhysong]

This is a video of someone doing it the way you mentioned, without a separator.

I don't pasturize the milk, would that make a difference? The girl in the video does.

I don't think it would make much difference, but I always used my milk raw, so I don't know.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Aoxa - another idea for gathering the cream that I haven't tried but have read about...

Some folks put the milk in a container that has a drain at the bottom. Like those iced tea type dispensers. Then after the cream rises, they open the drain and take out the milk from the bottom until it gets to the cream line.

I have never tried to skim goat milk but have done plenty of cow milk by skimming from the top with a small ladle. Works fine for the cow milk that is almost the top 1/5 of my container.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I was looking at the kiddos again this afternoon 6 wks old today.

A - I think you may be right. They may all be girls.


This is the one that I thought may be a boy, but today is looking more feminine to me.

SFH / BA cross.






This is the bio-mom: Miss Black.

 

[armorfirelady]

I am no good at sexing pullets but the small comb & wattles and rounded feathers lead me to believe its a pullet. George my BCM rooster had pointy feathers and red comb and wattles at 6 weeks

 

[aoxa]

I was looking at the kiddos again this afternoon 6 wks old today.

A - I think you may be right. They may all be girls.


This is the one that I thought may be a boy, but today is looking more feminine to me.

SFH / BA cross.







This is the bio-mom: Miss Black.

That is most definitely a girl, unless he is a sneaky one.. But my bet is girl for sure.

You are one lucky mama!

 

[Leahs Mom]

I know! If it is 3 girls I've beat the odds both hatches!

First time 3 girls 1 boy that I wanted; this time 3 girls?

Especially the mixed breeds as they would not stay if they are boys.

 

[aoxa]

I know! If it is 3 girls I've beat the odds both hatches!

First time 3 girls 1 boy that I wanted; this time 3 girls?

Especially the mixed breeds as they would not stay if they are boys.

It can't be a boy, look at them breasts lol

 

[Leahs Mom]

I was thinking the same thing! What big breast you have!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Well...after having AFL find mites in her hen house, I am on the offensive.

I've gotten lax this summer with the wood ash part of things. Strange, that, since you'd think that I would have been way more vigilant in the summer when the creepy-crawlies are more abundant.

So...I made a little fire area right outside the house. My regular fire area is half-way back in the 2 acre pasture and it is hard to burn back there because I don't let a fire stay unattended and it is a hassle to be back and forth so the fires only get burned on occasion.

I hauled up some flat blocks and put them right near the driveway. Then I hauled up some of the old wood that needs to be burned. Too light for heating as it's very old, but good for making ash!

So I've been stoking the little fire since 1:00 p today. Right out the window where I can see it but not have to babysit so far away.