The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[TeaChick]

By the time I figure out what to do with the rest of the bottle of vodka I will have forgotten about the pie!

don't forget the cap full of vodka..no fail pie crust..
lard, flour, salt, vodka, ice water.

Now, vodka will make a "stiff" pie crush!!! lol

 

[TeaChick]

Have you decided between Pumpkin and Pecan?
If you do Pecan, you could put some semi-sweet chocolate chunks in it!!! I made that one year, it's fantastic!

 

[armorfirelady]

Well I spoke to a couple people about the broken off feather on Lucy's feet. The suggested pulling the broken pieces out and spraying some blue kote on it. I couldn't get all the broken quills out. 2 were,to soft to pull out. So I pulled what I could wiped her feet off and sprayed blue kote on them. She was not impressed but it didn't seem to hurt her.

Still curious how it happened tho. But I was able to says he is a pretty good weight. It's tough to tell since she she looks so thin. I also picked up Stella. That girl is def not lacking anything. My mother told her she was a good weight for soup........Stella was not impressed & continued to yell at her all I know is come spring they will be working for their food to get back to being for &'trim lol

 

[delisha]

A few things to remember for winter..

Check at least one bird a day..mites, lice, weight loss, combs, feet, ears, hip bones, breast bone.

I should do a video one day to show everyone how easy it is to do a vet check on a chicken. It takes less than 5 minutes. This is a perfect time to start handling your birds..

 

[armorfirelady]

A few things to remember for winter..

Check at least one bird a day..mites, lice, weight loss, combs, feet, ears, hip bones, breast bone.

I should do a video one day to show everyone how easy it is to do a vet check on a chicken. It takes less than 5 minutes. This is a perfect time to start handling your birds..

That would be great Delisha!! I'm so OCD about mites and lice since the infestation I still,check them all every night :/ I've never checked their hips or ears before tho. I do try to check wattles, combs & general health when I feed them. They will get somewhat close to me if I keep the food bowl in my hand

 

[Scott H]

Video...yes please!

 

[aoxa]

A few things to remember for winter..

Check at least one bird a day..mites, lice, weight loss, combs, feet, ears, hip bones, breast bone.

I should do a video one day to show everyone how easy it is to do a vet check on a chicken. It takes less than 5 minutes. This is a perfect time to start handling your birds..

Did just that today. A OKAY Well apart from a frozen crest. My houdans like to dip it in the hot water I've been bringing down. I have a blowdryer in the barn for just that reason lol.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote: very cold water really makes a difference. I also add a dusting of sugar as a topper for the top crust after applying a thick layer of milk to the top crust. Of course neither pumpkin or pecan have top crusts. No over mixing either, I use clean fingers to get the right consistency some use a food processor for less than 10 seconds. Not worth the clean up for me.

 

[lazy gardener]

so with all of this cold will there be lots of maple sap this year? I hope so I love the maple sugar candy. I think the brand sold here in IN is from VT not Maine though.

Winter cold does not affect sap flow. What determines sap flow is an extended period of days above freezing, and nights below freezing. When the nights are no longer cold, the flavor of the sap changes, and the sap season is over. It's a lot of fun to watch the birds and squirrels harvest sap. Squirrels will actually nick a branch and hang out to lick the sap. Chickadees also will hang off a branch that is "leaking" and drink the sap. I've never boiled sap, even though I have a lot of maple trees around my house. I've heard that coffee made using sap instead of water is especially yummy. I imagine tea would be equally enjoyable.

Pumpkin! And pecan.

Some quiche would also be nice.

Too bad I can't make pie crust. I'm defective.

Try this recipe: it's idiot proof. 3 C. flour, 1 C shortening, 1 tsp. salt, 1 Tbsp. vinegar, 1 EGG!, 6 Tbsp. COLD water. Cut shortening into flour. Mix remaining ingredients in a cup, then add to the flour mixture. Mix with fork or pastry blender only until flour mixture is absorbed. The less you handle it, the flakier it will be. This recipe will make 2 -4 crusts, depending on how thin you like them. I like to roll them extra thin, and sometimes put a crumb topping on the pies so I get more pie for my effort.

A few things to remember for winter..

Check at least one bird a day..mites, lice, weight loss, combs, feet, ears, hip bones, breast bone.

I should do a video one day to show everyone how easy it is to do a vet check on a chicken. It takes less than 5 minutes. This is a perfect time to start handling your birds..

Please do a video. When you do, could you have some one help you with the filming so you can get some nice close up shots? I can hardly wait!!

very cold water really makes a difference. I also add a dusting of sugar as a topper for the top crust after applying a thick layer of milk to the top crust. Of course neither pumpkin or pecan have top crusts. No over mixing either, I use clean fingers to get the right consistency some use a food processor for less than 10 seconds. Not worth the clean up for me.

Sally, I couldn't fathom using a food processor without turning the dough into a lump of clay! Nothing like a warm pumpkin pie!

 

[TeaChick]

Winter cold does not affect sap flow. What determines sap flow is an extended period of days above freezing, and nights below freezing. When the nights are no longer cold, the flavor of the sap changes, and the sap season is over. It's a lot of fun to watch the birds and squirrels harvest sap. Squirrels will actually nick a branch and hang out to lick the sap. Chickadees also will hang off a branch that is "leaking" and drink the sap. I've never boiled sap, even though I have a lot of maple trees around my house. I've heard that coffee made using sap instead of water is especially yummy. I imagine tea would be equally enjoyable. IDK; I have added sugar to my tea water before and my tea didn't steep properly, so it tasted weird. IDK about sap and I haven't tried that with honey ether.

Try this recipe: it's idiot proof. 3 C. flour, 1 C shortening, 1 tsp. salt, 1 Tbsp. vinegar, 1 EGG!, 6 Tbsp. COLD water. Cut shortening into flour. Mix remaining ingredients in a cup, then add to the flour mixture. Mix with fork or pastry blender only until flour mixture is absorbed. The less you handle it, the flakier it will be. This recipe will make 2 -4 crusts, depending on how thin you like them. I like to roll them extra thin, and sometimes put a crumb topping on the pies so I get more pie for my effort.

Please do a video. When you do, could you have some one help you with the filming so you can get some nice close up shots? I can hardly wait!!

Sally, I couldn't fathom using a food processor without turning the dough into a lump of clay! Nothing like a warm pumpkin pie!

very cold water really makes a difference. I also add a dusting of sugar as a topper for the top crust after applying a thick layer of milk to the top crust. Of course neither pumpkin or pecan have top crusts. No over mixing either, I use clean fingers to get the right consistency some use a food processor for less than 10 seconds. Not worth the clean up for me.

Same here; extensive clean up need not apply. lol

A few things to remember for winter..

Check at least one bird a day..mites, lice, weight loss, combs, feet, ears, hip bones, breast bone.

I should do a video one day to show everyone how easy it is to do a vet check on a chicken. It takes less than 5 minutes. This is a perfect time to start handling your birds..

My DH said (to me), "Go for it!"
I need the video, though, please.

I would be afraid I'd miss something obvious or not know what I'm looking at.