The road less traveled...back to good health! They have lice, mites, scale mites, worms, anemia, gl

[Dahlisgrams]

My contradiction too...my only link to the outside world really. This computer and the net...and look what we use it for!

Could be worse....

So true. I agree completely.

 

[Beekissed]

That is the single perfect word right there "STEWARDSHIP" it encommpasses all aspects of animal husbandry, including the killing of animals. And a simple "Thank you sister chicken for the life you are about to give to feed my family" reconnects one with that stewardship. It is a concept embraced by many cultures so that means something in itself.

I always thank God and I pray that my hand is sure and my aim is good, so that this animal doesn't suffer. I pray quite often for and about my animals, but then I talk to God all the time out here in the boonies.....not to many other folks to talk to.

I thank God for getting this flock back and I thank Him for Jake, that he is such a good dog and that he protects my chickens. I thank Him for their improving health and for the little bits of knowledge He allows me to find and store in this thick ol' head of mine.

 

[thedragonlady]

They're getting better all the time, aren't they? I still can't get over it when I look at the pics from before and see them now...it brings a smile to my face! I just want to cheer out loud for the old gals. If they get back to laying, I'll really throw a party! They will get treats all around and I don't care who knows it!

I think those birds have been getting some "Eye of Newt" too!

 

[Beekissed]

No, but I saw MS killing a baby snake the other day!

 

[delisha]

I know it must be hard. I cannot step into your shoes but I can imagine how they would look on me...it would be tough to be in such a quandary about such things.

It's a weird place society has made for itself...that place between realism and the ease in ignoring it. On TV it can just be turned off. In our real life, in that place where you think about life~ right before you go to sleep~ it becomes much harder to ignore.

I would dearly love to be able to tutor people in the home processing and I even advertised a workshop on it in my local area. Attempted to advertise in the free publication but they would not post the ad...too many "animal lovers" would be offended. I put up fliers, put it on Craigslist...one person called to see if it was a joke, said he wanted to learn so he could teach his son but wouldn't commit to coming. Not one person called to sign up for the workshop.

This tells me that no one around here really wants to know...they would much rather not know because then they could not say they didn't know how. I give up on society...they will gladly line their basket with fluffy thoughts as they ride to hell in it. When the economy really hits the wall and those meats are not on the shelves like they were before, folks are going to be eyeing their backyards and wanting to raise some food in a real hurry. Too late. The price of everything is going up and there will be scarcity of foods in the future...I guess one needs to enjoy it while they can!

Where is that honesty? That is Not in your makeup. You will be trying to help the unhelpable ( I know I know this is not a word) till you quit breathing.

 

[delisha]

Quote:

Truly, that is a blessing! I've always wanted neighbors like that.

That's what kind of neighbor I am...will help you with anything, give you anything, loan you anything but won't be looking out my window in your direction on purpose. Everyone should have a right to pee in their yard if they want without worrying about mooning the neighbors!

LMAO... ummm where do you hang the TP out there Bee???
Oh wait, that's right... Silkies!

 

[Beekissed]

Where is that honesty? That is Not in your makeup. You will be trying to help the unhelpable ( I know I know this is not a word) till you quit breathing.

You are probably correct on that one...but I often feel like giving up. That is probably why this book is never written...I get discouraged so often that I lose momentum. But then I start another thread....

 

[delisha]

Hire someone. Split the profits of the sales. It will be a win win.

 

[Beekissed]

Maybe Bulldogma would like to be a ghostwriter?

 

[MagicChicken]

Definitely! I know how frustrating it must have been. I have been confronted so many times by people at work, by family and even by people at church about eating my chickens and other livestock. And this is smack dab in the middle of farm country and most of these folks either run broiler houses and egg batteries or their families do....go figure!

It's so hard to understand folks who condone commercial livestock operations but feel real good about trying to guilt you about eating your own animals that "you raised from a baby!!!!".....<insert the unspoken "and how could you?????" here>.

Hmmm... it would be tempting to raise an eyebrow and ask "Are you telling me you DON'T eat your babies?" Although if you did ask that you'd probably be dodging Child Protective Services for the rest of your life

Yes, I agree! The problem with where I lived was that my place was right on the main road and it seemed like everyone in that whole nosy county watched my animals. I kid you not! The day I got a milk cow I was visiting patients in the next county and someone said, "I heard you got you a milk cow!". Is that news in a rural area? You bet.

They watched all my free range chickens (just not something that is done in an area with so many commercial chicken houses) and my hair sheep(in a county that had only woolly breeds up until then) and all my gardening endeavors and my kids were quizzed about every little thing each day on the school bus. It became quite the irritant to me at times because I was raised back in a holler where you can do what you like and no one for a mile in any direction to question it. Finally you just get tired of all the chin wagging and tell it like it is. They act like you are speaking in a foreign tongue but they eventually stop trying to make you feel guilty or stop asking you what are you doing there NOW?

I can't bear nosy...it's an affront to my sensibilities and I guess I was born in the wrong area to feel that way, but there it is. I like privacy and I don't ask what others are doing at their house either...their business, not mine.

Most of the farmers I know are pretty smart. They'll hear about a new idea/process/product and talk like it's crazy, but they also watch it carefully. If they see other people are getting good results with that crazy idea they may just quietly try it. When it's someone else's idea it's crazy, and when it's their own idea it's... not. Plant enough idea seeds and eventually the crazy thing becomes their own idea. And the world changes a little. Hard to quietly try stuff on the main road in full view of the town, but it's a great place to plant those ideas! Same thing you're doing here on BYC. Who heard of fermented feed a couple of years ago? And now how many folks are trying it? Knowing everyone's business in a rural area isn't just nosiness. It's also a survival technique. An annoying technique, but also a useful one!