Do you have SS friends? Or do your friends think you are weird?

[miss_thenorth]

[Guess she does not realize where the meat in the grocery stores come from.
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving yesterday. I thought the US wa the only country that celebrated Thanksgiving until I was getting some Thanksgiving info for ds's schoolwork & discovered Canada celebrates on the second Mon of Oct. Very interesting I am going to find out more info on Canada's celebration & compare it for him. Any info you care to share with me?

She knows the where the meat comes from--she just thinks its easier to get it form the store, not to mention--How could you kill such a cute fuzzy bunny? She's young.....She , however, had no problem eating one of my meat birds for her thanksgiving dinner. I didn't do turkey, b/c my meat birds were about the same size as a small turkey anyway, and that way I didn't have to go to the store to buy turkey.

i did bug her though and tell her to pick out a bird from the batch I;m raising right now. I said pick one out and we'll eat it the next time you come over. She said--just don't feed me bunny.

Thanksgiving is celebrated the 2nd monday of October b/c our winter comes sooner (for most of Canada, and it is to thank God for our wonderful and abundant harvest. It has nothing to do with pilgrims and native americans.
It became an official holiday january 31, 1957. It was declared a day of general thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed. Don't know whether the description of the holiday still includes thaking God or not.

 

[roosmom]

I hunt with a semi-automatic 30-06. My father gave it to me. We have some great stories, that gun and I.
I cant wait until hunting season. Bow hunting was good to until I just couldnt pull the bow back anymore.
Most women I know think I am wierd for hunting.

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Hubby just bought his hunting license and deer tags. We can't wait for deer season to come on. I love stocking up my freezer with deer meat!!

 

[TanksHill]

My dh family does not understand what I do or why I am involved in the SS lifestyle. I usually do not discuss my happenings wih them. Or try not to at least. They are well off and just don't get the SS thing. My Mother is proud of everything I do. She had 13 children and was the stongest provider I think I have ever known. We allways had a garden and she could stretch a dollar five ways. I call her daily for advice. Now with the econmy the way it is, I have lots of friends asking for help building chicken coops and raised garden beds.

I have a long way to go, I read daily and plan my next prjects in my sleep. I have a very elderly couple that live near me, they are very traditional and down to earth. I like to watch what they do and learn from them. They work from dawn till dusk and live very simple lives. I think the hard part for me is My husbnd and kids like what I am doing but they see it as a "hobby". Thats ok though. As long as they support me I dont mind. The balancing act is the hard part. Driving the kids to school, dealing wth the PTA and tring to get home in time to feed the hens. If I could just stay here all day .... That would be nice.

I would love to find a mentor, some one who could teach me to process my hens, and rabbits. Maybe how to hunt.... I guess San Diego is not that good for hunting....

I can see the add on craigslist now....."crazy SS stay at home mom needs help..."

 

[roosmom]

Hubby just bought his hunting license and deer tags. We can't wait for deer season to come on. I love stocking up my freezer with deer meat!!

EXCUSE ME.....EHHMMM, QA, SS remember.......I think you are supposed to process (can) that meat, LOL

TANKSHILL, what do you think we are here for? Looking pretty? We can help you, just ask. What do you want to learn? Right now?

 

[Dace]

TanksHill, I can relate...I spend an hour driving 4 kids to 3 different schools to hurry home so I can hang my laundry outside to dry and maybe start a loaf of bread. Seems like I am the odd one out. I too think how nice it would be to stay put all day, home school my kids and ease out of the grind.

When I get ready to get my chickens, perhaps I could come up and see your coop!

 

[TanksHill]

Well, lets see. I think I need to cull out a couple of my older hens. I keep getting "Egg farts". You know the yokeless eggs. I think it's an age issue. I guess the soup pot is the best place for them. I would love to learn the whole process of "processing" . That way in the future I can feed out chickens for the freezer. Oh sorry, To can. Is there a step by step book with pics somewhere. I could probably google it, huh??

Second, I am going to get some rabbits. Maybe just one to start. I still need to convince my husband. So I can get used to it. Then maybe move into the whole breeding for freezer thing. I have been on our sister forum the EasyGardener and have heard great things about rabbit poop.
I am reading about bunnys in my "barnyard in your Backyard book" I have not seen anything on meat breeds yet. Any sugestions?

I am still saving for my fence so the goats will have to wait.

I don't know I think it would just be nice to find some like minded people I can connect with in my area. Or even to see if there are ANY like minded people in my area.

I know I will allways have all of yo to rely on, and thank you for that. Gina

 

[TanksHill]

Dace, I would love to help you wit a coop.

 

[miss_thenorth]

Tanks, the best rabbits for eating are New Zealand and Californian. I am getting some this week. Currently I have 1/4 flemish giant, 3/4 New Zealand. Flemish Giants are huge, but their bones are also big, and their fcr is not as good as NZs or californians. If you cross these two breeds, you get very good meat also. Having a bit of Flemish in there is not going to be a bad thing, though.

As for butchering your hens, it is really not that bad. I honestly would have a harder time doing in the rabbits. We have not had a litter yet, as we are just getting into it.

Oh, and you will need to get at least two--male and female. they say to provide for a family of four--two to three does and one buck will be plenty. That way you can rest the does in between litters.

Rabbit meat is awesome, and awesome for you. I love wild rabbit and hare, too.

If you need any help processing your animals, just ask we won't be able to help you in person, but we could probably talk you through it.

 

[pioneergirl]

I agree...we are all likeminded here and MORE than willing to help!! I've processed 50 meat birds ....over half by myself, and if you have any questions, just ask! I'll tell ya if I don't know, and someone else can take over, LOL....we are all knowledgeable in one area or another, some more than others.....thats why I love this place! I can get 5 ways to do things, and all of them WORK!!

Yeah, I don't talk to many people about what I do, I pretty much stay away from most of the people around here, LOL....yeah, I'm the grumpy lady in the country...rofl (j/k)