Savingdogs-Saving the chickens

[Henrietta23]

I found it at the library!

 

[Farmfresh]

But we were already buying hay by the bale. You cannot by it by the little pet store bag. That would be very expensive. But all this would fit onto a patio really well and not be too smelly. The pee does smell but it isn't that hard or too icky to clean. I like taking care of the rabbits. They are sweet. I think you need more than two pair to supply all of your meat needs, but I guess it depends on how many people you are feeding.

We have eaten rabbit in the past and really enjoyed it, the meat is very mild. You can flavor it up however you want. So I'm very excited about the rabbit project, it is going well. My first breeding only produced the three kits from the two moms, but I'm already trying again.

In years past we raised a good portion of our household meat by raising rabbits in our garage. (family of two adults and three kids)

We had three big strong bunny gals and a buck. They occupied three big cages for the gals, a medium cage for the buck and we had an extra large cage for finishing the bunnies. We captured all of our urine AND manure by using a plastic tray that funneled the waste into a 5 gallon bucket hung beneath each cage. At one point we had 63 rabbits in that garage counting new litters and buns ready for the freezer!! They are an outstanding source of cheap meat, fun to care for, easy to clean and the manure is outstanding non burning fertilizer! You can use the meat in any recipe that you would chicken with very little alteration.

For Abi alone I would probably still get two does, if you could, and breed them at the same time each time. That way if one happens to reject a litter you have a ready foster parent. But even one good meat doe could provide a LOT of meat.

 

[savingdogs]

I bought two bucks because of the relationship between the does I bought, one of the two is the sister to my buck. So I needed a different buck for her. But this way, I will have two "lines" in case I want to produce breeding rabbit pairs for anyone.

I plan on selling for 25.00 any rabbit that I can sell live. Any that won't sell as 8-week olds I will raise up to either become more breeders or dinner, depending on whether they fit the Standard of Perfection in my rabbit book.

I'd like to eventually provide much of our meat this way. But as a group, we are serious carnivores so it could take awhile.

I have been having kidney stone issues again and I know they told me to eat less meat.

It does seem like the filksinger needs to write the SS forum a new song, something like


Where have all the nuc threads gone?
Long time passing?
Where have all the nuc threads gone?
Two days ago?
Where have all the nuc threads gone?
Gone to arguments, every one.
When will be we ever learn?
When will we eeeeeeeeeeever learn?

Abifae can do the dance segment for this one.

 

[TanksHill]

I guess no one care about Ca.

I kinda figured.



I had a really long post on that thread the other day. I was so mad and let it out. But then I deleted my post. I don't think it would have helped.

g

 

[savingdogs]

Did you see the thread explaining we may not discuss it here anymore?

I had seen the one thread closed but did not know that the topic was banned until I saw that new thread.

 

[abifae]

Yep. People can't keep civil on the topic. It's one of our "hot spots"

Really tasteless pun.

 

[TanksHill]

Abi your on a roll!!!

 

[savingdogs]

Cute pun Abi.

But "hot spots" to savingdogs is something her golden retriever gets!

I'm sure hoping for a good day today. I had terrible back pain all weekend, I think it is my kidneys flaring up again. I get intermittent kidney stones and I sure wish it would stop. I loaded up on water all weekend and do feel better this morning.

I have an old friend who wants to come up and show her lovely daughter my bunnies and goaties. I never seem to have friends come visit, it is such a long and curvy and bumpy road here, and I've been kind of lonely, so I'm happy she is coming. Not sure which day, but I need to tidy up. It is hard because last time she visited me I had my lovely city home and nice furniture and beautiful flooring, and I've ....come down so far in house I guess. And I need new shavings and such so bad, my animal pens look mucky. I know she will understand, but it is another lesson in humility and I've had quite a few of those lately. This lady was my friend when I needed one however, I'm sure she won't judge. I'll call her Kitty because she has a name usually given to a cat.

Of course she is outdoorsy and you can't fail to appreciate our land, it is a gorgeous place, but only when it isn't raining. When it rains, the stump forest looks spooky and dismal and the light is altogether different. When it is sunny here, this is a magical place. But it usually rains. I hope we can arrange for Kitty and her daughter to come when it is sunny and take a goat hike.

I have someone sending a deposit for the bunnies and two inquiries regarding my goat kids. One of the inquiries looks like it might be interest in a meat goat though and I don't care for that idea. I didn't wether and disbud these guys to be dinner.

 

[abifae]

It sounds lovely even in the rain

I like rainy spooky dismal as much as I enjoy bright sunny sparkly LOL.

 

[TanksHill]

I think what your friend will "notice" when she comes to visit is that you are happy and enjoying your land and life.

That's what I hope people notice about me. My gardens, orchard and yard are my pride and joy. The house, well pfff, who gives a hoot.

g