TanksHill...Roll on!!

[TanksHill]

Early Aug, I think.

My days are kinda all blending together. Kids are home from school and driving me nuts. I am working in the garden and trying to get my house ready for a birthday party end of this month.

My DS is turning 10 and DD 5 so I figured I would combine the celebration and invite everyone to one party. Its going to be a country picnic theme. I am using gingham table cloths and serving lemonade. I am even going to use some of the peach jam I made as take home gifts. I am going to top them with gingham and little hand made cards. My dh has been re painting some areas of the house. You know deferred maintenance that only happens when I have a party.

So, I went to my local FM today and bought seconds on tomatoes from the two vendors who sold to me last week. I had spent 7 dollars and canned 16 quarts of sauce. I used fresh onions from my garden and some spices I dehydrated myself. I blend everything in a blender and bring to a boil. I love not peeling the tomatoes it makes the whole process so much easier.

I also did 12 pints of dill chip pickles. I hope they turn out ok. I used slicing cucs. I have them coming out my ears. Yesterday I picked 22. Ugggg!!!!


Anyways back to the farmers market, I found a vendor who makes ceramics. I told him I needed a crock for sauerkraut. First he had no idea what I was talking about. Then I told him about the process. He said he would throw one for me. Custom, I said slow down cowboy. How much for this magnificent piece of art? He said 20 bucks. I was so excited I almost peed my pants. We got to talking and he said he wanted to find people like me who were passionate about doing things and make what they needed. I was talking his ear off about the kraut and fermented veggies. Little did he know I just sucked down 2 cups of joe!!!

So next week I am going back we are going to discuss dimensions and such. I am going to ask for a lid and see about ceramic weights for under the lid. We will see how it goes. I am going to take a picture of that fancy German crock with me so he can see what it looks like.

Then I kept walking to the other side of the market. Found a young man who makes cheese. I stopped to check him out. I mean his cheese. We got to talking I was telling him about the kefir cheese I was trying to make. Then fermenting came up.. We both said at the same time we had made sauerkraut. Then he says to me. I have this book by a woman named Sally Fallon. I finished his sentence by saying Nourishing Traditions It was so weird. I told him about the ceramic crock on the other aisle and he totally wants to get one as well. So I am going to stop by his booth next week and see if he would like some grains.

Anyways in the back of my head I kept thinking about the things people were selling. I have that, I make those, I can grow that. Now I got this little nagging feeling that I want a booth at the market. But thats another thing all together.

It was really nice walking the market a meeting people who live near me and have the same interest. I love you all but your just to darn far away.

Well that was my day. Sorry if I rambled.

Gina

 

[TanksHill]

So today I took the kids to the park. Then we went over to the feed store, just t see what was there.

This is their new home. At least for a couple weeks.

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There supposed to be Bourbon Reds but to be honest how the heck would I know?

So far we call them, Tom, Jenny, Lunch, Dinner and Leftovers!!

I truly think I am going off the deep end. They are 4 weeks today. I know there are a little young but I think they should be ok. All are eating and drinking. Snug as a bug and doing ok. So what do you think?

I covered the little pop open door with peg board. Tiny little holes but not to bad. I plan to keep them in for a week or so. Not really sure on that. The house has no electricity but is very well built. I usually start 4 week old chicks in there. I put in a block of pine shavings.

What else should I be doing?

g

 

[Wifezilla]

That one in the back looks like a trouble maker

 

[Farmfresh]

They look like Bourbon Reds to me.

They are all feathered and should do well being outside during the day if you want. They may need some help going in at night however.

 

[Wildsky]

Early Aug, I think.

My days are kinda all blending together. Kids are home from school and driving me nuts. I am working in the garden and trying to get my house ready for a birthday party end of this month.

My DS is turning 10 and DD 5 so I figured I would combine the celebration and invite everyone to one party.

Gina

I have a b'day party this month as well, my DS turns 11 on the 19th...

Nothing fancy here, he's invited about 6 kids over. The high school kids start school before that and the elementary starts school on the 25th, so one of his friends will have to wait till schools out to come on over.

Should be fine, as long as I don't catch anyone chasing my chickens.!!

 

[TanksHill]

It's inevitable. Someone will chase them. Actually think my birds have a better chance if I let them free range. They run faster thank the kids. My son will be 10 on the 12th DD will be 5 on Sept 9th. It's really just a family party but I have a pretty big family. I hate having people over so it does not happen very often. We have a couple friends coming as well.

FF they are one month today that would make them 22 weeks on Turkey day right? They might need to be held over for Christmas diner instead. The lady at the feed store said they always recommend butchering at 6 months. Isn't that a bit late?

I plan to keep them in the house for a bit then there is an enclosed run on the coop. 8 x 16, I really want them to free range. We will see.

gina

 

[Farmfresh]

I figured it up the BB Bronze that I am butchering this week are 19 weeks old and believe me - plenty big enough! I still have not packaged and weighed them, tomorrow AM that is on the schedule. I cleaned two more (hens this time) tonight. One more gal left then it is on to chickens ... Maybe.

The heritage birds DO take a bit longer to fill out, but 22 weeks SHOULD do the trick. If not just butcher one for the holiday and hold the rest over a few more weeks for a fat Christmas turkey. One thing I know for sure I don't really want huge birds. My aunt had an early spring tom that they held on free range until Thanksgiving. He would not fit in the OVEN!!! They had to roast him half at a time. Now that is too big.

Mine free range, but in a movable electric netting pen. I have lost too many birds in the past to raccoons, foxes, skunks, dogs etc.. I make a point to keep my birds protected ... unless they are old cull birds anyway. Those are the ones we always used for poo patrol in the barn. That way all that was lost was a pot of soup and not years of eggs or high quality meat if a predator struck.

My meaties are usually so lazy they won't hunt for their food. I usually keep them in a pen and feed fresh pulled chopped weeds every day. They will eat lots if I pick it for them - lazy varmits! The birds that I am cleaning this week have been really stocking up on their veggies. Their gizzards are full of fresh greens and such. Because they free range they also smell lots better when you are cleaning them.

 

[FarmerDenise]

Those ar enice looking birds. The one in the back does look like he is saying: What you looking at? You better watch out for that one.

 

[TanksHill]

Thanks!! Yes FD he looks like a trouble maker already. Wifey knows how to spot them!!!

 

[Wifezilla]

I learned quickly because of a certain duck...

I knew she was going to be trouble right when I snapped this picture

This is the little trouble maker all grown up. She is too smart for her own good and rules the flock.