Coffee anyone ?

[farmerjan]

Toms can get very aggressive and mean. I would prefer to raise hens any day of the week. Toms fight with each other, they will fight people too if they get in the mood. They are very destructive of equipment.... have seen toms take a notion and want to attack a feeder or a waterer just because.... They spend most of their time being big "blow hards" once they get to sexual maturity. The BB ones are not very smart, they bred out the brains when they bred in the BB part I think. Showing off is their thing.... and they are so big that they can't really fight each other well, but they will try and often get hurt doing so. Be glad you have raised hens... if you got 2 or more toms, they will spend all their time just acting like teenage idiot boys......fighting, posturing, acting stupid....

 

[Cecilia's-herd]

Be glad you have raised hens... if you got 2 or more toms, they will spend all their time just acting like teenage idiot boys......fighting, posturing, acting stupid....

But they are SO pretty. I’m hoping my next batch I get one.

 

[Baymule]

Well I’m sure glad you two backed your turkeys in a corner and come out gobbling! Hahaha!

 

[Alaskan]

I don’t eat pork but I have always wondered; can you slaughter and butcher them yourself? Why do we have to go through all these loopholes.

Selling to public can have a bunch of laws depending on the state, and might require an FDA slaughter house. Some of the rules I am very much for...

As to home consumption... we usually butcher ourselves simply because of cost. BUT a pig is HUGE and takes time if you want to get it all (every scrap of meat from the bone instead of just quick cuts and tossing bones with meat on them). And then there is a bunch of time needed to make sausage.

As a result... this last time that we had 2 to slaughter we took them to the slaughter house. First time for us to have the pigs done for us. We asked, and it was less money if we killed, bled, and gutted then delivered. We didn't mind doing that... and that part is fast, so that is what we settled on.

 

[Mini Horses]

I did opposite....took to a butcher, who happened to be USDA inspected....had them "kill and chill". I picked up everything and did cuts and packaging here. Had 2 and wished it had been 1 at a time due to amount to handle alone. . They could only accept live animals. Next time, 2 trips!

Home butchering is a job, even small animals. Takes prep, clean start to finish and a lot of ice and clorox. . Then the clean up. Makes being vegetarian look good! . I can see why people use grocery stores.

There are places that do not allow home butchering for own use, too.

 

[Alaskan]

There are places that do not allow home butchering for own use, too.

True... I think most of Europe is like that.

Interesting that your place only takes them live.

And yes, we really wanted them to chill the meat. That can be tricky where we live... too warm or too cold, so that part alone can be a headache.

 

[Mini Horses]

Interesting that your place only takes them live.

Its an old, established facility in nowhere land...family owned. It may be time of year thing, or the law in NC. But nice job and they "saved it all" feet, head, organs, etc. They also kill and pkg, plus offer sales of cuts in shop. Very accommodating.

Speaking of butchering, today it's currently 31 here and staying in mid 30s due to wind chill. Brrrr. Could be a good day if you were out of wind. . We do have sunshine! That's better than overcast, sprinkles and warmer yesterday.

 

[Margali]

Coffee's done and sun is coming up. Time to feed the sheep then drive forever. I kid, it's only an hour since the kids are on break. Hmm... maybe I can sneak in another trip to the feed store.

 

[Baymule]

Black Friday sale starts today at Tractor Supply. Dog beds will be half off. I have to get the big ones, they are $50, so $25 is a deal! Drinking coffee, y’all have some!

 

[Jesusfreak101]

hey yall just stopping in to catch up. kids school is going well since we started the next grade for the two olders . the three year old wants to do school as well will be moving slow on that. the almost two year old is at the stage if you take your eyes off her she doing something she shouldnt like climbing on counters and ect. Baby boy is doing well he got over tired yesterday and need mommy so dealt with that and cleaned up the house until about 12:30ish give or take some time. dh is working all week long he pulling off two jobs starting this weekend. should be an interesting adjustment for everyone. hoping to have enough savings to move come next fall if not sooner. want to pay off some debt first and have a nest egg. also got another kitten was not planned. it showed up in the barn and it was overly friendly and i didnt want it shot or killed so brought it to the house. gonna get some more hens from a friend of mine soon because of predators taking most of my flock. got a new chicken and duck run set up so they wont be getting out and hopefull predators wont get in. been working on cleaning up inside and outside. hopefully majority will be done and just pick up will be needed. gonna go hit the store for milk kids go through it. been missing the goats and other critters and day dreaming about building up my farm again. cant wait to get some where and get to work. well i think thats it i honestly cant think of anything else. need to get my hot tea going as i had to give up coffee seems to effect little man. also need to make breakfast while he naps off his milk. anyways talk to yall later.