Free Produce and Bread for my Chickens

I see on different blog sites all the time about people who have chickens and are able get free things to supplement their chicken feed.  The grocers in the area throw it out before they give it away to use like this.  I was just thinking about this again last night and God works in mysterious ways.
Today a friend called and said she was somewhere and the gentleman who runs the place said he wish he knew someone who had chickens to give the outdated produce and bread to.  Michelle said she knew someone and called me.  I go tomorrow and get my first load.  When I am there I will make arrangements to come twice a week to pick stuff up.  I am so excited and know the girls will enjoy the treats.
Thanks Michelle!!!!!!

Coops Cleaned

Yesterday I did the dreaded cleaning of the chicken and turkey coops.  In the winter I use the deep litter method so there was a lot of crap in them.  I hauled the waste to the garden bed and will till it in when the ground thaws more.  Found a couple mouse families in both, the chickens ate a couple of the mice (ick).  Not much I can do to keep them out, I don't have food in the coops that is in the runs.  I guess living next to a field and woods doesn't help.  Now until winter it gets cleaned monthly or sooner.
Today my back and knees are hurting and my legs keep me from getting a good nights sleep.  I am pretty much unfortunately used to getting little sleep.

Smoking Meat

At an auction last month we purchased a new Brinkmann Charcoal Smoker for about $30.   Ron has wanted one for a while now and this is a nice size one and got it for a pretty reasonable price.  Ron and I smoked one of the turkeys we butchered this winter, a chicken I butchered last week, a corn beef tip brisket roast that I picked up yesterday and some fish filets.  When you smoke something you might as well fill up the smoker. There will still be plenty of space but for the first time smoking something I think we will stick with these 4 items.  We had the turkey today along with some pasta salad, quinoa salad and spiral cut baked garlic butter potatoes.
We will have the other meat during the week for supper.  All I will have to do is add a side dish with the meat and have a really nice meal.
This was a first for us, we have never smoked anything before and I can see we really missed something all these years.
Of course I taste tested everything and there will be a lot more fish done, the brisket is soooooo good and all the meat was nice and juicy.

The smoker.

The turkey, 7 lbs.

Fish filets.

Chicken and boneless corn beef tip brisket.

I Gave In

Last week the granddaughter Hannah called me when she was at the farm store telling me they had chickens.  Of course I told her I had a dozen that were just a week old and 2 incubators full of eggs.  She informed me that they had Jersey Giants.  I don't think she knew I want Jersey Giants but I have been wanting to try them.  I held out for several days then on Tuesday I went and got the last 5 they had on hand.  They are White Jersey Giants and they were about a week old so they fit in very well with the other chicks.   About 6 months from now I need to look for a Jersey Giant rooster so I can breed some and won't need to buy anymore.
On a positive note, the day I choose to get the chicks was Senior Citizens 10% off day and I was able to get the discount on the chicks.  So it was meant to be or that is what I tell myself.  

Two Incubators Full of Eggs

On Thursday I filled my first incubator with 41 chicken eggs and then today I filled the second one with 40 chicken eggs and 1 turkey egg.  I will have to take the turkey egg out and put in my 3rd incubator when I stop turning the chicken eggs.  Hopefully the turkey who is laying will continue and the other 3 will start laying real soon.   All turkey eggs I get I will incubate unless when it gets warmer one of the turkeys go broody I will let her sit on them.  But for now while we are still experiencing snow, ice and below zero temps I will collect the eggs and add them to the 3rd incubator.

Baby Chickens get Moved

I moved the chicks from the little brooder to the big brooder when we got home today. Unfortunately the first born chick got trapped beside the feeder and found him dead when we came home. I don't think the last 2 eggs are going to hatch but will give them until Monday morning. Out of 19 viable eggs we have 15 chicks, 2 died and 2 eggs have not hatched.

Phase One brooder box that Ron made last year from a wooden crate and lined it with heavy cardboard.  I took a piece of chicken wire and made a covering for the top.

Chicks getting ready for their move.

They are so cute and precious.

In the big brooder.

Ron made this last year from a crib that was picked up at an auction for $1.00, lined it with heavy cardboard, plywood bottom and chicken wire lid.  I use the cardboard on top to hold in the heat or let some out as needed.

First Two Chicks

Woke up to my first 2 chicks out of the 19 eggs that were left in the incubator.  This was at 7 am today and it is 12:45 pm and I have 8 chicks with 2 chicks pecking their way out.  That leaves 6 eggs that need to start.  I was going to start right away filling 2 incubators with more chicken eggs but realized that they would hatch right before we go to Pennsylvania for a week.  So I plan on filling the 2 incubators on March 5th.  This way we will be home a day or 2 when it is time to take them out of the automatic egg turner.  I don't want our grandson to have to take care of any new chicks as he will be doing enough feeding the hens, collecting eggs, feeding the turkeys and taking care of the babies who will be about 4 weeks old when we leave; plus he works.   I'm sure my oldest daughter Gina will come over several times to help out.  She is really good about helping when we travel without being asked.  She just always volunteers to do it and she lives the farthest of the 3 kids. 

The yellow chick was from a brown egg and the brown chick from a green egg.

Feeling Eggcited

Today is the day.
For what you say?
I have been waiting 21 days.
One of the chicks is pecking away.
And soon will be here on this rainy day.

Hatching Some Chicken Eggs

On January 31st I put 25 eggs in one of my incubators.  I didn't fill it because I wasn't sure the 2 roosters were doing their job.  Yesterday I candled the eggs and only 4 had not developed anything. So I have 21 eggs that are showing some growing going on inside. A week from this Friday I hopefully will see some babies. I will fill 2 incubators after this group hatches.  Now I am getting really anxious to see how many of the 21 eggs will hatch. 
In a month or so the turkeys should start laying eggs and I will put turkey eggs in the 3rd incubator.  I didn't have very good luck with turkey eggs last year and am hoping I do better this year.  
I will keep you posted and of course will post pictures just like any proud mommy would. 

Another Chicken for a Pot of Soup or Noodles

After the dressing of the last egg eater I started find remnants of shell once in a while.  For a couple of months I have suspected that a chicken that the grandson gave us last summer was possibly eating eggs.  Every time I went into the coop she was always in a nest pecking around or just sitting there for hours without laying an egg.  On Saturday morning I went in to gather eggs and she was either pecking at an egg or at the bedding so I started with that nest first and gathered the eggs.  She went to another nest where there were 2 eggs and in a matter of seconds she had broken one open and was starting to eat it.  That was it I picked her up by the feet and finished gathering the eggs and promptly took her over to the turkey coop where she stayed until later that afternoon.
After we had done our Saturday shopping Ron and I proceeded to get her taken care of.  I always do the killing and instead of plucking her I skinned her and Ron removed the innards.  I brought her in and washed her up and plopped her in a freezer bag for later.
We try and do everything they suggest to prevent egg eaters but they don't always work.  An egg eater is almost impossible to break and can't afford to have one.  Both of the hens that we had to take care of were ones that would have been butchered later this year after the new ones that I am or will hatch started laying.  It's not something I enjoy doing BUT must do.

A Lazy Do Nothing Day for Me

The big snow from yesterday is still coming down.  It slowed down for a little while but has picked up again.  We received about 9 inches of new snow on top of the 7 inches we got this past weekend.
 
I had 2 wisdom teeth pulled yesterday and was scared to death with them telling me about all the pain I was going to be having.  So far I took 1 pain pill and that was before I went to bed, I thought it might help me sleep.  Well I was wrong about that, I did not sleep well at all.  I was awake about every 1/2 hour.  I don't know why I couldn't sleep, I wasn't having any pain I just did not sleep.

I've declared today is an official PJ's day for me.  No reason I see of to get dressed, not going anywhere and I'm pretty sure no one will be coming here.  All schools and some businesses are closed and there is very little traffic on the roads.

I can throw my coat on and still go out and gather eggs, the chickens are not into fashion so they could care less what I have on.  I guess I better get out there and see how good they have been and then I am going to take a nap.

The Egg Eater Has Been Dealt With

A former coworker Shaun suggested I take a picture of the egg eater, the chicken destined to become chicken and noodles with a plate of noodles before her execution. Yesterday afternoon when we had a small break from the snow I took care of her.  This is not something I wanted to do to a good layer but was forced to do.
Monday night we will be having chicken and home made noodles for supper.  My daughter Renee pointed out that the chicken will be providing us with the entire meal.  I make my noodles in huge batches and freeze them so the chance that one of her eggs is in the noodles is pretty good. 
Here are a couple of picture before and after with some dried noodles that I cooked up for the pictures.  The other chickens got to enjoy the noodles after the photos. 

More Snow in the Forecast

Looks like we will be getting more snow in the next 3 days, just what we need.  I guess there are some positives:  snow melts and fills my well, the farmers need it on their fields, I can tell if any animals have been around the yard or by the coops by looking for foot prints.  My negatives are:  I have to shovel it, we've had our share this year, the chickens won't go out in the run until I shovel them a path and I am just plain tired of it. 
Last year we were spoiled and had less than 4" for the whole winter so I guess we are making up for it this year. 
I think the worst part of this winter has been the horrible cold temps.  We haven't experienced this type of temps in over 30 years.  When it does get below zero we seem to have the horrible wind with it and that just makes it worse.  I stay nice and warm in the house but I would like to spend more time outside.  Right now all I do is go out to collect eggs several times a day so they don't freeze and to feed the chickens and turkeys.  A couple of times I did walk around the yard to pick up twigs and branches from the white pine tree.  We have a huge pile of branches we've lost from that tree this years because of the ice and wind. 
Well no matter how much I complain about it there is nothing I can do to change it.  My daughter Renee said yesterday at this point you just have to laugh when you hear snow in the forecast and I guess she is correct.

Chicken and Noodles Soon Compliments of the Egg Eater

The egg eater has sealed her own fate.  She has put the noose around her own neck.  This is not something I want to do but she has left me no other choice.  I just came in from gathering eggs and there she was in a nest eating a huge brown egg,  She didn't try and hide the fact she was doing it and keep eating it as I approached her.  I picked her up and tucked her under my arm and proceeded to gather the eggs.  After I was done I put her in with the turkeys until we can get her dressed.  I sure hope she is the only one that has been eating the eggs and with her in another location I will be able to tell for sure.
Last week I clipped her beak like someone told me and that didn't help.  I have been finding one or two eggs a day that have been ate and I can't have that.  Breaking an egg eater is nearly impossible.  So it looks like we will be having a nice pot of chicken and noodles soon thanks to the old girl.

Beautiful Sunny Sunday

Wow what a difference just a few days make.  It is a beautiful day, sunny and 41 degrees out.  I didn't put on a jacket when I went out to tend to the chickens.  They are all out enjoying this nice day.  When we were shopping yesterday I picked up 2 heads of cabbage at Aldi for $1.29 each and Ron hung one of them in the run for the girls to eat.  I try and do this every couple of weeks, it gives them something to do and some good greens to eat.  It took them about 2 hours and it was gone but they had fun picking at it while it lasted.  I told them to enjoy this day because tomorrow the high will be 1 degrees, no not a typo, it will be one degrees for the high tomorrow.  Mother nature has a way of building our hopes up and then knocking us down real fast.
On this nice day I have a small hen turkey that we butchered last month baking.  I also have a nice pan of dressing in with it.  At Thanksgiving I made a huge amount of dressing and then portioned it out in containers and froze it for times like this.  We've used some already and have 2 more containers in the freezer.  After I use that up I need to make some more of the dried dressing mix that I made last year, that stuff was simply delicious and so easy to make. 

The chickens out enjoying the sunny day.

My turkeys.

The 3 males, brown one which you can only see part of and the 2 black ones.  The white one is 1 of 4 females.

Several of the chickens in the coop, the brown and white one is my favorite and she lays green eggs.

More of the girls decided they wanted their picture taken too.

Front yard, can you tell where the septic tank is?  Your correct it is the big bare circle up at the front of the house.

Easy Pantry Meal

Most Friday nights we have breakfast for supper and last night was no exception.  I fried up a jar of bacon, then browned a pint of potatoes in the bacon grease.  I also added a cut up onion that was from my garden last year.  After this was all done I added 6 fresh eggs that I had beat and some cheddar cheese.  Cooked until done and a wonderful hearty meal.
I try to have eggs for supper at least once a week.  I have also made for supper omelets, fried egg sandwiches, bacon and eggs, quiche and just plain scrambled eggs.  With the abundance of eggs from my girls it is a great way to use some of them up and they are delicious and good for you.

What A Different Week

Last Monday at this time we were -18 with wind chills in the -35 range.  It is just a little after 9 AM and it is 38 degrees out, partly sunny and beautiful.  Just came in from gathering eggs and feeding everyone and did not need to put a jacket on.  Last week when I went out I would put on a jacket, 2 scarves, a face hoodie, 2 hats and gloves and was still cold.
We got a huge head of cabbage for the hens yesterday and hung it in the run so they would have something to do and also a treat.  All that is left right now is the core of the cabbage.  I need to do that more often as it is so good for them and helps pass the time so maybe they won't eat their their eggs.
I and they need to enjoy today because the weather is changing and by the end of the week the high will be only 20 degrees.  Oh well it is winter and I live in Central Ill and this is to be expected.

This is me and what I had to wear just to go out and gather eggs last week.

A Tour of My Chickens and Turkeys for a Former Coworker

 http://www.amazon.com/Cattle-Tales-Seven-Cowboy-Stories/dp/149435151X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388449786&sr=8-1&keywords=cattle+tales

Yesterday morning one of the guys I used to work with came over with 2 of his kids to see my setup for the chickens and turkeys.  He has just published his first children's book and was thinking about getting some inspiration for another book and wanted to visit.  Shaun, Sophie and Christopher were my captive audience as I showed them around and tried to share everything I know about raising chickens and turkeys.  I'm sure at some point I was boring them but I was so eager to share my knowledge.  The only thing I miss about not working is having interaction with people on a daily basis.  My husband IS NOT a talker and neither is the grandson who lives with us, so when someone comes over I so enjoy it and NEVER shut up.  They were here for almost 2 hours and after talking outside we came in and the kids enjoyed some hot cocoa.
Sophie who is 11 was interested in seeing all my canning stuff so I was more than glad to show her my canning closet.  I also shared with her the stuff I dehydrated.  We talked about other things and then it was time they left so they could finish their Saturday chores.
Go to the link above and take a look at Shaun's first book. 

Unwanted Visitor

A couple of weeks ago Ron spotted a coyote in the back field, we've seen coyotes out back before. This morning when going to collect eggs I noticed large tracks all around the coops and yard. I followed them to see where they went and where they came from. I followed them through the field and had to stop tracking them when they disappeared behind the neighbors wood pile and down into the gully and woods. The tracks were all over the front yard, side yard and back yard so he was exploring the entire area. Our runs and coops are very secured so nothing happened to the chickens or turkeys. We have a trap that we can set out but first need to find out if it is legal to do so. I don't want or need any coyote hanging around this close to our house. He has plenty of fields and woods to roam without roaming my yard.

I HAVE AN EGG EATER

For a couple of weeks now I realized I have an egg eater.  The last couple of days it has gotten worse and I need to catch the culprit(s) and will have an unscheduled butchering.  Egg eaters hard very hard to break once it gets started.  If I had access to a camera to hook up in there I would so I could catch the culprit.  For now I guess I will be going out every hour to check for eggs.