Chicken and Dumplings Pt 2

The chicken harvest went pretty well. I do not recommend processing a bird in molt. I didn't have a choice. The new feather casings are a lot like fish scales and made a big mess. Skinning wasn't particularly easy. Next time I'm going to pluck. I didn't do any documenting but I found this Paul Wheaton video VERY helpful! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_S3P0eU0lE&feature=relmfu
I wasn't as sad as I thought I might be. It wasn't violent and I was pretty focused on doing a good job. I did get a little weepy when it was all done but I feel good about the experience. After all, all meat is flesh and I know this bird lived a good life and came to a respectful end.

The meat was tough as was expected but a long simmer made for really good soup.

Chicken and Dumplings pt 1

Tomorrow is the day. Chicken and Dumplings from beginning to end.

Butchering is always a mixed bag of emotions. I'm quite sad because the hen has been with us for a long time but she's not laying and she's not getting around very well either. I'm also kind of excited to take the reins and put some meat on the table all by myself. I've asked Matt to leave me to my own. If I pull it off I'll be pretty proud. There is also a feeling of curiosity. Despite the sadness, the biology lesson is fascinating. I no longer find it at all gruesome.

Wish me luck.

Spring has Sprung

Our new guineas are settling in.

Chicken with their nice new feathers

Sheep grow so fast!

Button with her new baby

My babies with Button's new babies.

"Hey Mom! What are these pink trees?"

Our ram, Mufasa, has really come into his own this year!

Peach blooms

More blooms

The New Chicken Coop

First it was the foxes, so we got electroplastic netting, then it was the hawks, so we built "THE GEODESIC CHICKEN DOME" (inspired by Buckminster Fuller, of course). Introducing the (somewhat) portable chicken containment and protection system. The outer mesh is charged with 8,000 volts of predator (and feed stealing goats) repellent. We have not lost a chicken since. Sure beats coming out to a half eaten chicken everyday! Soon after finishing it we sold the flock down to 6 birds which has worked out great. Just enough eggs for us and a few friends and family.

Whippoorville Farms carries Silver Creek Family Farm Eggs!

You can now order

Silver Creek Family Farm Eggs through Whipporville Farms.

Place your order at: http://www.whippoorvillefarms.com/

While you are there check out Whippoorville's outstanding organic seasonal produce selections!

Pick up your order between 10am-12pm or 2pm-5pm in the Union Plaza building (Lower Level - Suite 101) in downtown Hickory.

Orders received by Tuesday (2:00 pm) will be available on Wednesday
Orders received after Tuesday (2:00 pm) will be available on Friday

Whippoorville Farms is a small organic produce farm located in Hickory, North Carolina. Whippoorville encompasses 22 acres in the Mountain View area. Whippoorville utilizes two small garden plots that, combined, total approximately one half acre. They have also started a small fruit orchard which has Thompson and Concord grapes that were rooted from the family's 50 year old vines. Whippoorville has been growing produce since 2000 and have been selling at local Farmer's Markets and on the web since 2007."

Chicken Coup

The New Chicken Coop is Complete
06/23/08

I am really proud of our new chicken coop. We finished it up this weekend. Now the chickens are outside where they belong and have plenty of space and fresh air.

Plenty of roosting sites

Gang-plank door gives free access to gather bugs during the day and security at night

The coop is built from 2x2's that we ripped on the table saw from 2x24's that were milled in Waxhaw from the dead yellow pine that Matthew cut down in our yard in Charlotte last winter.

At the mill

Chicks - Three Weeks Old

Chicks are a Hand Full

Three Days

Three Weeks

The Chicks are three weeks old and have doubled in size. Notice the striped wing feathers coming in. They have graduated from the kitchen to the basement- thank goodness. Three more weeks and they can go outside.

Nothing Says "Spring" like Baby Chicks

Baby Chicks

We ordered 25 Plymouth (Barred) Rocks from Shook Poultry in Clairmont NC. They are only days old and require a heat lamp. They are growing very quickly! I will need to assemble a larger brooder soon to ease the crowding and move them out of the kitchen. The eggs will be plentiful this fall!