It's butchering time again. Time to put the "meat birds" in the freezer (and the barbecue.) We decided not to raise white Cornish Cross birds this time for several reasons. They won't live long enough reach sexual maturity. At around 10 weeks their legs give out under their massive weight. If that doesn't happen then their hearts usually give out shortly there after. They spend all day every day planted in front of the food trough gorging themselves. That being said, a Cornish Cross cockerel can dress out at 9 pounds by the time that they are 8 weeks old. The hens of the same age dress out to around 3 1/2 to 5 pounds.
Butchering day is not our favorite day. It takes a lot of prep work. Since we do it outside, everything has to be scrubbed down. The knives have to be sharpened and the cutting surfaces set up and disinfected. The method we use is the "home version" of the methods employed at a slaughterhouse:
First the birds are placed head first in a "holding cone" also known as a "killing cone". This relaxes the birds and holds them in position. Next I give them enough CO2 gas to knock them out. At that point their jugular is severed. This is the most humane method of killing we've found. The carcases are left to bleed out for about ten minutes before being scalded. They are placed in 150 degree F water for 1 minute. This loosens the feathers for the next step. They are then placed in the automated feather plucker for about 30 or 40 seconds. This removes all the feathers. Next they move to the evisceration station where the head, feet and entrails are removed. At this point it looks like a whole chicken that you would by at the supermarket. Now the bird is chilled to about 40 degrees for about 24 hours. The final steps are to vacuum seal and quick freeze them.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
What if the dollar collapses? - (Tin foil hat mode on)
Hyper inflation due to collapse of the dollar is a real possibility over at least the next few years. If it happens, the dollar will completely collapse and it may take the government with it. If this occurs, silver, gold and ammunition will be the primary "currency" of barter.
We are very close to a total economic collapse now. With the dollar as artificially propped up by the Fed monetizing the national debt, it would not take much to initiate the collapse.
THIS IS A REAL POSSIBILITY!
The ramifications would include a total breakdown of:
Really think this through. I'm not sure if today's society could endure a multifaceted calamity like this without coming unraveled. Those who live in the heavily urbanized areas will not have access to food, fuel, water, sanitation or communication. Those who can, will be pouring into the surrounding countryside under the illusion that they will find sustenance and safety. There will be rioting and looting almost everywhere. Food and clean water will become scarce within a few weeks of the collapse. Medical care will be reduced to basic first aid. Consumable medical supplies will be used up very quickly. Life sustaining drugs like insulin ans heart medicine will be gone in the first few months. With no police force to speak of, crime will run rampant. Armed citizens will have to defend them selves from roving gangs.
I can only hope that I'm wrong, but take a really close look at what's going on around you. I don't have a solution. I'm not even sure that there is a solution. I guess only time will tell.
We are very close to a total economic collapse now. With the dollar as artificially propped up by the Fed monetizing the national debt, it would not take much to initiate the collapse.
THIS IS A REAL POSSIBILITY!
The ramifications would include a total breakdown of:
- The food production and supply chain.
- The banking industry.
- The entire transportation infrastructure IE: land sea and air.
- The medical infrastructure.
- The public communication system (phones, cell phones, Internet, etc).
Really think this through. I'm not sure if today's society could endure a multifaceted calamity like this without coming unraveled. Those who live in the heavily urbanized areas will not have access to food, fuel, water, sanitation or communication. Those who can, will be pouring into the surrounding countryside under the illusion that they will find sustenance and safety. There will be rioting and looting almost everywhere. Food and clean water will become scarce within a few weeks of the collapse. Medical care will be reduced to basic first aid. Consumable medical supplies will be used up very quickly. Life sustaining drugs like insulin ans heart medicine will be gone in the first few months. With no police force to speak of, crime will run rampant. Armed citizens will have to defend them selves from roving gangs.
I can only hope that I'm wrong, but take a really close look at what's going on around you. I don't have a solution. I'm not even sure that there is a solution. I guess only time will tell.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Fire at the lumber Mill
The lumber mill burned down today. It was the largest source of employment in the area and the last operating lumber mill in the county. Amid all the drama of the efforts to extinguish the fire we could feel the anxiety of families who would now have no income. Later in the day I drove past the mill sight. There were cars parked along the road. People were standing with blank looks wondering what there were going to do now.
In a small community where many people live on the edge of financial disaster, an event like this could send them over the edge. I am hoping that the community rallies to help those who are impacted by this.
Update: The local mill owners are saying that they will rebuild. They say that if all goes well they will be milling lumber again by the first of next year.
In a small community where many people live on the edge of financial disaster, an event like this could send them over the edge. I am hoping that the community rallies to help those who are impacted by this.
Update: The local mill owners are saying that they will rebuild. They say that if all goes well they will be milling lumber again by the first of next year.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Dealing with preditors
One of the challenges faced by those of us who raise livestock is protecting them from predators. In our area we have a variety of them:
Mountain Lions - These can be a threat to all livestock. Normally they stay away from human settlements, but if their food source is depleted or their hunting is impeded by weather, they will come right into town.
Bears - In most areas they have lost much of their fear of man. I've had bears climb my fences and destroy barbecue, raid my trash and rip open cupboards. You can't stop a bear. Your best bet is to call your state fish and game warden and let them deal with it.
Foxes - We have an abundance of these furry little chicken thieves. We are so overkill on our flock protection methods that they are not even a threat to our flock. If given the chance, they will make a meal out of a chicken. They are very hard to catch in the "Have-A-Heart trap. The best method seems to be to cover the trap with a rug or tarp leaving it open in front of the door. Try baiting it with raw meat and eggs.
Skunks - I trap and shoot every one that comes near our place. If you shoot them, make sure you shoot them in the brain or they will spray. Even if you drop them with the first shot, there is a good chance that it will leak out and stink up the place.
Eagles - They love chicken, duck and turkey. Again we are over kill in our flock protection. The entire twenty seven buy eighty foot run area is covered with very heavy netting. Some of our friends came home to find a golden eagle in their hen house finishing off the last chicken.
We have never lost a bird to a predator. We take our responsibility to protect our livestock very seriously. It makes good financial sense as well. If you think about the number of eggs a hen will produce in her life time.
Mountain Lions - These can be a threat to all livestock. Normally they stay away from human settlements, but if their food source is depleted or their hunting is impeded by weather, they will come right into town.
Bears - In most areas they have lost much of their fear of man. I've had bears climb my fences and destroy barbecue, raid my trash and rip open cupboards. You can't stop a bear. Your best bet is to call your state fish and game warden and let them deal with it.
Foxes - We have an abundance of these furry little chicken thieves. We are so overkill on our flock protection methods that they are not even a threat to our flock. If given the chance, they will make a meal out of a chicken. They are very hard to catch in the "Have-A-Heart trap. The best method seems to be to cover the trap with a rug or tarp leaving it open in front of the door. Try baiting it with raw meat and eggs.
Skunks - I trap and shoot every one that comes near our place. If you shoot them, make sure you shoot them in the brain or they will spray. Even if you drop them with the first shot, there is a good chance that it will leak out and stink up the place.
Eagles - They love chicken, duck and turkey. Again we are over kill in our flock protection. The entire twenty seven buy eighty foot run area is covered with very heavy netting. Some of our friends came home to find a golden eagle in their hen house finishing off the last chicken.
We have never lost a bird to a predator. We take our responsibility to protect our livestock very seriously. It makes good financial sense as well. If you think about the number of eggs a hen will produce in her life time.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Harvest Time
Being self sufficient is not a life style for lazy people. All the things I've mentioned here along with much much more, are in addition to our regular jobs.
In the end, it's a great life with many rewards, but you get out of it what you put into it and you work for what you get.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Fires, deer & water...
The heat of summer has returned. It's mid August and the mountains are dry. Last week there was a forest fire that consumed over twelve hundred acres within seven miles of our home. The threat of fire is an ever present danger here. Each spring we repeat the ritual of clearing brush and trimming trees around our home. Even with the precautions we take, fire is always in the back of our minds. Life up here is challenging but the rewards are more than enough payment.
There are several does with twin fawns nursing on them hanging around the property right now. They come right up to us and the babies run and jump bouncing around like ping pong balls. They would like nothing better than to get at our gardens and fruit trees, but like the old saying goes: Good fences make for good neighbors.
Deer season for bow hunters opened a couple of days ago. I've got no problem with hunting deer, but I've sure seen a lot of wounded deer around town over the years with arrows sticking out of them. That just plain pisses me off! Once a hunter puts an arrow in a deer, they owe it to the deer to track it and finish it.
Several miles up the mountain from here, is the source of the water that flows across our place. Back in the 1850s the miners used to route water for miles with ditches that were cut into the mountains and hill sides. One such ditch is still carrying water. A small group of us have water rights and use it to water our yards and gardens. We also are responsible for the maintenance of the ditch. It probably costs us more to maintain the ditch than if we bought the water from the town water system, but it has many other benefits.
There are several does with twin fawns nursing on them hanging around the property right now. They come right up to us and the babies run and jump bouncing around like ping pong balls. They would like nothing better than to get at our gardens and fruit trees, but like the old saying goes: Good fences make for good neighbors.
Deer season for bow hunters opened a couple of days ago. I've got no problem with hunting deer, but I've sure seen a lot of wounded deer around town over the years with arrows sticking out of them. That just plain pisses me off! Once a hunter puts an arrow in a deer, they owe it to the deer to track it and finish it.
Several miles up the mountain from here, is the source of the water that flows across our place. Back in the 1850s the miners used to route water for miles with ditches that were cut into the mountains and hill sides. One such ditch is still carrying water. A small group of us have water rights and use it to water our yards and gardens. We also are responsible for the maintenance of the ditch. It probably costs us more to maintain the ditch than if we bought the water from the town water system, but it has many other benefits.
Friday, August 14, 2009
The government needs our input
It's time for Americans to wake up. The people we elected are taking our republic down a path from which we may not be able to return. Obama and his ACORN thugs are preventing people from debating issues that they don't like. The president is asking citizens to report anyone that disagrees with his policies. The left is accusing those of us that disagree with them of being obstructionists. The president is sending his union goons to bust heads at anti socialized health care rallies.
Call and write your representatives. Politely and respectfully address the issues. Do not use violence!!! Do not use threatening language! Be firm and to the point. Remember that if you do nothing, they win and the country loses.
Call and write your representatives. Politely and respectfully address the issues. Do not use violence!!! Do not use threatening language! Be firm and to the point. Remember that if you do nothing, they win and the country loses.
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