tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post4282228228339983174..comments2024-03-28T13:00:45.457+00:00Comments on An English Homestead: Chicken Clean Out & Sort OutKev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-39693282188184837542016-01-19T03:51:52.088+00:002016-01-19T03:51:52.088+00:00This sounds brutal, and looks weird, but here'...This sounds brutal, and looks weird, but here's what we do: After cutting off the feet/legs - the scaly parts - we wash with cold water. Then we scald them in hot water (145F) until the outer scin peels off. Don't boil them! When the scald is right, the skin peels off like socks. Then we use a pruning shear to clip off the toe nails. Voila! Broth made by covering with cold water and slowly bringing to a simmer. Tim B. Inmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08143483015560273896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-55148509803071154632016-01-18T09:59:47.193+00:002016-01-18T09:59:47.193+00:00Thank you (long time lurker here) for a really sen...Thank you (long time lurker here) for a really sensible post about keeping hens/eating meat. I'm a back-garden hen keeper, never have more than six birds and they are partly pets but I don't see the point in feeding spent hens. Mine have to pay their way, and they earn their feed money as well as giving me the most fabulous eggs. I wish more people in the UK understood where meat comes from, and that the best way to preserve a rare breed is to eat it! If we didn't eat bacon, pigs would be extinct. Athenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15291829962426006638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-34769571685891378192016-01-18T07:05:08.964+00:002016-01-18T07:05:08.964+00:00http://abundantpermaculture.com/mobile-chicken-coo...http://abundantpermaculture.com/mobile-chicken-coop/ is a post I came across that might fit the bill. :)Jessie - Rabid Little Hippyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13949841247537454674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-40674949930814247932016-01-18T06:58:27.427+00:002016-01-18T06:58:27.427+00:00Hi Kev, I meant in general, not this time around. ...Hi Kev, I meant in general, not this time around. Life with 3 changes the rules on times somewhat (I totally get that). :)Jessie - Rabid Little Hippyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13949841247537454674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-83915556632450547282016-01-18T06:57:25.684+00:002016-01-18T06:57:25.684+00:00Yes, the feet make awesome broth! The gelatin in t...Yes, the feet make awesome broth! The gelatin in them is incredible. What do you do to prep the feet Tim?Jessie - Rabid Little Hippyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13949841247537454674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-14072951056148674612016-01-18T00:19:13.047+00:002016-01-18T00:19:13.047+00:00Get a pressure canner and can the meat. It is wond...Get a pressure canner and can the meat. It is wonderful and the canning processing time makes the meat tender. Old hens are delicious for flavor and broth. Don't forget to make broth from the feet, too. :)Tim B. Inmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08143483015560273896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-17876421157525530262016-01-17T22:55:10.918+00:002016-01-17T22:55:10.918+00:00I'm going to start ringing my chickens so I kn...I'm going to start ringing my chickens so I know what year they were born. And as for broody hens you'll probably be cursing you'll have that many as soon as it gets hot! Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-52399896459274504072016-01-17T22:53:38.412+00:002016-01-17T22:53:38.412+00:00Peoples ideas on food are sometimes peculiar, In t...Peoples ideas on food are sometimes peculiar, In the UK it's seems worse than anywhere else for this whole animal rights and everything else in between. I just wish people realise that anaimals don;t have human emotions. when I shoot a rabbit it's buddy doesn't go home and cry, it stays next to his dead buddy and keeps eating if I was quite enough. Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-7023747004455289332016-01-17T22:51:21.053+00:002016-01-17T22:51:21.053+00:00Exactly. I think I used to grow things like that a...Exactly. I think I used to grow things like that as well, then not know what to do with it all! I still make that mistake even now! Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-9455111920989271312016-01-17T22:50:29.006+00:002016-01-17T22:50:29.006+00:00Sandie I've sent you an email!Sandie I've sent you an email! Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-17369612865924080032016-01-17T22:50:12.904+00:002016-01-17T22:50:12.904+00:00What breed are you going for? The kids know what I...What breed are you going for? The kids know what I get up to, but they're a bit young to watch yet, but they will! Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-7191525068122901042016-01-17T22:49:36.787+00:002016-01-17T22:49:36.787+00:00nothing beats fresh eggs does it? I was naughty wi...nothing beats fresh eggs does it? I was naughty with these hens and didn't do anything with them, but it's been a busy week. We eat far more than the recommended amount of eggs but couldn't give a hoot! Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-30124517434779811442016-01-17T22:48:17.169+00:002016-01-17T22:48:17.169+00:00No animals will be pets here, unless we get a dog,...No animals will be pets here, unless we get a dog, but he'll still have to earn his keep.Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-27488747317910172232016-01-17T22:47:32.681+00:002016-01-17T22:47:32.681+00:00Not just chickens but all animals. It's amazin...Not just chickens but all animals. It's amazing when people get funny about us eating somethign we've reared.Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-49285041211312987152016-01-17T22:46:59.838+00:002016-01-17T22:46:59.838+00:00Free range doesn't work here, too many dog wal...Free range doesn't work here, too many dog walkers and too many foxes. Its a shame as I used to love it for them<br />Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-86830457994095528942016-01-17T22:45:06.958+00:002016-01-17T22:45:06.958+00:00I don;t look at the cost so much as a fresh, just ...I don;t look at the cost so much as a fresh, just laid egg is the only way to have a poached egg! And like PP I think it's good to have that food store there.Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-15331785790000231602016-01-17T22:43:26.586+00:002016-01-17T22:43:26.586+00:00I keep thinking about getting some more chicken tr...I keep thinking about getting some more chicken tractors made up, but I want them to be as cheap as possible but strong and light (I want it all!). Hopefully I'll get better at breeding them and keep some better logs with them as well. Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-36236971314137749462016-01-17T22:41:39.012+00:002016-01-17T22:41:39.012+00:00I've been looking at getting some rings for th...I've been looking at getting some rings for their feet so I know when they were hatched. I think it would be a much better way of managing them. Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-57817146666671885212016-01-17T22:40:48.143+00:002016-01-17T22:40:48.143+00:00I need to get back to that, I just missed a years ...I need to get back to that, I just missed a years culling and didn't buy enough birds in. I didn't sell many eggs last year and missed the money for the feed.Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-12854491551579000372016-01-17T22:34:53.616+00:002016-01-17T22:34:53.616+00:00I have to admit to doing nothing with these, as wi...I have to admit to doing nothing with these, as with a new born we've been a bit pushed for time. When I've cooked them in the past it takes some serious stewing to get them edible. Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-78804927033074983392016-01-17T22:27:35.809+00:002016-01-17T22:27:35.809+00:00I don't look at it as current money or storage...I don't look at it as current money or storage issue. As it is now we sell most of our eggs and I am sure we are losing money overall. As the decline continues however we could put away any and all the eggs the hens want to lay once the super markets are empty.<br />PioneerPreppyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09269878017447335944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-59070789566125255562016-01-17T22:25:55.918+00:002016-01-17T22:25:55.918+00:00LOL well at least you ain't talking about goin...LOL well at least you ain't talking about going hunting with your friend or some abomination like that :)<br /><br />Ya know I still shake my head when I think about the drama that stirred up when you posted that. What do these people think meat is grown in tanks now?<br /><br />Anyway I have yet figured out how to tell which of my hens are actually laying. I see a few of them of course from time to time but most of them I haven't a clue. <br /><br />I really am hoping one of these hens I got takes up being broody this Spring.<br />PioneerPreppyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09269878017447335944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-997698337804760312016-01-17T16:37:27.944+00:002016-01-17T16:37:27.944+00:00no point keeping animals that are to produce if th...no point keeping animals that are to produce if they arent producing. we run our home like we would run a business. it would be like me growing squash and none of us eating it. it will have taken time, space and water that I could have had growing something else. Solhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518631542782309728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-42790909089417723852016-01-17T16:33:49.071+00:002016-01-17T16:33:49.071+00:00Same with us Dave, at a push if I cook a cake we w...Same with us Dave, at a push if I cook a cake we would only use 12 eggs, a week. the lady down the road has free ranging hens I buy from her at the gate with the honesty box. I dont have the room for them. Solhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518631542782309728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-59249894699585649652016-01-17T15:04:33.231+00:002016-01-17T15:04:33.231+00:00Hi Kev,
Would you like an electric dehydrator? I n...Hi Kev,<br />Would you like an electric dehydrator? I no longer used mine, in fact, only used it 4 times at the most! It is very good but, I don't really use it and need the space, contact me sandiedotbaileyatbtdotcom if you are interested,one third the price to buy plus postage.<br />SandieSandies' Patchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11022362234675324965noreply@blogger.com