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| Our Side Yard |
Everyone I've met so far here has been friendly, even if they are not quite sure what to do with me. Our chimney sweep mentioned to Sweetheart that his goats should be kidding next week. I told Sweetheart I would like to see that. Sweetheart said he'd mentioned they were hoping to butcher some roosters and chickens before the kidding began. I said I should probably see that, too. So he called the sweep back, and set it up.
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| Neighbors' Cows Along Our Road |
The plan was for us all to go Friday morning, but a phone call late yesterday came to say they had decide to butcher that night.
We decided that I would go and he would stay with our kids.
It was interesting. I should up as they were already chopping heads and throwing birds. I asked a million questions and they answered them all.
Once the birds were all done, um, flopping and running with their heads cut off, we picked them up by their feet and took them into the workshop to finish the job. For the gal who has only ever touched chickens already in plastic and Styrofoam, I think I did pretty good.
They were the nicest people as we all chatted and got to know one another while pulling organs out of cavities and slicing away...stuff. I'll get better at this and learn the lingo I'm sure. Cleaning out the gizzards was really the only squeamy part of it and that was just because of the smell. Not being a gizzard eater myself, I could skip this step entirely and be just fine. And still have chicken dinners.
She is a willing teacher and I have a lot to learn, so I'm hoping this new friendship will work out well. I am happy to pitch right in and hope I can be of some help and not a hindrance. In turn, I'll teach another on down the road.
When we were done putting everything in the freezer she took me out to see her chickens in the barn and check on the goats. She thinks they'll start kidding (having babies) on Monday. They'll call me. Cool. Having birthed my own babies at home, I am slightly more prepared for that. I think. I hope. We'll see....
Meanwhile, we are working on seed orders and poultry orders of our own. Lots to do!
6 comments:
Kim, you'll be a natural judging from your blog!...:)JP
Wow I remember when I started farming 32 years ago I was just like you. I had great neighbours that had a lot of knowledge. You will do great. B
Wow-you surely did well for your first time ever touching a chicken out of the plastic. I don’t think I could do as well. I think you will be a natural at it as you seem like a jump right in kinda girl. Good for you :) Thank you for linking up with Farm Friend Friday.
I'm glad I found you on Farm Friend Friday, and brava for helping with the chickens! I don't know if I could have done it.
Great post! You did fantastic...I have had chicken for years now and I am still working towards raising chicks to be processed. Way to go jumping off the high dive. :)
xo,
Caroline
Watching the goats kid is an amazing experience- really, any time you see the miracle of birth is! I'd watched several kids be born, then ended up having to pull a kid by myself last month! I was nervous, but knew it had to be done. I pulled the first, and she had healthy triplets! We'll make a farmer out of me yet... :)
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