WZ - There is a processor in Hudson that I use for our chickens (although they haven't written me back yet to let me know when the next processing date is!) but I don't think they do ducks. I may just have to learn how to process them here and just skin them instead of plucking them.
we shall see
Abi -
So, I was out enlarging the duck run area yesterday, and working with the pickhoe (it's probably a pickaxe but since it has a hoe blade on one side and a pick on the other i prefer to call it a pickhoe
) and the post pounder and now I have blisters on my palms and fingers. The ones on the fingers are ok, and in fact seem to be going away, but the ones on my palms all broke while I was working and now they sting when I stretch my hands to far. Any suggestions? I can't do arnica cream because you aren't supposed to put that in open breaks. I put aloe on yesterday, but it was so slimey I couldn't do anything until it was dried (although, to be honest, I probably put too much on, I tend to with lotions and creams and such, which is why I don't like using them). I read somewhere that honey is good for burns and burn blisters, but what about if the skin is broken? And should that be the raw unprocessed honey or is the processed ok?
Also, I'm thinking I'm going to get the filet knife I got at the outdoors store really sharp and then test it on one of the chickens to see if it works for the neck and for skinning. If I do this, do I have to freeze the carcass or can I process the bird and then toss it in the oven/crock pot? does anyone know why I couldn't do this? To be honest, this might actually make things easier here. Once a week go out to the coop at night and put a bird in a small enclosure to keep it from eating during the night and the next morning, then go out in the morning, string it up, slice the artery, skin and gut it, then toss it in the crockpot all day and have chicken for dinner that evening
granted, I have never actually done this, just read alot, so it's entirely possible that I am oversimplifying the process and it really won't be that simple. Thoughts?
I've decided that I am currently putting to much of my money into my 401(k) fund so I scaled back from 10% to 5%. I plan on taking that other 5% and splitting it in half and putting each half into it's own savings account. This way I can try and save for big purchases and expenditures in the future, or just have money saved if needed and needed faster than I can get it out of the 401(k). As it was I was saving over $100 each paycheck into the 401(k) so that should put at least $25 into each of the savings accounts each paycheck. And yes, I realize bringing home that extra bit means that they will tax it, but I'll still get most of it and I'll still put that much away, regardless. I need to start saving money for things like an engagement ring, wedding plans, honeymoon, new beds, fixing the vehicles, getting that stupid crown on my back tooth, having someone haul in enough straw and dirt to redo the whole freaking yard, trees, bushes, better coops, etc
I need to rent a jackhammer and buy some cattle panels so I can redo the fence that runs between us and the neighbors. Some of the smaller birds like to go through the fence to their yard and I'm afraid at some point they'll start eating her garden and then the **** will fly!
Aight, I was outside earlier and got hit with such lethargy that I came in to rest and get online for a few minutes. That turned into almost two hours, so I need to get outside and bust my ass into gear. I need to finish hardware clothing the bottom areas of the duck run so the smaller birds will stop going in there and eating their food. Stupid chickens. Oh, and I need to replace the gate. Beh.
I feel like I've been sick and am currently recouping but I only did three or fours hours of hard work before going to my job yesterday. I shouldn't feel this way.
The hernia too. It's a shame spell check doesn't read minds to know what we actually mean.
I just like calling them (thats right, them. I have two 
) hyenas. 
) were brought immediately to the kitchen. We would continue cleaning birds and meanwhile someone (usually my aunt) would season those birds up and get them on the rotisserie grill. When the job was complete we would shower and change clothes then sit down to the rotisserie chicken, potato salad, salad, and baked beans. Usually there was even homemade cinnamon rolls and homemade ice cream. 
