8 days ago2 points(+0/-0/+2Score on mirror)2 children
We don't have chickens BECAUSE we let dogs and cats run loose? Some dogs broke into my pen once and ate a bunch of chickens. I took an axe out there to defend them. This busy-body neighbor came over telling me to stop. I told him to get out of my yard or I'd use the axe on him. Cops came and told me "well defending your property is your right" and took off. This was 25 years ago...
7 days ago4 points(+0/-0/+4Score on mirror)1 child
I am pretty sure the moment my wife fell in love with me was when she was showing me her chicken pen that feral dogs had damaged and she wanted me to fix. While standing there, 2 feral dogs showed up, mean as hell. I smoked them both with my pistol, and that was that. Still have their skulls hanging on the wall in the barn.
8 days ago2 points(+0/-0/+2Score on mirror)1 child
Yes I can understand some of the challenges. Years ago I learned I had to establish perimeter. I researched plants with the largest thorns, and brush so sharp that humans and animals can't get through it and need heavy machinery to dig it up. I think I posted an example about a year ago. I caught people trespassing disguised as utility workers but they were trying to steal tools out of one of my barns. I can't tell anymore details or risk dox. But establish perimeter either fencing or organic fencing such as pyracantha or sharp thorny shrubs and trees. Also chickens like low hanging branches so don't trim them off your trees. Chickens like to hop up on them as quick defense or a place to sleep in trees at night if they don't make it back to the coup. Also chickens need shrubs or tree line to hide in otherwise they are easy picking for hawks and falcons and eagles and owls.
Yeah I was really young, fresh into my first house. I had a completely bare yard for the most part, 2 trees. Those chickens didn't really stand a chance.
We have tons of chickens running around where I am at.
The cost of eggs skyrocketed so people stopped buying eggs from the store. We just bought feed from the feed store instead. Now that the price is down, we don't buy store-bought eggs anymore.
7 days ago2 points(+0/-0/+2Score on mirror)3 children
What percentage of your own food do you produce?
I just bought a stand mixer to try to let a machine knead bread dough. I want to start baking all my own bread. Let me know if you have any tips for beginners. It's become too difficult for me to buy good bread anywhere that isn't enriched white flour crap mixed with chemicals.
This makes four loaves of bread so just halve it if you need to or freeze the rest.
5 cups warm water, 2 Tbsp honey, 2 Tbsp yeast, 8 cups whole wheat flour, 5 1/2 cups of white bread flour, 1/2 cup olive or avocado oil, 2 Tbsp salt.
Put in the mixer with a dough hook attachment and knead for about 5-10 minutes, until it no longer sticks to the sides. Cover with tea towel and let rest for 1 hour or until doubled in size. You can keep it in the oven (turned off) with the light feature turned on to speed this up. Fold and shape the dough in four bread loaf pans, then let proof another hour. Bake for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees. While cooling on counter, spread butter on top of loaf to prevent wrinkling and make it extra yummy.
I use and prefer bread machines because pregnant and busy. I've had great luck at thrift stores finding them. Here is my favorite bread machine recipe, it's for a honey wheat loaf. You throw all the ingredients in the pan and then set it for quick whole wheat loaf and it's done in 2.5 hours. I have three machines I run every day lol.
1 1/8 cups warm water, 1/4 cup honey, 1/8 cup olive or avo oil, 2 cups whole wheat flour, 1 cup bread flour, 1 tsp salt, 2 tsp yeast.
You let dogs and cats run around neighborhood but not chickens? Lol so retarded
We have tons of chickens running around where I am at.
The cost of eggs skyrocketed so people stopped buying eggs from the store. We just bought feed from the feed store instead. Now that the price is down, we don't buy store-bought eggs anymore.
I just bought a stand mixer to try to let a machine knead bread dough. I want to start baking all my own bread. Let me know if you have any tips for beginners. It's become too difficult for me to buy good bread anywhere that isn't enriched white flour crap mixed with chemicals.
There are tons and tons of bakers online and on youtube who would love to show you how to make bread. It really is simple.
I'm looking into growing my own veggies on the land I own now.
I had some ideas to try growing wheat but the honest truth is I don't need bread in my life. I'd rather learn how to eat veggies than bread.
5 cups warm water, 2 Tbsp honey, 2 Tbsp yeast, 8 cups whole wheat flour, 5 1/2 cups of white bread flour, 1/2 cup olive or avocado oil, 2 Tbsp salt.
Put in the mixer with a dough hook attachment and knead for about 5-10 minutes, until it no longer sticks to the sides. Cover with tea towel and let rest for 1 hour or until doubled in size. You can keep it in the oven (turned off) with the light feature turned on to speed this up. Fold and shape the dough in four bread loaf pans, then let proof another hour. Bake for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees. While cooling on counter, spread butter on top of loaf to prevent wrinkling and make it extra yummy.
I use and prefer bread machines because pregnant and busy. I've had great luck at thrift stores finding them. Here is my favorite bread machine recipe, it's for a honey wheat loaf. You throw all the ingredients in the pan and then set it for quick whole wheat loaf and it's done in 2.5 hours. I have three machines I run every day lol.
1 1/8 cups warm water, 1/4 cup honey, 1/8 cup olive or avo oil, 2 cups whole wheat flour, 1 cup bread flour, 1 tsp salt, 2 tsp yeast.