In the winter when the chickens are all cooped up and bored with nothing to do, we like to make pinatas for them. We've heard that giving them extra activities to do, when they can't get out to free-range, will help them from going bonkers and even in some cases, from going cannibalistic. Here is a little recipe for a home made treat.
Put 2 cups of their scratch grains into a large bowl and add 1 cup of rolled oats, 1 cup of cornmeal, a hand full of raisins or blueberries, cranberries or other small berry, 3/4 cup molasses or honey or mix half each, 3 or 4 eggs and 1/2 cup of beef tallow or lard. Mix it all up and put it in a couple greased pans, I used bread pans.
Bake at 375 for about 25 minutes or so. You'll want it to be firm in the center so they don't just rip it apart. I like for it to last at least a day or so.
I will be making up a batch tomorrow so hopefully remembering to take some photos to share. I will be trying to put a whole in one end so that I can hang it for them to peck at.
We also hang a head of cabbage by sticking a screw into the core and hanging that from above. They love it.
Pinatas make for happy chickens, I hope you will try it for yours!
Showing posts with label Farm Fresh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Farm Fresh. Show all posts
Monday, November 17, 2014
Still Got Eggs in this Bitter Cold!
Today was bitter cold. Thank God for wood for the fireplace and vegetables to make a most nutritious soup for supper!
I dug out coveralls out of storage this morning. I didn't realize we would need them this early in the year. Stepping out on the porch to get a few pieces of firewood, I realized that I needed the extra protection before the dog and I went to give the chickens a treat of leftover scraps and to make sure the animal's water wasn't frozen.
I decided to get some blood moving and walked down to the mailbox while I was already bundled. I felt exerted by the time I walked back up the hill and was thinking how all the extra attire seamed to weigh me down. It'd been a few days (or so) since I got any real exercise and obviously it was needed!
I carried three arm loads of wood in from the wood shed when I got back and that was all enough for me! It's funny how much more lazy I feel when it turns colder. It's harder to get out from under those warm blankets in the morning, too.
The girls gave me four eggs today! The youngest are finally deciding to lay and it couldn't be too soon. I wish we would have butchered earlier and gotten more chicks early on. Maybe we'll be better prepared next year. For now, we are thankful for their offerings.
Love and Warmth,
Tina
I dug out coveralls out of storage this morning. I didn't realize we would need them this early in the year. Stepping out on the porch to get a few pieces of firewood, I realized that I needed the extra protection before the dog and I went to give the chickens a treat of leftover scraps and to make sure the animal's water wasn't frozen.
I decided to get some blood moving and walked down to the mailbox while I was already bundled. I felt exerted by the time I walked back up the hill and was thinking how all the extra attire seamed to weigh me down. It'd been a few days (or so) since I got any real exercise and obviously it was needed!
I carried three arm loads of wood in from the wood shed when I got back and that was all enough for me! It's funny how much more lazy I feel when it turns colder. It's harder to get out from under those warm blankets in the morning, too.
The girls gave me four eggs today! The youngest are finally deciding to lay and it couldn't be too soon. I wish we would have butchered earlier and gotten more chicks early on. Maybe we'll be better prepared next year. For now, we are thankful for their offerings.
Love and Warmth,
Tina
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