Processing the Processing...

 
Our first day of chicken processing is over and it could not have gone any better!  We had so many amazing friends and family who came, eager to learn and help!  What a blessing!  Friends helped in the processing, provided childcare, brought meals, and encouraged us with their fellowship!  It was a really fun day!  


We processed 88 chickens in about 5 hours!  The packaging, however, took an additional few more hours than we had not expected!

We had such a great response from our community!  Several people came to pick up their chicken and were able to get a tour of the process.  

We got back so much positive feedback and it was uplifting to hear how many people have been wanting healthier chicken, raised with integrity!

We did find out there is some room for improvement on our packaging, so we'll need to practice the shrink wrapping some more, but other than that it was a truly successful day! 

The two best discoveries of the day were that we have so many amazing friends, with big servant hearts.  The second best discovery was that we really, really love chicken farming!!!




*Our chickens arrive when they are 1-2 days old.  We raise them in a brooder for the first 2 weeks, after which they are moved to a portable outdoor pen. We then move them to fresh grass daily so they get a new "salad bar" along with their daily ration of non-medicated feed.  They enjoy the sunshine, exercise and fresh, clean air! We butcher and process here on site so that from chick to bag, we know that the chicken we are providing is top quality.  If you are interested in ordering, please e-mail us at TheWheelerParade@gmail.com.

Getting Rid of Ants NATURALLY

A few days ago, I opened our kitchen cabinet to find a swarm of ants.  I was so upset because I pride myself on a clean kitchen!  I decided to try some natural methods and the first one I tried worked like a charm!

According to most articles on the internet, Borox is what most store-bought ant killers use as their primary ingredient.  So I read a few different "recipes" on line and here is what I did:

-1 cup of warm water 

-3/4 cup of sugar

-2 tablespoons of Borax

Mix together.  Soak Cotton balls in the mixture and place them in the path of the ants.

 

 

 It's sweet enough to attract the ants but the Borox is the poison that they can't taste.

Everything I read said they will be gone within 24 hours...and they were RIGHT!  I did this around lunchtime on day 1 and when I woke up in the morning on day 2 there was not a single sign of an ant!

I tend to be skeptical about things like this, so I waited a few days to see if they'd return.  Nope...I have seen another ant (and trust me, I've searched the cabinet for them)!

This works for me!

Moving Day!

Don't worry!  Our family didn't move..just the chickens did!

We've moved them from their brooder...

To their new outdoor home with a fresh salad bar provided daily!

 Moving Day was a success!  All 103 chickens got moved and they are happy to have more room and fresh forage!

Now...

This is MY chick.  I named her Ginger (Samuel added Snap, so Ginger Snap it is)

We noticed at 2 weeks she had Splayed Legs.  I took on this challenge and was determined to fix her.  For the first week I wrapped her legs in gauze and taped her legs in.

The next week we had noticed a significant difference, so I used a rubber band to keep her legs in but allow her to walk.  

On "Moving Day" we removed the rubber bands and she was completely healed!  She was walking, able to reach the waterer and feed!

I  marked her head to keep an eye on her.  She's my first patient and a success story!

Easter and Chicks...

Easter this year was filled with precious talks of our Savior and sweet fellowship with family!

The Girls..

The Boys...

The Cousins...

(Most of them!)

The Sisters...

And just a few days after Easter, we got our long awaited package in the mail...

The Chicks!!!

104 Baby Chicks...

Our family has been praying, planning and dreaming about this day for almost 2 years!

 

More Homemade Sauce and Dip Recipes!

After posting my Homemade Ranch Dressing, I decided to post my two other favorite "sauce" recipes!  Most store-bought syrups are loaded with high fructose corn syrup, so these recipes are a much smarter choice! (and they are pretty easy too!)

Berry Sauce
3/4 Cup Frozen Berries
2 Tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup
1/4 Cup Water

Combine all ingredients in small saucepan over medium-low heat. Bring to a light simmer.

Cook until the berries are soft 
(I cook them for about 10-15 minutes).

 Remove from heat and blend 
(I use a mini food processor).

Store in fridge.
Yummy on yogurt or oatmeal!



Chocolate Syrup
1/2 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 Cup Water
2 Cups Organic Sugar
1/8 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Vanilla

Combine all ingedients in medium saucepan and whisk until smooth.
Cook over medium heat stirring frequently till sugar is well blended in and dissolved.
Turn heat up to medium-high and bring to a boil.  Boil for about 3 minutes until mixutre is smooth BUT watch it and stir fequently because it tends to boil over easily!
Remove from heat and cool before putting it in storage jar.

This mixture lasts 3 months and is great in milk, as a topping or as a dip!

This post is linked to Works For Me Wednesday!