New ducks

[trystinn]

Found a fabulous deal on Craigslist - 7 ducks (females) for $20, a combination of Khaki Campbells and Blue Swedes. Making arrangements to go get them this afternoon, the lovely synapsepi is over to help. We're going to keep them about a week or so to figure out who the layers are, likely do some swapping out for better layers from our own flock. Sam, the Savior, is happy to process ducks for us @ 1 duck for him, 2 for us.

For the week or two the new ducks will be living in the West Wing of Bunhalla. The two Bunboys, Winken & Nod, will be temporarily sharing Martha's pen - something they may all enjoy as they got along great before. I'll have to figure out how to temporarily band the new ducks, the Poultry Queen keastree recommended zip ties, I may see if I can find those spiral cord keepers for computer cords locally.

Should make for an interesting few weeks, glad I bought more feed last week! Can't wait for duck meat. Yummy!

Update: Looks like we're getting another 3 ducks for free, mixed flock. Already arranging to have folks come over a week from tomorrow for butchering.

Yes, yes, picy goodness to come.

Comments

[keastree.livejournal.com]

I am SO not the Poultry Queen.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Poultry Goddess!

[erynn999.livejournal.com]

mmmmmmduuuuuuck

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Perfect for Samhain, don't you think?

[erynn999.livejournal.com]

omg YES. *loves duck*

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

I'll put one back for you, we're just processing for breast.

[keastree.livejournal.com]

Man, you should use the rest of the carcass for stock. Strip the skin completely, roast it, and put it in the stock pot. Yum!

[erynn999.livejournal.com]

You win at LIFE! I try to get a duck every month but they're more expensive than chickenbits so I don't always manage to afford one.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

I can give it a shot, no promises, obviously but now that I've got a decent processor we'll do our best to keep you in alternate month duck.

[erynn999.livejournal.com]

You are a kind and wonderful person. What will I owe you on those months when I do get a duck? *snugulate*

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

It's going to be somewhat specific to what I'm paying for additional ducks. We'll have to figure out what poundage we're getting - maybe something like $5 for the breasts. How's that sound?

[erynn999.livejournal.com]

Works for me or, failing that, just let me have the dead duck and I can deal with the defeathering and such myself. I did process chickens when I was a kid, at the neighbors farm when they did their slaughter from time to time. Just let me know how much you want!

[keastree.livejournal.com]

Now there ya go, getting all excited about nuttin' again. Just because I'm witty, brilliant, hawt, and have chickens coming out my ear does not make me a Poultry Goddess. The word we use is 'infestation'. ;)

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

That we can do. Heather is going to work to process the entire ducks if you want a full duck for roasting, etc. The plan is to start butchering a week from tomorrow. Is that good for you?

[erynn999.livejournal.com]

Whole ducks for roasting is usually what I buy. I roast them, use the meat, and also make soup and broth from the bones. I imagine a week from tomorrow will be fine -- how shall we arrange pickup etc?

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

We'll do our best to get a whole duck for roasting, would you want skin? Can't promise we'll be good at this. :)

If you're feeling up to it, would you be interested in coming for a visit and helping out? Sam is the only one of us with any experience so we're all noobs.

If that's not workable, perhaps next time Phil is up on the Island we can meet up?

[erynn999.livejournal.com]

Skin on is best for roasting. I could possibly come up next Wednesday; in the afternoon is usually best for me. What time were you looking at doing this?

Be aware that the last time I did this I was still in my teens. From what I recall it involved hot water dunking the chickens to deal with making the feathers easier to remove. Some people do it differently, and I don't know how Sam usually proceeds. I'm definitely able to remove innards without being squeamish.

I'll bring rubber gloves ;)

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Noonish is our plan at present, though likely as not we'll be running a bit late. Heather has a small baby, Sam is 16 and tends to run late as he needs to finish his home schooling first.

Sam is an avid hunter but apparently only goes for the breasts. I haven't prepped a duck since junior high, so likely in about the same situation as you.

I'm going to see if I can find us some overalls or similar, I feel like looking in the HazMat section of the yellow pages. I've got non-latex gloves a plenty, we'll have to see what else we need to get together. Obviously I can provide hot water for dunking, pliers, etc, not sure what else we'll need other than very thick garbage bags.

Sam is going to set up his post-hunting kit on the tailgate of his truck in our driveway.

It will certainly be blog-able!

[erynn999.livejournal.com]

I'll bring an extra set of clothes for afterwards. ;) I'll also be bringing along a pocket knife for opening the body cavity to extract innards. Since you have gloves I won't bother to bring any.

Only using the breasts seems such a waste of lovely duck legs & thighs. If nobody else wants them, I'll happily take them off your hands.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Mostly the breasts-only idea came from Sam and has been over-ruled at this point. :)

We've got two bathrooms, you're most welcome to take a shower before you head home which I'd recommend so you're comfortable. Driving home stinky is a sure-fire way to make yourself miserable and sore, in my experience. I'm planning to feed everyone and provide drinks, let me know your dietary needs and likes. :)

There's a great site with chicken butchering information that I suspect you'll like to review as you're a research hound like me.

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Butchering+Poultry.html

[erynn999.livejournal.com]

I have somewhat odd food issues.

Allergies:
coffee
eggs
sometimes apples (best to avoid)
too much tomato sauce (acid reflux issues)

serious ick:
potatoes
cooked carrots
winter squash

ritual:
no beef
no pork

I'll do my best to be there between noon and noon-thirty.