Homemade Poultry Block

My birds (chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese) like to eat everything.  They follow me around hoping for a special treat.  It is so sweet.  These wonderful birds bring me so much joy.  That is why I love to find create new ways to give them healthy treats.  Just like every other animal on this ranch, my birds are highly spoiled.  

So far, I make three different treats, egg-based flock granola, gelatin-based poultry block, and bird bread.  Yes, I bake bread especially for my birds, but more on that later.  Each of these treats is gobbled up immediately.  

Making these treats is fun, and I feel good giving them something that is good for them.

Gelatin-Based Poultry Block

1 ounce plain gelatin
2 cups water, divided
eggshells, how ever many you have
1/2 Tablespoon Poultry Cell supplement or 1/4 cup Egg Maker granules
7 1/2 cups grain, seed, nut, fruit, vegetable
1/2 cup ground flax

Soften gelatin in 1/2 cup cold water.
With stick blender pulverize eggshells in 1/2 cup water.
Heat 1 cup water to boil.
Add heated water to gelatin, stir to dissolve.  Add eggshells and supplement.  Stir to combine.
In large bowl measure grains and flax.
Pour gelatin mixture over grains, mix well.  
Allow mixture to rest for about 10 minutes to absorb liquid.
Repeat stir and rest 2 or 3 more times until all liquid is absorbed.
Press mixture in 13x9 pan, or several smaller pans.
Refrigerate or freeze several hours or overnight.
Place in dehydrator at 125 for several hours or overnight until no longer sticky.

Recently I made a raisin grain block with milo, corn, sunflower seed, wheat, and of course, raisins.
Also made a fruit block with milo, corn, sunflower seed, wheat, peach, pear, and raisin.  I used the juice from the can of fruit as part of the water.

Get creative.  Use any fresh, canned, or leftover fruit or vegetable you have as part of the grain mix.  Your birds will love it.

First Snow on the Ranchlet!

It was a cold 20 degree morning.  Brrrrr!!!!

A half inch of snow covered the ground.  Beautiful!

Rancher Tracks

First thing outside what did we see?

These Cute Little Tracks.  

These little fellows must be very hungry to be searching all over the ranchlet for food.  Feeding the wild birds, quail, and doves is part of our morning chores.  They were very happy when food was put out for them.

Wild Bird Tracks Everywhere!!!

We found Bruce and Lucy just talking and having fun just like every other morning.  They seemed to love the snow.

Lucy and Bruce and Their Tracks

Goose Tracks

The chickens were not too thrilled with this little overnight delight of white and headed straight to the barn to scratch and play away from all this snow.

First Chicken to Come Out and Brave the Snow

Chicken Tracks

Mia, she did not care one way or the other.  All she was concerned about this morning was getting to her morning grain and hay.

Cow Track

Tubby did not want to go outside, but I lovingly scooped him up and tossed his little furball right out the door.  One quick trip around in the snow and he had had enough.  He cried at the door to come back inside.  Our sweet little Braveheart.
*Remember this big fellow is the Head of Ranchlet Security!    

Cat Tracks by Tubby

While everyone was busy taking care of things this morning, here lies Molly.  We could all learn a lesson from Molly!

No-Track Molly

Molly, the cute little thing, would not even go outside.  After this morning's chores we came in freezing cold and found Molly all curled up asleep in her favorite overstuffed chair.  As we stood in front of the fireplace warming our fingers and toes, we soon realized the wisdom in Molly's decision.  Molly, you are an inspiration to us all.

We hope you are enjoying the snow as much as we are here at Saltbush Flats!!!!

See this post and others like it at:
Pet Parade     Motivation Monday     Homestead Barn Hop     Homesteaders Hop     Homemaking Party     Creative Home and Garden Hop     From the Farm Blog Hop     

WatchGeese! Lucy and Bruce

Lucy and Bruce

This delightful pair of Chinese Geese needed a new home.  You know what that means.  Yes, you are right.  Saltbush Flats is here ready to take them in.

Brown Chinese Geese

Bruce is a sweetheart.  He comes up to me and stands so close to me and talks and talks and talks to me.  And, of course, I talk back.  He loves the attention.  He allows me to pet him and does not bite me.  Now Lucy she is a different story all together.  She does not come to me, and if I get close to her she bites me.

Now Rancher Roy seems to have the opposite effect on them.  Lucy just loves him.  And Bruce attacks him.

The men of Saltbush Flats, Rancher Roy and Tubby, thought it was high time there was another male on this ranch.  They were feeling pretty out-numbered. 
Awwwww poor fellows.

There are now 24 females and only 3 males.