Chicken Poop Lip Junk!

My sister-in-law & brother-in-law brought me one of these the other day at our monthly Wiedenhoeft Sunday lunch, or dinner, as lunch is often called out in the country.  Then what is dinner, you ask?  Well, supper, of course!  I digress.

Back to the star of this show, Free Range Chicken Poop Lip Junk!  The primitive style package is cute and sure to please any chicken lover.  In fact, I haven't had the heart to open it yet.  I may just hang it on my wall in the kitchen for character or for that moment of dry lip desperation that's sure to hit once the balmy days of Wisconsin winter set in.

This gift also made me realize that I've sealed my seat in our family as that person; you know, the crazy chicken lady.  Once people start buying you random gifts related to your obsession and passing them around secretively before giving them to you-giggling all the while, I think it's a sign.  Thank you Brad & Jenny for making it official.  I digress again.  

Grandpa says: 

If ya' got dry lips

put chicken poop on 'em 

so ya' won't lick 'em.

Simone Chickenbone Natural Put-Ons, the creators of this fine chicken poo product, point out that there isn't really chicken poo or poo of any kind contained in this lip junk.  Actually, the ingredients include avocado oil, jojoba, sweet orange, lavender essential oil, bees wax & vitamin E.  Sounds yummy.  All of their products are made with natural ingredients & are earth-friendly too...bonus!  

As the winter rolls by and my lips start to crack, I'll let y'all know if this junk really works!  

By the way, I've missed y'all and promise to pay more attention to you.  I swear.

Bug Control

Wow, where has the time gone?  While I've been making mental notations for future posts almost daily, it's been over a month since I've checked in!  I'm hoping y'all have been as busy and I have this spring/summer and haven't noticed my lengthy hiatus.  Since I've been gone so long, I figured I had better bring some stupendous information your way to keep you coming back!

My seasoned chicken keepers out there are probably familiar with Diatomaceous Earth (DE), but I've come across so many folks who haven't heard of it that I reckon it doesn't hurt to touch on this incredible creation that needs to be a part of any chicken lovers arsenal.  Gardeners, listen up, 'cause it's also proven to be a wonderful addition to any garden shed!    First things first, how the heck is diatomaceous pronounced?  Click here, thanks to Merriam-Webster, you'll never have to wonder again.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is 100% natural, safe & non-toxic.  It's a fine, white powder derived from the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of algae.  Food grade DE can be used to prevent mites & lice in your flock as well as internal parasites.  Add DE to nest & dust boxes, coop bedding, the run, sprinkle around the coop as a barrier, or apply directly to birds (under wings & around vent) if you're experiencing an infestation. Add 1 pound of DE to 50 pounds of feed to help prevent internal parasites.  You can also mix DE with water to form a slurry paint that can be brushed on roosts and other surfaces.  Gardeners, use a shaker can to sprinkle throughout your garden to help control the bugs that enjoy annihilating your fruits & veggies!

How does it work, you ask?  DE has microscopic, razor sharp edges that are harmless to humans & other large animals (chickens, dogs, cats, etc...) but are deadly to small insects.  The sharp edges cut through the insect's protective covering, drying them out and ultimately sending them to bug heaven.  If ingested, it shreds their insides.  DE is an incredible alternative to some of the synthetic insecticides on the market that kill by attacking the nervous system and require more precaution when being applied.  Will you get the same control you would get using a synthetic? Probably not, but many synthetics are no longer labeled for use around animals and food.

The best place to purchase DE is from a local feed mill, farm cooperative or garden center.  I've seen 5LB bags online for more than what a 40LB bag costs at the farm co-op.  If you live in my  neck of the woods, I just happen to work at a farm co-op and can order 40LB bags that retail for $23!  One bag goes a long way, so start with one & see how it works for you and your 2-legged friends!

Butter & Chickens!

I love Paula Deen, she's butter fearless AND loves chickens.  Check out her coop, I thought our chickens were spoiled!  The best part, she rescued her girls and they all look healthy and happy!  I wish she was my neighbor.


Paula's Chicken Coop from Paula Deen on Vimeo.

Strawberry Pickin'

Last year at this time, I had already posted about our strawberry pickin' trip to Jelli's Market in Helenville, WI. 

We're eagerly anticipating another trip to the strawberry fields this year; however, spring arrived later than last and optimal picking times will begin in about a week.  Unless, of course, you don't mind the hunt for the berries that have ripened early, but with TWO toddlers to keep from eating themselves sick as we pick, I'd rather know there will be plenty of ripe strawberries in our row to grab and go!

This year, since I love ya', I thought I'd list some of the best pick-your-own farms in southeast Wisconsin, so you all know just where to go.  Most of these farms have a strawberry hotline that you can call for current crop information.  Sometimes it's necessary to close for ripening if there's been alot of picking goin' on.  Strawberry season usually begins around mid-June and runs to the 4th of July, however, as with any crop, Mother Nature determines when we get to reap what the farmer has sown!

Go out and enjoy the sunshine and lucious, vine-ripe strawberries that are out there just waiting to be picked.  Listen for the suction cup POP! the strawberry makes as you pull it from its vine, that's my favorite part!  Well, that... and, the part where it enters my mouth, slides down my throat and lands in my belly!

Jelli's Market-Hellenville, WI
Zastrow's Strawberries-Mayville, WI
Basse's Taste of Country-Colgate, WI
Kirschbaum's Strawberry Acres-Beaver Dam, WI
Apple Barn Orchard & Winery-Elkhorn, WI
Berryville Farm-Racine, WI
Thompson Strawberry Farm-Bristol, WI
Berry Basket & Greenhouse-Milton, WI
Hazeltines Century Farm-Janesville, WI
Skelly's Farm Market-Janesville, WI
The Fideler Farm-Kewaskum, WI

If you've got a favorite pickin' place, please tell us all about it in the comment section of this post.

The Dairy Breakfast

Not too long ago, I would have never known what a dairy breakfast was.  Working in agriculture and being married to a farm boy has its perks, let me tell you! 

During the month of June, which is Dairy Month, farmers all across Wisconsin open their farms to the public for a special dairy breakfast. It's a unique opportunity to see the workings of a real dairy farm and, in addition to a great farm tour, you get a delicious breakfast to boot!  The breakfast usually includes eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, cheese, milk (white & chocolate, of course), orange juice, coffee, and ICE CREAM!  The kids love it and it puts the break in breakfast for those Moms & Dads who won't have to cook!

Find a Wisconsin dairy breakfast near you, here.  If you live in our neck of the woods, the Watertown Agribusiness Club Dairy Breakfast is THIS weekend, June 18th & 19th at Dettman Dairy Farms in Johnson Creek.  We'll be there bright and early Sunday morning.

Here are a few photos from our trip to Dettman Dairy Farms last year!

Scramblin' Eggs!

Tractor rides from the hay field parking lot to the breakfast!

If a tractor ride isn't your thing, you can bring a wagon to put the kids in

and make like a cow and hoof it!

Now, that's the way to make some pancakes!

Quite the turn-out! 

Layena Plus Omega-3 Video

Learn more about the Purina 60 Day See The Difference Challenge & sign up for coupons here. 

New Grub

Today I was reading up on chicken rations and found some info about flaxseed and how it aids in increasing the presence of Omega-3 fatty acids in eggs.  

Omega-3 fatty acids are necessary for our health, however, our bodies can't make them.  We have to get them from our food or from supplements. Omega-3's are found in some plants, nut oils, and fish, such as salmon, tuna, and halibut. Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in brain function and normal growth & development.

The materials I came across also indicated that flax is beneficial to the health of the hens in addition to providing enhanced nutrients in their eggs.  I then began to wonder if it would be best to supplement flax in our scratch mix or to find a layer ration that has flax in it.  After discussing it with our Lifestyles Feed Specialist, Lynette, it turns out that whole flax is hard for any animal to digest so it would be more beneficial to the animal if it were ground into the feed.  Our discussion proved to have an added bonus because she turned me on to Purina's Layena Plus Omega3 layer feed.  Needless to say, I ordered some to stock at our store for myself and for others who may be interested in a feed that offers more than the current feed they are using.  The cost is only going to be about $1.50 more per bag and I feel it's well worth it! 

Here are just a few of the features and benefits of this product taken from Purina's website:

Formulated to produce 200mg Omega-3 per large egg providing 300% more Omega-3 than a typical egg!

Natural vegetarian formula without added antibiotics or hormones

Peace-of-mind – feed your birds like you feed your family

Superior Nutrition for strong healthy birds that lay plenty of wholesome eggs

Select level of marigold extract for rich golden yolks

Key levels of calcium and manganese for strong shells with fewer cracks

Optimized level of Vitamin E to support a healthy immune system

Has anyone out there tried this feed already?  If so, what are your thoughts?  If you haven't tried this feed, have you tried flax in your feed rations?  What has your experience been?