This post is not strictly in the true spirit of smallholding but Im sure some of you might enjoy it.
A short while ago we decided to cull one of our excess Dorking Cockrels and have a nice roast dinner with it. The roast was jolly tasty and as Sharon does not like to waste anything she picked off the remaining meat when it was cold and made a Chicken Curry which was also very nice. As well as the Chicken Curry Sharon made some Onion Bhajis to go with it.
When I tasted them I was very surprised how good they were as Sharon had not made them before ( no offence intended ) so I thought I would share the Recipe with you.
Recipe For Onion Bhaji's
4 ozs Chick pea/Gram Flour Sifted
1/2 TSP Salt
1/2 TSP Bicarb of Soda
1/2 TSP Chille Powder
1/2 TSP Tumeric
1/2 TSP Cumin
1/2 TSP Coriander
1 TBSP Lemon Juice
Scant 1/4 pt Water
2 Medium Onions
Oil for Frying
Mix all dry ingredients together
Add lemon juice
Add water & mix well but do not make mix too sloppy
Leave to stand
Slice onions & add to batter
Heat about an inch of oil in a pan and heat till hot.
Place a small amount of mix in pan to test temperature
Place a Tablespoon of mix into oil and cook over a medium heat for about 3-4 mins making sure they are cooked inside.
Remove and drain on kitchen paper
You can reheat in oven if required for 10 mins on gas mark 6
May also be frozen make sure to defrost before reheating.
Enjoy
Thursday, 18 September 2008
Chickens Smallholding Tip
Recently after the egg production dwindled a bit we inspected the chicken coops only to find a lot of Red Mite infestation. Red Mites are mainly nocturnal little blood sucking parasites that hide in cracks and crevices, they do not live on the birds but come out at night go on to the birds while they are roosting and make life very uncomfortable for them not to mention sucking out a bit of blood here and there.
You can dust the birds with Red Mite Powder and also dust in the cracks and crevices as well to actually kill the mites at source. There are also a number of chemicals that can be diluted and sprayed in the cracks to also kill the Red Mites.
Anyhow as we were treating the birds we noticed they had Mites crawling on them. Not Red Mites but these mites live on the birds all the time and make life even more miserable for them.
Here is a tip that we use to effectivly treat this problem and kill these mites without to much messing about.
In the morning before I let the birds out Sharon will wait outside while I go in and get one of the chickens, take it out to Sharon who will have some vials of DOGS ONE SPOT FLEA TREATMENT.
While I hold the chicken Sharon then pulls back some of the feathers behind its neck and applies a small drop of the One Spot to the bared skin, this quickly kills off the mites and keeps them at bay for 4-6 weeks. It does not do any harm to the birds and we have been doing it for quite a few years now without incident. The process is repeated untill all the birds are done.
If anybody has any views or alternative ways of doing this horrible task then please let me know.
After doing the job a good bath and a change of clothes are most welcome.
You can dust the birds with Red Mite Powder and also dust in the cracks and crevices as well to actually kill the mites at source. There are also a number of chemicals that can be diluted and sprayed in the cracks to also kill the Red Mites.
Anyhow as we were treating the birds we noticed they had Mites crawling on them. Not Red Mites but these mites live on the birds all the time and make life even more miserable for them.
Here is a tip that we use to effectivly treat this problem and kill these mites without to much messing about.
In the morning before I let the birds out Sharon will wait outside while I go in and get one of the chickens, take it out to Sharon who will have some vials of DOGS ONE SPOT FLEA TREATMENT.
While I hold the chicken Sharon then pulls back some of the feathers behind its neck and applies a small drop of the One Spot to the bared skin, this quickly kills off the mites and keeps them at bay for 4-6 weeks. It does not do any harm to the birds and we have been doing it for quite a few years now without incident. The process is repeated untill all the birds are done.
If anybody has any views or alternative ways of doing this horrible task then please let me know.
After doing the job a good bath and a change of clothes are most welcome.
Wednesday, 17 September 2008
The Goats Are A Pain In The A____
Our two Pygmy Goats Milly & Willy are like naughty little school children they are always up to something they shouldnt be and forever causing mayhem in the chicken paddock. I had previously told you about them getting into the main chicken coop and eating the layers pellets, well I managed to stop that by reducing the size of the pophole so that the chickens can only just get in but the Goats now cannot.
We have another chicken house where the Icksworths and Copper Marans live, this is up on stilts and 4 feet off the ground, it is accessed by a ladder which the chickens have learnt to climb.
They all live in there quite happily and do not have any trouble from the Goats.
Not untill last night anyway.
Last night I went to lock up all the Chickens and the Goats and I always check just to make sure they are in their houses.
First I went to do the Goats and was panic stricken momentarily when the Goats were not in their shed, I shone the torch up the paddock and was horrified to see chickens perched everywhere.
I quickly twigged what might have happened and on opening the Icksworths hut door my suspicions were confirmed, there was the 2 goats curled up in the corner. They had climbed up the ladder and dislodged the pophole door clip and it had shut down behind them, therefore the Goats couldnt get out and the Chickens couldnt get in.
I went up to the house and asked Sharon for some help to catch the Chickens and put them back in their hut. First of all we shut the Goats up in their shed and after about 40 minutes and a lot of cursing and swearing all the Chickens were safe and secure in their shed, panic over for another night.
As we walked back up to the house Sharon said we are going to have to do something about those Goats they are becoming a real pain in the A---.
Watch this space.
We have another chicken house where the Icksworths and Copper Marans live, this is up on stilts and 4 feet off the ground, it is accessed by a ladder which the chickens have learnt to climb.
They all live in there quite happily and do not have any trouble from the Goats.
Not untill last night anyway.
Last night I went to lock up all the Chickens and the Goats and I always check just to make sure they are in their houses.
First I went to do the Goats and was panic stricken momentarily when the Goats were not in their shed, I shone the torch up the paddock and was horrified to see chickens perched everywhere.
I quickly twigged what might have happened and on opening the Icksworths hut door my suspicions were confirmed, there was the 2 goats curled up in the corner. They had climbed up the ladder and dislodged the pophole door clip and it had shut down behind them, therefore the Goats couldnt get out and the Chickens couldnt get in.
I went up to the house and asked Sharon for some help to catch the Chickens and put them back in their hut. First of all we shut the Goats up in their shed and after about 40 minutes and a lot of cursing and swearing all the Chickens were safe and secure in their shed, panic over for another night.
As we walked back up to the house Sharon said we are going to have to do something about those Goats they are becoming a real pain in the A---.
Watch this space.
Thursday, 4 September 2008
Do Things Properly First Time
Side of Ducks New Paddock
Ducks New House 
Sharon With Duck Ready For Trip To New PaddockYou may recall a few posts ago I was proudly showing off my new Des-Res for the Ducks and Scaty our rabbit.
I thought they had everything, a new hut, a nice pond and space to roam around in, which duck could ask for more. The trouble was I was making it look all nice & proper without thinking through the practicalities of it all.
The first problem was that I made the house too small I just converted an old chicken house, and although it may just about have done I didnt realise how quickly it would get soiled up with seven ducks pooing in it all night it meant it had too be completely cleaned out every day which was no easy task and it usually fell on Sharon to do it as I was at work.
Also the task of getting them in the said hut of an evening was an even harder task one that yours truely had to undertake every night after a few nights of expletives and cursing I moved the hut to a corner of the duck paddock and by herding them round to the hut I waited patiently while they all stood and looked at the pop hole then as if by magic one of the ducks would go in and that signaled a stampede and the rest quickly followed to my great relief, job done for another night.
I also didnt think about how quickly the ducks would mess up their pond within three days it was just green and horrible, it was a right awkward job to empty it, clean it and refill not to mention costly.
Something had to be done and as if fate had intervened I happened to get hold of a Wendy House for nothing all I had to do was dismantle it and take it away. It was decided that the ducks would be moved to the paddock where all the chickens were so all the birds would be together (now dosnt that make sense). I set about putting up the wendy house and with just a few small repais and alterations it was soon in place.
Most of the fencing was allready in place so I just had to put a small section accross the front edge. Their water And food in place and some straw in the wendy house it was ready for the ducks.
The photos above show Sharon holding one of the ducks ready to be taken to the new Ducks Des Res. They were all duely installed in there new abode and seemed happy with the extra room to roam around in.
All they need is a new pond and I am on the look out for one of those plastic shell type sand pits which make great ponds and are very easy to clean out as you can just tip them over to empty them.
That evening I went down to lock the chickens up and was surprised and quite amazed to find the Ducks all bedded down in their new shed. Fingers crossed long may it continue.
Finally a valuable lesson has been learnt here, always think things through and plan properly before getting stuck into a project.
Thursday, 28 August 2008
Rabbit Recipe
Here at Smallholding Tips we never turn down the opportunity of a free meal yesterday Sharon called me and said there was a rabbit on the back lawn. I grabbed my .22 air rifle loaded it up and went outside. Unfortunately the rabbit was to far away so I had to get closer, so after crawling along on my belly at the edge of the pond the rabbit was in sight.
I should point out that when shooting a rabbit with an air rifle you should always aim for a head shot as hitting it anywhere else is unlikely to kill it outright and the chances are it will run off and die a long slow death, it will also deprive you of a meal as you probably wont catch it if it runs off.
You are much more likely to kill it or stop it in its tracks with a shot to the head. I have a telescopic sight which is zeroed in and very accurate.
Anyhow after getting in position I took aim, fired and the rabbit fell over and was just twitching a little I ran up and just to be sure I jerked the head back and broke its neck.
I went up to the house and after skinning & gutting it was passed over to Sharon for the next stage, OUR EVENING MEAL.
Here is a Recipe for Rabbit With Sorrel Sauce
1 Rabbit, Milk, Flour, Salt & Pepper, Butter or Oil for frying, 2 Handfuls of Sorrel, 14 gms Butter
1 Tablespoon of Flour, 3dl Milk.
Joint the rabbit and soak in the milk for 30 mins. Drain and pat dry.
Coat the joints in seasoned flour and cook in butter or oil for about 20 mins over a medium heat untill they are tender.
Wash the sorrel and remove any tough stalks. Chop the leaves finely.
Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the sorrel and cook over a low heat for about 3 mins.
Mix in the flour and gradually blend in the milk. Stir continuously over a medium heat until the sauce comes to the boil and is thick and smooth.
Season with salt, pepper and a pinch of mace (optional).
Serve the rabbit with the sorrel sauce poured over it and accompanied by roast wild parsnips and wild green vegetables or leaf salad with chopped nuts. Pickled broom or gorse buds (in season) also go well with this dish.
As usual Sharon surpassed herself and the rabbit was wonderful
I should point out that when shooting a rabbit with an air rifle you should always aim for a head shot as hitting it anywhere else is unlikely to kill it outright and the chances are it will run off and die a long slow death, it will also deprive you of a meal as you probably wont catch it if it runs off.
You are much more likely to kill it or stop it in its tracks with a shot to the head. I have a telescopic sight which is zeroed in and very accurate.
Anyhow after getting in position I took aim, fired and the rabbit fell over and was just twitching a little I ran up and just to be sure I jerked the head back and broke its neck.
I went up to the house and after skinning & gutting it was passed over to Sharon for the next stage, OUR EVENING MEAL.
Here is a Recipe for Rabbit With Sorrel Sauce
1 Rabbit, Milk, Flour, Salt & Pepper, Butter or Oil for frying, 2 Handfuls of Sorrel, 14 gms Butter
1 Tablespoon of Flour, 3dl Milk.
Joint the rabbit and soak in the milk for 30 mins. Drain and pat dry.
Coat the joints in seasoned flour and cook in butter or oil for about 20 mins over a medium heat untill they are tender.
Wash the sorrel and remove any tough stalks. Chop the leaves finely.
Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the sorrel and cook over a low heat for about 3 mins.
Mix in the flour and gradually blend in the milk. Stir continuously over a medium heat until the sauce comes to the boil and is thick and smooth.
Season with salt, pepper and a pinch of mace (optional).
Serve the rabbit with the sorrel sauce poured over it and accompanied by roast wild parsnips and wild green vegetables or leaf salad with chopped nuts. Pickled broom or gorse buds (in season) also go well with this dish.
As usual Sharon surpassed herself and the rabbit was wonderful
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
Everything Back To Normal
Well for the past couple of weeks my son, his girlfriend and my 2 grandchildren Brandon & Brooke have been staying with us, They live on an estate in Southampton so they really love it here. Brandon is 4 and Brooke is 3. Brandon has recently been diagnosed with autism so he can be quite a handful but after 2 weeks here on the Smallholding I think he has been a lot happier, it has also given mum & dad a bit of a break.
Sharon has particularly enjoyed having them here as it meant she had 3 extra helpers at feeding time, their mum Rae helped with some of the heavier work while Brooke took great delight in filling up the chickens drinkers with fresh water.
Our 2 young Pygmy Goats were a bit wary of the kids but sort of accepted them eventually. The children particularly liked the pigs and liked to wander round the paddock trying to stroke them although the pigs were having none of it.
Another reason people like to stay is Sharons home cooking particularly her roast dinners.
We like to cook our own produce and with our own pork & lamb in the freezer plus we grow all our own vegetables it means we all eat a good healthy diet & know where it all comes from.
Im sure my son, Rae & the kids all went back looking better than when they came.
Everything is now back to normal and the whole place seems very quiet.
Sharon has now produced a list of jobs that require my attention so I will have to get stuck in or there will be hell to pay.
Sharon has particularly enjoyed having them here as it meant she had 3 extra helpers at feeding time, their mum Rae helped with some of the heavier work while Brooke took great delight in filling up the chickens drinkers with fresh water.
Our 2 young Pygmy Goats were a bit wary of the kids but sort of accepted them eventually. The children particularly liked the pigs and liked to wander round the paddock trying to stroke them although the pigs were having none of it.
Another reason people like to stay is Sharons home cooking particularly her roast dinners.
We like to cook our own produce and with our own pork & lamb in the freezer plus we grow all our own vegetables it means we all eat a good healthy diet & know where it all comes from.
Im sure my son, Rae & the kids all went back looking better than when they came.
Everything is now back to normal and the whole place seems very quiet.
Sharon has now produced a list of jobs that require my attention so I will have to get stuck in or there will be hell to pay.
Monday, 11 August 2008
More Ramblings and a Tip
Ive had a few days off from posting as to be honest nothing very exciting has happened on the Smallholding lately.
Sharon has now sold all of her chicks that she has bread this year, a chap came to pick up the last 2 Silver Grey dorkings yesterday, he was trying to get her to sell some of her Lincolnshire Buff chicks but Sharon was having none of it.
We have so much Veg at the moment that we almost dont know what to do with it all, as there is only so much that 2 people can eat and our freezer can only hold so much, as it happens one of my sons Craig is visiting for a few weeks and he has the appitite of a horse even so we decided to put a sign out front saying Veg For Sale and have been pleasantly surprised at the amount we have sold. Sharon has had several trips up the polytunnel to keep customers happy.
The pigs continue to grow and have very nearly cleared the paddock for me it should make quite a nice winter vegetable garden. I do love all my animals but I think the pigs are my favorites, they are just so full of life and are great characters. We are currently having a rest from breeding pigs as we are resting the ground for 2 years.
The Pygmy Goats Willy & Milly are doing well but I did notice last week that they each had an infected ear around their ear tags. So I held them in turn each day while Sharon bathed the infected area with salt water, afterwards the infected ear was sprayed with iodene. I can happily report that both ears have now virtually healed up.
I am just soting out some permenant evening quarters for the Geese, who are both doing well & will post some pics when Ive finished.
To finish with here is a little tip for you. when you are out on the Smallholding doing some task or other it is very easy to lose track of time, and your lunch or dinner can easily get spoiled so to prevent this we have got an old dinner bell which Sharon rings when a meal or cup of tea is ready, it can clearly be heard and I can down tools and go up to the house for refreshment.
Sharon has now sold all of her chicks that she has bread this year, a chap came to pick up the last 2 Silver Grey dorkings yesterday, he was trying to get her to sell some of her Lincolnshire Buff chicks but Sharon was having none of it.
We have so much Veg at the moment that we almost dont know what to do with it all, as there is only so much that 2 people can eat and our freezer can only hold so much, as it happens one of my sons Craig is visiting for a few weeks and he has the appitite of a horse even so we decided to put a sign out front saying Veg For Sale and have been pleasantly surprised at the amount we have sold. Sharon has had several trips up the polytunnel to keep customers happy.
The pigs continue to grow and have very nearly cleared the paddock for me it should make quite a nice winter vegetable garden. I do love all my animals but I think the pigs are my favorites, they are just so full of life and are great characters. We are currently having a rest from breeding pigs as we are resting the ground for 2 years.
The Pygmy Goats Willy & Milly are doing well but I did notice last week that they each had an infected ear around their ear tags. So I held them in turn each day while Sharon bathed the infected area with salt water, afterwards the infected ear was sprayed with iodene. I can happily report that both ears have now virtually healed up.
I am just soting out some permenant evening quarters for the Geese, who are both doing well & will post some pics when Ive finished.
To finish with here is a little tip for you. when you are out on the Smallholding doing some task or other it is very easy to lose track of time, and your lunch or dinner can easily get spoiled so to prevent this we have got an old dinner bell which Sharon rings when a meal or cup of tea is ready, it can clearly be heard and I can down tools and go up to the house for refreshment.
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