Tabla de contenidos para September - October 2019 en Grit

My husband and I like to sleep with the bedroom windows open in the summer. Even though we live in a city, the morning “alarm” in our quiet neighborhood is usually birdsong. Earlier this year, though, we were woken in the middle of the night by a wild cry, something between a bark and a scream. As I lay in bed, wondering drowsily what animal could be making those sounds, a notion popped into my head: fox! The next morning, I confirmed my suspicions by listening to recordings of fox warning calls online. But what truly sealed the deal was watching a red fox chase a local tomcat down the street a few nights later. The tom had gotten too close to the den. These nighttime warning calls continued for…

JOIN THE CONVERSATION Raising Goats for Land Clearing (www.Facebook.com/GritMagazine) William Laut: Goats are awesome! I plan to have several as pets, and so I can use their soiled bedding as compost. Kendra Rudd Shatswell: [Our goats] worked to clear scrubby brush on our place, but they also took care of all my wild blackberries! POPULAR ON GRIT.COM “Expert Tips for Incubating Chicken Eggs” by Oscar H. Will III “Which came first, the chicken or the egg? For most backyard poultry enthusiasts, the chicken came first — well, more correctly, the day-old chicks first arrived in the mail. But that’s not the only way to create your first flock or maintain your existing one. For folks who are uncertain about receiving live animals through the mail, or simply cannot handle the…

Of all the articles I’ve written, this one is the closest to my heart because it serves as a reminder that no matter how long we do this homesteading thing, we’ll always need good mentors. The week before I sat down to write this, my teenage daughter lost a goat kid during her very first kidding. Many factors played into the loss: an inexperienced vet, very big triplets, malpresentation, stalled labor, insufficient dilation, an emergency cesarean, and toxemia. As soon as the kids were delivered and the doe stitched up, the vet sent us on our way, despite the fact that all three kids were still wet, cold, unconscious, and barely breathing. We weren’t allowed the time to properly warm and revive the kids before traveling 25 minutes to our…

If there’s an opossum in your area, it’ll most likely move on in a day or two. If not, there are simple, nonlethal ways to encourage them to leave. The easiest way to eliminate opossums is to prevent them from becoming a problem in the first place. 1. Eliminate all food sources. Keep in mind that they hunt at night, relying chiefly on their sense of smell to find food. 2. Feed pets indoors or bring in any leftover pet food before dark, when opossums are most active. 3. Keep compost containers secure, and use tight fitting lids on garbage cans. 4. Clean barbecue grills and grease traps after use. 5. Harvest fruit and garden crops when they’re ripe, and pick up any fruit that drops from trees or bushes.…

THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BUTCHERING, SMOKING, CURING, AND SAUSAGE MAKING, 2ND EDITION • From slaughtering to processing to preserving, everything you need to know about how to dress and preserve meat is right here. Plus, detailed step-by-step instructions and illustrations guide you through the entire process: You’ll see how to properly secure the animal, then safely and humanely transform the meat into a feast for the family. This title is available at www.Grit.com/Store or by calling 866-803-7096. Mention promo code MGRPAJZD. Item #8641.…

▪ American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control, www.Wormx.info Research on small ruminant parasite control, much of which may also be used for larger, non-ruminant species. Includes chart for small-ruminant anthelmintic dosages. ▪ University of Wisconsin Extension, http://FYI.Extension.Wisc.edu Information on parasite life cycles, effectiveness of various dewormers, and deworming strategies. ▪ The Center for Environmental Farming Systems, www.CEFS.NCSU.edu Search for “Integrated GI Parasite Management Program.” ▪ The University of Rhode Island, www.URI.edu Search for “Modified McMaster Fecal Egg Counting Procedure.”…

When our ‘Dolgo’ crab apple tree is at peak production, we dine on crab apple waffles, pancakes, bread, cobbler, muffins, and jelly. But perhaps our favorite way to use this fruit is in pies, which resemble cherry pies in both appearance and flavor. In short, just about any way you can cook with apples, you can utilize crab apples — though you’ll need to deal with the tartness of this fruit. We’d originally bought the ‘Dolgo’ because of its reputation as a wildlife attractor, as well as for its hardiness — the tree originated in Siberia and was brought to the United States in the 1800s. To our surprise, the tree started putting on fruit at 3 years of age; by age 7, it produced gallons of crab apples. Years…

As outlined in “Cardinal Cache” on Page 20, shrubs are too often absent from yards. Shrubs provide optimal nesting sites, quick shelter from birds of prey, and another food source. Here are some shrub options for your property. For a database of shrubs native to your area, see www.Wildflower.org. EASTERN U.S.: ▪ BAYBERRY (Myrica pensylvanica) – tufted titmouse, Carolina wren, red-bellied woodpecker, tree swallow, black-capped chickadee▪ COMMON SERVICEBERRY (Amelanchier arborea) – pileated woodpecker, Eastern bluebird, black-capped chickadee, tufted titmouse▪ RED ELDERBERRY (Sambucus racemosa) – Eastern bluebird, Northern flicker, pileated woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, tufted titmouse▪ ‘TRIPLE CROWN’ BLACKBERRY (Rubus sp.) – hairy woodpecker, pileated woodpecker WESTERN U.S.: ▪ BLUECROP HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY (Vaccinium corymbosum) mountain chickadee, Northern flicker▪ MORTON BAYBERRY (Myrica pensylvanica) violet-green swallow, mountain chickadee, tree swallow, black-capped chickadee▪ BLUE ELDERBERRY…

Bushes and shrubs are common fixtures in rural and suburban landscapes, adding beauty, interest, and privacy to a property. Eventually, however, they outgrow their space and need to be removed or replaced. If you’ve ever tried, you know that manual removal of an established bush is a backbreaking trial. Using a car, truck, or tractor to pull a shrub is quicker, but it can also cause expensive damage to your vehicle, landscape, or nearby structures, and can be hazardous, to boot. A third option is to build your own “bush jack.” In simple terms, a bush jack is a chain fall hoist suspended from a heavy wooden tripod. Few bushes can resist 2,000 pounds of steady, upward force for long. Gearing and mechanical advantage transform a small fraction of “human…

I love everything about cheese: Carving delicious mild cheddar and enjoying it with crackers. Eating hard, tangy Parmesan in thin, block-devouring shavings. Melting an assortment of cheeses on top of my favorite savory dishes. Incorporating my own flavor twists with herbs and spices in my homemade cheeses. I imagine there are kindred spirits out there, but to the majority of people, making your own cheese sounds complicated. Most cheeses, including nearly all of the classic varieties, are produced with circumstances or tools that are tricky to replicate in a typical kitchen. For instance, cheddar requires a cave-style curing area that maintains a constant temperature, while mozzarella needs hand-stretching to come out smooth. Many living cultures also aid in development and flavor in more complex cheeses. Though making cheese can be…

I was raised in a family that processed most of the meat we ate, so when I began hunting deer, it was second nature to process them myself. It’s satisfying to sit down to a meal of venison that I’ve harvested, processed, aged, and packaged, and often roasted, smoked, or grilled myself. Many hunters share the same sentiment, and choose to field-dress and/or field-process their own animals as well. Field-dressing involves a hunter removing only the internal organs in the field and then bringing the carcass home to process, or taking it to a butcher. However, when you process the entire deer in the field, it gives you the option to bring home only the parts your family will use while the remaining parts are left to feed scavengers and…

Below are some of the popular anthelmintics on the market. Use this as a guide when deciding on the proper treatment for your livestock. BENZIMIDAZOLE CLASS • Albendazole (Valbazen) ▪ Fenbendazole (Panacur; Safe-Guard) ▪ Oxibendazole (Anthelcide) ▪ Oxfendazole (Synanthic) IMIDAZOTHIAZOLE/TETRAHYDROPYRIMIDINE CLASS ▪ Levamisole (Tramisol; Prohibit) ▪ Morantel tartrate (Rumatel) MACROCYCLIC LACTONE CLASS ▪ Ivermectin (Ivomec) ▪ Eprinomectin (Eprinex) ▪ Doramectin (Dectomax) ▪ Moxidectin (Cydectin)…

WHOLE FOOD RECIPES I’m in need of some recipes and cookbooks featuring natural and/or whole foods and herbs. Anna Bulcher17224 404th St.Bertha, MN 56437-1135 HOMESTEADING HELP I’m looking for individuals who can help me become a better homesteader. I have property that’s big enough for a barn, raising chickens, and growing fruits and veggies. As a former city gal, I need all the help I can get. Alice M. Harnisch5126 S.E. 69th St.Berryton, KS 66409-9669 PEN PALS I’m looking for pen pals who enjoy reading, writing letters, walking, and yoga. I’m 63 years old and the recipient of a left lung transplant almost three years ago. I’d be interested in hearing if anyone else has ever had a transplant. I’m also a huge animal lover and have three Great Danes,…

Our homes are sanctuaries. They contain all the things we need to survive: food, water, shelter, and safety. Birds look to meet these same needs with their homes. While these basic requirements may seem easy enough to obtain, think about the last time you saw a bird loafing around. When you see birds, chances are they’re gathering food, making a nest, feeding a young one, drinking water, or fleeing from danger. Survival is hard for birds, and we can all do a little more to help them out. To start, we can design our homes and properties to be bird sanctuaries. By designing your property to help provide birds’ basic needs, you can enjoy more birds without leaving your home. A Bug Buffet Birds eat a lot. Their lightweight yet…

ATTRACTING BIRDS, BUTTERFLIES, AND OTHER BACKYARD WILDLIFE, EXPANDED 2ND EDITION ▪ This book shows homeowners how to fill their yards and gardens with the sights and sounds of nature. Author David Mizejewski presents simple plans for reintroducing native plants that birds, butterflies, bees, and a whole host of critters can’t resist. He also shows ways of supplementing nature to further entice wildlife to yards and gardens. This title is available at www.Grit.com/Store or by calling 866-803-7096. Mention promo code MGRPAJZD. Item #9558.…

My first up-close encounter with an opossum took place years ago, when I went to get feed for our horses one evening. I was used to seeing these hairy, grayish animals flattened on the road, their lives abruptly and unceremoniously ended while out on a nightly prowl, but I was not expecting to see an 18-inchlong freeloader wedged under the feed bin. I walked over for a closer look, which prompted a couple of low hisses, but it didn’t move. The poor animal was probably as surprised to see me as I was to see it. I’d unknowingly put out the opossum welcome mat when I forgot to close the feed room door that morning. About the size of a large house cat, the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is North…

If you’re a hunter, or you know one, chances are you have the good fortune to have access to deer meat each year. There are many ways to prepare deer, but one of my favorites is to make venison sausage. It may seem intimidating to make sausage at home, but with the right equipment and knowledge, it’s actually one of the simplest and most sustainable things you can do in your kitchen. Sausage is simply ground meat mixed with salt, fat, and seasonings. Although you can make sausage with beef, veal, lamb, chicken, or game animals, most sausages are made with pork, or pork combined with another meat. Commercial sausage is prepared with preservatives and fillers, but by making your own, you can leave out these unhealthy additives, and also…

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a contagious neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and moose. It’s believed to be caused by abnormal proteins called “prions” that infect the brain, causing symptoms that include drastic weight loss, stumbling, and listlessness. It’s always fatal. There’s currently no evidence that CWD can infect humans, but it’s still important to take precautions before consuming your freshly harvested deer meat. Follow the guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and have deer meat tested before eating it. Contact your state’s department of natural resources for CWD testing locations. To slow the spread of CWD, some states restrict transporting deer from known CWD areas. Follow your local regulations. Visit www.CDC.gov for more information on chronic wasting disease.…

Understanding the value of a fecal is paramount in using dewormers correctly. However, the information obtained from a fecal is only as good as the sample collected. Keep these pointers in mind when collecting that next batch of pellets, patties, or droppings. ▪ FRESH IS BEST. Manure found lying on the ground, in a feed trough, or in the hay bale should, in general, never be used. Parasite eggs hatch quickly in moist heat, making the Eggs Per Gram (EPG) inaccurate and useless in older, nonrefrigerated manure. Most labs request that only freshly deposited manure be used to ensure accurate test results. ▪ LUBE UP. This may seem gross to some, but the best way to obtain the freshest manure possible is by very gently inserting well-lubed fingers into the…