Allergy Food Plant Cross

Interesting post on Delphi.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/avoidingcorn/messages?msg=11874.2

Eating my ducks? Yes!

I just wanted to encourage others to think about raising your own food. I have chickens for eggs, and roosters are meat. We currently have a rooster called "Crockpot". DH named him. :-)

We got 4 mallard ducks, and 6 Cornish cross meat chickens. I think anyone could raise a few meat chickens even in town because you process them at 6 - 10 weeks. By the time the neighbors complain, they will be gone. :-) Here are my postings.

http://cornallergyaid.blogspot.com/2012/03/ducks-and-cornish-cross-chickens.html

http://cornallergyaid.blogspot.com/2012/03/duck-update.html

I have been teased about the ducks. I think they are really cute, but I keep reminding myself food is hard to come by when you’re allergic to corn. I don't want more pets. I don't want to take care of them over freezing winter. I want meat. So they fly, and I will have to clip their wings or they will fly into my neighbor’s yard. If you know me, you will know that I already have problems with my neighbor, so I am guessing that she will call on my ducks a couple of times over the summer. It might be an interesting summer. I don't think that I can get into trouble because I can't control my birds. The home owner would have to sue me and for what? I am a responsible owner. I will know if they go over the fence. Nevertheless, I have seen their exterminator sprinkling mouse poison around their inter-fence; therefore I will be sure if my ducks go over the fence I will get quick control over them. I have been working with them every day this week to get them to know me. I am sure I will have my food following me around my yard before times up. :-)

I posted this to delphi 3/29/2012: http://forums.delphiforums.com/avoidingcorn/messages?msg=11873.1

Dealing with Corn Allergy Daily

I was recently asked to write about what its like living with corn allergy.  Here's is the letter I submitted:
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I found it is nearly impossible to find food at any grocery store.  I order my staples online.  It cost just as much as going to the retail health food stores, and I don’t have to drive over 30 miles, however I haven’t been successful in finding meat.  I found someone to buy a live cow from.  They take it to a local non-USDA processor, which is willing to process it without the use of any chemicals or cleaners.  I have my own chickens for eggs, and meat.  I am currently raising 4 ducks and 6 meat chickens.  I am lucky that the corn feed doesn’t seem to bother me as it does others. 

I am growing my own garden for produce.  It is much cheaper than going to the seasonal farmers market.  This year I am planning on selling my extras at the farmers market, and perhaps being able to exchange produce with other vendors.  Most all produce at the retail establishments are washed with corn based citric acid, which leaches into the produce. 

Most all cleaning products are off limits, including laundry soap, toilet paper, soap, shampoo, lotion, and medications.  Going out to eat is impossible because even salt is contaminated.  Visiting friends and relatives is nearly impossible, partially because they don’t understand or don’t want to understand how total life encompassing this allergy is.  I find it nearly impossible to even go back to work.  I have to always be prepared with food.  Right now I am about out of beef, so my main stay meat is turkey hot dogs, which some people can’t tolerate.  They seem to be ok for me at the moment.  I eat so little that I have to eat at least every 4 hours, because my blood sugar drops.

All in all I have to say I am healthier than ever.  I am off blood pressure, and daily allergy meds.  I think this is especially trying for my spouse.   I know he use to like going out for breakfast.  He has sacrificed a lot for me. 

You can find out more about me on my blog:  http://cornallergyaid.blogspot.com/  My blog has more than corn allergy, it has information on living, and finding food too.   

Duck Update

You will notice in the first picture of my ducks they were on shavings. WRONG! After a couple of days I finally decided to check online how to raise ducks.  It’s kind of the cart before the horse. I found out that you should use towels, blankets, or straw. They can eat the shavings, which can cause them to choke or become obstructed.  I chose towels, since I have a bunch of old beach towels.  I also thought it might be more earth friendly, and cheaper to repurpose than it was to buy straw.  I cut the towels in thirds, and surged the edges.  Each morning I remove the soiled towels, place them in a bucket, and hose them off in the yard.  I am hoping for greener grass.  I have enough towels for a couple days.  Every other day I wash the soiled towels with a bit of bleach.

During my reading, I also found out that the cage wire can be painful on their feet.  I remembered that I had an old shower curtain, and that the plastic would be heavy enough not to be a hazard to my ducks.  I cut 2 squares to fit into the cage bottom.   This gives me one replacement, which I change out when the first gets soiled enough that I can’t just wipe it down.  I cut a hole in the plastic under the waterer, so the excess water drains into a bucket below.  They really like playing in the water. They also need it to help swallow their food.

Then after a week I purchased a feeder that hangs on the side of the cage. It holds more than the lids that I was using, and isn't as messy.

I also read that they like grass. After mowing the lawn I gave them some grass clippings. They really loved the grass clippings.  I also mashed up a hardboiled egg with the shell on as I also discovered in my reading.  They like them both.  The grass clipping see to be a bit of a problem.  I can’t seem to get them all out of the towels.  I am guessing I will have grass in my washer and dryer for a bit.  I am thinking perhaps if I wash jeans after the duck towels perhaps some of the grass with come out with the jeans.  I won't want grass in my shirts or underwear.  J 

Cornish Cross Chickens

Just wanted to add that they get food during the day and are taken off at night for 12 hours.  Otherwise they will eat too much and their bodies will grow faster than their bones.

First Salad Greens of 2012

Fresh picked red leaf lettuce and kale for the first salad from the 2012 garden.

Ducks and Cornish Cross Chickens

Today we bought 4 mallard ducks (I don't recommend mallards. Peking are meat ducks). We also got 6 Cornish cross meat chickens. The chickens are suppose to be ready in 6 weeks. Don't know about the ducks. I am excited that I'll have a meat choice.

I should comment that I have an 800 pound steer named T-Bone will go to slaughter in May. I also have a rooster named Crockpot. He'll get processed when dh feels he's ready. Yeah for some fresh cornfree meat!!

Mint is growing!

Spearmint and chocolate mint.

Lettuce and Peas are growing

Planted Cole Crops

Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Brussel Sprouts, Kale, Onions, and the taller looking onions are the garlic from the fall. It needs to grow a bit more.