Sheepish Mainers? (Searsport, Hope: neighborhood, land, island)

[island mermaid]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

I used to get beaver carcasses from trappers. I fed them to my sled dog team. The resultant flatulence was incredible. You could get used to the smell, but it hurts the eyes.

But how much horse (dog) power did you gain?

Did you wear goggles? It tends to make your eyes water.

[CoastalMaine]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

'Varmint sausage'

In a deep stock pot, we boil for a full day until the meat falls off the bone. Then slice it all off the bone, and run the meat through a meat grinder. Then back into the stock pot with all that broth and put lots of oats into the broth. Meat and oats together boiling in the broth until the oats have absorbed all the broth. Then run it through the meat grinder together. Then into pails and into the freezer. Every week we pull out one pail into the frig to thaw, and our dogs and cats each get a scoop every day as a treat.

They like their wet pet food.

Sounds a bit like a Maine version of Haggis!

[AliceT]

Originally Posted by CoastalMaine

Can you utilize the meat from a coyote for anything? I would think it would be rather tough unless they're really fattened up from their kills. Is it cost effective for any animal feed or even bird suet? I know it's prolly not the most intelligent question I've ever asked, but I'm curious to know.

When you are poor, you find uses for most things other folks throw out. The pelts can certainly be sold or made into garments. The bones of any carcass will make good chew toys for domestic dogs and any inedible meat or organs can be churned into fodder for the hogs or dogs. And when you are hungry, it's hard to ignore the stories about dog being a delicacy in the Asian market. What is a coyote but a wild dog?

[CoastalMaine]

I wouldn't be against trying it out. I've just never heard it discussed anywhere before as something anyone ate or liked to. I would imagine their organs might be good to eat. A little red wine, a little onion and garlic, some buttah... a fryin' pan on medium low... mmmmmmmmmmm......

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by CoastalMaine

Sounds a bit like a Maine version of Haggis!

From having lived in Scotland, IMHO, this is far better than haggis.

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by CoastalMaine

I wouldn't be against trying it out. I've just never heard it discussed anywhere before as something anyone ate or liked to. I would imagine their organs might be good to eat. A little red wine, a little onion and garlic, some buttah... a fryin' pan on medium low... mmmmmmmmmmm......

Add a slice of potato into that skillet and a side-order of fiddleheads, then you have yourself a meal

There are purists who would insist that you never combine onion and garlic in the same dish though. But I am fine with it.

[CoastalMaine]

Haven't lived in Scotland (plus I'm a quarter Scot by blood), but I've been there and had local haggis which was most enjoyable. It's just 'real' peoples' country pate' imo. lol I'd actually also prefer adding some wild mushrooms to those organs.

[palval1]

We've never had coyote intruding our lil farm here on the Cape. The horses see to that. I think the coyote know that one swift kick from these equine buddies and they're done in instantly. My sheep roam freely most of the day and are in an enclosed area near the horses at night. Such will be the case when we move to Maine, too, I pray.

[CoastalMaine]

Originally Posted by palval1

We've never had coyote intruding our lil farm here on the Cape. The horses see to that. I think the coyote know that one swift kick from these equine buddies and they're done in instantly. My sheep roam freely most of the day and are in an enclosed area near the horses at night. Such will be the case when we move to Maine, too, I pray.

Val, coyotes may be down in numbers a bit of late. For the first time in 20 years or so I'm seeing rabbits in my yard and neighboring yards. I even had a rabbit hole in the back yard last summer!! lol

For many years you could step outside at night and hear them howling in their dens off in the Punkhorn. Now I hear nothing except the owl across the way who loves to hoot the night away!

[AliceT]

Getting back on topic, while I do not have or keep sheep currently, that has long been a fascination of mine. A woman I know in Montana keeps a few sheep for her own crafts with their wool as stuffing for body pillows and teddy bears. I am interested in having a ewe or two for these and other projects. Once I get there, am settled and have a barn, I'll be in the market for one to join you on a much smaller scale.

Take notes for me, BrokenTap.