Farm Report 18 Apr 2016

Spring rains are here.  The garden and pastures are excited.  :)  The weeds and grass are soaking up the moisture and inching their way skyward.  Sigh.

It has been a busy start to this two thousand and sixteenth year.  The goats basically exploded on us.  What was I thinking?  Oh, right.

The asparagus is doing well this year.  I've already canned 4 pints.  I'll probably have enough to can more tomorrow.  I am watching the grape vine pretty closely.  I stand amazed (AGAIN) at God's handiwork.  It's up to Him to provide the increase.

Miss Sunny - the broody hen is still at her nest.  She still mutters at me when I bring her food.  I tell her each time, I'm not gonna get your eggs.

Such is the simple life on the old homestead.  What joy, what joy!!

Farm Report - March 3, 2016

March third.  Already.  Two thousand sixteen.  How'd that happen?  I may have blinked.

Polly and her new baby are doing well.  Peso's eye is slowly beginning to look better.  I'm thankful that no one else is having a problem.  That indicates that she probably poked something in it.  Rosie and Opal are so rotund.  And. Adorable.

The chickens seem happier now that we reduced the flock.  They consistently leave me 9 eggs.  Most of them are 3 years old so I'm really pleased with the eggs.  Waiting on someone to go broody.

The cows eat a lot of hay.  Benny does not like being away from the fold.  However, we don't want to take a chance on him getting Ceana preggers.  We are gonna try and find two or three steers this weekend.  They'll give Benny some company.

Some of the trees and flowers are starting to do their thing.  Love the hyacinths so much.  The grapes may or may not survive the scalping I gave them.  Sigh.  Blackberries are leafing out already.

Finally got the seeds started.  Hope I get something out of them this year.  Last year they were eaten by the mice.  Growl.  Almost time to uncover the asparagus.  I've noticed that my plants are about a week to ten days behind the ones in town just 8 miles away.  I have to keep myself from putting things in the garden just yet.

All dogs and cats seem fat and happy!

28 July 2014 - Farm Report

Wow, it's been a long while since I posted anything.  So, lets get to the news... We've added an animal to our farm. "Pippin Tom" is our Thanksgiving Turkey. He's a handsome white boy. I've been getting a few cucumbers from the garden (and, yes, it's about the only thing we are getting.) That means I've made sweet pickles.  I've also made pineapple sauce that is amazingly yummy. Surprised myself with it. Then I made cherry sauce. I'm looking forward to making a jelly roll with the cherry. Took off to visit my mom and brothers for a day. I love my family even when they are turds. We turned down the goat but are investigating a different breed. It's been busy and it's great!

I'll try not to go so long in posting again.  Pray for me!  

19 Jun 2014 - Farm Report

Got up early to go blackberry picking today but noticed the red sky just as dawn was breaking and decided to check the radar.  Yup, rain coming in.  Okay, so now what do I do?  It's sometimes very tough to change gears after having a plan for the day.

The animals are all fine.  The coos came for cubes.  The flies are still heavy.  Anyone know where to get dung beetles?  I've been seeing information on how dung beetles are good for a pasture - as long as you don't kill them off with wormer for your cattle.  Ugh.  We have moved so very far away from knowing how our micro-ecosystems work.  The dung beetles move the cow patties into the ground reducing the availability of crap the flies tend to breed in.  So dung beetles work as fly control.  Love it!  They also work as poop-er scoopers.  Tee hee.

Sunny and the baby chicks are doing great.  The babies and their feathers are so cute!  I just love how they are feathering out.  I may decide that the sussex/orpington cross is my favorite color.  I'll keep you posted on the temperament of the chicks.

It's a beautiful day, y'all!  Enjoy!

14 May 2014 - Beautiful Sky

Part of this morning was spent working on the vineyard.  We have eight grape vines planted, mulched and watered.  Plus, there is one that might not survive so it has been granted a private space.  This is one of our farm projects.

I stopped to see how things were coming with the vineyard and realized that it was a BEAUTIFUL day.  Yes, the wind is blowing but the clouds are lovely and there's a nice warmth in the air.  After finishing up the work on the grapes, I grabbed the camera and went picture hunting.

Blaire munched contentedly on the sweet new grass.  Oh, how I would love to be getting fresh milk from her with wonderful cream to make beautiful butter.  Maybe next year.  That's another farm project.  :-)

Check out our Facebook page for a few additional pictures of this lovely day.

12 May 2014 - Farm Report

Overcast and damp on the farm this morning.  Oh, how we need the rain!  Praying that there is no bad storms coming with this.  I was able to transplant 46 sweet potato plants on Saturday.  Along with that I put in 2 beds of onion sets and 1 bed of garlic.  MM and assistants were able to get the fence posts in place for the bull pasture.  I'm feeling a little worn out today.  Taking it easy and spending a bit of time with the pretty kitty.

09 May 2014 - Farm Report

Good mornin', y'all.  It's kinda cool this fine morning on the farm.  Maroochy and the Chicklets are getting along real nice.  I turned at one point yesterday and caught one of the Chicklets hitching a ride on mama's back.  :)  Even if I'd had a camera, I wouldn't have been quick enough to catch the shot.  Sorry.  In addition, I found that the blueberry bush MM had weed whacked last year has new growth on it!  Whoot!  I'm so glad that the Lord takes care of things.  The blackberries have been blooming and there are several new shoots all around.  I managed to square off the area for the second round of potatoes, the onions, and the sweet potatoes yesterday.  It'll take a few days to get them in the ground tho.  There's much to do and  I'm off to do a little...  Happy Friday!

30 April 2014 - Farm Report

I'm back after a brief absence to marry off my daughter.  :)  Such a sweet wedding.  Ah.  ...   It's a bit cool on the farm this morning but still a nice day.  We've had a few small showers over the last week but we are so dry.  Maroochy and the chicklets are still in the nursery brooder.  All seem to be doing well.  The coos are grazing peacefully.  Boy will they get a surprise at the end of the month.  Tee hee.  Happy day, y'all!

17 April 2014 - Farm Report

It's overcast and gray on the farm this morning.  Fits my mood pretty good.  Unfortunately, none of the chicks have hatched and the one heard peeping is silent.  Maroochy, the mama hen, is still very protective of the eggs but I think I'm going to have to take them from her.  If the farm store has some day or two-day old chicks, I can probably get a few for her to raise and slip them to her tonight.  She's been a faithful setter.

16 April 2014 - Farm Report

YES! We hear baby peeps this morning. Doesn't look like anyone has broken out of a shell and we can't see anything under momma's wings yet but we can hear the faint peeps. Yay! Can't wait to meet the new chickies. It's a windy day but I'm gonna get to planting because there's a chance of rain tomorrow. Have a good day, y'all!

15 April 2014 - Farm Report

We survived the freeze and woke up to 26 degrees this morning. Some of the plants have been damaged. So much has still not sprouted (and probably wont) but I'm hoping things will still turn out well. Today is day 21 of Chick Hatch 2014. I have yet to hear anything. I'll keep checking off and on today. 

10 April 2014 - Farm Report

Today is our "average last frost date". I just dumped all my seeds in the garden.  Nah, I did put in a few more seeds but Easter hasn't arrived yet so I'm thinking there might be another cold snap sometime in the next 10 days or so. I'll wait till after Easter (and the wedding) to put out my transplants. I mowed the orchard today as one step in getting ready to fill in the spots where trees died and fill in some empty spots that just needed a tree. Oh, I have a white tulip! 

14 Jan 2014 - Farm Report

It's a windy day on the farm!  The moo girls have had their morning cubes and were happily munching on hay when I left the corral.  The chickens are still working on scratching down the mountain of sheep poop.  Frosty is their rooster this week.  I've put the other two in "time-out".  I'm hoping that one of my hens will go broody here in the very near future so we can hatch out some chicks.  Firewood has been moved to the porch for easier access.  And the laundy has been started.  Whoo!  It's a glorious day.

2 Jan 2014 - Farm Report

We've finished the new stalls for the moo girls. Added the individual hay mangers today. So far they seem to be liking them just fine.  Our injured chicken was given some isolation time today to keep her out of the dirt and away from the roos. She wasn't overly happy with this arrangement as she is our chicken most prone to wandering. Poor little foot is going to take some time to heal. LGD Bear found himself a new bone today. It appears that he might have found where someone is dumping animal carcasses. Hmmmm... Cats are all snug and warm in the house. It's been cold and breezy here most of the day. Sun was shining but the temp stayed at freezing so it's been a slow day. We are now tucked in by the fire. Y'all have a good evening, 'k.

1 Jan 2014 - Farm Report

The new year started off at 32 degrees on the farm. The chickens are working on the compost pile, the dogs are laying around, the cows are munching happily on hay. It's a beautiful day!

"WONDERING IF... " Anyone interested in having a pastured turkey for processing at Thanksgiving or other time in the year? We are considering raising turkeys this year. These would be heritage breed turkeys such as Bourbon Red or Blue Slate breeds. They are slightly smaller than the broad breasted production breeds but they are better suited for reproduction. Would you like one?

24 Dec 2013 - Farm Report

We've been busy working on remodeling the cattle stalls. We were not planning to do this just yet but decided that we'd better not wait. Watching our moo girls indicates that their babies are active. And because we don't know for sure how far along they are we decided to go ahead with the remodel in the event they are further along than we guess. During yesterday's remodeling activity, the girls decided it was time they scampered through the gate to check out the orchard. Fortunately for us, the sound of cattle cubes in the blue bucket called 'em right back to their pasture.

9 Mar 13: Saturday Farm Report

55 degrees on the farm this morning with overcast skies. Along the day we've gotten about 3/8 inch of rain. We were able to put in a couple of rows with radishes, lettuce, carrots, and more lettuce. Baby chicks are doing what they do. Big chicks are wet. And we have spring blossoms!

8 Mar 13: Morning Farm Report

50 degrees and mild on the farm this morning. Baby chicks are growing fast. Wing feathers are starting to come in and there are a few tail feathers sticking out now. Seedlings are coming along fine. We were able to put in 48 feet of green pea seed yesterday. And the pace begins to pick up! Spring is coming.

7 Mar 2013: Morning Farm Report

35 degrees this morning. Not quite as cold but still a little windy. Baby chicks are doing well. Their wing feathers are starting to come in. Wow, they grow so quickly. Ordered replacement chicks for the dark colored ones we lost. They won't be here until May. Seedlings are doing well. Sweet potato slips are still tiny. Started a second round of pepper and eggplant seeds. Quarantined dog is so excited when she has a couple moments of freedom with one of us. She got away from me yesterday and went on a hunt. Fortunately she was only gone about 10 minutes. A seed order arrived yesterday. Yay! Only have a few more things to come in. It's a day to rejoice and know that God has seen my troubles and has set me in a safe place.

6 Mar 13: Morning Farm Report with Previous Day Summary

22 degrees on the farm this morning under clear skies with light winds. Seedlings are really putting on the new leaves. Sweet potato slips have roots. Flats are ready for new seeds. Chickens are out but staying close to the hen house. The one dark chick that was struggling yesterday did not make it through the night. The remaining baby chicks are huddled together under the brooder lamp staying warm. Quarantined dog is still not happy but she is obedient. Life on the farm is good.

Yesterday's summary - Little momma hen turned on her dark colored babies through the night.  She had killed all but two by the time we got to her in the morning.  38 was just too many chicks for her to handle.  Lesson learned.  We removed her from the chicks and placed her back in the chicken run.  We nursed one dark chick through the day.  By mid afternoon, a hawk had taken out little momma.  This was an animal husbandry fail on our part.  She had been away from the flock for basically a month and she had just been separated from her chicks.  She wasn't able to watch out for herself.  Lesson learned.  The struggling chick didn't make it through the night.  Sad day for the farm.