2019 Spring Edition
What a week, I had a hard time getting myself motivated this week. The whole daylight savings thing threw me. Then the kids had a whirlwind sickness that came and went within a few days but left me behind on sleep. Since I was feeling so sluggish I went through my records and made sure everything was up to date. I did our poultry list (glad it is done before we have any new additions), added the pigs, and put the sale information where they go (see special goodbye below). I also made sure I added the seeds I planted (which have not come up yet!) in my garden book. The other thing I realized this week was that there are only 12 weeks till Christmas (11 by the time I get this out!). We always make gifts for friends and family. Does anyone out there make gifts? Enough of my rambling to the news.
In Animal News
The piglets are settling in nicely, they seem to love the logs we are bringing them. We successfully moved them to a new sty on the weekend, which was good. One of the piglets skin is looking a little rough so I am treating them with DE (diatomaceous earth) while keeping a very close eye on it.
The piglet on the far left 
This week, I spent some time looking into options for getting our cow and our heifer in calf. I know the numbers are staggering. Turns out I am priced out of the artificial insemination route. I am not to impressed that even if I am in season and surrounded by farms with lots of cows it is considered such a hassle. I was told this is something they have started because smaller holders tend to want calves out of season and they had to keep people on staff longer. I feel like they should consider charging those who want to go out of season since there is no need to keep people on staff when we are joining in. Not to mention that for me that charge almost makes me want to go out of season since I am paying for it anyway! Oh well back to thinking and asking round.
Finally, we are getting the grass around the house mowed. I have the sheep and the cows working hard to trim our grass which has gotten so wild and long.
Its alive 
it was alive 
never alive
This week I candled the eggs under the broody hen, only 3 eggs were not growing. I also realized I do not even know how to count. I said last week I put 15 eggs under her but I really put 17 and now Im down to 15… Happy surprise for me I guess.
Speaking of broodies, I had two more hens go broody this week. I am breaking both of them cause I can only handle one clutch at a time. One of those hens is a very protective mom and I am not into having a mean hen raise babies.
Whats growing
Another lack luster week in the garden, there were too many cold windy days for me to push past the blahs and get outside in the garden. That said I am really excited about the banana flower I found! I have no idea what to do with banana’s I guess learning about banana’s is on the list for the upcoming weeks.
Saying goodbye
A special goodbye to Midgi the dairy heifer who left us this week. It is bitter sweet because while she was a lovely heifer, she just did not warm to us like we had hoped. Not to mention she was kind of a mean heifer to the other cattle and I did not like that, there should be peace among the cattle (cant we all just get along). We also needed to reduce the demand on our grass. So off to the saleyards she went, well sort of. She was originally going to go to the sales on Thursday but that did not pan out. Instead, she went to the sales on Saturday where I wound up taking a loss on her. The peace and quiet that has resulted from her moving on is priceless though. That said I am kicking myself for not even considering putting her in the freezer!
Side note on this whole selling business, the fella we bought her off said he would buy her back but would need a couple weeks. that was the end of August. After that I could not get a reply AND guess who should be at the saleyard??? Yup there he was, to be fair to him he was working with a trucking company and it is a saleyard where animals were being trucked in. I imagine eventually it would have worked out. When I think about the fact that it took him 3 months to deliver the heifers, then it is likely he would have gotten around to buying her back, live and learn…
What I learned
When I am ready to move an animal on always ask, should I put it in the freezer!
Sort of random but I also learned that if you have maple syrup that starts to go a little moldy on top you can bring it to a gentle boil, skim the surface and put it into clean jars. Have I tried this, no… would I try it, maybe. Maple syrup can be stored in the freezer (it will not freeze but stay in syrup form) and have a small amount in the fridge. This is what I normally do and have not had a problem so far.
How was everyone’s week? What did you learn?
