Worst Farmer Ever

When I was a kid, I dreamt of becoming a veterinarian. I found an injured bunny when I was 10 and tried my very hardest to nurse it back to health. I put the little guy in a crate and watched it slowly die. I was devastated. That was my first experience death.

Since we began our journey through the country life, I have had a significant increase of these experiences. The first chicken we lost was a barred rock named Dolly. She was attacked by a dog and we had to put her down. Others followed suit through tragic or unexpected events and I felt myself handling death better.. When rhonda (our very first chicken) died last summer in my arms, I felt myself taking a step back in my progress.

Again, I healed and again, we lost another pet. Sophie the goose was one of a kind. This time I was vengeful and just wanted to kill the coyotes that took her. Then just as I begin to heal from her, I lose my first puddy tat.

He was so beautiful. He had the markings of a tiger and a coat so soft.

From the moment he arrived, he took a liking to me. He would 'knead' me and cuddle into my neck. I welcomed his affection, even though he would cause my skin to break out in hives.

He was so curious.

And he was always seeking contact with his humans.

Just a few days ago I was playing with him in the field. Today, I am without him. My heart physically hurts. We buried him yesterday. He didn't even look like himself. He didn't even feel like him. Is that strange?

Why do we allow ourselves to love someone so freely, when the pain of losing them is difficult? I think it's because the time we have with them is so worth the pain we feel when they are no longer with us.

So, here is to my boy Henry. I love you and I miss you. I may be the worst farmer ever, but I dont think I would want it any other way.

The Tragic Story of Sophie the Goose Part 1

A baby picture of Sophie, and a blog post from the first day we brought her home can be found here.

I am very late on this post. Sometimes it takes a while to talk about something that affects you so negatively. So here we go: 

On May 9th, 9:50pm. I go out to close the coop and let the dogs out to go potty. I notice our large male goose Sophie is missing from the coop. This had become a usual thing. Since the sun has been setting later each day, the geese and ducks seem to think it's ok to stay out later than dark! They are usually very good about going in on time, away from danger prowling at night.

I went inside to grab a flashlight and Kelsi to help me look for Sophie. Pierre has been laying eggs so we figured maybe Sophie was in the bushes guarding a nest. We searched unsuccessfully for a few minutes. We then heard Juliette barking a long way off in the distance, up the mountain a bit, and much farther than she usually goes late at night in the dark.

In the photo above Kelsi and I were standing at the "feathers" label and we heard Juliette barking up at "ridge 1". This is a great distance from where we were standing. The photos shown do not do a great job of depicting the distances from where we are standing to the top. It is actually really far up there! 

We started running up the road on the right side of the photo above, still following Juliette's barking. This road is 100 or so yards long and very steep. It took us a few minutes to get to the top. When we reached label 'road-2' our lights were shining into the valley between 'ridge-1' and 'ridge-2' and all we could see were multiple sets of eyes that were reflecting from our flashlights, circling the valley with Juliette barking somewhere in the mix of it all. We heard multiple yelps from the coyotes while running up the road on our search for Julies. This was the most intense few moments of my adult life. Hearing the coyotes, hearing Julies barking in the mix of all those eyes. Worried that they were killing our dog! Pitch black out. Very scary stuff.

When we finally reached 'Road-3' we found Juliette at this spot! We sat down to rest for a moment. Still vigilant, shining our lights around, looking for coyotes. While still at 'road-3' we saw eyes reflecting at us from 'eyes-2'. I had my handgun on me but I have little experience shooting at night and I didn't feel confident shooting at eyes of an unknown animal reflecting at me from the flashlight. Just then we heard a yelp from the coyotes and the eyes disappeared. 

We retreated down the hill cautiously. Looking for any signs of Sophie. 

On the way down the hill we found these. Obviously this photo was taken the next day.

More feathers

The death was confirmed by the discovery of Sophie's wing. We were devastated when we found this.

The last photo or video of taken of Sophie was from the day before. 

Kelsi was taking photos of Pierre who had made this wonderful nest out of sticks. Pierre started yelling at Kelsi to go away. When this happened.

 

Sophie was always so good to Pierre. 

Now Pierre lays here in her igloo nest. All alone. To hear how this change has affected Poor Pierre, tune in tomorrow for a long post full of cute pics and a nice video. It will be a lot less depressing than todays post.

Thanks for reading

Rescuing Baby Quail

Today on facebook, I saw that an old high school friend had found some baby quail who's momma had abandoned them. He stated that he didnt know how to care for them and I offered to take them and try to nurse them back to health, since we already had all the materials to care for chicks. When he arrived, one had already passed away on the way over. So, I carefully placed them in the brooder with some chick feed and water.

When Mike checked on them a few hours later, we were down three more. That meant we had 6.

I arrived home from work and found three more had died. I am beginning to get frustrated! I want to save these little guys so badly. These remaining three seem to be doing alright, but I guess the last three appeared to be ok too.

Does anyone who has experience with raising quail have any advice? I feeling so sad and helpless that I cant save them.

Chicken type CSA

So, Kelsi and I just finished our first batch of meat chickens, and we have another batch of 30 arriving at the end of May. We are pretty good with chickens and really want to expand our farming practices, so we were thinking that this might be a good way for us to get into farming.. raising organic meat for others. Although, we would differ from the organic stores because we really want to incorporate the consumer into the act of processing the chicken. So, we are thinking of starting a chicken CSA ( community supported agriculture ) type operation. We haven't worked all the details out yet, but we were thinking that each customer pays the price of 4 chicks from the hatchery and one bag of organic feed of their choosing. We raise the chickens and when they reach maturity, you come help us by working one of our stations in the processing operation by either helping process or package the chickens. In return, we will raise them, feed them, change their bedding, let them out in the morning, bring them in at night, and just provide love. If you want additional chicken past that you can pay us a price per pound for organic free range chicken. 

I really enjoyed my experience with the last batch and think that others could benefit from the experience as well. It really brings you a step closer to your food. Cut out the middle man, the fossil fuels, the hormones, the antibiotics. Just get so real wholesome chicken the way it should be raised. We would also sell these wholesome chickens at a price per pound if helping process would be too hard for people.

If you have any advice r suggestions about this please let us know. We are still working out the details so this is all subject to change, but we think this could be a rewarding experience for us and the consumer. Please offer any advice you can think of or any experience you may have in this field.

Thanks for reading! 

A change in my life.

Mike and I moved to the country last May. We both grew up in very urban areas and neither of us really had much exposure to anything country. I rode horses as a kid, but that ended quickly when my parents realized how allergic I am. However, I do remember that during the time my lessons were, I had such a great time. The gal that taught us (my sister and myself) to ride, owned so many animals and I have fond memories of petting the goats and getting to feed the cows.

I was raised on the water. I always thought I would need to be near the water when I got older.. boy, was I wrong. Moving to the place we are now has been one of the best things that has happened during our time together.  We have each found that we have a passion for anything country. It is truly remarkable.

I think that one of the biggest things that I have come to realize is how truly remarkable nature is. The dirt, the air, the birds, the animals. How could I have lived this long and not understood how incredible this place is? I have become fascinated and amazed at growth. Over the last year, I have watched our chickens grow from tiny little fuzz balls to something to beautiful and affectionate. Before our move, I never gave eating chicken a second thought. I always thought that chickens were dumb.. but raising them.. loving them.. has given me a different view on everything. After we processed the chickens, I literally cried on two separate occasions, because of the distinct compassion and love that I feel for the animals. I cherish them and have such respect for them and how they give up their lives so that I can continue living.  It has become such a special relationship. One that I wish I could have experienced prior to this year.

I remember the first day we got chickens. We adopted Rhonda and 4 chicks. When We let Rhonda into the coop, she walked around exploring and the second I sat down, she jumped up onto my shoulders. I knew that the connection was just beginning.

There was a beautiful area that was over grown with weeds and branches that we decided to convert into a garden. Neither of us had really much of a connection to gardening, but we decided to give it a try! Little did I know that it would completely change the way I think about the earth, the weather, the miracle of life. 

This spring, I have come to marvel at the growth that comes from such a small seed. I am in awe that such a small thing can produce the things that keep us alive and keep us healthy. As korney as it sounds, I am almost moved to tears when I see the progress that these living, breathing things make during such a short time. What a wonderful recipe.

Sunlight + water + love = An abundance of life

Though we are Jewish, I have never truly been a very spiritual person. But how can one deny something bigger exists, when the proof is in your garden, in your chicken coop, in your home? Moving has changed me. In more ways than I ever thought possible.

On a bit of a sadder note, upon entering the coop this morning, I found one of the my babies lying dead on the floor. Her name was Penelope. She was never aggressive with other chickens and she was always up for a little pet. Her call sounded like popeye and Mike and I could always tell who was calling, even if we were no where near the chickens.  She was such a good girl and I have spent all day thinking about her.

This life that we lead has taught me so much. It has not only taught me so much about growth and life, but also about death and the sadness that comes with it. It has taught me to cherish all living things no matter how small and insignificant it may seem. The best thing? I am so happy. I live a life that I wish others could experience. I have a wonderful man that loves and cares for me. I have two amazing dogs that add so much laughter to my life, and I have a little flock and garden that give me so much to be thankful for.