We Really Don't Like Cats

When Kelsi and I first got together a few years ago, we were both very much dog people and still are. We never thought we would own a cat, I mean what's the point? They just nap all day right? That's not all true, they mouse too. We found a need for a cat this fall when our produce was being eaten by rodents. We first enlisted the help of Henry who was introduced a couple months ago. He get's a lot done in the day. Little nap in the corner over here.

A nap with Juliette over here 

* Please excuse the unmade bed, it is hard to make when the animals think that it's their bed too.

 Maybe a nap in this big brown bag? I bet Juliette wont fit in here.

 She may not fit, but she'll try.

 Henry's a little crazy, but he has been pretty good to us and has really made us appreciate cats. He likes to be near us, he catches a lot of field mice, and he comes to his name when we call. Couldn't have asked for a better cat.

So, since Henry was so good to us we decided he needed a friend. Meet Walter. He doesn't photograph well because he is so dark. We adopted him from the humane society. He is a quite, reserved young man whose trust is earned. 

 Henry wasn't sure about him at first. Started out with a few hits

 Then some high speed chasing.

 A few more hits.

 Best friends for life. 

Now Henry naps with Walter instead of Julies. Although this is Juliette's bed

 Best picture of Walter I could get!

Thanks for reading!

A long post before we tie the knot and go on vacation!

Hello All! Sorry for the long time without any posts. Last most of you heard Lois was missing, we believe she was eaten by a coyote. We found a lot of feathers but no carcass. RIP Lois, you were a good chicken and thanks for providing us with wholesome and healthy eggs. you will be missed.

As most of you guys know, Kelsi and I are getting married on July 11th. We have been very busy. We have both been putting in lots of extra hours at work to help cover for us taking 3 weeks off together. It has been hard keeping up with all the wedding stuff, the farm, and work. This will be our last post until we get back from our honeymoon in Jamaica. So for that we are sorry. Thanks!

How about some pics?

We have had some naughty layers going where they shouldn't. The top nest is Dori's(She is broody right now and we are letting her sit on some fertile eggs) she was laying behind an above ground pond we have for the waterfowl. The bottom nest belongs to one of our pullets who just reached maturity. She was and still is laying under a utility trailer in the weeds.

Now to the garden....

Kelsi and I have a great lettuce crop this year, which is great because it's our first time growing lettuce.

Holy lettuce patch!

First ever harvest of garlic! Kelsi made a nice braid and hung it in the kitchen to dry.

The greenhouse is doing so well. There is a lot of growing happening in there right now.

First cucumber, as long as my hand

Pickler cucumber plant covered in blooms.

Another cuc, nearly ready to eat

Long season crops that don't do so well in our short growing season are thriving in the greenhouse.

For the wedding Kelsi and I are using mason jars with strawberry plants in them. They are growing so well. Even fruiting!

This Box is bursting with strawberry goodness!

Yumm!

In the end of the greenhouse we built a raised bed for tomatoes and they are doing very well. If you click the picture you can see how tall they are. For reference I am 6'0. 

Our ten tomato plants outside. Not nearly as tall. But they are coming along.

Corn patch. Knee high by the forth of July right? They look pretty darn good!

Our sugar snap peas are just coming into season.

She selects the best pea.

Tasty.

Such amazing growth, all without the use of fertilizers and pesticides! 

Broad beans(Fava Beans) that we got from the USDA

Sun setting on another day in the garden

Pole beans.

How about some Birds? 

Sophie and Willis in for a swim before bed.

The waterfowl have finally let Pierre into their group.

Sophie has become quite the mother for him. She will guide him to her when he is crying with her loud honking noises that she makes

The webbed foot gang, clearly on a mission

Sophie!

Pierre!

We recently acquired a baby wild turkey. Kelsi's sister crystal found him all alone and cold so she called Kelsi and we gladly accepted, Kelsi's sister named him gravy. We may or may not eat him, it hasn't been decided yet. He is pretty darn cute though!

He is very shy.

This was not a fun time for him. He doesn't like being held.

The meaters are growing so fast. We started with 41 and still have 41 as of tonight when we put them to bed. We had lost 20% of our cornish cross in the first two weeks we had them, so these results are welcomed!

Dinner time.

Kelsi and her dinner.

Well, thanks for reading. It was a long one. We will be married in 8 days and then are off to Jamaica for a week. Lots of out of town family coming into town, so we will be very busy. 

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.