Ducks!!

Dom and I went to Cooley Farm in Ripley for 8 Ducks. I absolutely loved their farm. They had goats, pigs, turkeys, cows and a LOT of chickens!!

We bought 4 Pekin Ducks and 4 Indian Runners.

My sister in law and her husband came over this evening and tilled my garden for me. He has a tiller for his John Deere.

Tomorrow morning I will be planting :) I think the veggie I'm looking forward to the most this year is popcorn. 

Pigs

Yesterday Maple Lane Farms came and took our 3 pigs to be processed. The guy that came asked if we had help to get them onto the livestock trailer. I told him no it was just me. This is my 1st time raising meat animals so I didn't realize I should have a crew to get the pigs to go onto the trailer. I asked him if we could get a rope on them if that would work. He had said no. I had a horse leash and was able to rope all 3 myself and get them onto the trailer. He was a little impressed and said that was a 1st for him.

I am emailing my resale certificate to them so I'm able to sell some of the pork. We can't get bacon because the meat is lean. I will be able to render my own lard for the 1st time as well. I'm looking forward to that!!

We are getting 8 ducks this week. They are teenagers and hopefully this winter the mink doesn't come back!!

We had a baby shower for my oldest son and his wife this weekend. My grandmother made a beautiful quilt for my grandson. My mom and grandmother came. I can't wait to be able to get a 5 generation photo.

My garden will be tilled this week then I can plant it this weekend. I also want to till a new spot for my pumpkin patch. I'm looking forward to having a garden again this year.

I was able to sell one of my baby goats but still have 3 for sale.  The youngest baby is going to be small like her mom. She half fainting goat half Nogerian Dwarf.

Babies, Babies and more Babies

Ariel and her daughter Penelope

Cecilia and her twin girls

Hannah and her twins

All 3 moms and babies are doing amazingly!!

Picked up More Chicks

I picked up 21 chicks from Tractor Supply thus week. They are all layers.

I have Wyandottes, Rhode Island Reds and 3 Green Eggers.

Today Max accidentally stepped on of the the Eggers. He likes to go sniff them and try to lick them.

We have them in our tub we don't use with the heat light on and the shower curtain closed.

I'm hoping they get their duck supply in today. I want to replenish the ducks seems the mink got all of our adult ducks.

It has been an interesting week. Our pellet stove hopper caught on fire..we aren't sure why as we clean it regularly. 

I'm thankful I noticed it before the fire spread to the walls.  We are waiting for a repair person to come look at the stove.

A few farm pics

Here are a few recent farm pics.

Donkey has adjusted to his needs barn friends. He is no longer kicking when they get near his food. 

We finally figured out what hasbkilled all of my ducks and most of my chickens it is a mink. Today we are borrowing a friend's trap and will get rid of it!!

I want to get more but am not going to until we get rid of the mink.

Today I will start my onions. I need to find my grow lamp first. It is either upstairs or in the basement.

I've been letting the geese out of the barn. There is a puddle near the door of the barn which they love to "swim" in. They tried swimming in their pool but the pool is still snowy and icy.

We had a cord of wood delivered this past week. We were getting pretty low. I will be so happy when it warms up and we only need to use the pellet stove to take the chill out of the house!! 

In April we will find out what we are having for a grandchild.  I can't wait to go to Vermont and find out!!! 

Today we need to pick up my car from Town Fair Tire. I had to get 3 new tires put on. Then whenever we get our income taxes it will go to the dealership to get all 4 tires aligned. 

What does everyone think of the crazy gas prices?? It cost $50 for the spouse to fill my car. It usually cost $37-40. I know for a lot of my friends it cost $100. Oil prices are ridiculously high as well. I'm thankful for our wood.

Time for me to go feed my animals.

Have a great day everyone!!

Invasion of Ukraine

I'm not one that watches world news faithfully. I usually skim articles through a news app on my cellphone.

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine I have been watching the news and listening to the news on one of my Sirius XM channels in the car.  

Supplies at our grocery stores are already limited due to transport issues and the government paying farms to destroy crops. Oil prices have skyrocketed. Today they are $105/barrel. It's predicted gas could become $7/gal For the US. 

This is the driving factor for me growing our own food. I am thankful for ordering my seeds earlier than I normally would for my garden.  I am also thankful for the ability to raise animals for meat to secure my family's ability to eat. My goal is to have enough food to help other families to be sustained as well. It's a lofty goal. It's not for the faint of heart.

If you don't grow your own food I would advice you to connect with families that do. Buy locally as much as you can. You can shop farmer's markets. You can buy into local farm shares. (CSA's)

Running out of soaps and shampoos? Find someone who makes their own. Some laundry soaps are hard to get. You can make your own as well.

Some herbal remedies can help with minor injuries/illnesses. 

I encourage you to look up local farms in your area. If you are looking for something specific to purchase people at the farmers market can help connect you to the right person.

Our electricity rates have risen 85% here in Maine. I eventually want to invest in Solar power to help combat our electricity bill.

I'm thankful for our wood heat and pellets to not be dependent on oil. 

I would not be surprised if we end up in a 3rd world war that we will be living through a depression like our grandparents and great grandparents went through. I would advice people to be a little more self-sufficient. I understand those living in town and in cities self-sufficiency is limited. Visit your local farmers/homesteaders.  You can buy eggs from roadside stands throughout most regions.

Help one another out. Thank a truck driver who is fighting to get supplies to you. Appreciate large farms and small farms alike. 

Need help with gardening whether in country or urban regions. Check out YouTube for tips.

Covid

We are all finally over covid. The infusions helped immensely.

My middle son has had an allergic reaction to his monoclonal infusion. He is on 2 different meds to get rid of his rash.

I'm glad it's over and I hope I never get it again!