Everybody Puts In A Little Sweat

We went to the early service this morning and out to brunch so we wouldn't have to stop until we dropped or dinner time.  65 degrees and an almost dried up yard.  Hard workers and I didn't get a shot of Sarah helping.  Next time!

Michael helped take out some huge grasses.  His stick work finally came into play in a good way.

If you want any ornamental grasses just come by and pick them up at the end of the driveway.

Tiller put in a good first day of use.

I even got to run the tiller.

Ready for fencing.

They Say It's Okay

They say that it is okay to dig anywhere in the backyard.

Fodder Feeding Day Two

They came out in the snow this morning to get at the seeds.

First Day of Fodder Feeding

It has been 9 long days....days of rinsing, rearranging, watering, and waiting.  Today is the day the animals get their first taste of fodder.

We went out into the back swamp and called them over.  They came running like they always do.

I threw clumps for them to here.

They were nor  impresses with the fruits of our labor.

They ate the seeds!  Sunny grabbed some and off she went. Not the green lush grass.  They were supposed to love it.  I was so disappointed.

Surely the rabbits will love it.  Binker turned up his nose at it.

Thank heavens for good old Buns.  She loved it!

It took the girls a good hour to figure out that this was actually something they would like.  They finally ate it all.  Maybe it will be a different story tomorrow.  They better like it.  There are 50 more pounds of seed to grow!

Now That Is Much Better

Delivery came today!  It is getting closer and closer!

Dropped off at the top of the driveway.  Mark is really worries we aren't going to make it into the fence.  This baby is heavy!

And it is just what I had in mind.  And a good boy color brown.

For two hours we pushed, pulled, tugged, had words, rested, had water, hand some strategy sessions, and pushed, pulled, and tugged even more.  We had to make a really tight 90 turn without taking out Mr. John's fence.  We were sinking to our ankles in the muck but knew we have to get it in before the rains and snow come tomorrow and Thursday.  We used two 2x6 boards and a refrigerator dolly.  And lots of muscle.  If we didn't have Michael's muscles I doubt we could have moved it by ourselves.

This is how far we made it tonight.  Almost there.  I'm thinking we are going to be really sore tomorrow when we wake up.  But it is a good tired!

Fodder Progress

Trying our hands at growing fodder in a hydroponic growing system. We are trying barley first.  Meaning we soak and water seeds daily and they grow. In nine days they go from dry seeds to wonderful green fodder.  The animals are going to take turns eating them.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 8 is over the top!

Feeding Prep

My little Fodder System came in a big box already put together!  Yea!

All I had to do was find a place, position the catch bin and the grow bins.  Simple.

Now the hard part...what is this wheat or barley?  I had to call the farmers I know at God's Little Acre and ask their expert opinion.  They assured me it is barley.

I am going to use the Army Method of rotation.  That means the bins are rotated daily from left to right.  Think I will play it safe and add numbers to the bins.  Leah and Michelle tell me that I will be able to tell which grow bin is the oldest by the height of the barley.  They don't even rotate theirs.  They are excellent farmers.

Fodder System

seed storage bin

soaking bucket

grow light

 First batch is in and growing (I hope)  Will soak some more tonight starting at 7PM.  At 9AM I will move #1 to the #2 spot and start all over again...adding two quarts of water to the top bins every night.  In nine days I hopefully will have a bin of fodder to give to the animals.

We Are Getting Closer

Look what came today!  Love them!

Boot, Scoot, and Boogie are going to be so warm!

Comb Check...No Problems Here

It has been really cold and snowy and I haven't seen much of the girls at the Cluck-Thru until today. They have been knocking all morning long.  So I gave them a little cornbread treat so I could check their combs.  Not everyone participated so we will get them later.  Haven't laid hands eyes on EffieGrace this morning either.  Sounds like I'll make a quick trip after lunch.

Sunny has a few little spots.  Nothing major.

RayJeana  has a seed on her comb.

Crispy needs a little B&W tonight.

Judy looks the best of all of them.

Esthelle looks good too.  So I guess we are good so far.  Now how to get the others over without these guys taking over the treats?

The Girls Need These

I have never even remotely considered putting sweaters on my girls until now! This would be great!!!

Hawk In The Yard

I spy with my little eyes a brown hawk sitting in the tree.

It flew from Ms Renee's yard, through ours and into Victor's yard.

Lester need your help with the identification.  Red-tailed or Cooper's are my guesses.

Coming Soon

Found someone that knows how to make sweaters for animals.  Coming soon three really cute sweaters!  Getting even more excited!

They Are Not Thrilled

 To get them to come out I have to give then sunflower treats.  Seems Ella Bella likes them too!

But first I have to shovel them a path and pack down the snow.

 I know...they are just a little spoiled.

'Wildflower' Prep

Our 'wildflower' area is coming along slowly.  Today there will be a delivery but I have my doubts about it.

It is not at all what I envisioned.  It is huge and heavy.  There is no way on God's green earth that we will get this baby into the backyard where is is supposed to go.  It is too heavy for us to move, even with lots of muscle.

The guy who built it suggested we got a lawn tractor and pull it into place.  Great idea but.....

...the ground is soaked due to rain so it is going to dig into the grass and leave deep ruts

...there is a 90 degree turn that has to be made in a really tight spot

...it has to move clear across the entire back yard around the clothesline

...we don't own a lawn tractor

I am betting it doesn't fit and we either hopefully can return it or we find someone to buy it and go with Plan B but I'm not sure what that is yet.