Fall

For those of you following our little farming journey I'm sure you have noted the lack of progress reported. That is because there is little to report.

Thankfully the pear trees produce with out any help from us. We have been enjoying fresh made pear sauce and are hard at work fighting the bees for the pears. The bees like the pears as much as we do it seems. We also made a batch of pear jelly from the cores and peelings of making pear sauce. It is a little tart, but very tasty!

The horse, ducks, and chickens took care of the weeds in the garden for  us. We let them in to clear it out. We declared the garden a bust. That being said we did get a few things out of the gardens: peas, green beans, carrots, beets, turnips, tomatoes, and a few squashes. Jason's grandparents gave us a bunch of cucumbers that I pickled and a five gallon pail full of green peppers that I sliced up and put in the freezer. 

We harvested five ducks and one rooster. Jason and his friend wound up skinning them after attempting to use the de-feather.  The ducks are tasty but not as economical as broilers. Our poultry count is six ducks and fourteen chickens. The two rabbits have been bred and are expected to have their litters in a few weeks. 

We are keeping busy preparing for the winter. The chickens will need a space in the basement and some nesting boxes. A new to us wood boiler needs to be installed, wood stacked, and blankets shook out. In a couple of weeks we will be hosting our annual harvest party. Before we know it, winter will be here!

Farm Sitting

Jason's boss has a small dairy goat farm. He also does a lot of 4-H stuff. As a result they have accumulated a lot of animals. The problem when you have a lot of animals is that when  you go away you need to have someone come and care for them all. Luckily we don't live that far away and Jason was happy to help out. Twice a day over Labor Day week-end he'd go over and tend to: ducks, geese, sheep, dogs, goats, pigs, cattle, horses, and bunnies. 

Twice a day the goats would need to be milked. Thankfully the girls are old pros and didn't mind someone new caring for them.

And since no body died or ran away I'm sure he'll be asked to do it again. I think that there might be a dairy goat in our future, later though, not before we're ready.

Chores

Come Along, it's time to do our evening chores.

First we feed the chickens. Mommy goes first, and then I can help.

Next we feed and water the ducks. Mommy feeds the ducks and I water the ducks.

Ooops, water goes in the bucket!

Now that our work is done, we can go back to playing!