Self-taught farmers confidently raising chickens, ducks, geese, and pigs. Our focus is on practices that are environmentally harmonious and respectful to our livestock. We appreciate the beauty around us, clean eating, fermenting, and responsibly utilizing the bounty of the land. If you like thinking for yourself, continuous learning, and connecting with the homesteader lifestyle, check us out.
The shipped American Bresse eggs have been in the incubator for a week, so they’re a third of the way through the incubation process. At this point, I like to do the first candling to identify which eggs are developing (and to remove ones that aren’t). Read on to find out how many eggs are still left in the incubator!
Continue reading “Update: American Bresse Eggs First Candling”
Welcome to my shipped eggs adventure, part 2. After a terrible hatch of shipped Lavender Ameraucana eggs earlier in the season, I was left with a single hatchling…and she’s grown into a beautiful bird with a charming personality. I had to have more! So, ever the glutton for punishment (or perhaps secret optimist?), I purchased more eggs from a different seller, in the hopes that they would eventually become more lovely lavenders.
Continue reading “In The Incubator: Lavender Ameraucana Hatch #2”Who’s incubating eggs in October? I am! And they’re shipped eggs, which means – given how slow and unreliable postal service has become – that, at the end of three weeks, there may or may not be chicks. Whether you’re also a hatching fanatic or you just want to live vicariously, follow along to see how the incubation progresses!
Continue reading “In The Incubator: American Bresse Eggs”
The largest sunflower, a volunteer that defiantly sprouted from a seed that the chickens either missed or couldn’t reach because it bounced outside their run, has reached the point where it’s ready for harvest. While I’m always delighted to find these kinds of volunteers, I also discovered a surprise growing amidst the other sunflowers that I had intentionally planted. What kind of surprise? Read on to find out.
Continue reading “Around The Farm: A Small Harvest…And A Surprise”
When you artificially incubate eggs as often as I do, you understand that bad things can happen. That’s why I think of hatching as bittersweet: the joy brought by new hatchlings is tempered by the sadness of those that die or have problems that may adversely impact their quality of life. Despite the inevitable lows, I find that there will be experiences that profoundly affect me, and that keep me going…like the immense strength in a tiny chick’s will to live.
Continue reading “Poultry Tales: The Magic Of Optimism (Lavender Ameraucana Hatch #1)”
It’s been said that liver is a dish that you either love or hate. I’m generally of the former camp, but have to admit that chicken liver hasn’t been a favorite of mine…in the past. Proper cooking and the unique terroir of our pastured chicken means that liver is now a eagerly-anticipated meal around here!
Continue reading “Offal, Not Awful: Laudable Liver”