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.
As we were moving tractors this morning, I noticed some unusual tan objects clinging to the shadecloth. Upon closer inspection, I saw that they were the molted skins of cicadas – Brood X had arrived!
Continue reading “Around The Farm: Brood X Is Here”
I’ve written about wanting to realize my goal of becoming a writer, despite having spent much of my working life in a field where I had little opportunity to write creatively. In truth, I don’t think that matters as much as I’d thought: there are many possible paths to reaching goals, and I’m pleased to share that I’ve achieved one. “Write what you know” is a well-known (and respected) piece of writing advice…so I did.
Continue reading “Haiku: Incarnations”
Over the years, I’ve artificially incubated eggs from chickens, guinea fowl, ducks, and geese. When the excitement of the hatch is over, an unpleasant – but important – task awaits: cleaning out the befouled hatcher. And procrastination is not your friend.
Continue reading “Hatch Aftermath: A Very Dirty Incubator”
With warm weather, the Pilgrim goslings have been able to go outside. It’s a win/win situation because the goslings can crop the grass down and their poop fertilizes the pasture!
Continue reading “Around The Farm: Goslings Getting Outdoors”
Sometimes, the quiet in an incubator with eggs in lockdown is deafening. What’s going on in there? Are the air cells large enough? Are the goslings still alive?? And then, out of the blue, a pip appears!
Continue reading “Incubation Update: The Goslings Are Hatching! (Long Read)”
The goose eggs are nearly three quarters of the way through incubation. Today, I candled to verify continued development and weighed the eggs. I also visually checked the air cell development.
Continue reading “Incubation Update: Pilgrim Goose Eggs – Second Candling”