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Forged Mettle Farm

Forged Mettle Farm

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.

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Tag: Farm Animals

Haiku: Three’s A Crowd

12 March 20228 June 2022 ~ Carrie

The geese are laying, and they have a favorite spot in the barn where they queue up to have their turn (this particular goose is Sinéad, so named because she was bald last year from the gander’s attentions). While all of the ladies demand their privacy, Sinéad’s “stink eye” is enough to keep most other creatures away…and her bodyguard is an additional deterrent.

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Farm Fowl: Let’s Talk About Poop *Graphic*

15 February 20228 June 2022 ~ Carrie
A healthy chick poop

Ah, the dirty little (not so) secret that farmers and homesteaders often sidestep when discussing the nuts and bolts of raising animals: poop. Poop is important, and I think that anyone who raises animals, whether as livestock or as pets, should be looking at it.

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Farm Fowl: Genuinely Goofy Geese

14 December 2021 ~ Carrie

Geese have a reputation for being silly, and when you spend much time with them, you understand why…they’re goofy creatures and, often, rather clumsy. But silly though they may be, they’re some of the most intelligent fowl we’ve raised, and intelligent creatures seek enrichment. Fortunately, a plain old lime rind can entertain these guys for hours.

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Incubation Update: The Goslings Are Hatching! (Long Read)

14 April 2021 ~ Carrie
Spot the pips?

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!

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Incubation Update: Pilgrim Goose Eggs – Second Candling

5 April 2021 ~ Carrie ~ 2 Comments
Definitely alive! We’re in the homestretch.

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.

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Incubation Update: Pilgrim Goose Eggs – Second Candling

31 March 2021 ~ Carrie ~ 1 Comment
Getting the daily “spa” treatment (misting & cooling)

It’s the second candling, roughly halfway through the incubation period. There’s good news and bad news, but overall, it’s looking very good.

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