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.
With spring upon us, the geese have been laying with enthusiasm. Though the laying season is short – really, just a few months – they provide plenty of big eggs. We’ve had them scrambled and in custard rice pudding…so why not hard-boiled? And why not in the Instant Pot (IP)?
Continue reading “Under Pressure: Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Goose Eggs”
You may already know that chickens are omnivorous opportunists and, given the chance, they’ll devour a variety of protein sources: I’ve seen chickens chase down and eat small frogs (wince), along with a variety of insects. Recently, we were very surprised to see one of our hens running around with an unusual “treat” in her beak.
Continue reading “Farm Fowl: Beatrix The Hunter **Warning: Graphic Photos**”
Hello, friends – I know it’s been a while. My newest article, “Maintaining Your Pastures for Poultry”, will be in the Feb/Mar issue of Backyard Poultry. You can also find it on our Published Articles & Podcasts page.
Continue reading “In Print: Read My New Article in Backyard Poultry”
For this momentous post, I decided that I would focus on a creature that is often maligned (mostly by gardeners), but that I find immensely fascinating. It’s an animal that reminds me of two important things: that (1) there is an absolutely amazing world of tiny plants, animals, and other matter that is overlooked by people and (2) sometimes, we need to slow down and enjoy the wonders of the world around us – or even our own inner world – at a snail’s pace.
Continue reading “Musings: The Wisdom of Wild Snails (Post #1,000!)”
Yes, this is a massively dirty incubator – the aftermath of a gosling hatch. Looking at that mess – and the smell! – was a little depressing…for a brief, irrational moment I thought about simply tossing that filthy incubator into the trash. But that’s not how I roll. So I pushed up my sleeves, put on my rubber gloves and got to work.
Continue reading “Musings: Small Sunday Celebrations”
Yesterday was day 29 of incubation for the first batch of goose eggs of the year. By the end of the day, there were several external pips – goslings were on their way!
Continue reading “Hatch Day Houdinis: The Amazing Gosling Escape”