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!)”
Laying season is now over for our geese, and we find ourselves with a few “extra” goose eggs that need to be put to good use. While goose (and duck) eggs are delightful in scrambles and other egg-based dishes, waterfowl eggs really shine in baked goods. As rice pudding fans, we decided to tweak a recipe we had for a custard-topped rice pudding – that we previously made with duck eggs – by using those enormous goose eggs, instead.
Continue reading “Eat This: Goose Egg Custard Rice Pudding”
Hot, muggy weather has arrived here in our “neck of the woods”. I find it spectacularly unpleasant, but there are still aspects that can be enjoyed…such as the fact that fragrances seem to become trapped in the thick, steamy air. Who doesn’t want to be enveloped in what almost seems like a blanket of floral perfume?
Continue reading “Haiku: The Bees’ Brambles”