Every night I count twenty-one chickens. Sixteen go back to the coop to roost, and five that roost on the trusses in the barn. Four days ago I counted (and recounted) only twenty chickens. ” I have no idea what happened to one of our hens, but she’s gone”, I told my husband. “No telling. […]
Gone But Not Forgotten Read More »
When we bought our farm in 2017, the old sand and rock quarry operation had not been active for 17 years. In order to meet the standards to “reclaim” the land, the government required that certain types of vegetation be allowed to grow to stabilize the soil. Coyotes and foxes were everywhere. After a bold
Cats, cats, and more cats! Although we have never been “cat people”, we realize that just like our livestock guardian dogs have a job, these feral cats have an important job on the farm too. The problem is they are multiplying! Where there is livestock there is feed, and where there is feed there are
Captive of Captivity Read More »
A few years ago, my husband brought home our first flock of 60 mixed breed sheep. At the time, I knew nothing about sheep, but I quickly fell in love with these inquisitive creatures. Although I had never thought of myself as a shepherd, the sheep quickly appointed me as such, and they ran to
Last week, a little chocolate calf (with a white spot on her head), lost her mother unexpectedly. She is old enough to make it without milk, but orphan calves miss the attention and comfort that only mamas can provide. Typically they search and bellow (pretty continuously) for their mothers for several days, before they resolve
Living on a farm is amazing, but it can be mentally, physically, and even spiritually exhausting. Not only are the hours long, and the work hard, but the circle of life plays out in real time over and over again, day in and day out. Everyone loves the baby calves, or the newborn lambs, until
Of Calves and Sparrows Read More »
Several months ago, my sheep developed a bad habit. To give a little background, our sheep used stay in a traditional pasture. One day after looking at the overgrazed area, I decided to use my shepherding skills and show the sheep where the best foraging opportunities were. I led the sheep through open fields of
My new ram, who I may name Super Man, can apparently leap fences in a single bound. Much to my dismay, I found him in the pasture with my young teenagers who I had separated for obvious reasons . My husband was off hauling livestock, and the ram is new to me,(and huge, with horns
All Things For Good Read More »
