Bee~ Journal of then...

Beekissed

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Hey, PP! Been busy and travelin'. Checked out the breeder for the sheep I'm getting and went to see the Pennsylvania Farm Show Expo this past weekend. Busy, busy, busy!
 

PamsPride

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Sounds fun! What was at the Farm show?? I have never been to one and it seems like it would be fun!
 

Beekissed

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Huge!!! Simply huge farm show with thousands of vendors, animals, rodeos, horse shows...you name it, and it was there...even the world's largest butter sculpture! It is one of the oldest and longest running farm shows in North America. The rodeo we saw was the high school rodeo and the winning purse was worth $100,000! And it was free to get in and only $8 for parking all day. The different kinds of foods were great and all the exhibits were good. We got to see some of the most beautiful draft horses I've ever seen competing in all classes....all except pulling! Funny, huh? I walked several miles just trying to see it all.

My boys seemed to like it and Jon even met some real cute cowgirls that he is corresponding with on MySpace! :lol:
 

Beekissed

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I've been researching sheep health and have found several articles about using ACV to prevent illness and to recondition sheep after an illness. Some of them even gave it to sheep during a bout of bloat and affected an almost immediate cure. They use half ACV, half water ratio.

I am going to make my own unpastuerized ACV this fall for use in my animals. I've used ACV for my chickens and for rabbits before but was surprised at how many breeders have had stunning results with their sheep and other livestock. They list improved birth rates, increased twinning, improved wool quality and growth, increased milk production, decrease parasite load, etc. Some of them also include garlic in the use of their ACV.

Well, my folks have touted the health benefits for both of these things for years and, if its good for humans, why not for animals? So, having my plethora of apples and growing my first garlic this year I'm going to do some experimenting of my own.

I found a plan for making your own cider press, using a car jack, in my Reader's Digest SS book, so I'm going to do some pressing of my own cider this year. I'm going to juice some garlic and some of my onions to mix with the vinegar for a healthy drench/supplement for my livestock and just see if I can see a difference.

Anyone ever made their own vinegar? They say that the vinegar that still has the "mother" in it is the most healthful and beneficial for dosing livestock....and ourselves.
 

Farmfresh

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I tried it once. I was never quite sure when it was "done". The recipe I used just called for the peels and cores of the apples.

Not even sure where I got the recipe now.

I would like to hear more about the cider press. Sounds interesting!

Around here vinegar is used a lot and we HAVE to use apple cider vinegar. Did you know distilled vinegar is made with wheat! The things you learn being celiac (wheat free)!

If you add ACV to your stock tanks it is supposed to prevent mosquito larva from living in them. I have no idea how much is enough however.

Hubby's 90+ year old great aunts used to take a teaspoon of raw honey and a tablespoon of vinegar mixed EVERY day as a "health benefit". They were like the dynamite duo - identical twins, worked full time till they were in their upper 70's as well as volunteered at church and a youth mission, and kept over an acre of garden until they were in the upper 80's. I guess it worked! :D
 

prairiegirl

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Hi there, Bee. Sounds like a fun informative time at the farm show.
There's one in Fort Wayne this week. It would be nice to go, but weather is too bad. Did you find it to be more for commercial big time farms or was there enough for small beginning farmers?

My Dad has made ACV using unpastuerized apple cider. Don't remember anything more. I'll have to ask him.
 

FarmerChick

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I'm licking my wounds....I'm told this makes them heal faster

****:p
heck at some point we all have to do that!






Farm show sounds nice. Our big Raleigh State Fair is a monster also. So much to see people take a few days to go through it.
Something different to see is always nice!!!

ACV is good stuff. My goat info said if you throw acv in the water it can throw the sex of the goat kids. Never tried it.
 

freemotion

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There is some info in The Encyclopedia of Country Living on how to make your own vinegar, pretty interesting.
 

Quail_Antwerp

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Beekissed said:
I'm licking my wounds....I'm told this makes them heal faster! ;)
Well thank goodness because I was saddened to think I might not get to talk to you again!!!

You need to send me some NON internet contact info

LOL
 

Dace

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Glad to see you back Bee :)

Sounds like you had a fun adventure! When are you planning to get sheep? If you don't mind me asking...why did you choose sheep over goats? Just curious. I am thinking that next year maybe get a little goatie...mostly just thinking. I need to do some real research, but I am thinking that some milk for soap and maybe a little cheese would be nice plus I really like the weed eating aspect!
 

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