NH Homesteader's journal

[Mini Horses]

Right now our hens are not broody, I've actually never had one sit. They're slackers!!!

Actually, some breeds have had the broody bred out. Yep. "They" (the breeders) felt we only wanted eggs AND to continue buying their hatches, or brooders.

Even some of the heritage are not impressive brooders, ok when they do, just smaller percentage want to. Trust me, being a mother can be a hassle -- esp with multies!

But I am ok with one group doing most the mothering duties and the others can lay eggs! Just the annoyance of a roo for a week or so and those eggs are fertile and a surrogate will be happy to set them. At my farm the roos aren't really important for much else. I do have a couple who raise heck if something strange comes around but some loud crowing isn't gonna kill a fox!!

 

[NH Homesteader]

Haha! I have a love/hate relationship with our rooster. His name, BTW is Brewster the rooster. Original huh?

I'm sure it works out well for them to have us keep buying more! I'm hoping this year is my last big purchase year and we will be raising our own until we find another breed we must try!

I had a rooster die defending his hens. They lived. We like having one around, especially a tough old Dominique like Brewster!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

A castle! How cool - and 4 year olds are pretty cool too!

A good rooster is a good thing... a bad one is real good too - with dumplings, lol!

 

[NH Homesteader]

Four year olds are immensely better than three year olds. This month is nuts, her birthday is the 28th, my husband's is the 30th and then it's Halloween!

The dude with the pig said he will come get her Monday or Tuesday. He is going out of town for the weekend. We will butcher the other one the same day, put her in the fridge for a few days and move the fencing for the little piggies. They seriously need the space. Then we need to winterize the big pig house for the little pigs. Then get to cutting and wrapping!

Still so much to do here. Sunday literally says there's a chance of snow. What???

 

[baymule]

Snow.....

 

[NH Homesteader]

 

[lcertuche]

I love having game hens for hatching out chicks. They are super mama's and their chicks grow up knowing to hide from predators like hawks and how to live free ranging. the games would lay all winter but in the summer they would only want to sit nests. I will probably get a couple of game hens in the spring and some Dixie Rainbows. They are suppose to be meaty, lay good and are fair at brooding. Surely by then my lazy pullets will be laying. I want to stay away from the big production nurseries and have a sustainable flock.
Oh, my goodness we haven't even got below 48 degrees and ya'll already getting snow. No wonder we've been seeing so many geese flying over.

 

[Mini Horses]

Right about those game hens -- great moms!! My current roos will at least make my flock self-producing. Some will be mixed types but, I find them quite hardy if good ones used to start.

Snow?? Already??? I just don't like snow. We don't get a lot here. Closeness to ocean keeps some of that to a minimum BUT -- because we don't get often, when we DO get a few inches it is a disaster. Little equipment to maintain roads, the day warmth melts, then freezes at night, wow. We've had some with tractors go out & help clear driveways & roads with their blades in local areas to them.

Well, IF you get snow, you can throw those piggies in it to cool while you cut Recently did the "cut & wrap". It is a real job.

 

[NH Homesteader]

If we do get snow it shouldn't be enough to stick around at least! I don't mind snow, I just hate ice. And I really hate winters like last year that are super cold with no snow.

Game hens are super flighty aren't they?

I've never helped with doing a pig. My husband always did it with one of his friends who has a meat house. Well the "friend" stopped being so friendly so we will do it at home instead! We've had a meat grinder for over a year and haven't used it yet. I'm psyched to try it!

 

[NH Homesteader]

It is absolutely pouring outside. It's nuts. And amazing. We are 15 inches lower than we should be. Supposed to get 2 inches by tomorrow but man it seems like it might be more. Poor pigs might be a bit flooded but everyone else is on high ground. Their houses are off the ground at least.

So we have to go to a wedding tomorrow. Ugh. My daughter is so excited it's ridiculous. My husband and I are dreading it. I haven't even picked out clothes or looked at the address to the place yet. I'm a planner (my husband says OCD style planner ). That's how much I don't want to go.