Digging in the Dirt

We are having a very late spring here in the Ozarks. This time I usually have beds done and planted. Everything seems to be taking its time to bloom this spring. Even the bugs are not out yet to feed my chickens. But the grass is green again and growing in our pastures. Soon we can let our horses have some fresh green grass again. We have not had green grass since the beginning of summer last year. The drought  was so bad all our plants died.This year I am hoping for more rain and happier plants.

March Hatching

Here is Ump, the cat, watching over our 2 brooder box hatchlings. Our hen hatched them but did not leave her nest, so I moved them indoors. I usually have 1-3 hatches to restock for our farm each year.

The chicks got much bigger and I moved them out of tubs and  into a used leaky stock tank. You can see I added a stuffed Olivia pig in their with them. Soon their pin feathers were emerging and the dust level tripled inside my kitchen.

After almost a month it was time to get them outside into the coop. The smell of 8 chicks get stronger no matter how many times you change the litter. Chicks smell, end of story.

I had 7 hens and one rooster in this hatch. Now all of them are in the coop learning how to grow up into productive poultry for our farm. Ours are a mix of Americana, Cuckoo Marans, Rhode Island Reds and the always present Leghorns. Every year we get a new rooster to add new blood to the mix. This year we will add some bantam hens for hatching, Americana's for blue eggs, and some perhaps Cornish cross roosters for meat.

A Great Read

I am reading a great book for our times called Rediscover Catholicism by Matthew Kelly. It is not just for Catholics but for anyone who wants some real answers to living a genuine life in these times. If you just read the Prologue you will be hooked. Matthew is a great writer for this broad subject for many walks of life.  He is clear in his chapters and has a lot of good information about living in our current times. It is hard to put this book down. Anyone wanting to find answers to life, give this book a try. You won't be disappointed. You can also get a free copy here plus the shipping.

Happy Easter from the Ozarks

Rose says Happy Easter Everyone. This is our Rex bunny Rose who is now almost 7 years old. This was taken last April when the spring came early. This year it is still cool and only hints of green grass.

Rose adores flower beds.She is wearing her blue harness so she won't run off.

Purple is her favorite flower color.

Snowy Late March

It has has been a long winter and now it snows like crazy at the end of March here in the Ozarks.

My trees are budding and my plants are popping up and then the snow came.

I was warned by a local that we were due another cold shot as the peepers were still croaking.

She was right as rain. I am glad I got my travel done. Now I can focus on spring gardening. I have a ton of seeds to plant and crops to start. Going to be a busy late spring for me and everyone else who plants.

Poppy heading for the warm wood stove in the house.

My hungry hens eating everything under the snow.

Wet and snowy slippery driveway.

Collar greens still growing after two winters.

Spring Chores

Spring is peeking through the grey ground again. Our horses are off the pasture and in a dry lot again. Got to give the pasture a chance to regrow again. Have to move the greenhouse and start seedlings. Have to build a second garden fence in the horse dry lot. All that black soil will be used for tomato and zucchini plants again. Will try to plant corn again this season. All my roses are in bud and life is starting again. Looking forward to fresh veggies and flowers to share.

Short Cold Auction

I went with a horse buddy to our local horse auction in town last Friday. It was very cold and snowy but it is always fun to talk horse. It was the same place I bought my first two pregnant mares three years ago. I have learned a lot since then about buying horses at auction. But it turned out well for our mares and now we have two wonderful young fox trotters to ride.

There were only a handful of horses being auctioned on this night. Only a few were said to be broke to ride. 

This one had a lame back leg but was kind and loved people. She was a big QH mare that

needed some groceries and a bath. Her injury looked recent and was left untreated to be auctioned instead of calling a vet.

This wild grey gelding had a lot of spirit, I am a softy for greys. He looks like my mare. Greys are hard to keep clean and are dirt magnets. 

This mule was very fat with a cresty neck. While rideable I am sure there will be some founder in its future.

This Standardbred mare was once taken care of as she had a short coat for winter. However, she suffered some accident in her left hip causing her to limp badly.

I was able to buy a bridle and a few tack items before the horse part began. I go these auctions to see how other people treat their horses. And I learn to take good care of my horses after seeing how neglect causes such suffering in these beautiful animals. Not all these horses are neglected, some are from broken homes and each has a story when they are at the auction. For my mares their story has a great conclusion, they are in a good home with clean water,green hills and warm hay. They are rideable and useful animals and will have one even after they are no longer useful..

The Long Hatch

About a two weeks ago my game hen was due to hatch her clutch in the coldest part of the year. I looked under her and two chicks were dry and hungry, but she did not leave the nest. So I put them in the brooder inside the kitchen. Next day another chick and still my hen refuses to leave the nest. After the first week I had 4 chicks. This week I have 6 chicks and my hen still does not leave the nest. So I have chicks of all sizes and ages inside my kitchen brooder box. While their mom is a great broody hen, she has gotten careless with her chicks. With chicken prices soaring these days, it is worth it save them from harm and let them grow up strong.

Americana and a Rhode Island Red chicks

Cute little red rooster and another Americana

Gotta love the grey/green legs and chipmunk stripes of this chick.

Cinnamon Nap

I have not had luck making my own cinnamon rolls from scratch. Until I got the mix kit from King Arthur Flour Company. Wow, they turned out great. On a cold day on the farm it hit the spot for us and our neighbor. It takes a little prep work and time to rise, but so worth it. 

My cat, Snots, took a nap while I made the rolls and the bunny looked on. I did not get a shot of the finished buns since they did not last a day.  At least the smell of cinnamon stayed in the house for a bit.

Hen Horsing Around

I really enjoy having chickens on the farm. They are always up and about on my farm.

Some are bold and fearless followers of where I go and what I do.

They push my shepherds away so they can eat their dog chow.

They get into stock tanks and feed bags all the time.

They crow, cluck and chirp all day long. While the roosters are so pretty the hens are

the real workhorses on my farm.

My snippy and flighty Leghorn born on my farm. Leghorns dress out nice but 

are too much drama in the nest box and in the fields. 

One of my 3 Cuckoo Maran's given as a gift. Great hens that lay all winter and follow me

around like puppies.

Marans, Guineas, and an Buff following me looking for ham bits. I am hoping these Marans will give me better layers when crossed with my English Game Rooster. They are broody, hardy and kind birds to have around.  I enjoy the deep dark brown eggs they give me.

Seeing Lights and Shadows

It has been a difficult week over on the farm. I lost a good hen to a stuck egg vent. I should have treated her but got busy and forgot. So I had to walk her carcass up the hill, into the frozen woods and tie her in a sapling for nature to take care of business. I had to go to a funeral and wish I had more time to talk with friends. My father is having a second surgery after recently having one two weeks ago. The skin on his legs will not heal and the cause is not known. The good news is that I will get to see him in a few weeks. I wish I could bring him my farm eggs and farm veggies, but that is not possible for so long a distance. So I will work with what is available where he lives in the city. The good news is also that spring is around the corner. 

Seeds are waiting to be planted, bulbs ready and flowers coming up. Two chicks hatched on the farm and are inside growing up with humans. Life begins anew and I am looking for the light of spring sunshine. And the shadows of winter will begin to fall behind me.

Iced Friday

We woke up to ice everywhere on Friday. I had to slide down the hill to feed all the animals. Then got on a pair of ice cleats and life was better. Our cars were coated in ice, took an hour to clear them off. Had to clear them so we could deliver eggs in town. My Volvo does not do ice, so we took the Subaru and got the errands done. Husband got to play with 4 wheel drive.

Chiminea in ice.

My favorite seat on the farm, iced over.

The view from the back door.

Even the birds got iced.

Horse gate and post coated in ice.

Maple waiting for her breakfast.

More frozen gates

Horse tape still holding a charge even with ice.

Mice-roni Duck Treats

And the big drake goes down the field. He is being chased by the 

opposing quarterduck on the outside.

The teams heads for the 30 yard line and they have the goal in sight.

Touchdown! The winning duck gets to eat the frozen mouse I threw in the forest.

Yes, my ducks are well fed. But once in a while they get a 

frozen mouse caught in the water bowls. I guess everything likes mice, even poultry with no teeth.