We have finally decided to breed the French Angoras. Sire is a REW with chocolate, blue, lilac and tort in his pedigree. The dam is a chocolate tort with all the same colors. We hope to have some chocolates as well as some lilacs and blues. But being the first mating of this pair it is unknown what we will get. However, we will be offering them for sale for a very reasonable price.
They will come with papers if desired. They will be looking for fiber/pet/show homes. if you are intereested in 1 or more, let me know what you are looking for. they are due in about 24 days, and they will be available 6-8 weeks after birth.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Garlic
Our garlic did fantastic this year. We ended up with nearly 100# of cured garlic! Lucky for us, we had already arranged a buyer, and the East Lansing Food Co-Op purchased all that we could muster. they took 42# the balance was kept for 2011 seed, and for eating, of course shared with friends and family.
We are adding in soft neck garlic for 2011, and will be offering garlic braids as well as our hard neck varieties.
Doubling the area to put in garlic this year we hope to have another great harvest for 2011.
We are adding in soft neck garlic for 2011, and will be offering garlic braids as well as our hard neck varieties.
Doubling the area to put in garlic this year we hope to have another great harvest for 2011.
Chickens
This has been a BAD year for the chickens. Both the layers and the fryers took a beating.
Raccoons just destroyed us this year. we lost several fryers from out first batch. this really killed us. we also lost 19 of 21 of our hatched chicks and 9 of our 18 layers. We finally cought, trapped and poisened them. I hate to do this, and I dont mind sharing, but the costs have been huge. We have lost most of our egg sales, and the price per # went up on the broiler/fryers.
We also were hit with another problem with the first batch of chicks we got.
While we ordered the Vantress X chicks we got the cornish game X. Our normal weights with the Vantress DRESSED averaged 6-8# each. these averaged 4# dressed. OUCH..
we do have another batch going, and they are about 3 weeks out from slaughter and are looking much better.
Not a whole lot more to say here.
Raccoons just destroyed us this year. we lost several fryers from out first batch. this really killed us. we also lost 19 of 21 of our hatched chicks and 9 of our 18 layers. We finally cought, trapped and poisened them. I hate to do this, and I dont mind sharing, but the costs have been huge. We have lost most of our egg sales, and the price per # went up on the broiler/fryers.
We also were hit with another problem with the first batch of chicks we got.
While we ordered the Vantress X chicks we got the cornish game X. Our normal weights with the Vantress DRESSED averaged 6-8# each. these averaged 4# dressed. OUCH..
we do have another batch going, and they are about 3 weeks out from slaughter and are looking much better.
Not a whole lot more to say here.
Pigs
Well now on to the piggies..
We purchased 3 pigs this year. Went to the same farmer we purchased from last year, as we liked the results. They were bigger this year when we got them, seems like they have grown so fast.
However they are 3 different sizes. One has a hernia, testicular. So we have to really watch him. he is the smallest and likely NOT to make a big weight. One of them is very large and will be by far the biggest for the long haul.
Lucky for us, when we bought the feed the prices were down. YEA..
Initially the cost of the pigs $100 for all three
500# of feed $74
500# more feed $82 (both feeds we decided to keep at 18% protein to get them bigger faster.
this batch as learned EARLY to drink from the barrel nipple drinker. they drink about 50 gallons of water 2 times a week.
They have received whole cow milk, along with veggie left overs from the garden. we dont feed them trash or rotten food. But pea shucks, corn cobs and husks, tomato cores from fresh tomatoes and the occasional fractured chicken egg. this all goes into the trough and they love it.
My mom decided to sort thru her old canned peaches. WOW.. that was pig candy. sounds horriable but they seem to really love it.
We are still not ready for slaughter, are expecting september time.
I will update later with more information.
We purchased 3 pigs this year. Went to the same farmer we purchased from last year, as we liked the results. They were bigger this year when we got them, seems like they have grown so fast.
However they are 3 different sizes. One has a hernia, testicular. So we have to really watch him. he is the smallest and likely NOT to make a big weight. One of them is very large and will be by far the biggest for the long haul.
Lucky for us, when we bought the feed the prices were down. YEA..
Initially the cost of the pigs $100 for all three
500# of feed $74
500# more feed $82 (both feeds we decided to keep at 18% protein to get them bigger faster.
this batch as learned EARLY to drink from the barrel nipple drinker. they drink about 50 gallons of water 2 times a week.
They have received whole cow milk, along with veggie left overs from the garden. we dont feed them trash or rotten food. But pea shucks, corn cobs and husks, tomato cores from fresh tomatoes and the occasional fractured chicken egg. this all goes into the trough and they love it.
My mom decided to sort thru her old canned peaches. WOW.. that was pig candy. sounds horriable but they seem to really love it.
We are still not ready for slaughter, are expecting september time.
I will update later with more information.
the GreenHouse..
Well here it is the end of July. I have not had alot of time to keep updates on here the way I should. But will see if I can catch everyone up.
First.. the greenhouse...
We did not have tomatoes the first week of June this year. But the first week of July we did. Our tomato trees are growing quickly and are heavily producing. Many of our plants we started from seed in the aero garden. This worked very well for us, and actually our plants started from seed have been more productive than the bought plants.
Our red peppers, also housed in the greenhouse are HUGE. averaging 1# each. And the tomatillos have THOUSANDS of fruit per bush. We have already made salsa, and in actuality, I should be doing tomatos instead of sitting here typing. But.... I will get to it in a few.
Out side the greenhouse has been pretty productive as well.
We decided to try broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts this year.
Initially, I was very disappointed with the broccoli. the heads were not huge like we get in the store. But of course were quite tasty. I didnt pull the plants, and they have continued to HEAVILY produce. They dont make MAIN heads again, but put up hundreds of stalks of tender and flavorful sprouts. harvested a couple times a week, I am putting ALLOT of broccoli in the freezer. I highly recommend this plant if you like broccoli. some soils dont do well with it, but ours seems to be doing great. Our brussels are just taking off, and the cauliflower plants are huge but still no heads. Im told that doesnt happen till more toward fall.
Cabbage.. HOLY WOW.. we have 12# cabbage. They really seem to enjoy the dirt.
Our first batch of lettuce bolted in the recent heat. But luckily I had already planned ahead and replanted for the next batch. How could be enjoy BLT's without our own fresh lettuce.
Our beans came and went fast, for the most part. We do still get small amounts but we already canned the majority. Our peas also did quite well. I am not so sure I will mess with them again tho. even tho I have frozen up several batchs, they are just SOOO time consuming to shell.
Bumper crops of swiss chard.. has lots of vitamin packed greens in the freezer for winter.
First.. the greenhouse...
We did not have tomatoes the first week of June this year. But the first week of July we did. Our tomato trees are growing quickly and are heavily producing. Many of our plants we started from seed in the aero garden. This worked very well for us, and actually our plants started from seed have been more productive than the bought plants.
Our red peppers, also housed in the greenhouse are HUGE. averaging 1# each. And the tomatillos have THOUSANDS of fruit per bush. We have already made salsa, and in actuality, I should be doing tomatos instead of sitting here typing. But.... I will get to it in a few.
Out side the greenhouse has been pretty productive as well.
We decided to try broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts this year.
Initially, I was very disappointed with the broccoli. the heads were not huge like we get in the store. But of course were quite tasty. I didnt pull the plants, and they have continued to HEAVILY produce. They dont make MAIN heads again, but put up hundreds of stalks of tender and flavorful sprouts. harvested a couple times a week, I am putting ALLOT of broccoli in the freezer. I highly recommend this plant if you like broccoli. some soils dont do well with it, but ours seems to be doing great. Our brussels are just taking off, and the cauliflower plants are huge but still no heads. Im told that doesnt happen till more toward fall.
Cabbage.. HOLY WOW.. we have 12# cabbage. They really seem to enjoy the dirt.
Our first batch of lettuce bolted in the recent heat. But luckily I had already planned ahead and replanted for the next batch. How could be enjoy BLT's without our own fresh lettuce.
Our beans came and went fast, for the most part. We do still get small amounts but we already canned the majority. Our peas also did quite well. I am not so sure I will mess with them again tho. even tho I have frozen up several batchs, they are just SOOO time consuming to shell.
Bumper crops of swiss chard.. has lots of vitamin packed greens in the freezer for winter.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
February
Welcome back again...
February is here, and with it came the biggest snow storm of the year! We were blessed with 11" here on the farm. We spent the day digging out the chickens and sheep. Sheep didnt mind the snow so much, but those poor chickens hopped into the snow and POOF! they were gone! LOL so shoveled so they could get out and play in the sun that followed the next day.
We are still waitin on lambs. Due in Mid march, we are starting to prepare. Lamb pens are getting bleached AGAIN.. we bleach after each lambing season and before each. getting all the heat lamps and boxs in place and cleaning the clippers so that I can cruch the ewes before lambing. a couple are getting pretty round. Looks like multiples for sure from my Winnie. I am HOPING to attempt to milk this year as well. WISH ME LUCK ON THAT ONE.. grin..
We have already been in contact with the elevator for chicks, and feed. April is the month there.
Also called the farmer with the pigs. we are on the list for earlier piglets this year. We may have to pen them in the barn for a few weeks and have a heat lamp, but it will be easier to do that than have them so late in the year again. Depending on the amount of meat required we are debating on doing 3-4 hogs this year. it will be a little more costly at the beginning, but will even out more per pound in the end.
This is of course just a game plan..
I have finally learned how to knit socks! yep.. I am actually wearing a pair. I have posted a photo of my HAND spun socks. That is I spun the yarn and knitted them. They turned out beautiful and so very warm. This is something one can do with wool! We have started a spinning/knitting group. If you are interested in joining us please contact me. There is NO charge. we just get together and help each other and have fun. It takes place on Sundays. Next one will be in March, so you have pleanty of time. We would LOVE to have you.
Happy Shoveling to you all..
T
Saturday, January 23, 2010
The birth of spring
January is quickly leaving and feb. is knocking on the doors. With that comes preparation for spring and summer and even fall here at Woodspryte Farm.
In October of 09, we coated all our sheep. This is to keep the VM (vegatable matter) out of the fleeces. This small and simple step will make hours worth of difference in cleaning and preparing for processing for me. The over all end product also tends to be much nicer for the clients that purchase it.
Our ewes are bred, and lambs are due to hit the ground in mid March. Shots have been given to the sheep as well as their garlic/cayenne mix for worms.
We had only one injury, it was to our Ram, Lem. It would appear that he was bitten, and our best guestimation would be a coyote. The llama and alpaca kept there from being any further injuries or losses of stock. however now everyone in the pasture is on alert all the time and the sheep are flighty. The wound is healing nicely.
It is also time to start looking into our summer projects. What are we going to raise this year.. what changes will we make
#1
First of all its not time to contact the farmers for piglets. If you plan to raise pigs this summer, you should be considering contacting him VERY SOON. alot of the early piglets are sold to 4H kids. you want to get in on the best. Also if you want to be able to process before winter, you want to get early pigs. you will have to keep them under a heat lamp and out of drafts for some time, but TRUST me.. it will be much easier for you in the long run.
#2
Chicks
You should also be making final determination on your meat chicks. How many will you get. will you pasture raise or cage raise. Do you know of a local processor that will be able to process your order, wether it be 5 birds of 500. Find them now. talk to them.. how do they process.. what is their costs.
~what kind of chicks will you get? you should be contacting the local co-op elevators or ordering online soon. with the economy in the condidtion it is in, many people are resorting to raising their own. for this reason you need to get MOVING..
The early bird gets the worm.
I have found I prefer to raise them in slightly cooler weather vs. in the heat of the summer. I can put in a heat lamp and keep them warm, but a fan gets really gross, not to mention the draft can cause URI and pnumonia.
Do you have enough pasture for the amount of birds you want to do?
When you call the elevator for chick prices, find out how much it will cost for feed.
we have discovered its much easier to purchase ALL the feed ahead of time when getting the chicks. Its much easier, as well as time and cost effective.
You should approach raising your food for the following year like a business.
Is it cost effective..Is it healthy.. do I have the means (money, time, drive and space)
You will find in the long run, raising your own meat is NOT cheeper than buying from the store. However, what you get will be strong healthy animals, without hormones or drugs. you know how they have been raised and where, as well as how they were handled. Just because your going to eat it, does not make it elegiable to be wrongly or miss treated. Im not saying to cuddle your animals or give them lovy names.. but do keep in mind they are one of gods creations, just as we are. Respect should be given as well as mercy when needed.
#3
turkeys.. Much of the same rules applies here as it does to the chickens..
What kind of turkey? do you want a slower growing, more flavorful (gamy) turkey that is smaller and SLOOOOW growing, or do you want one of those turkeys that is all boobs and butt? We raised the heritage last year. it took 7 months to get them to butcher size. they ate alot in that time. But they are so tasty. we purchased 7 poults and had NO losses and I now have more turkey than I care to have in my freezer.
This year we will do I believe only 4 turkeys, and we are going to do the BB type. they are faster growing. BUT my main reason, is I want ground turkey. I will keep one for my freezer, one to my mom and dad for thanksgiving, and 2 to be ground into burger for the freezer. I am going to be ordering eggs and hatching.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TURKEY POULTS TO RAISE.. CONTACT ME ASAP I WILL HATCH THEM FOR YOU, YOU CAN RAISE THEM. I WILL BE TAKING ORDERS FOR TURKEY POULTS. I PLAN TO ORDER APX. 2 DOZEN EGGS, WITH AN EXPECTED HATCH RATE OF 50%. THIS MAY BE LOW BUT I WOULD RATHER ERROR HIGH. IF YOU HAVE A LARGER NUMBER YOU WANT OR A SPECIFIC TYPE LET ME KNOW.. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY WILL BE TO PURCHASE THE POULTS YOU ORDER.
Also remember... chickens and turkeys CANNOT be in the same pen together. be sure you have a place where they will not be living together.
if you have questions.. please contact me. I can help you with finding many items.
I hope this post finds you all weathering winter well.
when we have moved to our next step I will advise.
Happy planning..
Love and light
tiffany
In October of 09, we coated all our sheep. This is to keep the VM (vegatable matter) out of the fleeces. This small and simple step will make hours worth of difference in cleaning and preparing for processing for me. The over all end product also tends to be much nicer for the clients that purchase it.
Our ewes are bred, and lambs are due to hit the ground in mid March. Shots have been given to the sheep as well as their garlic/cayenne mix for worms.
We had only one injury, it was to our Ram, Lem. It would appear that he was bitten, and our best guestimation would be a coyote. The llama and alpaca kept there from being any further injuries or losses of stock. however now everyone in the pasture is on alert all the time and the sheep are flighty. The wound is healing nicely.
It is also time to start looking into our summer projects. What are we going to raise this year.. what changes will we make
#1
First of all its not time to contact the farmers for piglets. If you plan to raise pigs this summer, you should be considering contacting him VERY SOON. alot of the early piglets are sold to 4H kids. you want to get in on the best. Also if you want to be able to process before winter, you want to get early pigs. you will have to keep them under a heat lamp and out of drafts for some time, but TRUST me.. it will be much easier for you in the long run.
#2
Chicks
You should also be making final determination on your meat chicks. How many will you get. will you pasture raise or cage raise. Do you know of a local processor that will be able to process your order, wether it be 5 birds of 500. Find them now. talk to them.. how do they process.. what is their costs.
~what kind of chicks will you get? you should be contacting the local co-op elevators or ordering online soon. with the economy in the condidtion it is in, many people are resorting to raising their own. for this reason you need to get MOVING..
The early bird gets the worm.
I have found I prefer to raise them in slightly cooler weather vs. in the heat of the summer. I can put in a heat lamp and keep them warm, but a fan gets really gross, not to mention the draft can cause URI and pnumonia.
Do you have enough pasture for the amount of birds you want to do?
When you call the elevator for chick prices, find out how much it will cost for feed.
we have discovered its much easier to purchase ALL the feed ahead of time when getting the chicks. Its much easier, as well as time and cost effective.
You should approach raising your food for the following year like a business.
Is it cost effective..Is it healthy.. do I have the means (money, time, drive and space)
You will find in the long run, raising your own meat is NOT cheeper than buying from the store. However, what you get will be strong healthy animals, without hormones or drugs. you know how they have been raised and where, as well as how they were handled. Just because your going to eat it, does not make it elegiable to be wrongly or miss treated. Im not saying to cuddle your animals or give them lovy names.. but do keep in mind they are one of gods creations, just as we are. Respect should be given as well as mercy when needed.
#3
turkeys.. Much of the same rules applies here as it does to the chickens..
What kind of turkey? do you want a slower growing, more flavorful (gamy) turkey that is smaller and SLOOOOW growing, or do you want one of those turkeys that is all boobs and butt? We raised the heritage last year. it took 7 months to get them to butcher size. they ate alot in that time. But they are so tasty. we purchased 7 poults and had NO losses and I now have more turkey than I care to have in my freezer.
This year we will do I believe only 4 turkeys, and we are going to do the BB type. they are faster growing. BUT my main reason, is I want ground turkey. I will keep one for my freezer, one to my mom and dad for thanksgiving, and 2 to be ground into burger for the freezer. I am going to be ordering eggs and hatching.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TURKEY POULTS TO RAISE.. CONTACT ME ASAP I WILL HATCH THEM FOR YOU, YOU CAN RAISE THEM. I WILL BE TAKING ORDERS FOR TURKEY POULTS. I PLAN TO ORDER APX. 2 DOZEN EGGS, WITH AN EXPECTED HATCH RATE OF 50%. THIS MAY BE LOW BUT I WOULD RATHER ERROR HIGH. IF YOU HAVE A LARGER NUMBER YOU WANT OR A SPECIFIC TYPE LET ME KNOW.. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY WILL BE TO PURCHASE THE POULTS YOU ORDER.
Also remember... chickens and turkeys CANNOT be in the same pen together. be sure you have a place where they will not be living together.
if you have questions.. please contact me. I can help you with finding many items.
I hope this post finds you all weathering winter well.
when we have moved to our next step I will advise.
Happy planning..
Love and light
tiffany
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