"Nobody ever figures out what life is all about, and it doesn't matter. Explore the world. Nearly everything is really interesting if you go into it deeply enough.” ― Richard P. Feynman I steep myself in so many different interests that I have come to have a mild working knowledge of many things. This comes in handy on the homestead as well as in life in general but I have found that I have yet to master anything. I do find that I am happier when I let myself explore with reckless abandon and don't worry about "being taught" in the classic sense. Man was born with the ability to learn, if we weren't, we wouldn't crawl, walk or talk. These are all things that healthy children will learn on their own if left to their own devices and the joy of this learning or experiencing doesn't end there. I will however admit that the internet keeps me busy "learning" through book knowledge for hours. Or pictures...youtube... I dream about things that other people do and read about them on the internet. Seems rather illogical doesn't it? I'm working on it.
Today we got our turkey's. Fifteen baby poults peeping away in my utility area with one little chick from last weeks chick shipment being their example of how to eat and drink. Last year it took me over a day of research to learn that poults do not learn readily on their own to eat and drink. It is something they have to have an example for. Once I figured that out my life got a lot easier but it did leave me to wonder how they do it in industrial turkey operations? Hmm...never made the time to look into that, likely my 50 chicks that were eating my garden last year distracted me from delving further. Our chicks are growing well on their fermented feed ration with a bit of fodder. Most of them have full feathering on their wings. I've never raised Freedom Rangers before so I am curious to see how they progress. I have also never used the fermented feed before. I've always used a soy free with zero mortality rate (aside from the occasional accident in chicken tractor moving or dog over stimulation...) but never the fermented. So far, no poo covered backsides which is encouraging. My rabbits seem to be thriving on the fodder. Their body type is good and they seem to be holding their weight. I have one doe that will not eat anything but the grain bottom? There isn't anything left to the grains that I can tell, but she picks off all the grains and the root mat and eats that leaving the grass in her tray. Odd. I am greatly enjoying the intensive grazing experiment. It's a bit labor intensive since we have to set up new paddocks every other day or so but I am enjoying it. I like to sit and watch what the sheep eat first. They always go for the "weeds" leaving the grass for absolute last and if they have a chance they will run through an open gate to greener pastures (i.e. more weeds). They seem to go after the low growing accumulators first. Plantain and Dandelion (blossoms and all) seem to be favorites. Then there is another low growing, purple flowering toothed plant I have yet to identify that they love. Then they lay down and chew their cud and entertain the idea of eating grass. It's quite amusing. For what it's worth, halter training sheep isn't so bad but is something you seem to have to keep up with. DH and I are currently attempting to figure out how we are going to lead 10 sheep instead of the 4 because the lambs are getting a mind of their own and prefer to play in the road then go into their paddock. It took me 20 minutes and a 4-wheeler going by yesterday to get them in with their moms. DH chased them up the road past our house today because he opted to halter only one ewe. His sheep herding skills are better then mine, I have to lead, they pay no attention to this pregnant lady when she's trying to herd. And the love of my life dog is about as worthless as they come. I think her plan is to frustrate the crud out of me by standing where I want the sheep to go and barking in an obnoxiously high pitch at them. She gets yelled at a lot when little man decides everyone needs to be outside helping mom (he likes to let the dogs out on me). Anyone know if there is a zone 3 hardy Kiwi vine? I'm not sure I have the time (nor the energy - anyone want to build my pole bean tepee's for me?) to figure this one out right now. I would love to build a trellis and plant them if they are! Been reading permaculture stuff again in an attempt to figure out how to utilize this wonderful gallon bag gift of Jerusalem Artichokes that a friend gave me. Suppose I should get something done around the house while it's quiet! namaste
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The Author
Hi there, Wysteria here. I will be writing as regularly as possible on behalf of my family and regarding our adventures in farming, food, health and things of the like. My interest range widely and my brain wanders far. Namaste. Archives
July 2016
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