Blossom and Treble were each bred to Toby on September 30 and October 1, respectively. Next up are Sara, Marsanne, and Lily who will be bred as soon as they come into heat, which should be this coming week. Sara and Marsanne are planned to be bred to Toby, but I'd like to breed Lily to Chaku. He has gone down to Ruby Run for a few weeks, so I'll need to transport her down there, so we'll see if that is convenient to do when she comes in heat.
I haven't decided yet what to do about my three youngest doelings. I would like to breed them this year to kid in Spring 2012. It looks like I'll be able to breed Amy, but Mellie is just looking too small, and Elise will probably be too young at the time I need to breed. So, I just haven't decided about that yet... As always, the most up-to-date information about that can be found on my website on the Kidding Schedule page.
The two large black pigs are growing very, very well. We expect they will be slaughtered in December. That's a really good thing, because I only have one package of pork chops left (and I've really been rationing them), one package of ribs (ditto on the rationing) and about a dozen packs of bacon. I do have lots of ground pork left and a good bit of scrapple. I guess we need to start having scrapple for snacks and stuff, and I need some more good low carb recipes for ground pork. I make a really nice Italian Sausage that I saute with onions and peppers, and I make a really good meatloaf with half pork/half beef. I recently made a pot of chili which called for three pounds of ground beef. I substituted one pound of ground pork in the recipe for one of the pounds of ground beef and it turned out great.
The winter garden is planted. Under the greenhouse we'll have carrots, onions, lettuce, cabbage, and spinach. Outside the greenhouse I have cabbage planted, that I think went in too late, so we'll see if I actually get anything from those...
I have lots of tomatoes frozen from the garden this year to put in soups and other recipes, and loads of carrots in the refrigerator. I still have peppers from the Summer of 2010 in the freezer, so I'm good to go on that until next year.
I picked lots of Strawberries and Blueberries from U-Pick farms this year so all of those are in the freezer too.
I've made quarts and quarts of yogurt, lots of chevre, ricotta salata, and mozzarella which is all in the freezer for the dark days ahead when there will be no milk... AND there are quite a few wheels of cheddar, swiss, and tomme aging. I'm still struggling with consistency on my hard cheeses. Some of them are quite good, others, yuk! I know that with the kind of operation I have, there will always be flubs, but I'd like to get to the point where the majority of my hard cheeses are good, with just an occasional bad one, as opposed to the other way around. LOL.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Well, dear blog readers, again it's been months since I last posted. Things get so very busy here once the does start kidding that it really is impossible to keep up with this blog.
But, Fall is about to arrive and things are slowing just a bit, so it's time for an update.
As always, the most up-to-date information about the goats is on my website.
There were many changes to the herd over the past year. I have three senior does, five juniors, and two young bucks now. I expect those numbers will be stable until the Spring when the new kids start arriving.
The three seniors and hopefully four of the juniors will be bred this Fall to kid in the Spring. I plan to retain several does and perhaps a couple of bucks, but there certainly will be kids available for sale. Contact me for more information.
We have two new pigs here that we plan to slaughter in a couple of months. They are both full bred Large Blacks. We raised and butchered 50 Freedom Ranger broiler chickens this year. And, we have 23 Rhode Island Red layer chickens who continue to provide us and customers with fresh free range eggs.
I'm looking forward this Fall to breeding season for the goats as this is the first time I've had my own bucks. It's been fun planning the breedings. You can check out the plans (can always change until the deed is done) on my kidding schedule on the website.
But, Fall is about to arrive and things are slowing just a bit, so it's time for an update.
As always, the most up-to-date information about the goats is on my website.
There were many changes to the herd over the past year. I have three senior does, five juniors, and two young bucks now. I expect those numbers will be stable until the Spring when the new kids start arriving.
The three seniors and hopefully four of the juniors will be bred this Fall to kid in the Spring. I plan to retain several does and perhaps a couple of bucks, but there certainly will be kids available for sale. Contact me for more information.
We have two new pigs here that we plan to slaughter in a couple of months. They are both full bred Large Blacks. We raised and butchered 50 Freedom Ranger broiler chickens this year. And, we have 23 Rhode Island Red layer chickens who continue to provide us and customers with fresh free range eggs.
I'm looking forward this Fall to breeding season for the goats as this is the first time I've had my own bucks. It's been fun planning the breedings. You can check out the plans (can always change until the deed is done) on my kidding schedule on the website.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Treble Kids!
Treble kidded this past Saturday, March 19 with buck/doe twins. The kidding was pretty uneventful. The buckling was first, of course, and his head was a little big, so I helped him out, but the doeling slid out easily after the buckling.
They are taking their bottles well and starting to bounce around. They are in the house now for my convenience, but they'll move out to the barn in a couple of weeks. Pictures can be found here.
Next up is Blossom, a first freshener who probably will have a single or twins and then Melody who is HUGE. I expect a minimum of three kids from Mel, very possibly more.
And I have a buckling and doeling arriving from Massachusetts the second week of April. It's going to be a busy few weeks. The best places to find up-to-date information on kiddings are the Kidding Schedule page and For Sale page on the website.
More soon!
They are taking their bottles well and starting to bounce around. They are in the house now for my convenience, but they'll move out to the barn in a couple of weeks. Pictures can be found here.
Next up is Blossom, a first freshener who probably will have a single or twins and then Melody who is HUGE. I expect a minimum of three kids from Mel, very possibly more.
And I have a buckling and doeling arriving from Massachusetts the second week of April. It's going to be a busy few weeks. The best places to find up-to-date information on kiddings are the Kidding Schedule page and For Sale page on the website.
More soon!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Waiting, waiting...
This time of year the time just crawls as I count down the days (hours, minutes) until kidding begins. Tiny Town Treble is due first on March 21, so still seven weeks to go. She doesn't look pregnant at all, so I'm sure hoping she is. There's no reason to think she isn't as I haven't seen any signs of heat and I know she was bred back in October. I don't expect any more than twins. She seems just a tad thin to me, so I've begun supplementing her with a small amount of alfalfa and grain. Once she hits four weeks before kidding I'll begin increasing the ration up to close to where I think she'll need to be for milk production.
Sweet Garden Blossom is the next doe due on March 31. Blossom has looked pregnant since she was about six weeks old! She has incredible rumen capacity, which I hope will bode well for future milk production, but it's hard to tell what's kids, and what's stomach! Blossom is maturing beautifully with plenty of size and a grand, regal bearing. I continue to be confident of her potential, both in the show ring and in the milk pail.
Tiny Town Blue Suede Shoes is due on April 1. "Melody" looks very pregnant, about ready to pop in fact. I'm expecting triplets at the very least, very possibly more.
Tiny Town BP Sweet Muzette is due on April 15. She's maturing beautifully, but shows no signs of impending motherhood. It really is too soon for her. It's hard to tell with all of the hair, but she has a very level topline and is very smoothly blended. If her udder lives up to expectations she'll be a force to reckon with in the show ring.
The final kidding here will be Tiny Town Sweet Serenade, due May 12. I'm glad it's so far away as Sara is growing slowly and needs a good bit more size for my liking for a safe birth. She has three and a half months more, so all should be good. I have begun to supplement her diet with some alfalfa and grain to help, watching carefully to be sure she doesn't get over-conditioned. Fat first fresheners are a recipe for disaster!
Melody is now herd queen, the other four don't seem to have a clear hierarchy, although Blossom seems terrified of Treble. I'm not sure what happened there! Muzette and little Sara can hold their own with anyone except Melody.
I'm expecting 8-12 kids. I anticipate that all of the males will be sold as wethers, but I won't make a final decision until I see udders and the kids themselves. I plan to keep two doelings, so should have several for sale, depending on my buck to doe ratio! I have not done well the past two years, my totals for the two years combined: Does 3 -- Bucks 8. I'm certainly due a doe year. I'll be doing the doe dance as kidding draws nearer.
Sweet Garden Blossom is the next doe due on March 31. Blossom has looked pregnant since she was about six weeks old! She has incredible rumen capacity, which I hope will bode well for future milk production, but it's hard to tell what's kids, and what's stomach! Blossom is maturing beautifully with plenty of size and a grand, regal bearing. I continue to be confident of her potential, both in the show ring and in the milk pail.
Tiny Town Blue Suede Shoes is due on April 1. "Melody" looks very pregnant, about ready to pop in fact. I'm expecting triplets at the very least, very possibly more.
Tiny Town BP Sweet Muzette is due on April 15. She's maturing beautifully, but shows no signs of impending motherhood. It really is too soon for her. It's hard to tell with all of the hair, but she has a very level topline and is very smoothly blended. If her udder lives up to expectations she'll be a force to reckon with in the show ring.
The final kidding here will be Tiny Town Sweet Serenade, due May 12. I'm glad it's so far away as Sara is growing slowly and needs a good bit more size for my liking for a safe birth. She has three and a half months more, so all should be good. I have begun to supplement her diet with some alfalfa and grain to help, watching carefully to be sure she doesn't get over-conditioned. Fat first fresheners are a recipe for disaster!
Melody is now herd queen, the other four don't seem to have a clear hierarchy, although Blossom seems terrified of Treble. I'm not sure what happened there! Muzette and little Sara can hold their own with anyone except Melody.
I'm expecting 8-12 kids. I anticipate that all of the males will be sold as wethers, but I won't make a final decision until I see udders and the kids themselves. I plan to keep two doelings, so should have several for sale, depending on my buck to doe ratio! I have not done well the past two years, my totals for the two years combined: Does 3 -- Bucks 8. I'm certainly due a doe year. I'll be doing the doe dance as kidding draws nearer.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Eggs for Sale
We are officially in the egg business. My plan is to post a sign on the goatyard fence whenever I am home and have eggs to sell. Since I only have 24 hens I won't have an unending supply, so I thought this would be a good plan. So, if you are in the area, stop by for some farm fresh, organic, free range eggs.
Today's Menu
Breakfast: Home Cured Bacon, Egg and Goat Cheese Omelet, Gogurt with Blueberries
Main Meal: Grilled Grassfed Hamburgers, Glazed Turnips and Carrots
Evening Snack: Hardboiled Eggs dipped in mayonnaise, apple and peanut butter
Ingredients from today's menu courtesy of Sweet Garden Farm: bacon, eggs, goat cheese, gogurt, turnips, and carrots. The blueberries were hand picked about five miles from the farm. The grassfed beef is from Potomac, Maryland. Now if I could just get some apple trees and peanut plants I'd really be local!! :)
Today's Menu
Breakfast: Home Cured Bacon, Egg and Goat Cheese Omelet, Gogurt with Blueberries
Main Meal: Grilled Grassfed Hamburgers, Glazed Turnips and Carrots
Evening Snack: Hardboiled Eggs dipped in mayonnaise, apple and peanut butter
Ingredients from today's menu courtesy of Sweet Garden Farm: bacon, eggs, goat cheese, gogurt, turnips, and carrots. The blueberries were hand picked about five miles from the farm. The grassfed beef is from Potomac, Maryland. Now if I could just get some apple trees and peanut plants I'd really be local!! :)
Saturday, November 20, 2010
November 2010 Update
Just a general update of all that is going on:
Goats - I continue to move towards a show herd. I now own the following goats:
Tiny Town Blue Suede Shoes (Melody) - a terrific milker and a proven producer of show quality kids.
Tiny Town Treble - a solid milker with show potential in her own right.
Sweet Garden Blossom - maturing beautifully: deep, wide, and long. I expect big things from her next year.
Tiny Town BP Sweet Muzette - A flashy blue-eyed doeling with potential for excellent milk production and outstanding conformation.
Tiny Town Sweet Serenade (Sara) - A beautiful white doeling with royalty in her blood. Hopefully this precious girl will live up to her pedigree.
I've posted a kidding schedule here: http://www.sweetgardengoats.com/Kidding_Schedule.html. Reservations will be accepted. No deposit is required.
Melody and Blossom have both been bred to NC Promisedland Peeping Tom.
Treble has been bred to Tiny Town Sunny Surprise.
Muzette has been bred to NC Promisedland SIA Samuria.
Sara will be bred to NC Promisedland SIA Samuria in a couple of weeks.
Tigger is still here, but will be returned to Tiny Town Goats in a couple of weeks. That will complete my plans for this year. Then I will just have to wait for all of the girls to kid next year and see what the stork brings!
I have also placed a deposit on a buckling and doeling from Rosasharn Farm in Massachusetts. Those additions should put me in good stead, along with my current does, to move forward towards a show herd with solid milk production.
Pigs - The pigs have grown and grown and grown, and now they are ready for the slaughterhouse:
Tomorrow evening we are taking them up to Mt. Airy Locker for slaughter. We'll bring them back down here, hopefully Wednesday, to butcher them ourselves. I'll have to report back later on flavor and how the processing went.
Broiler Chickens - we ended up processing about 75 broilers. They are all (except for the ones we've already eaten) in the freezer. We've been extremely happy with the chickens.
Layer Hens - the twenty-five Rhode Island Reds that we purchased in the Summer began laying a couple of weeks ago. I don't expect a lot of eggs until Spring, but I did collect eight eggs today. They are still mostly small eggs, with an occasional larger one.
Garden - The greenhouse is up. I have six squares producing lettuce, cabbage, Spring onions, Swiss Chard, and spinach. The root cellar holds turnips, kohlrabi, beets, and carrots. So, we're set for the winter.
And that's my November 2010 update... Hopefully I'll have more time this winter for blogging, but Spring will come and along with that a heavy show schedule, milking, cheesemaking, gardening, and normal life responsibilities. It's all good...
Goats - I continue to move towards a show herd. I now own the following goats:
Tiny Town Blue Suede Shoes (Melody) - a terrific milker and a proven producer of show quality kids.
Tiny Town Treble - a solid milker with show potential in her own right.
Sweet Garden Blossom - maturing beautifully: deep, wide, and long. I expect big things from her next year.
Tiny Town BP Sweet Muzette - A flashy blue-eyed doeling with potential for excellent milk production and outstanding conformation.
Tiny Town Sweet Serenade (Sara) - A beautiful white doeling with royalty in her blood. Hopefully this precious girl will live up to her pedigree.
I've posted a kidding schedule here: http://www.sweetgardengoats.com/Kidding_Schedule.html. Reservations will be accepted. No deposit is required.
Melody and Blossom have both been bred to NC Promisedland Peeping Tom.
Treble has been bred to Tiny Town Sunny Surprise.
Muzette has been bred to NC Promisedland SIA Samuria.
Sara will be bred to NC Promisedland SIA Samuria in a couple of weeks.
Tigger is still here, but will be returned to Tiny Town Goats in a couple of weeks. That will complete my plans for this year. Then I will just have to wait for all of the girls to kid next year and see what the stork brings!
I have also placed a deposit on a buckling and doeling from Rosasharn Farm in Massachusetts. Those additions should put me in good stead, along with my current does, to move forward towards a show herd with solid milk production.
Pigs - The pigs have grown and grown and grown, and now they are ready for the slaughterhouse:
Broiler Chickens - we ended up processing about 75 broilers. They are all (except for the ones we've already eaten) in the freezer. We've been extremely happy with the chickens.
Layer Hens - the twenty-five Rhode Island Reds that we purchased in the Summer began laying a couple of weeks ago. I don't expect a lot of eggs until Spring, but I did collect eight eggs today. They are still mostly small eggs, with an occasional larger one.
Garden - The greenhouse is up. I have six squares producing lettuce, cabbage, Spring onions, Swiss Chard, and spinach. The root cellar holds turnips, kohlrabi, beets, and carrots. So, we're set for the winter.
And that's my November 2010 update... Hopefully I'll have more time this winter for blogging, but Spring will come and along with that a heavy show schedule, milking, cheesemaking, gardening, and normal life responsibilities. It's all good...
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Updates
Well faithful blog readers, I apologize that it's been so long since I last posted. I've been spending time getting my new website up and running and making plans for next year.
In the late Summer I decided to move from a "just milk" operation to show goats. My reasoning is simply that I need to breed to produce milk, so I might as well breed the very best goats I can. And, if I'm breeding the very best goats I can I might as well show them and be able to sell these higher quality kids for a better price.
As you know, I had already rehomed Una as a pet. Tigger, my other original milk doe purchase, is still producing well and is a fine doe, but will never be a show goat and has proven not to produce show quality kids, so she is being retired.
Melody, the goat I purchased this year to add to my milk supply, is a proven producer of show quality kids, and a truly exceptional milk producer. I have also acquired her daughter, Treble, another good milk producer with show potential in her own right. She actually has one leg towards a championship.
I kept the doeling from Una this year, Blossom, who continues to mature and look really outstanding in her general appearance. I also purchased Tiny Town Sweet Serenade for her outstanding show potential. I believe I have one more junior doe on the way this week to add to my show string for next year. More details and pictures later about her.
These two mature does, Melody and Treble, and two-three junior does will form the foundation for my show string. I have also partnered with another breeder and purchased a buckling from Dills in Oklahoma, and I have placed a deposit on a second buckling for next year from Rosasharn Farm in Massachusetts. (These bucks will not be available for outside service.)
This should give me a good foundation to begin to build a premier quality Nigerian Dwarf goat herd. In order to achieve this goal without ending up with 100 goats, I will need to cull ruthlessly. Therefore, kids will be available for sale every Spring beginning 2011, and one-three adult does in milk will more than likely be available after each kidding season beginning 2012.
I've lined up a list of fairs and goat shows for next year, and plan to invest in a small trailer to house the goats for travel. So, I'm on my way.
Much thanks in helping me every step of the way to my friend and mentor, Jane Bailey at Tiny Town Goats. She not only advises, but has made every step of the way truly fun!
In the late Summer I decided to move from a "just milk" operation to show goats. My reasoning is simply that I need to breed to produce milk, so I might as well breed the very best goats I can. And, if I'm breeding the very best goats I can I might as well show them and be able to sell these higher quality kids for a better price.
As you know, I had already rehomed Una as a pet. Tigger, my other original milk doe purchase, is still producing well and is a fine doe, but will never be a show goat and has proven not to produce show quality kids, so she is being retired.
Melody, the goat I purchased this year to add to my milk supply, is a proven producer of show quality kids, and a truly exceptional milk producer. I have also acquired her daughter, Treble, another good milk producer with show potential in her own right. She actually has one leg towards a championship.
I kept the doeling from Una this year, Blossom, who continues to mature and look really outstanding in her general appearance. I also purchased Tiny Town Sweet Serenade for her outstanding show potential. I believe I have one more junior doe on the way this week to add to my show string for next year. More details and pictures later about her.
These two mature does, Melody and Treble, and two-three junior does will form the foundation for my show string. I have also partnered with another breeder and purchased a buckling from Dills in Oklahoma, and I have placed a deposit on a second buckling for next year from Rosasharn Farm in Massachusetts. (These bucks will not be available for outside service.)
This should give me a good foundation to begin to build a premier quality Nigerian Dwarf goat herd. In order to achieve this goal without ending up with 100 goats, I will need to cull ruthlessly. Therefore, kids will be available for sale every Spring beginning 2011, and one-three adult does in milk will more than likely be available after each kidding season beginning 2012.
I've lined up a list of fairs and goat shows for next year, and plan to invest in a small trailer to house the goats for travel. So, I'm on my way.
Much thanks in helping me every step of the way to my friend and mentor, Jane Bailey at Tiny Town Goats. She not only advises, but has made every step of the way truly fun!
Monday, September 13, 2010
New Website!
I have a new website! There's still a lot of editing and work to be done, but it's up and running. Check it out here: http://www.sweetgardengoats.com/.
Tiny Town Sweet Serenade (Sara) has arrived. Pictures soon! She's taking a good bit of bullying from the rest of the herd, but is doing very well.
Tiny Town Sweet Serenade (Sara) has arrived. Pictures soon! She's taking a good bit of bullying from the rest of the herd, but is doing very well.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Sweet Garden Petals - For Sale
I've reached the difficult decision to sell Petals. Details are on the For Sale page.
I have purchased a new doeling, Tiny Town Sweet Serenade, "Sara", who will be joining my little herd within the next week or so. Watch here for pictures and more information. Sara will join Blossom in the show ring next year.
I have purchased a new doeling, Tiny Town Sweet Serenade, "Sara", who will be joining my little herd within the next week or so. Watch here for pictures and more information. Sara will join Blossom in the show ring next year.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Blossom's First Win!
Blossom and I attended the Queen Anne's County Fair yesterday. They have an ADGA sanctioned Dairy Goat show. Blossom won the blue ribbon in her class which was Intermediate Nigerian Dwarf Kid:
That's me on the far right with Blossom. Didn't she set up pretty! The goat kid in the middle is actually Tigger's granddaughter! When we went up against the yearling doe later in the competition we just couldn't compete though, so Blossom didn't win Junior Champion. Blossom is only four months old. We had a great time.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Pickles, Pickles, Pickles
Pickles are everywhere! I've been making batch after batch. Last year I only had enough cucumbers to make half a recipe of Bread and Butter pickles. This year I planted plenty cucumber plants to make sure I had enough and they are going crazy!! I have sooo many little pickling cucumbers. But finally the plants are beginning to give out.
I don't like dill pickles, so I don't make those, just sweet ones. I make a Bread and Butter pickle recipe that was my husband's mother's, and a Virginia Sweet recipe from my mom. They both make old fashioned sweet, crunchy pickles. I haven't actually counted, but I have quite a few dozen pint and quart jars in the cupboard. Tomorrow I plan to make a double batch of Bread and Butter and slice and make the syrup for my last batch of Virginia Sweets. I think I'm about pickled out...
I also have pickled Golden Beets in the refrigerator, but that's another post. :)
I don't like dill pickles, so I don't make those, just sweet ones. I make a Bread and Butter pickle recipe that was my husband's mother's, and a Virginia Sweet recipe from my mom. They both make old fashioned sweet, crunchy pickles. I haven't actually counted, but I have quite a few dozen pint and quart jars in the cupboard. Tomorrow I plan to make a double batch of Bread and Butter and slice and make the syrup for my last batch of Virginia Sweets. I think I'm about pickled out...
I also have pickled Golden Beets in the refrigerator, but that's another post. :)
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Pigs Arrive !
Although, I'm not sure I want them too friendly, and they are kind of cute..
We plan on enjoying delicious pork this winter.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Sweet Garden Crottin
Mold-ripened Cheese Success!! I made three little cheeses two weeks ago, and here are the two remaining ones. We ate one Monday evening and I'm thrilled with the flavor and texture.
The little cheese was just starting to liquify under the rind. The taste is very similar to a Brie. Yippee!!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Farewell to Una
Well, I know I said I planned to keep Una here as a pet, but I have changed my mind for two reasons. First, I want more milkers and every goat I keep that is not contributing to my milk supply is taking up the space of a doe that could.
Second, Una has been causing serious problems within the herd. She has been unreasonably harsh with Melody and the two kids. I had hoped that this would abate as Melody was here longer, but it has not, and I really do need Melody to blend in and be happy here.
So I have returned Una to the breeder I bought her from. She will find a pet home for her.
I'm sad about this and will miss Una. When it was just Tigger and her she was very sweet, but once she got the chance to be dominate over someone she simply became mean. Tigger, our herd queen, has not been nearly as harsh to the kids and Melody as Una has.
I guess this is one of those times when a goatkeeper has to decide whether the goats are pets or farm animals. I really have been thinking of them all as pets, but I probably should change my thinking a little if I want to be able to cull as necessary to have a quality herd. Sometimes these life lessons are difficult, but still they are an important part of the journey.
Here's Una about a week after she arrived here with Tigger in September 2008. Behind her you can see the framing for the barn which was not yet complete. Bye Una. I sure hope your new owner cares for you well and that you are happy in your new place with your new herd. Goodbyes are hard...
Second, Una has been causing serious problems within the herd. She has been unreasonably harsh with Melody and the two kids. I had hoped that this would abate as Melody was here longer, but it has not, and I really do need Melody to blend in and be happy here.
So I have returned Una to the breeder I bought her from. She will find a pet home for her.
I'm sad about this and will miss Una. When it was just Tigger and her she was very sweet, but once she got the chance to be dominate over someone she simply became mean. Tigger, our herd queen, has not been nearly as harsh to the kids and Melody as Una has.
I guess this is one of those times when a goatkeeper has to decide whether the goats are pets or farm animals. I really have been thinking of them all as pets, but I probably should change my thinking a little if I want to be able to cull as necessary to have a quality herd. Sometimes these life lessons are difficult, but still they are an important part of the journey.
Here's Una about a week after she arrived here with Tigger in September 2008. Behind her you can see the framing for the barn which was not yet complete. Bye Una. I sure hope your new owner cares for you well and that you are happy in your new place with your new herd. Goodbyes are hard...Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Five Goats on Spools
And here's a really good shot of Melody. The one I posted here last week really doesn't look like her at all. This one does. She is all black with a little white on her head, ears and nose. She's smaller than either Tigger or Una. She probably weighs about 65 pounds.
I'm very pleased with her and hope she soon melds in with the rest of the herd. I like for all my girls to be happy.
Today's Menu:
Breakfast: Quiche, Sausage, Gogurt with Blueberries
Main Meal: Italian Casserole, Green Beans
Evening Snack: Salami, Assorted Cheeses, Dark Chocolate and Wine
Ingredients from today's menu courtesy of Sweet Garden Farm: Eggs, cheese, milk, chives and garlic in quiche; gogurt; zucchini, tomatoes, and garlic in Italian Casserole; Green Beans; Assorted Cheeses for Evening Snack. The Blueberries with breakfast were picked locally about five miles from the farm.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Chicken Butchering (not for the faint of heart)
We butchered our Cornish Cross Broilers in 3 batches, aiming for a live weight of 4 and a half pounds to get a dressed chicken of 3 pounds. Here's how it went:
The Condemned.
The Killing Cones.
Plucking feathers using a "Duck Naked Plucker."
On ice and ready for the freezer. These were just the first four. Yes, you are observant dear blog reader. Hubby did most of the work, and certainly all of the nasty work. I received a relatively clean little naked, headless, gutless body for a final rinse and pin feather removal. I weighed and recorded each bird and labeled and packaged them for the freezer. And, of course, I'm in charge of cooking them!
We would do this again. We know that we have way healthier chicken then we could buy anywhere. They are organic, pastured, and soy-free. These first ones were six weeks old at butchering. We did a second batch a few days later, and the final four at few days after that at seven and a half weeks old. We did well at our goal of a three pound bird.
We now have 26 Freedom Ranger Broiler chicks in the brooder. They will be one week old on Wednesday. We plan to butcher them in about 8-9 weeks, aiming again for a live weight of 4 and a half pounds.
Today's Menu:
Breakfast: Apple Gouda Sausage, Pumpkin Breakfast Bake, Gogurt with Blueberries
Main Meal: Chicken Casserole, Green Beans
Evening Snack: Assorted Cheeses, Salami, Dark Chocolate and Wine
Ingredients from today's menu courtesy of Sweet Garden Farm: Eggs and Chevre in Pumpkin Breakfast Bake, Gogurt, Chicken, Eggplant, Tomatoes, Basil, and Mozzarella in Chicken Casserole, Green Beans, and assorted cheeses.
The Condemned.
The Killing Cones.
Plucking feathers using a "Duck Naked Plucker."
Gutting.
We would do this again. We know that we have way healthier chicken then we could buy anywhere. They are organic, pastured, and soy-free. These first ones were six weeks old at butchering. We did a second batch a few days later, and the final four at few days after that at seven and a half weeks old. We did well at our goal of a three pound bird.
We now have 26 Freedom Ranger Broiler chicks in the brooder. They will be one week old on Wednesday. We plan to butcher them in about 8-9 weeks, aiming again for a live weight of 4 and a half pounds.
Today's Menu:
Breakfast: Apple Gouda Sausage, Pumpkin Breakfast Bake, Gogurt with Blueberries
Main Meal: Chicken Casserole, Green Beans
Evening Snack: Assorted Cheeses, Salami, Dark Chocolate and Wine
Ingredients from today's menu courtesy of Sweet Garden Farm: Eggs and Chevre in Pumpkin Breakfast Bake, Gogurt, Chicken, Eggplant, Tomatoes, Basil, and Mozzarella in Chicken Casserole, Green Beans, and assorted cheeses.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Melody Arrives
Tigger is now joined by milker Melody. Between the two of them I am now getting about 3/4 of a gallon of milk each day. That should work for my cheesemaking plans, at least for now.
Melody is very submissive and nonconfrontational and I'm afraid that Tigger and Una have really been taking advantage of her desire not to get into any arguments. They have been pushing her around pretty roughly and she just runs away. She will have been here one week tomorrow and I think she is finally starting to settle in. Tig and Una were a little nicer to her yesterday and today. I don't think she's been eating as much as she needs to because of the stress of the move, so I've been taking her into the milk room several times a day so that she can eat without having to fight off Tig and Una. This is just a temporary help for her, I think that soon she will be chowing down just like everyone else. So, here's the whole team:
I tried to get a shot with everyone looking at me, but with five it's difficult. Eventually I'll get a nice herd picture of them all. I also need a head shot of Melody for the side bar.
We added one more cable spool to the barnyard, so now there are four. Petals and Blossom will share one with no problem so I think we are set!
Monday, June 21, 2010
In Memory of Katie
Last night we put down our Golden Retriever, Katie. She would have been twelve years old this October. Just last week she stopped eating and became very lethargic. The vet did tests and xrays and informed us that she had a mass below one of her lungs. The blood tests were consistent with cancer. We brought her home with special food and instructions, but she quickly began getting worse. And now she is gone.
Katie was a wonderful pet and companion. She was technically my step-daughter's dog, but her first love was for my husband. He trained her and took her hunting, both waterfowl and upland birds. She was very smart, like most Goldens, and had those great expressive eyes they have. She was the easiest dog ever to house break. Since I'm the one who was home, I did a lot of the work in that regard, and man, was she easy.
When we got our French Brittany Spaniel, Maddie, three years ago, Katie let her jump all over her and cuddle with her. She was very, very patient with the annoying puppy. Our vet said at the time that she must have a very strong maternal instinct.
Katie was quite the traveller, by car or RV or truck, she was ready to go whenever we were.
She had that even temperament that Goldens are known for, and was stoic to the end. She never wimpered or cried out even as she became worse and worse the last couple of days.
Katie loved the beach and would jump in the waves to retrieve over and over again, or as long as someone would throw something out for her. She was at the beach many, many times and loved finding dead fish and interesting things to eat along the shoreline.
Life does go on, but it's lonely in the house today, knowing that Katie will never be here again. Our little pet cemetery is on the other side of the barnyard. Last night as we were walking back, after having buried dear Katie, Petals and Blossom came bouncing out of the barn "baaing" at us. We were reminded of the cycle of life. As Katie has moved on and finished her journey, so Petals and Blossom, only about three months old, have barely started theirs.
Katie was very, very much loved and will be very much missed; so long precious girl...
Katie was a wonderful pet and companion. She was technically my step-daughter's dog, but her first love was for my husband. He trained her and took her hunting, both waterfowl and upland birds. She was very smart, like most Goldens, and had those great expressive eyes they have. She was the easiest dog ever to house break. Since I'm the one who was home, I did a lot of the work in that regard, and man, was she easy.
When we got our French Brittany Spaniel, Maddie, three years ago, Katie let her jump all over her and cuddle with her. She was very, very patient with the annoying puppy. Our vet said at the time that she must have a very strong maternal instinct.
Katie was quite the traveller, by car or RV or truck, she was ready to go whenever we were.
She had that even temperament that Goldens are known for, and was stoic to the end. She never wimpered or cried out even as she became worse and worse the last couple of days.
Katie loved the beach and would jump in the waves to retrieve over and over again, or as long as someone would throw something out for her. She was at the beach many, many times and loved finding dead fish and interesting things to eat along the shoreline.
Life does go on, but it's lonely in the house today, knowing that Katie will never be here again. Our little pet cemetery is on the other side of the barnyard. Last night as we were walking back, after having buried dear Katie, Petals and Blossom came bouncing out of the barn "baaing" at us. We were reminded of the cycle of life. As Katie has moved on and finished her journey, so Petals and Blossom, only about three months old, have barely started theirs.
Katie was very, very much loved and will be very much missed; so long precious girl...
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Chickens
This is our movable chicken cage. The chickens are five weeks old and several of them look to be about ready for butchering. We will probably weigh a few tomorrow to see. We're looking for about 4.5 pounds live weight to get a 3 pound 
dressed chicken.For lunch today we grilled the one that was butchered on Saturday evening. He was 2 lbs 3.9 oz. dressed. We ate all but one breast.
We let him "age" in the refrigerator for several days to see if he would be a little more tender, but there was no difference between him and the one we ate the day after butchering. The flavor is really great, and they are not tough at all, just more firm fleshed than supermarket chickens. We are very pleased with them.
We have 25 Rhode Island Red layer chicks in the brooder. They are very cute little things and are developing colorful wing feathers. Whenever we lift one of the lids on the brooder they run to the other end in a pack. It's comical!In about three weeks or so they'll be moved to the chicken cage or a new coop if it's ready. We need the brooder for 25 Freedom Ranger Broiler Chicks that are arriving on or about July 1.
We've read a lot online about the Freedom Rangers, that they are just as tender as the Cornish Cross, but don't have the health problems and will forage for more food. They are suppose to take a little longer to get to butchering weight. We shall see...
Garden 2010
The garden is producing very well this year so far. At left see a gorgeous display of carrots and golden beets picked several days ago. They looked so pretty in the basket I just had to take a picture!
See at the right savoy cabbage, kolhrabi, spring onions and sugar snap peas. Most of this has been harvested now.
Today's Menu:
Breakfast: Bacon, Eggs, Gogurt and Blueberries
Main Meal: Salad with Pecans, Spring Onions, and Shredded Ricotta Salata dressed with Sweet Oil and Vinegar Dressing, Grilled Chicken seasoned with homemade seasoned salt, Pickled Beets
Evening Snack: Assorted homemade cheeses and salami, goat milk ice cream
Ingredients from today's menu from Sweet Garden Farm: Eggs, gogurt, lettuce, Spring Onions, Ricotta Salata, chicken, beets, evening cheeses, eggs and milk in goat milk ice cream
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