Back to the Blog

Howdy Folks!

     Well it's been over a year since I've blogged on here and several things have changed on our little urban farm.

     We sent our ol' laying hens to freezer camp after they stopped laying for several months.  I made some really good chicken soup out of one so far, but I had to cook her for over 12 hours.  I've since learned that pressure cooking is the way to go for tough old birds.  Our seven new ready-to-lay pullets are arrived two weeks ago and we're already getting an egg from each almost every day.

     The other big thing that happend on "the farm" was the addition of a pair of meat rabbits, Stew and Dumpling.  They arrived in September and they've been huddled up in the backyard all winter, waiting for spring.

Stew as a wee babbie

Dumpling as a wee babbie

Stew & Dumpling, all growed up!

     Hopfully Dumpling is bred and will kindle (give birth) this week, beginning our journey of being meat self-sufficient.  They have been eating rabbit pellets and hay and baby greens, but I am planning to start growing fodder for them and our laying hens.  Fodder is sprouted barley or other grains that grow to a few inches.  There are many benefits to a fodder diet for livestock including financial and nutritional.

     Chris also built a small teepee-style greenhouse in the backyard this spring.  We were planning on using it to start seeds early, but that has not happened so far in the midst of many other plans.

The temperature in the greenhouse is 10-15 degrees higher than outside.

     Another big change will be taking place in our homesteading ventures this year, but more on that later!