That's it for today from . . .
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Back to 'farm' life
Looks like the Speckled Sussex are starting to lay again.
Lazy things. If it hadn't been for the Golden Girls I got from Laura last fall, it would have been a skimpy winter for eggs. As it is, I have almost eight dozen in the frig right now. I'd send some to Rick's clinic to be sold, but every time I do that, someone wants eggs and I don't have enough. I am going to give a dozen each to the two friends who dog-sat for us last weekend, and probably use another dozen cooking for Sabbath's potluck.
Shearing is scheduled for April 2 – the next time my farrier (who is also my shearer) is coming out. If anyone is going to go through the rise so I can roo them (I'm looking at you, Blake!), that should give them plenty of time.
Last night I told Rick I need him to wether Cadbury, and soon. He has become an increasing management problem as a ram; hopefully he will mellow out with the removal of hormones and live a long and happy life producing fleece. Rick says he has a client interested in fiber pets, and I have had others express interest as well. I sure hope some of these interests materialize into sales, so I can breed my ewes next fall! I'm planning to use Franna's ram Lil'Country Nightcap (check out that pedigree!) on all four of my ewes, and am willing to try every trick in the book to increase my chances for ewe lambs. Not that I would mind a fully polled, fine fleeced moorit ram of my own, mind you – especially out of Annabelle's last lambing!
That's it for today from . . .
That's it for today from . . .
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10 comments:
I just love fresh eggs!
Thanks for entering my Valentine's Giveaway!
Good luck!
Have you thought about using CIDRS? You put them in for 7-14 days, pull them out, put the ram in, and bam, you're done. You don't have to do the hormone injections - they work just as well without them. And they're re-usable for a couple of years.
It's helpful to use a marking crayon on the ram - that way you can tell when they're marked, and by changing colors if they remark. Anyone who doesn't settle after the 2nd heat, well, isn't worth her salt!!
I have been regularly getting 2-3 eggs a day out of our 6 laying hens this winter, so I'm a happy camper... trying to keep enough eggs for my regular buyers so I don't lose them.
I won't use store-bought eggs anymore, Rose. And thanks for OFFERING the giveaway!
I used CIDRs the last two seasons I bred, Laura. Still have some in the freezer, I think....
That's GREAT, Ruth! I need some more regular buyers....
Too bad you aren't closer Michelle, as I've got a fully polled, fine fleeced moorit ram (2012) that I can't use that would be a good addition to your flock.
Theresa DOES have a wonderful polled ram. I'd have him in my flock in a heartbeat, but I retained 4 and I think that's probably 2 more than I need. lol
BTW-I really like the shot of the gray kat in the crook of that tree.
Look at that adorable face! Our chickens still aren't laying but our goose Gracie is going to town!
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