Well, it's been awhile since I posted, so here's an update;
Like most of you, we have really been busy. And shame on me for not taking any photos. I take my camera along, and even have a camera on my phone but I never get it out at the end of the day. So one of my upcoming posts will be picture loaded!
I have mentioned in the past we have a local company that gives away their wood pallets. Now their pallets are not the typical pallets of let's say 3' x 3' or so. Nope, these are 3-4' wide by 10-12' long! Some with more than useable 2x4's which we remove and use for building projects. Some of the pallets we keep together and have made fencing for pig areas and recently raised bed gardens. Up off the ground so no more bending over to pick weeds for me!
The Moose and the Twins (BJ and Donnie) built me 8 raised beds so far and we have everything from tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, to lettuce growing in them right now and all doing really well. Except for the typical aphid and pest issues; we'll never be without those problems. We've not had any success growing plants in direct sunlight. I know every package of vegetable seed states direct sunlight. It just kills them at The Compound, especially this time of year and if we don't get them started now we won't get a harvest before any potential freeze/cold temperatures happen.
So, we use shade cloth above all of the beds, it filters the light and keeps the torrential rains from totally demolishing the delicate plants. We just have to water more often, sometimes up to three times a day for the cucumbers. As it stands we are working out ideas and plans to build our "upcycled" (patio doors) green house around these beds that are already in place. The greenhouse along with our outdoor kitchen are projects slated for the cooler weather months.
We have 16 new chicks and a total of 5 new turkeys. The chicks are New Hampshire Reds, 3 white feathered (I can't remember the breed, but its a specific breed the hatchery came up with) and 1 lonely Easter Egger. It's not actually lonely, it fits right in the mix. We will be culling our old flock this fall/winter as soon as this groups starts to lay eggs. Our hens are molting right now and we are getting very few eggs, besides they are all aging and giving less and less. Most of our birds are going on 2 years old with Miss Corrie running on 3 years and Berta going on 4 years. They'll always have a place at The Compound even though neither has laid an egg in months.
I'd have to disagree with Ben Franklin on having Turkeys as our national bird. Frankly, if they were in school, they'd be put in the corner with a dunce cap! I have fun watching them, but they have a strange ability to get in trouble, or cause trouble like walking over the top of the Moose's truck! He was not happy.. We'll at least have turkey for Thanksgiving this year.
As to pigs, we have more than enough! We are getting ready to butcher a couple in the coming months, again we're waiting for some cooler temperatures.
Finally, the rabbits. I have been trying to find someone interested in my lop ears and I can't get rid of them for free. We are working to get meat rabbits, and have one buck and two does to work with. We'll be breeding them this coming October.
I promise to get some pictures for a follow up post. It's hard to believe we're in the middle of September already!
God Bless,
Showing posts with label Rabbits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rabbits. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
All's Well
I thought I'd add a quick report for my loyal followers;
The Moose and I are doing just fine. Busier than a one-armed paper hanger, but just fine. We have 17 new piglets (bacon bits as Pioneer Preppy likes to call them) at The Compound, 16 from our own sows and 1 that was found on the side of the road of all things. She's just darling and won't leave her adoptive mothers side, and mom just loves on her too. So all's well on that account.
We have two new turkey chicks, and hopefully more on the way. 4 of the hens are back to laying on eggs again. Seems weird to me, but I guess if they don't have any following them around, then they feel left out. So we'll see in a couple of weeks if we have any other new chicks. With the bird issues in other parts of the country, the fact we may indeed have a turkey on our table at Thanksgiving is nice.
I think I've sold my rabbits. The Holland Lop Ears are cute as a button, but at this point, I'd like to lighten the load. It's not that they take much time, or really cost that much money. I'd like to see someone else that really wants them raise and breed them.
Weather is turning hot and HUMID, and we're starting to see the normal summer afternoon rain pattern go into full swing.
Other than that, hope you're all doing well. I do stop by your blogs and see what you're up to on occasion. Wishing you all the best.
The Moose and I are doing just fine. Busier than a one-armed paper hanger, but just fine. We have 17 new piglets (bacon bits as Pioneer Preppy likes to call them) at The Compound, 16 from our own sows and 1 that was found on the side of the road of all things. She's just darling and won't leave her adoptive mothers side, and mom just loves on her too. So all's well on that account.
We have two new turkey chicks, and hopefully more on the way. 4 of the hens are back to laying on eggs again. Seems weird to me, but I guess if they don't have any following them around, then they feel left out. So we'll see in a couple of weeks if we have any other new chicks. With the bird issues in other parts of the country, the fact we may indeed have a turkey on our table at Thanksgiving is nice.
I think I've sold my rabbits. The Holland Lop Ears are cute as a button, but at this point, I'd like to lighten the load. It's not that they take much time, or really cost that much money. I'd like to see someone else that really wants them raise and breed them.
Weather is turning hot and HUMID, and we're starting to see the normal summer afternoon rain pattern go into full swing.
Other than that, hope you're all doing well. I do stop by your blogs and see what you're up to on occasion. Wishing you all the best.
Monday, April 13, 2015
Springing New Life
We're going to be expecting new arrivals at The Compound in the next 4-6 weeks. We have two pigs ready to deliver in early May. Our best mom from last year, Pepper and a new mom to be, Queenie (my absolute favorite). Can you believe I don't have a readily available picture of Queenie! It must be because I don't take the time to get one, I'm too busy scratching her ears or her belly!
Since we're only a few weeks out, we separated them to the farrowing area, got their wallow filled up and fresh straw laid down. Now they won't have to share food with 10 very hungry teenage pigs. It leads to a lot of squabbling. Getting these two girls to the farrowing pen was easy work. They love to be loved, so they just followed us in to see what we were up to. They both get along very well, and we're eagerly waiting to see the new brood.
We did have two turkeys hatch in the past week, and 3 more hens sitting. We never did see the Toms covering the hens, but obviously they did at some point. Again, I didn't get any pictures. Although, the hens wouldn't let me get very close, or they'd start puffing up. Even the Tom's would get between me and the little chicks. Since this is my first foray into Turkey raising, it's all been interesting to watch.
We did catch a very large rat snake trying to make it's way into the Turkey pen. I'm sure after those little chicks. That immediate problem has been resolved.
We bred our Holland Lop Ear rabbits this past weekend, so we'll be looking for kits in early May. What have you used for nesting boxes? Anything extra I should be thinking about for the new moms?
We're debating on whether or not we start raising Quail. Anyone want to let me know the good, bad and ugly of raising them? Is it worth the endeavor? I'd like to get fertilized eggs and hatch my own.
We also have an incubator full of chicken eggs. We didn't raise any new chicks last year on our own, and some of our girls are getting up there in age. Although you'd hardly know it, we still get 4 dozen or so eggs each week out of about 30 hens. Too many for us to eat anyway, so we give them away. After the new chicks reach laying age, we'll need to cull the flock. Not something we look forward to, but the more animals we have, the more money it costs and the harder it will be to sustain them and us.
Well, that's it for now. Have a great week!
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| This was Pepper last year, a few days before delivering.
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We did have two turkeys hatch in the past week, and 3 more hens sitting. We never did see the Toms covering the hens, but obviously they did at some point. Again, I didn't get any pictures. Although, the hens wouldn't let me get very close, or they'd start puffing up. Even the Tom's would get between me and the little chicks. Since this is my first foray into Turkey raising, it's all been interesting to watch.
We did catch a very large rat snake trying to make it's way into the Turkey pen. I'm sure after those little chicks. That immediate problem has been resolved.
We bred our Holland Lop Ear rabbits this past weekend, so we'll be looking for kits in early May. What have you used for nesting boxes? Anything extra I should be thinking about for the new moms?
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| Pickles on the left and Cupcake on the right. |
We're debating on whether or not we start raising Quail. Anyone want to let me know the good, bad and ugly of raising them? Is it worth the endeavor? I'd like to get fertilized eggs and hatch my own.
We also have an incubator full of chicken eggs. We didn't raise any new chicks last year on our own, and some of our girls are getting up there in age. Although you'd hardly know it, we still get 4 dozen or so eggs each week out of about 30 hens. Too many for us to eat anyway, so we give them away. After the new chicks reach laying age, we'll need to cull the flock. Not something we look forward to, but the more animals we have, the more money it costs and the harder it will be to sustain them and us.
Well, that's it for now. Have a great week!
Monday, March 30, 2015
A Hunting Wabbit We Will Go
Actually no hunting needed on our part, unless you call opening a rabbit hutch hunting. This Sunday was the first time in all my many years I actually ate rabbit. Yes, this former total city girl ate the rabbit she has watched and helped raise. And it WAS delicious!
Served up fried and baked. The fried was a bit on the tough side, but tasty. My favorite was the baked. Baked for about 3 hours it was fall off the bone good.
I did not participate in the processing of the rabbits, and I likely should have except the Moose and I were busy with other projects;
Moving pigs around, and building dividing walls to keep them in other areas so we can actually use our garden space for gardening. No pictures yet, just too busy.
We're starting to get ripened blue berries from our 25+ plants. Not a lot yet, but the bushes are covered in berries. There's also a few small mulberries in this bowl. There is nothing like fresh from the garden berries.
Served up fried and baked. The fried was a bit on the tough side, but tasty. My favorite was the baked. Baked for about 3 hours it was fall off the bone good.
I did not participate in the processing of the rabbits, and I likely should have except the Moose and I were busy with other projects;
Moving pigs around, and building dividing walls to keep them in other areas so we can actually use our garden space for gardening. No pictures yet, just too busy.
We're starting to get ripened blue berries from our 25+ plants. Not a lot yet, but the bushes are covered in berries. There's also a few small mulberries in this bowl. There is nothing like fresh from the garden berries.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Yes, We are Still Around
It's been some time again since my last post. We are still here, and still too busy to think straight. This past weekend was one of the first in the last few we actually spent working at The Compound.
I cleaned up after the chickens, turkeys and rabbits. We have a broody Turkey hen, sitting on around 12-15 eggs from what I could see. Hopefully they are fertilized, because I've never seen a Tom cover a hen. They show off enough, but I'm not sure they've made their move yet. Only time will tell.
We set up a water system for the rabbits. I hope to show what we did in another post, when I actually have taken the appropriate pictures.
We set up a 250 gallon water tank near the 25 blueberry plants and planter boxes to make watering easier than hauling 5 gallon buckets across the property.
We also set up a new hog enclosure. It's almost finished, just a few minor things still need to be done; auto water/nipple, and a feeder. We have two sows that will be delivering late April/early May. They're our two favorite females and we hope they deliver healthy piglets with good temperaments like their momma's.
That's the short version of what we did this weekend. Next weekend, we're off to help R&B fix up a rental property.
I cleaned up after the chickens, turkeys and rabbits. We have a broody Turkey hen, sitting on around 12-15 eggs from what I could see. Hopefully they are fertilized, because I've never seen a Tom cover a hen. They show off enough, but I'm not sure they've made their move yet. Only time will tell.
We set up a water system for the rabbits. I hope to show what we did in another post, when I actually have taken the appropriate pictures.
We set up a 250 gallon water tank near the 25 blueberry plants and planter boxes to make watering easier than hauling 5 gallon buckets across the property.
We also set up a new hog enclosure. It's almost finished, just a few minor things still need to be done; auto water/nipple, and a feeder. We have two sows that will be delivering late April/early May. They're our two favorite females and we hope they deliver healthy piglets with good temperaments like their momma's.
That's the short version of what we did this weekend. Next weekend, we're off to help R&B fix up a rental property.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Weekend Happenings Part 2 (1/17/15)
We’ve acquired another couple of acres right next to ours so
we now have a spread of about 5 total acres.
It has a small pond, which we are considering adding some of our
Tilapia. We are also working on a small
building. Some of the materials were
purchased, but we have been able to use some the free windows and doors that
The Moose has been acquiring. I’d guess
the cost so far is roughly $800.00. It will
have a wrap around deck and an observation set up on the roof, along with the
containers of water for the shower.
The guys also continued to build shelving in the container. Again, all materials, except for the nails are
from the free pallets.
I was able to get the chickens, turkeys and rabbits taken
care of. All are doing very well. 
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The blueberries are starting to blossom, so I
gave them a light dusting of fertilizer.
I’m hoping we’ll get a nice yield of berries, but since they were just
planted a few months ago, this may be a slower year.
R&B, part of The Compound group are raising our goats in
their back yard, since they need care a couple times a day. We’ve been blessed with the birth of 4 new
baby goats in the last month or so. They
are cute little devils! They don’t run,
they hop all four feet the same time, bounce off of the trees or the backs of
their Moms and can stop on a dime! We’ll
eventually be milking them, but for now they’re just getting spoiled.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Merry Christmas and Happy 2015!
I won't be posting much the next couple of weeks, not that I have been lately anyway, as we'll be taking some much needed time with family and friends. We may even catch a day or two of camping at one of our favorite spots on Merritt Island. Could a fishing trip on the boat be in our horizon?
We've been trying to keep our heads above water lately, and we look forward to the changes 2015 will bring. The animals at The Compound are doing great. The containers concrete floor is almost done, so we may soon be able to put that entire project behind us and move on to the outdoor kitchen.
I think we'll be focusing pretty heavily on the garden along with breeding rabbits and my favorite pig "the Queen" this Jan/Feb. We'll also need to build some nesting boxes for the turkey hens. Other than that, we have some more land clearing to do, then we'll hatch out some new chicks. What are your plans for 2015?
Most of all the Moose and I would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thanks for following along, and most importantly keep blogging. We get a lot of inspiration and ideas from all of you!
God Bless
We've been trying to keep our heads above water lately, and we look forward to the changes 2015 will bring. The animals at The Compound are doing great. The containers concrete floor is almost done, so we may soon be able to put that entire project behind us and move on to the outdoor kitchen.
I think we'll be focusing pretty heavily on the garden along with breeding rabbits and my favorite pig "the Queen" this Jan/Feb. We'll also need to build some nesting boxes for the turkey hens. Other than that, we have some more land clearing to do, then we'll hatch out some new chicks. What are your plans for 2015?
Most of all the Moose and I would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thanks for following along, and most importantly keep blogging. We get a lot of inspiration and ideas from all of you!
God Bless
Monday, October 13, 2014
Up Close and Personal
We had these rabbits for several months, and this is really the first decent photos I've got of them. They're worse than chickens when it comes to getting a good photo. Just when you push the button, they move! So here they are;
Canoli has had an ongoing eye ailment. We've tried an antibiotic ointment, tea bags, and cleansing the area with peroxide. Any other ideas? The lady we got him from said it's common in rabbits during the summer heat. We'd like to get him completely healed up, the poor guy.
We are waiting until things cool off before breeding. One thing we've learned this summer, it's just too dang hot for everything and everyone!
Another group of cute critters at The Compound.
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| Pickles |
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| Cupcake |
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| Marshmallow |
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| Canoli |
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| Bun-Bun
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Another group of cute critters at The Compound.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Holland Lop Ears
I'm an avid Craigslist "hunter". I peruse the farm and garden listing to see what's available. We've found many a good find for The Compound. That included last week. We were racing to get out the door, and I thought just one quick snoop to see what they have. This was at 7am. First listing was 4 free Holland Lop Ear rabbits. They were moving (turned out it was the truth) and couldn't take them with them. Since we were wanting to raise rabbits anyway, it was a good way to start.
Turns out they have pedigrees. Now, whether or not we'll do anything with them to follow suite is another question still unanswered. They only get to about 3lbs, so for meat production it's not the best rabbit, but rabbit tastes like rabbit whether big or little. So here they are;
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| Pickles and Cupcake |
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| Canoli |
They had temporary housing up until this past weekend when The Moose and the guys built them a set of hutches in a shady area next to the chickens. Not sure they appreciate all the noise the choir boys provide, but they'll be easy to maintain.
We only had to buy the hard wire and galvanized roofing material. The wood you see all came from free pallets. The pallets were over 12' long and had to be cut onsite, loaded up and hauled away. But they were awesome pallets, very well built. Free is always good.
So now, we're pushing to learn all we can about rabbits. Pedigreed rabbits are going for $50 - $75 in our area. Any helpful hints?
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