Saturday, January 28, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
Goat Stall
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| Harry isn't nearly as impressed as I am |
Taa-daa the goats finally have their own stall!
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| But I want to chew your boots and nibble your pockets! |
Now, it's not perfect, but it's very functional for right now; and I actually like that door swings in because I can retrieve the water bucket without loosing all the goats with it!
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| Billy is less upset |
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| Looks like she's back in heat again |
Eventually we'll be turning the stall beside the pig's stall into the Billy's own stall, (and then a nursery for Yank's kids - if she has any).
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| The future site of the Billy stall |
Thursday, January 26, 2012
KSCC (sorta) Light table
This one has absolutely nothing to do with the farm, and everything to do with my other, other day job.
I like to keep busy!
But the purpose of the light table is to help with basically tracing things. So if I need to make another copy of some doodles I've been doing, but I want to keep the original, I throw it on the table and get my work done.
It's very DIY but hubs built it for me so it's awesome! I even requested a 15% angle and he measured it out for me. What a tool-geek!!
I like to keep busy!But the purpose of the light table is to help with basically tracing things. So if I need to make another copy of some doodles I've been doing, but I want to keep the original, I throw it on the table and get my work done.
It's very DIY but hubs built it for me so it's awesome! I even requested a 15% angle and he measured it out for me. What a tool-geek!!
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| Bad rough copy, but this is on the light table with another piece of paper over it so I can fix it up |
EVH-1 & SW Ontario
In case you haven't seen it yet:
The Horse
OMAFRA pdf
EVH-1 is an air-born virus and is highly contagious. It can cause respirator and neurological problems as well as abortion. If you live in Ontario, or anywhere else EVH-1 has been reported please read up & vaccinate.
The Horse
OMAFRA pdf
EVH-1 is an air-born virus and is highly contagious. It can cause respirator and neurological problems as well as abortion. If you live in Ontario, or anywhere else EVH-1 has been reported please read up & vaccinate.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Chickens, Litter & the Cold
Although it's been incredibly mild again this week & the chickens have actually been spotted outside the coop!
Since the weather turned and the snow started to fall the chickens haven't wanted out. I leave their door open half way so they can go out & play in the snow. We've had no takers (not a track in the snow!).
So, since we've gone for the deep litter method, to keep the chickens from getting 'bored' at dinner time I fill up their feeders with layer food but then throw some cracked corn around.
This does a few things, one is that it makes sure the little guys get dinner too (they're doing very well in the coop!). It also helps prevent squabbles over dinner because everyone can space themselves out and either eat at the feeder or off the floor.
Lastly it gives all the chickens something to do for the day. They pick off the top layer of feed but then they'll start scratching around through the litter looking for the last little bits. This also turns our lovely deep litter compost regularly.
The turning helps keep the bacteria aerated as it breaks down the litter so the chicken coop doesn't smell (the turkey front does, but the back doesn't). As well as preventing the litter from getting really packed down in high-traffic areas (which will also make it easier to clean in the spring).
The turkeys go out for a bit every day, and run around and make funny tracks in the snow, then come back in. They don't peck and scratch at the litter like the chickens do so I've found the deep litter isn't working as well for them. Uggo (the cross billed chick) and JR-Roo are living with them, and just the two of them isn't enough to turn up that space properly. So I'm at a bit of loss of what to do with them.
Since the weather turned and the snow started to fall the chickens haven't wanted out. I leave their door open half way so they can go out & play in the snow. We've had no takers (not a track in the snow!).
So, since we've gone for the deep litter method, to keep the chickens from getting 'bored' at dinner time I fill up their feeders with layer food but then throw some cracked corn around.
This does a few things, one is that it makes sure the little guys get dinner too (they're doing very well in the coop!). It also helps prevent squabbles over dinner because everyone can space themselves out and either eat at the feeder or off the floor.
Lastly it gives all the chickens something to do for the day. They pick off the top layer of feed but then they'll start scratching around through the litter looking for the last little bits. This also turns our lovely deep litter compost regularly.
The turning helps keep the bacteria aerated as it breaks down the litter so the chicken coop doesn't smell (the turkey front does, but the back doesn't). As well as preventing the litter from getting really packed down in high-traffic areas (which will also make it easier to clean in the spring).
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| Bachelor Pad |
The turkeys go out for a bit every day, and run around and make funny tracks in the snow, then come back in. They don't peck and scratch at the litter like the chickens do so I've found the deep litter isn't working as well for them. Uggo (the cross billed chick) and JR-Roo are living with them, and just the two of them isn't enough to turn up that space properly. So I'm at a bit of loss of what to do with them.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Dear Weather... F-You!
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| SERIOUSLY!!! I could slide on my belly all the way to the chicken coop!! |
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| IT'S THE END OF JANUARY AND MY HORSES HAVE THEIR RAIN SHEETS ON! (Maddie checking for treats IN the camera) |
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| AND THE BARN IS FLOODED!! |
The cold I can deal with - THIS is ridiculous!!!!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Cook: Short Ribs in Cream Wine Sauce
These were so good, that even when I burnt the crap out of them, they were still delicious! Ran out on what was supposed to be a 1 hour errand and left the ribs on very low simmer, it ended up taking 2 1/2 hours... lesson in why we don't leave the stove on!
After throwing a frozen pizza in the oven, I sampled a few of the ribs, and decided to finish the sauce anyway. K, they were burnt, but still really really good - so I can't wait to make them again!
http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/short-ribs-with-wine-and-cream/?print=1/#sizeFP
Recipe from Ree Drummond (a.k.a The Pioneer Woman)
After throwing a frozen pizza in the oven, I sampled a few of the ribs, and decided to finish the sauce anyway. K, they were burnt, but still really really good - so I can't wait to make them again!
http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/short-ribs-with-wine-and-cream/?print=1/#sizeFP
Recipe from Ree Drummond (a.k.a The Pioneer Woman)
Sunday, January 22, 2012
It hit the fan in PA & Horse Professionals.
For those of you who haven't read the s*** hitting the fan all over the horse world Kelsey Lefever link & full affidavit link.
Basically this woman promised trainers that she'd find homes for lots of OTTBs which were given to her for free (number undetermined, she allegedly claimed more then 120) then turned around and sold them to slaughter for a profit.
I think most horse-lovers are well aware of the slaughter debate and firmly sit on one side or another, but everyone agrees that what this person did was despicable. She is facing criminal charges for her actions.
Having personally taken on a to-a-good-home kinda horse, and fully understanding how much his former-owner loves him, and cares for him, and cares where he ended up (and keeps up with his highly uneventful new life, Hi Sarah!) I can not comprehend Lefever's actions.
I get that there are too many horses out there for them all to find good homes in our current economy/culture. But to look someone in the eyes, promise them you'll find the horse a good home, then in cold-blood do the exact opposite, it is inconceivable to me.
So, I'd like to re-post my article "HK 101: Is my equine professional a real professional?"; remember I got duped by someone I thought I could trust (thankfully everyone is fine & none the worse for wear).
As well as, again, encourage everyone visit Need You Now Equine, even if you're not currently looking for a rescue/project horse, maybe someone you know is.
Basically this woman promised trainers that she'd find homes for lots of OTTBs which were given to her for free (number undetermined, she allegedly claimed more then 120) then turned around and sold them to slaughter for a profit.
I think most horse-lovers are well aware of the slaughter debate and firmly sit on one side or another, but everyone agrees that what this person did was despicable. She is facing criminal charges for her actions.
Having personally taken on a to-a-good-home kinda horse, and fully understanding how much his former-owner loves him, and cares for him, and cares where he ended up (and keeps up with his highly uneventful new life, Hi Sarah!) I can not comprehend Lefever's actions.
I get that there are too many horses out there for them all to find good homes in our current economy/culture. But to look someone in the eyes, promise them you'll find the horse a good home, then in cold-blood do the exact opposite, it is inconceivable to me.
So, I'd like to re-post my article "HK 101: Is my equine professional a real professional?"; remember I got duped by someone I thought I could trust (thankfully everyone is fine & none the worse for wear).
As well as, again, encourage everyone visit Need You Now Equine, even if you're not currently looking for a rescue/project horse, maybe someone you know is.
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