Happy Acres -day by day

[happy acres]

Just thought I'd start a journal to keep track of myself. Like so many others, I am concerned about the chemicals that are put into our food. Also I don't agree with the "big business " practice of abusing animals for food. I do eat some of my animals, but I know that they had a good life with me. I'm trying to raise most, if not all, of my food. Is it a lot of work? Yes! Especially since I also work a full time job. But it's worth it! Not only for peace of mind, but also for the flavor! There's nothing like biting into a fresh vine ripe tomato still warm from the sun! Heavenly!
My grandparents were sharecroppers, so 90% of our food came from the garden. I also keep chickens, and I have a goose. We also have two cockatiels, two dogs, two lambs, and I hope to be adding rabbits soon! I also knit, sew, crochet, and I've made bread from scratch. I can food, and have won several ribbons at the North Alabama State Fair. Oh! And I'm very modest!

 

[happy acres]

Ok. So we had a big storm the other night and all three of my big ducks drowned. On the other hand,my goose is doing well, and has laid two beautiful eggs. The chickens are also laying well, averaging a half dozen eggs per day. Hopefully we'll be getting rabbits soon, and I have new chicks in the brooder to replace the ones that will be culled this summer. The lambs are now half grown and we know someone who will let his rams breed them for free. So we should have lambs this time next year. The garden is doing well, and hope to get the rest planted soon. The bees will be here the end of this month.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Sounds like you're doing pretty well! Congrats on the fair wins!

 

[happy acres]

Thanks! I was really tickled!

 

[happy acres]

Gracie goose has been laying eggs, one every few days, total of five now. The chickens are doing well. I'm trying to decide which of my roosters will be going to freezer camp. The lambs are doing wonderfully well. I'm looking at a ten year wait for my actual farm. By then I can retire from work and devote myself entirely to the farm, plus I should have enough money saved up for a decent cushion. I'd like to be able to buy enough land for my dream farm.

 

[happy acres]

We have rabbits! My darling husband bought me New Zealand whites and Flemish, a trio of each, plus their litters! My four ducklings are doing well, been moved outside for about a week now. The goose has decided she's broody, and since I don't have a gander, I let her sit on some chicken eggs. We'll see how this experiment goes. Haven't been able to plant the rest of the garden yet. Too much rain! But I'm thinking of potting several things, herbs and such, so maybe it's not so bad. Been trying to get the pond put in. It's just one of those little ones you can get at Wal-mart. I have to put some black plastic in it though, there's a big crack in the side. Processed two roos day before yesterday. One is in the freezer now. The other was supper last night. Cooked it slow in the crockpot. The meat was literally falling off the bone! Nice and juicy too!
today is my last day of vacation, so I guess I need to get busy! I have bread to bake!

 

[SA Farm]

You sound far too busy! Way to go

 

[happy acres]

My bees will be here next week! They're due to be shipped the 29th. I'm wondering if I bit off more than I can chew? Bees, rabbits, ducks, chickens, a goose, a garden, plus working full time. :$

 

[happy acres]

Okay, yesterday was a rollercoaster day! First went out to weed, then feed and water the animals. One of the rabbit cages fell, killing five of the buns inside. Two of them made it. Then the sunshade blew off of one of my breeder does. By the time I caught it, it was to late. She was due to kindle next week.

Then I went over to a friends house to skin out the buns that didn't make it. Her dogs were making a fuss, so she grabbed her rifle and headed into the woods after them. I came in at an angle, hoping to head them off. Turned out they had a wild pig bayed. So we caught it alive, and now we have a pig. We're going to fatten it up and split it. It is just a young one, only about 50-60 lbs. So yeah, pretty up and down day!

 

[happy acres]

The bees are doing good, btw. Also looks like I'll be harvesting cabbages this Saturday!