Hillaire gets back to his roots

[Hillaire]

On another note, I am enjoying my mini vacation before I start my new job. My fiancé and I are headed to cortland for a night away and meeting my mom and stepdad for his 70th birthday. It will be great to get a night away from everything but I will be the first to admit that being away from the farm for 24 hours will consist of me checking in with her parents constantly to make sure everything is okay lol.

 

[Pastor Dave]

All true. My Dad grew up on a dairy farm and added in his own hogs while also running a rural mail route until he bought his farm and married Mom at age 31. I guess he was just not in a hurry to leave. It was a great farm and huge house.

He had his own hog farm until he started farming with a big family outfit from our church. He farmed almost 20 years with them year round until he retired. We still raised meat rabbits and had gardens, but only had 5 acres left of the farm.

Mom preached at me that I couldn't make it in farming. Dad had struggled, and she wanted something easier for me. So I now feed a different flock. Haha

Now, my ambition is to buy a small farmstead that has just enough acreage to rotate some pasture, alfalfa field, and corn to support my rabbits and a couple feeder calves. Maybe when I retire!

My wife spent a week at Myrtle Beach with her best friend in June. My boys spent the week at my mother-in-law's. And, I stayed home and caught up on work. It is hard to have someone willing to come feed and do the daily chores I do. It takes a lot of preparation and instructions. It was easier for me to just not go on vacation. SO, enjoy your vacation, and you've got it good if you have in-laws or anyone you can trust to handle things while you're away!

 

[Hillaire]

whew… busy month… I started my new job a few weeks ago and I love it… not much time during my shifts as I work 9-6 and instead of being behind a computer I am working on machinery and facilities here at west point. I love the shift however, as it gives me time to get chores done in the morning (graining goats, putting them on pasture, feeding chickens and ducks and checking on everything.) same goes for the afternoons. My Oberhaslis are doing phenomenal. Honey our doling went through a skinny phase where I think she was getting too much greens. a little electrolytes and a few days on strictly hay and a little grain and she bounced back beautifully. Trouble the wether is starting to look like a buck with his little mohawk coming in on his neck and acting more troublesome daily lol. Everything is going really well for us here. I sold a dozen 6 week old cochin bantam chicks a week ago for a nice profit and I have 3 broody hens that are hatching out a total of 20 or more currently. Just thought I would jump on here since it's been a while… and in case anyone is wondering I do not miss my old desk jockey job one bit

 

[CntryBoy777]

Yeh, sounds like things are good....just wait til it's dark when ya get off work....then, maybe not so much....

 

[Hillaire]

yeah I was pretty spoiled the last couple years being home by 4 instead of 6 but I'll make it work lol

 

[Hillaire]

Whew!!! What a busy couple of months. Well I got the 2 oberhasli goats and they are doing great. Honey and Trouble (wether) are going to be getting some new friends on the farm. 3 four year old Oberhasli does that will be bred to kid in march or april. All registered, 2 100% ober 1 quarter grade. I registered my farm with the adga and had Honeys previous owner send me her paperwork. Our ducks, chickens and guineas are doing well. I think in a year or so we'll add some toggenburg goats to the herd. Depends how many kids I keep if any. Work has been great and even though I'm always busy, I wouldn't change it for the world. Go Army beat Navy!

 

[Baymule]

Your goats are so pretty!

 

[Latestarter]

Gave you a like... for everything EXCEPT the Army/Navy thing... I'm retired Navy.

 

[Hillaire]

Your goats are so pretty!

thanks! I love the Oberhasli breed… will always have them as part of my herd for sure.

 

[Hillaire]

Gave you a like... for everything EXCEPT the Army/Navy thing... I'm retired Navy.

HAHA I work for west point so ya know gotta support Army.