NH Homesteader- turkeys!

[NH homesteader]

These two are his favorites! I've thought about selling them but I would almost rather butcher him than sell him. I'm already getting a new buckling, but would also love to get one more milker.

Hay and grain and all that cost so much it's ridiculous to keep non-producers that aren't retired milkers who have earned their retirement. Ugh.

 

[Hens and Roos]

I'm going to have to, it's just a pain! They're kind of bullies with the hay too. Ugh.

we have a couple does who try to push the others away and we ended up adding an extra container of hay so they can't guard and keep others away- we use milk crates. We also added another food pan so everyone can get some of the grain too!

Good luck it can be a challenge!

 

[Mike CHS]

We also did two hay racks and enough bowls for all of our sheep to be able to get to a bowl. The two bullies we have can't be everywhere at once.

 

[farmerjan]

I have propane for hot water and cooking, and wood stove for heat. That leaves the freezers and the water. I would HATE to loose what is in my freezers. With the dairy alternate power is a necessity as goats won't wait to me milked until the power comes back on. But really my biggest concern is losing power in the summer due to a wildfire and not having the ability to have water. I have a 5000 gallon pool I could drain, and a gas fire pump, but the well is still really convenient.

We are putting in a 3000 gallon storage tank but that is really for pumping water into at night when my electric rates are low and using it via a 12v pump during the day when the rates are high. Grid tied solar makes me do everything during off peak hours but I have too much irrigation to do during the summer to get it all done off peak.

Can you situate the storage so that it is uphill and use gravity to deliver the water?

 

[babsbag]

Can you situate the storage so that it is uphill and use gravity to deliver the water?

I could possibly be able do that with some of the water but the irrigation takes quite a bit of pressure to run, even the drip ones, and there is no way it would ever be enough pressure to water a lawn. I would have to build a water tower. Water usage is my biggest expense here because of the well.

@NH homesteader Why is your herd queen non productive?

 

[NH homesteader]

Well I got her as a pet before I knew anything about milking. She is 9 and has only been bred once and is FAT so I don't dare breed her.

 

[Bruce]

Put her on a treadmill to generate power for you, lose weight for her and then you can breed her.

 

[NH homesteader]

Right? This goat is amazing. She gets hugely fat off mediocre grass hay. I told her to lose some weight, she looks delicious.

LOL I would never eat her. She is annoying though.

 

[Mike CHS]

I think we need to start tracking the longevity of your goat herd.

 

[NH homesteader]

What do you mean?