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maryjane
7074 Posts
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 Posted - Jan 17 2023 : 07:43:31 AM
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We've had a stretch of mild winter weather the last couple of weeks, allowing me to survey the tree damage we have from the heavy frost that was more than about 35 of my trees could bear. Some of them will have to be removed entirely.
With a break in the weather, my girls are finding every possible bit of bare ground available for them to peck around.
Not this past Christmas, but the year before, my kids gave me an amaryllis that never did bloom so I repotted it, put it in our root cellar in the dark for a couple of months, then my refrigerator. I'm about to see a bloom. Its color will be a surprise.
Here's a photo from when the tree damage was taking place. When you walked outside, all you could hear were tree branches snapping off. Same thing happened to the wood power poles in our area--the weight of the frost on the power lines was so heavy it was busting power poles in half and dropping the lines to the ground. We were without electricity for several long stretches of time, 14 hours, 16 hours, etc.
My chickens aren't the only ones happy about the mild weather we're having. |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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NellieBelle
11217 Posts
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Posted - Jan 21 2023 : 09:27:57 AM
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Good morning! I certainly hope things are looking brighter out your way. Nothing is more sickening than listening to the trees snap and crack when ice storms hit. Just makes me want to cry, but nothing can be done. I feel so defeated when that happens but have come to say that now my trees have character. We had some ice but mostly snow, around 5". So not bad. Anxious to see what your bloom on your amaryllis will turn out to be. I've been adding cayenne pepper to the chicken feed and it has made quite a difference. Who knew? with quail eggs and chicken eggs, we're not hurting for eggs. A good thing. January almost done and spring just around the corner.
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To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Jan 23 2023 : 07:24:18 AM
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| Can you tell me more specifics about how you feed your girls cayenne? I'd like to try it. Currently, I'm serving them an organic scratch: chunks of corn, milled wheat, sesame seeds, peas, etc. |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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NellieBelle
11217 Posts
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Posted - Jan 24 2023 : 01:31:47 AM
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 MaryJane, we sprinkle it onto their feed like we would when we season with salt or pepper. It's made a significant difference in the amount of eggs they're laying now. Like night/day. We feed organic feed, corn, sunflower seeds, and sometimes I give them greens and scraps and milk. Sometimes I ferment their feed, but the biggest difference was when we started adding the cayenne pepper. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself. Even started giving it to the quail. |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
Edited by - NellieBelle on Jan 24 2023 02:36:38 AM |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Jan 24 2023 : 4:34:21 PM
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| Thanks Janet! I can't wait to try it first thing tomorrow morning. Your eggs are beautiful. |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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NellieBelle
11217 Posts
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Posted - Jan 25 2023 : 06:48:03 AM
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You're welcome! Sure has done wonders for our gals and our egg production. Frigid temps headed our way once again. Looks like a weeks worth. So more comfy bedding for the animals. Have a glorious day!
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To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Mar 25 2023 : 08:35:22 AM
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Since our chatroom pull-down doesn't go back any further than two months and this is the longest stretch in many years that I haven't posted, I decided earlier this week I'd round up some photos and some news and get something posted, also a HELLO out there!!! I'm still alive and well.
Our tree thinning endeavors have netted us a bounty of firewood and ensured the safety of our roofs going forward.
Here's a daredevil thinning some branches.
Our little Nicholas namesake was baptized recently and I captured this rapture moment when he saw something in the heavens. Or heard an angel sing. The priest, his parents, and godparents were standing guard behind him as his earthly angels.
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Snowy mornings still. I'm seeing a few brave daffodils.
Here's a sweet, confirming email I got yesterday about a cow I sold to someone else and then never heard from them again. I'm glad to hear Etta Jane eventually found her forever home.
"Hello! I am the current (and grateful) owner of Miss Etta Jane and I just wanted you to know she is an exceptional cow and has aged beautifully! She turned 11 in January, just a few months after delivering a gorgeous and tiny heifer calf. She gives about 2.5 gallons a day and had zero metabolic issues when she freshened… she’s a superstar and we adore her ❤️
Just wanted to let you know - she is alive and very well!"
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MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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NellieBelle
11217 Posts
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Posted - Mar 30 2023 : 08:16:12 AM
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Good morning!  Time passes so quickly and so many things take place. Some good, some not so good, but time just keeps rolling on. Nicholas has grown. So nice to hear back about Etta Jane and how pleased and happy they are with her. I'm currently without our cows milk and I truly miss it. If all works out well, Peaches will calve in mid-May and things will feel more like normal around here. Still, even without milking I'm plenty busy. I butchered 4 more quail this morning before 9:00.  I did chores first, watered all my seedlings and then plants in the greenhouse as well.  Lavender, tansy, borage, cayenne, Anise... all doing well.  Checked and soaked the goose eggs in the incubator, and set 35 quail eggs this morning as well.  I have three Pilgrim geese setting on eggs and their nests are all snug up against one another. I've never seen this before. But it's comical.  Everywhere I turn there is something needing done. The garlic is up already, but I will leave the mulch on a while longer. So wonderful things happening as we wait for spring to truly arrive for good. I pick up honey bees next week in addition to the hives that wintered over. Anyone have new calves arriving soon? Iva Mae is the sweetest little gal. She's going to make a great little milk cow. Well, must move on. Have a wonderful spring! |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Mar 31 2023 : 05:48:11 AM
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Your geese all cozied up on top of each is something I've never seen either. Hilarious. Are they noisy with each other like chickens can be when they're in close proximity?
I've always thought quail eggs are the prettiest eggs, after robin eggs. That robin egg blue is always so stunning.
Who is Iva Mae's mother?
No new calves here.
Peaches will give you your next calf, right?
Connie has new baby goats that are adorable. |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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NellieBelle
11217 Posts
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Posted - Mar 31 2023 : 07:57:09 AM
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 Good morning! I haven't noticed the geese interacting much except when I go in to feed or gather eggs. Then they get quite vocal and the other two come in to protest also. It will be interesting to see if the fourth female crowds in to lay eggs too. Fascinating and humorous both. Iva Maes momma is Estella. Both are very gentle and pet-like. Robins have returned as well as the vultures and red winged black birds
. Really warms up today and windy with severe storms forecast. Yes, Peaches is to calve in May. All the other gals in Aug/Sept. Baby goats are so cute and fun to watch jump and twist, lots of energy. |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
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2023 here we come
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