This fall I collected over a hundred grain bags of predominantly maple leaves. I loosely collected them when they were slightly colored but dry, resembling potatoe chips. Once the outside browse is gone, I feed them to the goats. At first they pick over them but by February they are scarfing them down. I finished my last bag right before I went on vacation. I could have easily fed them another fifty to a hundred bags. I have to remember to put twice as much away for next year!
Archive for March, 2008
Leaf bags
March 27, 2008Aged and brined feta
March 27, 2008
My very first batch of feta has aged for four weeks and I have removed it from the brine and divided it up for friends to sample. It tasted pungent but oversalted to me. It will be interesting to see what the taste testers will think.
Wednesday morning barn report
March 27, 2008Thirties this morning when I walked Sam at 6 am. Some frost in the back field. Rain showers predicted with rain growing heavier as the day goes on. More rain tomorrow and possibly an inch of snow. At least the weather gives me a reprieve on outdoor projects!
Goats gave two gallons of milk. Added a gallon from refrigerator and am in the middle of culturing feta.
Five duck eggs. Ducklings doing great in barn stall. Like having the larger space. Last night Karen and I checked the remaining duck eggs and discarded all but three. Most were rotten, a few were stalled embryos. This morning one had been abandoned so two remain under one broody hen. I am pretty sure they will NOT be hatching but I will give them a few more days. I have to warn the teachers taking fertilized duck eggs to hatch in class that my hatch rate appears very poor. Four ducklings out of 32 eggs.
Bianci appears to be limping a little on front right leg. Checked her hoof, seemed fine. Need to keep an eye.
Cheese and egg deliveries today. Chevre from the root cellar to process. Need to check supplies and find a new recipe to try. When my yogurt maker comes back, I will make yogurt for my friend Linda. I also need to call and ask for jars to be returned.
Need to check and trim hooves at end of day if I have energy.
Snowdrops & seashells
March 27, 2008
My first spring vase of handpicked flowers and shells I gathered from the beach in St. Petersburg.
Wednesday barn report
March 26, 2008Back in the saddle after almost a week away. Despite coming back from seventy degree weather, today’s cool 40s and 50s were springlike and very nice.
A little over two gallons in the morning and one and a half gallons tonight. Milk is down but that is from change of routine and weaker hand muscles.
Six duck eggs (although I think a couple were hidden from yesterday) and four chicken eggs.
I made a grain run to Tractor Supply and stocked up for a few weeks.
A duckling was born yesterday morning when I was traveling home. Karen brought back all four ducklings in the late afternoon. The two that are three weeks old are huge compared to the ten day old and newborn. I moved pregnant Celia in with the milkers and put all four ducklings into her pen for the night. While I was moving Celia and prepping the pen, I left them outside the barn door in a clear plastic box. Their “parents”, who had never met them, came over to say hello and quacked solemnly. If it is warm tomorrow, I will put the ducklings outside in a little pen.
Back from vacation!
March 26, 2008
I had a wonderful restful six days vacation with my father and children in a gorgeous resort hotel in St. Petersburg, Florida. Now back to farming!
What flower are you?
March 24, 2008|
I am a |
Tuesday morning barn report
March 18, 2008Crispy top frozen ground this morning, temperatures in high twenties but I spotted crocuses poking through anyways.
Stella and Adam came to practice a morning milking and farm chores. They are all set to cover the farm while I am away this Thursday to Tuesday.
Two gallons of milk, four duck eggs. Chicken eggs will come later. No new ducklings.
