Eggs Galore

This is Ben, our chief egg cleaner and sorter.  He informed us that he processed 5 dozen eggs today.  At 13 yrs. of age he is our oldest right hand man.  The others are right behind him in learning to work.

We have eggs piling up around here.  They are $3.00/dozen.  We go to Lafayette every Monday afternoon so if you place your egg order, we can easily meet you there.  Thanks to our neighbor friend, Phyllis, who puts in a good word for our eggs.  We know they're good but it's always nice to have someone else say so too.  =) 

Our chickens are enjoying the warmer weather as they roam.  We see them wander in the field by the woods, in the pasture, and wherever they desire to walk.  They are quite independent and like to go where they please. 

Lumberjack's

On one of my first posts I told you that on our property we have a forest.  This area has been unmanaged and allowed to grow up into a dense, uncontrolled forest system.  We have some unwanted species of invasive plants like honeysuckle.  Some of the forested areas had been productive pasture in the past 25 years, but with lack of management they have produced honey locust trees and wild cherry trees.  Our vision was to create a productive forestland that is managed and to reclaim some of the pastureland.  We wanted to create more of a savannah atmosphere, using grasses to control erosion and provide a controlled grazing area.  We also have a rather large "creek" flowing through our property.  This is a wonderful added bonus to the tranquility of the place but does cause issues with erosion and flooding.  We are consistently losing trees along the bank to the swift waters of a flowing creek.  Taking all this into consideration, I met with the local district DNR forester this last week and came up with a workable plan to create a managed forest.  I also met with the local Soil and Water Conservation officer and discussed some of our erosion problem.  He made some suggestions on the best ways to stop soil erosion in the creek and our driveway wash out area.  I am thankful for the encouragement, advice, and help that these two fine gentlemen have given us. 

In Oregon we worked on similar projects and found excellent counsel from our local extension and SWCD agents.  These folks know your area better than most people and can help you in invaluable ways.  Upon the advice of our district forester we began last week to log trees that are sitting on the bank of the creek.  Most of these trees were leaning over the water.  They created quite a challenge to drop and retrieve from the flowing water.  Some of the trees were able to fall onto dry ground while others fell into the creek.  Those in the creek required the use of our small dozer to pull out.  We had a rather large cottonwood (see top picture) that after many attempts to pull out of the creek, still rests there waiting on a larger dozer to get it out.  I often call myself a farmer or livestock owner, but never before have I called myself a Lumberjack!  I always have enjoyed watching, with respect, the Oregon lumberjacks that would work day in and day out cutting, clearing and hauling logs.  These men were a tough crowd of folks.  After working just one day at our forestry project, I can see how these men became tough and rugged laborers of the forest.  Now our 26 acres will not make me a fully experienced lumberjack, but I have a feeling that it will toughen me up and give me an even greater respect for those homesteaders and pioneers of the past.  Those folks labored hard to clear some land to raise a few acres of food and run a few head of stock.

 The work may be hard, but it is enjoyable.  Here is my dad who worked as our dozer/skidder operator, dragging logs and dropping trees where we could best work with them.

Grass-fed beef vs. Grain-fed

Here on our farm we raise our beef on a salad bar of grass and other forages.  Some people ask us why we insist on raising our beef on a forage diet instead of corn.  Since we live in the corn belt, and corn and soybeans are readily available right out our back door, shouldn't we feed them grain.  The answer in NO!  We believe and research shows that God created cows to be ruminants.  This means that they are not carnivores nor were their digestive systems created to consume large amounts of grain.  The cows digestive system was designed to extract nutrients from the grasses and hay by utilizing the multiple compartments of their stomachs.  This multi-step process accomplishes not only the extraction of important nutrients, but also leads to an increase in saliva production which naturally buffers the animals digestive system.  This buffer works against excessive acid and facilitates a harmonious level of beneficial microbes necessary for proper digestion.  Grain-fed cows are generally fed a diet high not only in concentrated feed stuff like grain, but given GMO grains that are found to trigger inflammatory response in both animals and humans.  In short, grain is not the natural feedstuffs for cattle.  God created their digestive systems to function at their best when they are fed a forage based diet.    Also another difference between grass-fed and grain-fed beef is the way in which the animals are raised.  Being natural foragers, how much sense does it make to raise these animals on concrete lots, competing for feed in an environment that promotes disease, land pollution and the dissolution of the family farm that cannot compete with the corporate "big agri-business".  In future postings I will go into the health benefits of grass-fed beef.  I will explain why beef animals raised on a forage based system are healthier to eat than grain-fed beef.

To bottle feed or not

There are a lot of opinions whether you should bottle feed triplets or not.  The lambs have done well from birth, but we thought maybe we needed to help supplement the momma.  Ben tried with one of the lambs, but she wasn't interested.  Mark talked to Jared, the farmer we bought the sheep from, and he said we probably won't have to bottle feed.  Jared has had mommas deliver triplets before, and the ewes have successfully raised three babies.  We will be keeping a close eye on them to make sure they continue to do well. 

a couple more lamb pictures

Yesterday Mark went and bought some 6 month and 9 month old layers.  We are needing to increase our flock.  A little here and a little there accomplishes that.  It takes 24-26 weeks for chicks to mature enough to start laying.  We plan to buy more chicks this spring.  As for now, it is nice to have chickens that are already laying to increase our egg production.

Speaking of eggs, this morning for breakfast I fried eggs and ham for breakfast sandwiches.  Add a slice of cheese and a couple pieces of bread.  Yum!  My family really enjoys hot nutritious breakfasts.

They're here!!!

Friday morning Ben came in from doing the sheep chores and told us he thought the momma was in labor.  He guessed we would have babies within 24 hours.  A short while later he snuck out without his siblings knowing to check the ewe.  He came in quite pleased.  The momma had birthed triplets.  They are each doing well.  She took all three, but we are going to supplement them with bottle feeding. 

Of the three, one is a male, and the other two are females.  One of them keeps jumping out of their makeshift pen, noses around, and then jumps back in.  The boys are really enjoying them.

Moving the ewe

She's in the barn.  Whewwww!!!!  It's no small task to move a very pregnant momma sheep into the barn.  We haven't had the sheep very long, and she was not so sure of us.  The Bible talks about leading sheep and that all we like sheep have gone astray, every one to his own way.  Well, we were seeing how she wanted to go her own way!  With the help of a rope, some feed and the Lord, she is now safe inside.  No matter how much snow we get, her babies will be able to be warm when they arrive.

Mark had several ricks of wood to split and deliver yesterday.  Thankfully he was able to get that done before the expected winter storm.  Hopefully if the storm comes as forecasted, we won't lose electricity!  Enjoy your warm cozy homes and warm tea/coffee/hot chocolate!

Choretime

It's snowing again and it's......chore time.  Mark is off doing chores elsewhere so the little ones get to check the chickens.  Their daddy said to go out and collect the eggs and check the chicken's food and water.  My guess is they will ask for some tea when they get inside.  The children are thinking the milder Oregon winter sounds nice about now.  They miss the early spring flowers, daffodils.

We have a ewe that is about ready to lamb.  That will be exciting to have a baby animal or two.  New life is amazing!  Isn't our God creative!