Faith Farm

What's new around here

Good Morning!  I hope this finds you in good health.  I thought I would just take a moment to catch you up on what has been happening at our homestead this week.  This week has been a week of gathering and tending.  Our rabbits have started to multiply, we now have 5 healthy babies and another doe close to birthing.  We have a new breeding doe arriving Friday (New strong bloodline).  If I have never said this before let me say it now--Rabbits are a great way to provide meat to a homestead.  They are easy and cheap to raise.  They provide a large amount of meat to a homestead in a very short period of time.  Rabbits are also very cold tolerant and with a little thought and planning can be easly managed through even the hottest summers.  The way I see it---it's like anything else---it might not be your favorite meat of choice but with a little time and practice it can become a very tasty part of your diet.  Rabbit meat is also healthy and lean.  It has a high protien content, so less meat still provides the nutritional requirements in you families diet.  Of course if you breed right--you'll have all the rabbit meat you want and enough to share.     The goats are getting very large..I am expecting multiple off spring from both dairy goats.  The Alpine (which is my personal favorite breed) is strong and healthy gaining the right amount of weight and size.  All is well with her.  The Nubian is still having some health issues.  She is the first goat I purchased and is alot older than I was told at purchase.  She is maintaining good weight and size, but requires alot of time and attention.  I am still having udder issues with this doe.  I am now looking at the very real possibility of having to bottle feed her off-spring.  There are many who feel this is the best way to do all babies but the way I usually look at it-I like to keep things on as much of a natural basis as possible.  I can still get all the dairy I need and raise the babies with the momma's....but you have to be prepared for the other option as well.  We are about 6 weeks from delivering both does.  The other doe I have, will not be bred until Fall 2008.  I decided it was best to wait until next season...she is not a large doe and I didn't want to risk harm.      The chickens are laying again...when the sun is shining I get a dozen eggs a day and when it is cold and cloudy I get 4-5 eggs a day...even with the lamps.  They are still providing for our needs at this rate so I am greatful.  We have the tractor barn almost complete-weather (cold & high winds) have kept us from putting up the last few pieces of metal on the sides.  We have the new chicken coop and yard planned out and are just waiting for time and weather to start building it.  We have placed our order to McMurry for 25 Buff Orphingtons to add to our flock.  The large brooder box is almost complete.  Just needs the finishing touches.  We will be making another trip into town to purchase lumber and supplies this week or next (it is supposed to snow here today----hmmm-we will see).  This batch of lumber is for the front yard fence and rabbitry.  The new rabbitry will hold 22+ breeder cages and 2-6ft baby cages.  I am excited about this project.  We will also be getting a load of 35 10" X10" X 10' RR Ties from a local man who made me an excellent deal.  This is my DH project.....He plans on making walkways (to keep us out of the mud-yeah) and work on the back porch area with these.  We have put in the order for the double wash tubs and wringer from Lehmans--I hope to get this next week.  This will help us to bring down our electrical useage and makes us one step closer to getting off the grid.  We are still waiting for the  freezer to arrive.  We decided to go with a 10 C ft. energy star freezer instead of a propane or DC model.  Cost and availability aided our decision...the big old freezer is dying fast--LOL.  There is an assortment of misc. other stuff going on but these are the major things...We are trying to get alot of these projects wrapped up before planting season and spring rains start.  So be patient with me when I am slow to answer emails and questions--LOL---I really appreciate each of you who are on this blog and those of you who take time to comment and ask questions about faithfarm....You are a blessing to me.  God is so good to us and I pray that he continues to guide us and give us wisdom about our homestead.  I hope you all have a truely BLESSED day filled with much joy and laughter.  >Blessings>faithfarm

Oh my, you are busy

{ 10:45, Thursday, January 31, 2008 } { Posted by bodkin }

So good to "hear" your voice again. It sounds like a busy place there at Faith Farm!!

I hear that McMurray's is a great company to work with. I have always bought from our local mill/feed store, so I don't have any firsthand knowledge. Let me know how you like them. And don't you just love the Lehman's catalog? I have bought quite a few smaller things from them and they are very good quality.

I have a small washtub on a stand that I use for so many things...dyeing fabric, soaking stained clothing, holding soft drinks and ice for parties!!! I should probably order a wringer so that I am prepared should we have to be without power for too long. I have kerosene lamps, propane stove, wood stoves (2) and we have our own source of water. We have been looking at solar and would love to be "off grid". But it is sooooo expensive at the start.

Well, I must get to my day and all of my chores. So good to chat with you.

Blessings,
Shan

It sounds like...

{ 10:46, Thursday, January 31, 2008 } { Posted by leighannwhitten }

you've been very busy. All your plans sound wonderful. Let us know how the washer from Lehman's works out will you?
May you continue to be filled with His blessings,
Leigh-Ann

Hi

{ 08:36, Friday, February 1, 2008 } { Posted by mominpa }

I just wanted to leave a note to say I really enjoy reading your blog.

I really need to get in gear for food storage.

I really will have to put some thought to the rabbit/meat issue.

Otherwise we sound a lot a like on the homstead, with goats, chickens, etc.

Thanks for sharing.