Time to Redefine our Lives in Oregon

Posts tagged ‘Moving to Oregon’

Adventures in Cast Iron

Do you cook with cast iron??

November 2015

I don’t, never have, but I want to. I need your help!!!! For some reason, I am really compelled….couldn’t be all the cooking shows I watch….The Pioneer Woman…..no couldn’t be. I don’t know, everything that I see cooked in cast iron just looks over-the-top delicious. Maybe it’s the char…the carmelization that occurs on EVERYTHING…Yum!!

November 2015

It was inevitable….I bought my first cast iron skillet! But here’s the thing….I’m totally afraid of it!! I mean, it’s a beautiful skillet…its is already seasoned, and ready to go. I’m so afraid that I’m going to mess it up when I wash it. I can already see this metallic piece of art rusting, having to be cleaned, seasoned again, and hope it doesn’t continue rusting. ARRRGGHH!! Seriously….why did I buy this skillet??? Determined to face my fears, I decided today was the day. I had bacon….I had eggs (I always have eggs…LOL)….I thawed a sourdough loaf….I was jumping in!!!

November 2015

As you can see, the first few pieces (on the right) of bacon got a little darker than I usually like, but once I allowed the skillet to come to an even temperature, the rest came out pretty nice. Then I opened a can of pinto beans, because who doesn’t always need an opened can of pinto beans…..poured the beans in a strainer and used the can for the bacon grease (no unique revelations there.)

November 2015

Two eggs went into the skillet with the remnant of oils from the bacon coating the skillet….then I realized that I wouldn’t really be able to flip the eggs for a good over-easy fried egg. It worked well to just kind of roll the egg over.

November 2015

The eggs were covered in charred, bacon-y goodness!! And you know, there was something strangely satisfying in cooking with metal against iron…the scraping of the metal spatula against the iron skillet was a really, oddly comforting sound, and feel. Just so much more of a happy sound than silicon against teflon.

November 2015

Afterward, the livers and hearts from two roosters recently culled were grilled up for our Great Dane, Penni ‘s, dinner tonight.

November 2015

So now it was the part I feared the most….washing. Uugghh!! I’m still hoping it all will be okay. Some people say to never use soap, others say use soap….both say no abrasive scrubbers, but a soft brush is good. I first washed with soap (I’m not ready to not use soap yet…still a cast iron rookie here) and a sponge…there was a blackened film that I could scrape off with my nail still on the pan. Oh shoot….I needed a soft brush…so I got a new toothbrush out of the drawer and scrubbed with the toothbrush….it got most of the char off, but a bit remained…different though than at first. I decided it had to be something like a wok wherein you don’t scrub until you get a shiny surface…you keep it seasoned.

Is that correct??? I patted it dry with paper towels and lightly oiled it with vegetable oil (same as a wok.) Time will tell…keep your fingers crossed…no rust!!

Two of our own farm raised roosters cooling before the freezer.

Thank you for visiting my kitchen today. As we learn about homesteading the outside of our home…I’m also learning about cooking and getting back to basics of food preparation inside my home. Since moving to Oregon, we eat-in so much more than eating-out…it’s probably been three weeks or more since I had a meal in a restaurant….so different than life back home. It’s a good thing…a very good thing….unless I’m tired and don’t feel like cooking….LOL!!

Please have a wonderful, restful Sunday!! Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Cast Iron Cooking, Food

Tagged with:

Goats and Rain

November 2015

The rains have returned.

November 2015

It is suddenly that time of year in which the ever-present dampness of the Pacific Northwest permeates every outdoor surface. Everything just looks like it has gotten a good soaking. It takes….mmmmmm….maybe a day to get used to then it’s, “Oh yeah, I remember how to do this” and you fall right back into the fervent control of …..wet and muddy things.

November 2015

So, although the dampness of later fall is quite familiar, there is a big question lingering….well, actually there are three questions lingering…..

November 2015

Larry, Curly, and Mo …… (Montana, Clark and Lott are their real names…they just act like the Three Stooges sometimes…hahaha.) We have not gone through a rainy season with hoofed livestock before this year. One thing I can tell you is goats do NOT like being rained on. As soon as they detect drops falling, no matter how lightly, they head for their shelter. Their motto… “Don’t be the last guy in” cause the 1st or 2nd guy might be standing in the doorway blocking the way in. When that happens it’s quite the pathetic scene. Picture a sad looking goat standing outside the doorway….naying a sad, “Naaaaaaaaaa”…..

November 2015

……while sprinkles of water accumulate across his fluffy winter coat… all the while looking at you like, “Can’t you do something here?” In the meantime, nice-and-dry brother goat stands smack dab in the doorway….looking out at you….staring at you while chewing, chewing, chewing, and in you’re mind you know he’s saying something profound like, “What?”

November 2015

So, yes, the lazy days of summer have truly passed. The late fall lesson that I have to learn is definitely how to manage goats during the rainy seasons of Oregon. They are spending more time in their enclosure…..I like the guys to have a clean dry covering of straw for the night since we close them in at dusk, and there is a certain timing to that especially when it is raining. The challenge….getting the goats out of their house while cleaning/adding dry straw, clean water, and grain for the night…..while it’s raining on top of these fluffy boys that do NOT like to be out in the rain. Sometimes it is chaotic, and comical. Never a dull moment!!

November 2015

The air is crisp, cold, and fresh….the dry yellows have disappeared, giving way to green once again. I love this time of year…..

November 2015

…..these beauties seem to, as well.

Thank you for visiting the farm on this cool, rainy, November day! I hope your day is completely awesome!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Goats, Rain

Tagged with:

Animal Management

In the stark darkness of the early morning hours, on a day in which the shine from the moon is blotted by the thickness of the clouds passing between the dirt and the heavens, without a moments notice, two young, rogue roosters are suddenly plucked from their warm roosts. Their world is literally upside down as they are carried in that manner to their interim home. Confused, they sit quietly in the darkness of their enclosure, waiting to see what the light of day holds. At least they are together, as they have been from their day of hatching.

Movable for sunny days.

These, young brothers, so to speak, hatched underneath the hen, Kermit, who led them through tall grasses, and kept them safe from harm.

They grew in to very handsome birds, but alas, there can only be one master for the hens, and these roo’s do not understand that. Driven by intoxicating hormones, the hens were constantly on edge, frantically running to escape the unwanted pursuit to claim the flock. To say that the hen house has been in upheaval would be to playcate the true sense of the drama infused into their recent days.

Hens running to and fro, cackling, loudly cackling and calling out to their protector, Benedict. As master of the hen house, Benedict is driven to protect the flock from threats such as these types of internal coup attempts.

At this stage of the game, they are relentless. In squabble after squabble, Benedict engages the young warriors in battle. At this point, they back off…Benedict has the maturity of his adult talons, size, and experience on his side. The time has come for intervention.

In a swift, stealth like moment, the whisking away of the young roosters was part of the necessary evil that comes with animal management on the farm. It is imperative that peace return to the flock. What will come of the insurgent duo, you may ask?

They will be confined for a period of time, given shelter, dirt to scratch around in, and plenty of corn and scraps to……shall we say, fatten up a bit. They have had a good life, free ranging in the best possible way…

…they will have plenty of good food….and then they will have one bad day….just one, in a life full of excellent days. In the meantime, peace will reign once again in the life of the flock. Those hens that were stressed to the point of hiding in the small, dark spaces of the hen house….that would only eat or drink if I stood beside them, with food and water, will emerge from their safe places into the open spaces that they so greatly love.

**UPDATE on how the day went…. The flock was on edge in the first morning hours. They could hear the young roo’s, and this continued to raise the stress in the hens. By noon, I think they realized that the dynamic duo were separate from them, except one hen…

…the most stressed hen, Chablis. She has been waiting for me in the hen house everyday until I can walk with her to her food and water…she continued to do that today because she did not leave the hen house, and did not see that she was safe. As she ran to my feet, I picked her up and took her outside to the rooster’s new digs. It seems she understood, as I was able to walk away from her without her running back to me or back to the hen house. She stayed outside for the rest of the afternoon, and a calm was over the flock.

Animal management isn’t always easy, but it is necessary to prevent diseases and injuries. It’s important to keep ahead of the curve!

Thank you for visiting the flock today. Please have a wonderful day!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

building a new home, Chickens, Oregon

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Autumn in Oregon

Autumn, in Oregon, is my favorite time of year!! There is a crispness to the air….but it is not cold; …. the stiff tan and white grasses from the dryness of the summer green up from the beginnings of the return of moisture….but usually does not need to be mowed; …… the wasps and hornets of late summer are less abundant….and start to die off; ….. and the sunrises are truly amazing!!!

September sunrise

As all of us on the west coast know, the long, dry summer of 2015 was one for the record books. Fire ravaged so much of the terrain in the western states…the damage was enormous. If you will allow me one quick moment on my soapbox….. I believe that if the Federal and State governments in our great nation would allow more logging and replanting of our forested lands (with extra protections of old growth trees) in turn cleaning up of dead, fire promoting, trees and brush….it makes sense that many of these uncontrolled, massive fires would become more controllable as fire breaks from logging would then exist thus promoting natural breaks from fire advancement, as well as, providing many more jobs in our struggling logging communities!!! Okay…..back to topic!!

(photo. KGO News)

On a more personal scale….the damage we see in our forest from lack of water this summer speaks loudly….with that being said, according to our personal weather station, the rainfall we’ve experienced on our land, to this point in the year, is 53.40″. More than a drop in the bucket!! However, the rain stopped the first week of June….that’s what hurt us. The Douglas Firs and other coniferous trees around us have dropped a massive amount of needles….

…and look really thinned out.

Also, there are quite a few trees that have died….

…..or are showing signs of great stress through dying branches.

Our black walnut trees are also feeling the stress of summer. Take a look at the abundance of walnuts from early fall 2014 ……

…..now take a look at this year’s crop…..

….NOTHING! Either the squirrels are taking what little nuts the trees have produced, or they have left for greener pastures. I think it’s the latter, as Penni hasn’t performed her beloved, “squirrel run,” for several weeks now. No wonder she’s been looking a little……

…..lately…haha! Back to the trees…. One grove of trees that have survived quite well through the summer, and actually show new growth are these little cuties…

….our young Giant Sequoia trees. We watered them from our well…I guess they are pretty important little trees!!

So, Welcome Fall…..the southern migration of Canadian Geese (here they come California,) ….

…. and the beautiful skies full of God’s handiwork!!

Thank you for visiting our little Oregon forest today. Please have a beautiful, first Sunday of fall.

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

P.S….need a puppy fix???? Go to http://explore.org/live-cams/player/great-dane-service-puppies-indoor-puppy-room and watch live as, Service Dog Project, bring in and trains the next generation of mobility / balance Great Dane service dogs.

Category:

Autumn, Black Walnut Tree, Explore.org, Fall in Oregon, Giant Sequoia Trees, Penni the Great Dane, Service Dog Project, West Coast Fire season 2015

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Where’d It Go??

Sometimes I look out the window and ask, “Where’d it go??” I’m talking about the water, and more specifically, the pond.

Our pond is a year-round pond. It lowers in the summer, but never goes dry. This year, however, the pond has been really challenged. The water is so amazingly low.

I took this picture from the point at which the water usually sits, during the time of year that it is at it’s fullest. You can totally see the ridge level in the picture above.

I feel for the numerous frogs that call our, what is currently a big puddle,” home.”

They seem to be doing okay, but for sure, Frog Town, must be crowded as their environment continues to shrink. I’m sure the great blue heron that visits the muddy banks is not unhappy, and is getting a belly full of those delicious frog legs he so enjoys!

These tracks are courtesy of that great blue heron!!

It is fun to walk along the banks and find what has been visiting the water…..

…..kitty paws……

…..deer tracks….

…and deer on the field cam…..

…..and racoon tracks….

…..with a racoon caught on camera.

And then there are those items one might find as the water recedes….

….a sun dried newt….

….sometimes you might find old, metal, mixing bowls…..

….or how about an old jawbone from an elk…at least I think it’s an elk…too big for a deer…..maybe a sasquatch???

In any event, the hope of a fuller pond is on the horizon…and so is fall. We’ve had significant rainfall the last 2 days..YAY…not a lot on the horizon, YET!! Looking forward to a fresh, full pond.

Thank you for visiting the forest today. May your day be full of goodness, and the weather that you enjoy!! Have a wonderful Sunday!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Pond

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Vining Our Way to Deliciousness

August is jam, and cobbler month….which means one thing on our homestead……

……the blackberries are full, ripe, and sweet.

With the lack of water this summer, it is surprising to me how many berries are hanging on these vines. Although a bit smaller, they are unexpectedly abundant…and very well protected. Of course, the ever-present thorns that make one think twice before sticking in a hand to pluck that juicy, sweet-but-tart, purple gem are fiercely on guard…there are other soldiers in the vines battle to keep it’s bounty…….

…..and as I diligently pursued the prize…hornets, wasps, and bumble bees buzzed around me, and within the vines. There was this one spot where the berries were big, beautiful, and oh so juicy…but after three attempts, I chickened out to the relentless, overwhelmingly loud message of, “DO NOT PLUCK THOSE BERRIES!” from the hornets that had claimed that particular territory. They were beautiful berries…..

…..apparently, they did not belong to me!! Hahaha In any event, the pot was filled….

…..and filled pots lead to…..

,,,,blackberry deliciousness!!

I hope you are able to enjoy something sweet, yet tart on this late summer day. Thank you for visiting the blackberry bush today!! I hope you have a most mahvalous morning, afternoon, and evening.

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Blackberries, Blackberry Cobbler, building a new home

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Poop Happens

Some days….my life seems like it’s all about the poop. Seriously….when you have multiple animals, you’ve got to stay on top of it…hahaha!

I recently discovered an amazing way to stay on top of the incredible nightly chicken house poop accumulation. No joke….they sleep and poop, poop and sleep….at the same time….in huge amounts. I try not to capture the results of their evening….activities…..when I post pictures because…welll….who really wants to see that??!! (Sorry about the picture above.)

I’ve tried to manage it all with pine shavings, works pretty well….straw (never again will I use straw) Creepy Crawlies….YUCK! …. and dusting the floor with DE (livestock food grade diatomaceous earth.) Shavings, and straw are very labor intensive when it’s time to clean, and there is a point where the production of ammonia is just inevitable….so whether it was on your schedule that day to muck out the hen house….if you start detecting ammonia….cleaning day moves to the top of the chore list. DE floor dusting (very thin layer) actually worked pretty well….it dried out the droppings pretty well. The most difficult things with this method were the “splat” factor, resulting in the need scrape the floor a bit. Other than that, things generally cleaned up with a shovel and a broom.

Then….I found this……

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/460352393133899588/

Amazing idea!!! So, Tony decided to build it!!

It didn’t take too much convincing……

Although our local farm store did not carry the Sweet PDZ granules that the Pintrest poster spoke of….this product…

…has very similar ingredients, and works amazingly!! Seriously…I feel like my life has been liberated from the drudge of the frequent mucking out of the chicken house!!! I’m a happy, Tami!!!

Literally, I take a cat litter box scooper, and scoop the poop right out of the poop tray!! The effort is so minimal its amazing (ok…I know I’ve used that word several times this post, but it actually is AMAZING!!) The beauty of this product is that it has the benefit of DE which will eliminate any fly that lands in the poop box (DE dries out their exoskeleton, and dun, dun, dun, no more fly) yet, it is not as lightly powered so there is not near as much dust. I’m so excited!!

So now, besides cleaning out the nesting boxes, and adding clean bedding….my mucking days are over!!! YES!!!

Oh, wait…. <sigh> ….. I forgot about the kids’ house!!!

Hahaha…well once the barn gets built….the tractor will help with that chore…I hope!!

Thank you for visiting the hen house today!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

building a new home, Chicken House, Chicken Poop Boards, Stall Dry

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Tracks in the Mud

I hope all within the United States of America had a wonderful Independence Day weekend……Happy Birthday to our beautiful country!!

What do you think made this…..

…..impressions in the mud surrounding the pond? If you guessed racoon for the tracks on the right, I think there is a very fair bet that you are right!! The tracks on the left, however, are not as apparent. These tracks were part of the results of our great expedition in search of creatures unknown….creatures who make odd, foreboding sounds in the forest….creatures that….oh well, if you don’t know what I’m talking about…take a look at my previous post.. What Was That??!!!

We searched high and low, with Penni ‘s nose leading the way, but found nothing. Nothing, that is, until we reached the pond. TRACKS!! Due to the unusually high temps surrounding most of the month of June, and into July…and the lack of rain….our pond has receded a lot already this year, leaving a good muddy base to capture a picture of those that visit for a quick refresher.

Tracks are very difficult to capture in time…especially when one is using a cell phone as camera…but these are big impressions….and without a marker….I think they appear bigger in the picture than at the site, but they are large, none-the-less, large….and probably somewhat spread out due to the soft mud.

Captured from http://www.bear-tracker.com/coyote.html This is a really cool site to check out with a lot of good info.

The picture above, captured from http://www.bear-tracker.com/coyote.html is the closest example that I can find. Both have suttle nail impressions, indicating a canine paw rather than a big cat paw…..

From http://www.bear-tracker.com/cougar.html

…..such as the cougar track above from http://www.bear-tracker.com/cougar.html. You can see how much wider the “palm” pad is from the cougar track, as compared to the coyote track.

Although, I’m fairly certain the sounds just before dawn on the early morning of July 2, 2015 are not related to the tracks we found in the mud of the pond, I am reminded that this place wherein we have created a home…a small farm…is actually home to so many others. We are truly living within a forest, and the creatures of this forest are sharing their home with us. Most of the time, although on the same land, we live in very different worlds….however, I suspect that they know our activities much more than we know theirs. Also, we have water around us…in the pond, and in the creek…..with the unusually early, dry conditions this summer the critters are getting thirsty….something to remember.

Thank you for visiting the forest today. Have a great day!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

building a new home, Cougar Track, Coyote Track, Coyote Track in Mud

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WHAT WAS THAT??!!!

Many of my friends know of the, WHAT WAS THAT, moment of my day today. It started around 4:15 a.m….the sounds were odd…really odd. They were coming from the bottom of the gentle hillside leading away from our goat enclosure. Penni, our great dane, was the first to hear and react. The hackles along her spine were raised, creating a dark, rust colored line extending from her shoulders to the base of her tail. I crawled out of bed, sat, and listened for more. WHAT WAS THAT??!!

By this time all the dogs on the properties around us were sounding the alarm, yet the noise continued. Hard to explain, the was a hollow, somewhat high pitched cry….not quite a howl, not quite a scream.

http://www.freesoundeffects.com/sounds1/animal/BigCats/bobcat.aif

The most concerning was the long, low grumble of deep, throated growl. Ok…it was clear…it was definitely something of the carnivore persuasion.

http://www.partnersinrhyme.com/soundfx/animals/animals_sounds/BigCats_sounds/lion_bob-cat2_wav.shtml

As soon as I could, I googled sounds, and most of the day, though that it must have been a cougar, aka mountain lion. However, I found the bobcat sounds this afternoon, and truly believe it was a bobcat.

Picture from http://coyotes-wolves-cougars.blogspot.com/2013/04/does-it-make-sense-for-ny-dept-of.html

Yeah kind of spooky. We’ve yet to go exploring to find what we might find, but I’ll keep you posted. And, yes, these guys and gals…

…were all locked up tightly for the night….although, they did seem a bit trepidatious stepping out into the big, bold world this morning…they seem to be fine this afternoon.

Okay….I’ll keep you posted!! I definitely need more of these…..

Penni, the Great Dane

….running about the place!!

Thanks for visiting the forest today….definitely a day in the forest!! Stay safe out there!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Bobcat, Bobcat sounds, Cougar, Great Dane, Penni the Great Dane

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A Study in White

Time for a study in color. Last year’s choice was … A Study in Purple This year we are looking at….

In nature, the color white is found quite prolifically, especially in springtime. In psychology, the color white has many meanings…. “In color psychology white is the color of new beginnings, wiping the slate clean, so to speak. It is the blank canvas waiting to be written upon. While white isn’t stimulating to the senses, it opens the way for the creation of anything the mind can conceive.” The article from this website also suggests, “Too much white can cause feelings of isolation and emptiness; it can be too pristine and immaculate, making you feel as though you can’t make a move for fear of upsetting it or creating a mess.” (more…)

Category:

Boudin Bakery, building a new home, Color Psychology, Penni the Great Dane, San Francisco Sourdough, White Flowers, Willamette Valley Pie Company

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Please Be Encouraged – There is Hope

Life has been very busy up here in the forest, and on the farm. I have missed having the time to write, and have a lot to post…a lot to catch up with, but I feel compelled to share something much more important. The events of this week in Charleston, SC have really laid heavily on my heart….for so many reasons. I’m saddened for those who have lost family and friends, teachers and pastors…I’m saddened that hate between races and cultures still exists…I’m saddened that evilness has such a stronghold on this world….I’m saddened that persecution of Christians is on the rise not only around the world, but in our own country (from what I understand, this particular crime was less of an attack on Faith than it was on race…but evilness was the perpetuating force, and evilness hates Truth – that being any worship of our Savior, Jesus Christ.)

Steven Curtis Chapman was led to write a song about the events in Charleston….it puts into perspective that the Lord will triumph over evil..this evil….all evil!! Please listen to the video below…I pray that you will feel as encouraged as I am…..

My hopes and prayers for you this Sunday morning. For all those daddy’s out there…Happy Father’s Day!!

Thank you for stopping by!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Christian Faith, Good vs. Evil, Steven Curtis Chapman

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King of the Rock Pile

What happens when you put rocks in front of a goat??

Curiosity….an immediate attraction…an innate desire to……

…climb that rock!! Always better to climb with a friend! And while you are on that rock…..

…don’t forget to taste the local cuisine, and then……

…..invite your friends….wait….what happened to the friend you were climbing with…….

….well….he ran over to the bar and had a little taste of red wine….Hahahaha! Little Clark…not much of a connoisseur…haha. I guess he will stick with water…

In the meantime, Montana and Lott continue to explore the rocky terrain….

….until something else catches their attention.

Did I mention that goats like to climb??!!

Thank you for visiting the farm today!

Have a wonderful Sunday!!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Goats, Meat Goats, Spanish Goats, Spanish Meat Goats

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The Full of Spring

Springtime in Oregon is gorgeous!! The greens…..

…are so vibrantly green.

The wild flowers bloom with ease……

….and beautiful abundance….while some……

….had a little help being seeded into this Oregon soil a couple of years ago. California Poppies were just too beautiful to leave in CA…we brought a few seeds along for the ride.

Welcoming of new life……

…is always a happy, springtime folly.

The sun…..

…the rain…..

….the long shadows…..

….all lend to the beauty of this alluring season. Oregon is beautiful in the spring.

Although work on the farm amps up as the sun lingers longer in the sky…..

Thanks, Justin, for helping out this week!!! You are awesome!!

…..there is always time for a roll in the tall grass…..

….day dreaming into the blue sky…..

…..soccer tournaments.

As springtime takes it’s journey into summer, there is much to anticipate…..

……and possibly our first year of ripened fruit…..

….and hopefully, a worthy suitor for our majestic princess, Penelopi … aka, Penni.

Yes, spring is a wonderful season in the pacific northwest. My heart and prayers go out to those in the southern states getting hit so hard by the recent drenching, flooding rains. Please stay safe out there!!

Thanks for taking time in your busy day to visit the farm today. I hope you have a wonderful day!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

building a new home, California Poppies, Great Dane, Penni the Great Dane, Springtime, Springtime in Oregon, Wild flowers of Oregon, Wild Lilies

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Thank You…Disney Style

My family and I would like to take this opportunity….Disney style…..to say, “THANK YOU,” to all the courageous individuals who fought and gave their lives for our Country!! There is absolutely no way to accurately express the feelings and realities that come with this day….thank you, just isn’t enough.

Disneyland, has been my family’s happy place throughout our lives. It has been a place to smile, even in times of heartbreak. Please allow us to share, Disney style, our heartfelt respect, and hope in what the soldiers of our great, United States, have given in the course of our country’s history.

And to close the day….please allow the 1st MARINE Division Band from Camp Pendleton to bring down our glorious flag at the happiest place on earth. Happy Memorial Day!!

Thank you for celebrating our Nation’s day to remember our fallen soldiers with our family. We wish you all the best.

Your friends from Oregon,

Tami, Tony, and family.

Category:

1st Marine Division Band - Camp Pendleton, Disneyland, Happy Memorial Day, Memorial Day at Disneyland

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Welcome to my Chaos!!

Yesterday, was a day of chaos reminiscent of a black & white silent movie. Things were moving in fast forward, and none of the participants seemed to care. Not one paid attention to the part I played of the ever-present traffic cop, standing in the middle of the busy intersection, blowing my whistle for everyone to just STOP!! They didn’t; they kept on in their chaotic quest to…do whatever it was they had a mind to do.

Goats were running a-muck…outside of their two acres of enclosure.

They have been pushy lately….well one has been pushier than the others….this guy…..Lott…

….has been trying to breach the boundaries of the gate…not the fence line, the gate. He sees me leave…and I think his goat mind goes to…”well, I must leave also.” So he RUNS to the gate to get there before I can get through and close it so that he can put himself in the gap and just push forward like the stubborn goat he has become. Yesterday, he and Montana worked in unison, while gentle, little Clark …

…stood close. They saw their opportunity…pushed behind me, and they were out. I held the gate open so that Clark would not be left out of the grand adventure.

Trying to get them back into their enclosure was a comical scene…two goats would follow the goat treats,

while one preferred the leaves of the oak tree just outside of their enclosure….

…I’ve truly come to understand the saying, “Stubborn as a goat!!”

While the goats were in the chicken’s realm…

…..the chickens were in the goat enclosure.

Then, mama hen, Kermit, at some point in the afternoon, decided that it was time to do this…..

…..okay, that is fine except…. it was very close (well maybe not as close as I originally thought) to the point in the day when the hens and Benedict start to gather before they move into the chicken house for the night. My mind went to that automatic door, and what if those little chicks could not get back up onto the porch. What if one, the littlest one, was still outside when the door closed, and she ran under the house where I couldn’t catch her?

I decided to corral Kermit and the chicks back into their house. The porch is elevated…one chick could jump up onto it, the other two fell short. It took about twenty minutes of getting Kermit on the porch, followed by one chick, while the others called to Kermit, who then jumped off the porch followed by the one chick who was on the porch…gather up the babies and put them on the porch hoping for Kermit to follow, only to have the babies jump off the porch because Kermit wouldn’t cooperate…then placing a plank hoping for the chicks to walk up to the porch….NOT……trying to teach the chicks to walk up the plank…running around to catch the rogue chick that runs the other direction….corralling mama hen to get back on the porch….and FINALLY, timing it all where chicks and mama are in the same place at the same time…and then all walk through the chicken house door!!! OMGOSH!!

Finally, everyone was where they should be…..

It was time to feed Penni, so into the house we go…and see this….

…..one of our neighbor’s peacocks…..the other one is running around on the roof. And the chase begins…

…..but then, finally, there was calm….and a beautiful sunset.

Oh wait…I still had to close the goats in for the night………..

Thanks for visiting the farm today. As chaotic as it can be, there is peace.

I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful Sunday on this Memorial Day weekend.

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Buff Orphington / Rhode Island Red Mix, Buff Orpington, building a new home, Chickens, Free Ranging Chickens, Goats, Meat Goats, Spanish Meat Goats

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Creepy Crawlies….YUCK!

Less than a day after the hatching of chick number two, Kermit, left the nesting box. She moved herself and both chicks down to the larger brooder area, leaving five eggs behind. I have seen this happen with Chardonnay, but normally that took a good four days, or so, before she totally let the eggs go cold. This move was definitely early, but this was her first brood, so I chalked it up to inexperience….until…….

……WAIT…….WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT!!!!

As I was reaching down to move the eggs back under, Kermit, hoping she would hatch one or two more….I paused…..looked….what’s on the eggs? Tiny, tiny little specks…and they were moving!! I looked at my hand…tiny, tiny little specks were moving on hand, on my shirt sleeve, both my hands….WHAT WAS GOING ON??!!!

Photo captured from http://labs.russell.wisc.edu/insectid/2014/03/07/bird-mites/

MITES!!! Oh my gosh!! It was so gross. I have never had mites, at least I have never seen evidence of mites, on or around my birds. What was I supposed to do??? I remembered the goat rancher saying to get diatomaceous earth (DE) to powder the goats if they got itchy….in other words, fleas, ticks, etc. I had some…..I ran to the shop.

By this time I was feeling things crawling on me….on my face and in my hair. KEEP CALM!!! I put on gloves, and a heavy duty mask….I was already wearing glasses so I thought that would suffice for eye protection….put a bunch of this fine powder into a bucket and ran back to the hen house. I doused the nest, the brooder area, and even mama hen, Kermit.

There was no evidence of the creepy crawlies on any of the eggs laid that day, but I wasn’t taking any chances….everything got dusted….every nesting box, every roosting board, window eaves, and the entirety of the floor of the hen house. The place went from a pine, wood board color to grey. I left a good amount on the roosting boards so that the hens, and Benedict would be laying in it as they roosted for the night. Then I went out to their usual dusting spots, and dusted those areas.

I dusted the goats…for good measure. I used the residual dust on my gloves to run my hands over Penni and give her a light dusting, I dusted my clothes….then….oh gosh…I can’t believe I’m admitting this…..I very, very, lightly dusted my hair.

OH MY GOSH!!!! SO GROSS!!! I could feel the creepy crawlies on my scalp….. BLEH!!!!

I left it on for about fifteen minutes, then showered. They critters were gone, which gave me good hope for the hen house.

That night, however, I didn’t sleep well. My mind was all about having to clean up the chicken house, and having bugs crawling on me. Thankfully, after leaving the place thoroughly dusted for three days, when I did clean it from top to bottom this weekend, not one creepy crawly was felt, or found on me, or anywhere else.

OMGOSH!! I don’t know what caused this to happen. I’ve never had mites in my flock!! There are two things that I suspect…I used straw as bedding the last couple of months; I normally use pine shavings. Straw, apparently, has hollow spaces perfect for little mites to thrive and populate…ok…back to shavings we go!!! Secondly, mites are spread by other birds…and the other birds hanging around ALOT right now are my neighbor’s peafowl (two peacocks and a peahen), the Canadian Geese have gone.

In the meantime…this little beauty hatched in the incubator….

…..and is running around with Mama Kermit…and his siblings…

All is well!!!

Thanks for visiting today….no itchies for you!! Hahaha.

Have a great evening, afternoon, or morning (depending on when you’re reading this!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Buff Orphington / Rhode Island Red Mix, Buff Orpington, Chicken Mites, Free Ranging Chickens, Hatching Chicken Eggs, Hatching Chicks, Peacocks

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Outside the Box

It is spring…in case you didn’t know!! The grasses are tall…very tall. The wind is blowing, and the rain is falling…and for obvious reasons, that’s okay!!

With the wind and rain came two more things….well, I don’t think I’d really call them, “things!”

Both look like Buff Orphington / Rhode Island Red mix chicks. I’m hoping to have one that is a true Buff Orphington chick … it would be a Benedict / Claudio baby, my only pure Buff Orphington adults.

With the wind and rain, also came a realization….these little cuties were going to need a little extra heat in their brooder. How was I going to hang a heat lamp with my makeshift design? So I started thinking….a tripod? That could work! I looked around, and my eyes landed on a more stable alternative……

….it works, and I think it is a little more stable than a tripod. Sometimes you have to think outside the box…inside the box.

And so it continues as there are six more eggs to hatch…I expect at least four more, there are two that seemed a little questionable when candled a week and a half ago. Exciting times!!

Thanks for stopping by the farm today. This cool spring day has been full of blessings! I hope you find the blessings of your day too!!

Your friend from Oregon,
Tami

Category:

Brooders, Buff Orphington / Rhode Island Red Mix, Buff Orpington, Hatching Chicks, Rhode Island Reds

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Cardboard Brooders??

The objective…..use these materials (wire structure that they are lying on top of not included)…..

….and figure out an acceptable brooder for the impending hatching. It has to be able to house mama hen, and chicks, within the current chicken house, and allow an ease of cleaning. (more…)

Category:

Brooders, Buff Orphington / Rhode Island Red Mix, Cardboard Brooders, Chicken Eggs, Hatching Chicken Eggs

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A Whole New World

To continue on with the good, the bad, and the ugly, today, we get to focus on the good!! There definitely was some good along with the bad, and the ugly…..little Clark’s scours was, shall we say…solidified!! I actually confirmed today during our “Good morning, Hello” the real-time evidence of perfectly formed little jelly beans…YAY!!!!!! But there is more….there is much more!! Take a look at the picture above….now envision three little billy goats…shorter than the tops of the tall grasses…roaming, eating, and lying in the shade of a big, ole tree on a warm, spring day. That’s good….that’s very good!!

Fence building was priority one this past week, but before we could even get started, there were a few trees impeding the future fence line that would need to be cut. Tony lined out the fence to go directly through a grove of Douglas Firs….

….that needed thinning….two had broken tops….this worked out very nicely. We will have plenty of logs to burn this coming fall / winter.

Many holes were augered for the wooden posts necessary for support….fencing on a hill is a lot of fun…uhhh yeaahhhh. Just ask my He-Man ….. I wish I had pictures of Tony carrying those heavy logs while walking uphill to drop them into place…oh well, it’s engrained in my memory banks…. 😉 Although fencing-in this pasture was a team effort, most of the build fell onto Tony’s shoulders (literally.) My son helped out as his time allowed…and I came along in between work, the house, and everyday farm chores. Thankfully, Tony had a full week to devote to this project….nonetheless, it was a busy week for all of us. Thank goodness for Alleve!!

We ran an electric, shock wire all the way around the fence line about 2 inches above the top, and 6 or 8 inches above the bottom. Since we do not have a guard animal yet for the herd, we’re hoping this will do the trick … let’s have a collective “fingers crossed” moment out there…readyyyyyyyy…..NOW!!

I’m inviting you to experience the moment….the moment that the gate was opened, allowing our three young wethers into their new world….the world beyond their previous fence line….the world of tall grasses, Douglas Fir trees, and cool, shady places….a whole new world!!!! At first they payed absolutely no attention to the opened gate…..it was a look, back to chewing….continued staring, and chewing….standing, staring, chewing. Really, what did I expect??? They are goats, not dogs!!! Hahaha!! Finally, surprisingly, Lott led the way….

….we had really expected the leader to be, Montana.

The first day, they stayed around the gate. However, the herd is slowly expanding their grazing. They seem happy!!

Despite the residual aches and pains Tony and I are enjoying….it is very satisfying to have this first pasture fenced and open for the kids to grow and flourish on. Plans continue for growth of this farm. Did you notice the strength of the fencing?? It is strong!! Why so strong? Why so many wooden pole supports? Can we hear a “Mooooooo?” Okay, not yet….but…………that’s a maybe!!!

Thanks for helping us enjoy the farm today. We always look forward to your visits!!!

Please, have a wonderful, wonderful Sunday!!

Your friends from Oregon,

Tami & Tony!!

Category:

Building a fence, Farm Fencing, Goats, Pasture fencing, Spanish Goats, Spanish Meat Goats

Tagged with:

OY VEY!!

Sometimes, OY VEY, are the only words that work. The last couple of weeks have been…well let’s just say…full. Yes, “full” fits. Full of ….. the good, the bad, and the ugly!!! So that I don’t overwhelm you with too many words on one post, I’m going to break these things up into two posts (the bad, and the ugly kind of go together…yes, they definitely walk hand-in-hand.) Let’s start with the feo y el malo….

About a week and half after bringing our Spanish Heritage Goat kids home, I noticed a bit of “softening” to some of their droppings. Not diarrhea, more like a softer dog stool…not alarming, but did raise my eyebrows a bit. Was this normal in goats? I went to the internet. Keep in mind, two evenings prior to this, I had fed the kids those first Douglas Fir tree branches…they ate quite a lot. Yes, an abrupt change in diet can affect them in this way…”Great!” I had my answer. I found these droppings once again the next day (Saturday)….”No worries…it will work its way through.”

Sunday morning…….WHAM!!! …… and I mean, WHAM!!!! Buckets of warm water in hand, I was bathing the backside of little, Clark … yep, we had a case of full on diarrhea, or, more properly known as, scours. I cannot tell you….more appropriately, I will not tell you the fine details of what this was like, but as a quick synopsis…there were periods of continuous oozing. Enough said!!!!

After cleaning Clark, their “locker room”, and the grounds of Candlestick Park 2, I headed for the Corid, replaced their water buckets with new water and, what I thought was a proper dosing of Corid. My goat’s breeder had told me that this was an item to keep on hand just for this type of situation…I’m glad he did!! Oh my goodness….I didn’t sleep very well that night. I thought I really made a huge mistake with the fir branches…I felt so bad for the little guy. Monday was more of the same, and after seeing a big, “squirt” while jumping into the “locker room,” I had enough…as I’m sure Clark was feeling as well. I called the vet!! He was able to come out on Thursday. Since Clark was eating and drinking normally, it wasn’t an emergency call….Okay…that put me a little at ease. Additionally to the Corid, into the water buckets went a probiotic, and electrolytes.

Each day was about keeping Clark, and the shelter/grounds clean…hoping, hoping, hoping that Montana, and Lott would not start in with the same. Thankfully, they remained solid.

Long story short, the vet came out (really nice), took fecal samples from each goat…Clark cooperated with a fresh sample 🙂 while the vet was checking him over. He was concerned that the herd felt too thin…we talked about their feed, and he pointed me to the direction of a lamb / calf starter grain. He started Clark on, Albon, for coccidiosis, and the next day, all three were on a dewormer. Thankfully, those parasites found in their stool were goat gut specific (or more appropriately, ruminant gut specific) and not transferable to chickens, dogs, or people.

Clark taking his medicine. What a good little fella!!

Within a day, Clark started to dry up … oh my gosh…thank goodness!!! The kids love, love, love the starter grain, and are putting on weight. They are more energetic, and there is lots of cud chewing going on. A great sign that their tummies are working more efficiently now that they aren’t competing with parasites for their food.

Little Clark is behind in size and weight, and hopefully, will catch up. I’m keeping a close eye on him as Montana and Lott are growing much faster. This was quite the learning experience, and I’m feeling more confident now. Seriously, that Monday evening when I saw the “squirt” I about lost it. I was about to throw in the towel…get the little guy well, and sell off the herd. I had not anticipated scours, nor the mess it created, and my confidence as a new goat mama was cracked…not shattered, but definitely cracked!! I’m glad the little guy feels better, he’s a sweetheart, and my confidence is growing.