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Coming Home to the Land:  The "throwin' hay" part of it all..  |
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Libbie
outstepping
157 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
157 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 15 2008 : 1:50:18 PM
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Do any of you have livestock? I've just been cleaning up the haystack area and pitchforked loads of loose hay to the steers (3 of 'em), the chickens, our one "pet" lamb and my two cows. I SO prefer working from bales!!! The good thing is, today I can use some extra body-work to help keep my mind busy. We had a little foxtaily hay, and so we ran it through a chopper, too, and the steers seem to like that just fine. I just didnt' want to even go NEAR the stuff on such a windy day.
XOXO, Libbie
"Farmgirl Sister #10," and proud of it!!! |
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Jen
Expedition Leader
1384 Posts
Jennifer
Calico Rock
AR
USA
1384 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2008 : 2:41:38 PM
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Do you milk your cows, Libbie?
Jen
Farmgirl Sisterhood Member #9
The View From My Boots: www.bovesboots.blogspot.com
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Libbie
outstepping
157 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
157 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2008 : 2:54:09 PM
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I'm going to. Evelynn is young, so this will be the first year I breed her - she's a Jersey and just lovely. Bridget is an Irish Dexter, and she's had three calves, but none with me, so I'll breed her, too, in August, and then we'll see how we do! Do you have a milk cow? Do any of you gals have cows or go for raw milk?
XOXO, Libbie
"Farmgirl Sister #10," and proud of it!!! |
Edited by - Libbie on Apr 17 2008 9:49:21 PM |
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Jen
Expedition Leader
1384 Posts
Jennifer
Calico Rock
AR
USA
1384 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2008 : 10:45:14 AM
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I don't have a milk cow (or any others for that matter). I'm definitely attracted to the idea of farm fresh milk, but I fear we'd be "tied" to the farm if we got one - unable to travel, if only to just go visit family in Missouri. For now, we order non-homogenized milk, but it is pasteurized.
Jen
Farmgirl Sisterhood Member #9
The View From My Boots: www.bovesboots.blogspot.com
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Libbie
outstepping
157 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
157 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2008 : 07:39:20 AM
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Yeah, livestock definitely "tie" one to the farm, for sure. We're lucky enough that we have neighbors on one side of us, and down the street there's a darling teenage boy who comes and takes care of the animals when we're gone. I've never had him milk, however. We'll have to see how that goes, or it'll be "the boys GO, and mama STAYS!"
XOXO, Libbie
"Farmgirl Sister #10," and proud of it!!! |
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Elizaray
outspoken
680 Posts
Elizaray
680 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2008 : 07:58:32 AM
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Jen- yes, milking can tie you to the farm, but like Libbie says- sometimes you can find help. If you can't seem to find anyone, put a sign up at the local feed store or try and contact some youths through 4-H. Also the Vet's office is a good bet too. Any place where a youth who loves animals might gaze at the board. Especially to make some pocket money. I would suggest having them learn the ropes while you are still home though. I can't wait till we can get settled and get either a dairy cow or dairy goats. Probably a cow though since I don't think DH wants to be converted to goat milk! LOL
Elizaray |
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Jen
Expedition Leader
1384 Posts
Jennifer
Calico Rock
AR
USA
1384 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2008 : 7:22:43 PM
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Good ideas, Elizaray. The more settled we get, the more options we may have for "livestock sitting." You know, I thought I hated goat milk until last summer when I tried some from a local guy here. He keeps his does separate from the bucks, and the milk is sooooo sweet and good. I would buy it religiously if I wasn't concerned with the issue of worming & the wormer ending up in the milk...
Jen
Farmgirl Sisterhood Member #9
The View From My Boots: www.bovesboots.blogspot.com
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Elizaray
outspoken
680 Posts
Elizaray
680 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2008 : 12:02:05 PM
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Hi Jen!
Yes! I love goats milk, but trying to get hubby to understand can sometimes take a little convincing. He is very set in his ways. It also helps if you really wash the udders well before milking and if you keep their fur trimmed. There are some herbal wormers if you ever decide to have your own goats. I think the MJF ladies were chatting about it about 3-4 months ago.
Elizaray |
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baycrkgrl
outthinking
9 Posts
Tami
Michigan
9 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2008 : 7:25:37 PM
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| i have dairy goats and just switched to an all natural herbal wormer, from Hoagers Dairy supply, i'll let you know how it works, there is so much you can do with goat milk, once you start making and using your own cheese you'll be hooked! |
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Libbie
outstepping
157 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
157 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2008 : 9:15:35 PM
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I've wondered about goats - I've really never tried goat's milk, so I don't know if I'd like it, but what I DO know is that I LOVE goat cheese! That is so cool that you have dairy goats, Tami - what kind do you have?
XOXO, Libbie
"Farmgirl Sister #10," and proud of it!!! |
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baycrkgrl
outthinking
9 Posts
Tami
Michigan
9 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2008 : 7:12:00 PM
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Libbie,
i have Nubians, i just love their long floppy ears, they are great dairy goats and most have good personalities, yes, the cheese is awesome! |
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Libbie
outstepping
157 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
157 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 12:13:05 PM
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I think I've seen Nubians in a field around here - if their lovely ears are a good identifying trait. And this spring - their babies are the CUTEST, bounciest, funniest things - they are DARLING!!! I'll bet you just LOVE kidding season....
XOXO, Libbie
"Farmgirl Sister #10," and proud of it!!! |
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Katie
outthinking
3 Posts
Katie
Taylor
Az
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - Oct 13 2008 : 3:17:10 PM
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Hi all, I'm new to the forum but I raise sheep. We market the fleece and meat. We just took a trip to Colorado for a week and had a "farm sitter" stay at the place for us. Last year we went to Alaska for ten days and also had a "farm sitter". What is important to remember in the raising of livestock, is to find "like minded" neighbors or friends to help out w/watching one anothers place periodically. We have a great network of friends that raise anything from Alpacas, Llamas, sheep, goats and just about any other critter. In order to fully enjoy the live style you have chosen, meet the people who also enjoy the life style and form the friendship. One never knows when an emergency may arise and you NEED to have this network.
Katie
Meeting of hearts:Katie |
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Jen
Expedition Leader
1384 Posts
Jennifer
Calico Rock
AR
USA
1384 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 11:31:29 AM
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You are so lucky, and SO right, Katie. We have yet to establish that kind of network, and it's a real struggle to figure out what to do with the chickens, cats, and dogs when we want to go somewhere longer than overnight. Hopefully, we'll gather some like minds in time.
Welcome to the Outpost!
Jen
Farmgirl Sisterhood Member #9
The View From My Boots: www.bovesboots.blogspot.com
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Elizaray
outspoken
680 Posts
Elizaray
680 Posts |
Posted - Nov 07 2008 : 08:24:55 AM
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Jennifer- Have you found some helpers? Is there a newspaper like the Thrifty Nickle that you could advertise in? Or perhaps a Yahoo group for your area? We have one here that people can ask for help and sell things and such.
Elizaray |
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Jen
Expedition Leader
1384 Posts
Jennifer
Calico Rock
AR
USA
1384 Posts |
Posted - Nov 07 2008 : 11:47:15 AM
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Well, we're trying to get my parents-in-law to move here - does that count? Hee hee. For now, though, we'll just keep doing things the hard way...seems to be our method of choice 
Jen
Farmgirl Sisterhood Member #9
The View From My Boots: www.bovesboots.blogspot.com
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Elizaray
outspoken
680 Posts
Elizaray
680 Posts |
Posted - Nov 08 2008 : 05:40:53 AM
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LOL sounds good to me :D
Elizaray |
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Coming Home to the Land: The "throwin' hay" part of it all.. |
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The "throwin' hay" part of it all..
