This is something I haven't blogged about before. As a mother of 3, I highly recommend to any new mother that they teach their baby sign language. I taught all 3 of mine and it has been a life saver. Don't worry, you don't have to start when they are newborns. I started at about 7 months old. It is amazing how fast they start signing. What mother wouldn't want their child to sign to them that they want to eat, instead of screaming at the top of their lungs and you don't have a clue what they want. Each of my girls started signing at different ages and used varing levels of signing. But even though they are older now, it is soooo nice to be able to look at them across a crowded room and give them a sign about their behaviour, instead of screaming at them to stop what they are doing. It also came in handy at religious services where you needed to keep quiet, but they were all the way at the other end of the row, just give them a sign. Message received. This is one of my all time best parenting tips.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
4-H Chickens
Well the day finnally arrived. The 4-H chicken show at our county fair was Friday. It was sooooo hot. I had 3 kids with me who were tired, hot, and thirsty. So not my best experience.
Our chickens received a blue ribbon. They were bought at auction for $40 for 6 hens. That is about what the others brought as well with the exception of the two top trophy winners. They brought about $100.
We bought all of our feed from Tractor Supply. And we were still feeding them crumbles while alot of the chickens there were already feeding theirs pellets. That probably made them gain more weight, but we did not really want them to start laying eggs just yet.
Lesson learned- If and when we do this again, we will keep our chickens in the pen more. Ours were mostly free range, but this caused them to be a little smaller than some. They were however some of the cleanest chickens there, probably because they weren't in a coop all the time.
The kids really enjoyed taking care of them and $40 is a lot of money to a 10 year old. So we were happy with the whole experience.
The money earned has started a "nest egg" if you will for said 10 year old to get either a Kindle, or some kind of notebook.
Our chickens received a blue ribbon. They were bought at auction for $40 for 6 hens. That is about what the others brought as well with the exception of the two top trophy winners. They brought about $100.
We bought all of our feed from Tractor Supply. And we were still feeding them crumbles while alot of the chickens there were already feeding theirs pellets. That probably made them gain more weight, but we did not really want them to start laying eggs just yet.
Lesson learned- If and when we do this again, we will keep our chickens in the pen more. Ours were mostly free range, but this caused them to be a little smaller than some. They were however some of the cleanest chickens there, probably because they weren't in a coop all the time.
The kids really enjoyed taking care of them and $40 is a lot of money to a 10 year old. So we were happy with the whole experience.
The money earned has started a "nest egg" if you will for said 10 year old to get either a Kindle, or some kind of notebook.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Rogue chicken!
O.k. So this one chicken will not stay in the coop. I admit it. She is smarter than me. I had found where she was laying her eggs, under a tree. I robbed her nest and hoped she would return to the coop. That didn't work. Now I just don't know where she is.
This rogue chicken has really been frustrating. I think she is in with my family, and they are all trying to convince me that I'm crazy. I pronounce to family that I think something terrible has happened because we are missing a chicken, and she has been gone quite a few days before I break the bad news to the family. Then, dear husband and dear oldest daughter look out the back windows and count all 5 chickens. "MOM, there are 5 chickens out here!" Thats great! I finish what I'm doing and then go the the same back window.....1, 2 ,3 ,4. "Are you kidding me?"
That was about a week ago, and I have yet to see 5 chickens. And everybody else swears there are 5. Like I said, she is smarter than me.
Well I am so happy to get some good news to this rogue chicken dilema. We have tried a couple to times to get guineas to live on our farm for 5 with no success. Now, someone has suggested that we get guinea eggs and let one of our hens sit and hatch them. The theory being, that if they are born on the farm for 5, that it will always be their home and they will not stray. Sounds good to me. Now hopefully, we will get some guineas and the rogue chicken will have a purpose and be happy.
I'll let you know how that works out.
This rogue chicken has really been frustrating. I think she is in with my family, and they are all trying to convince me that I'm crazy. I pronounce to family that I think something terrible has happened because we are missing a chicken, and she has been gone quite a few days before I break the bad news to the family. Then, dear husband and dear oldest daughter look out the back windows and count all 5 chickens. "MOM, there are 5 chickens out here!" Thats great! I finish what I'm doing and then go the the same back window.....1, 2 ,3 ,4. "Are you kidding me?"
That was about a week ago, and I have yet to see 5 chickens. And everybody else swears there are 5. Like I said, she is smarter than me.
Well I am so happy to get some good news to this rogue chicken dilema. We have tried a couple to times to get guineas to live on our farm for 5 with no success. Now, someone has suggested that we get guinea eggs and let one of our hens sit and hatch them. The theory being, that if they are born on the farm for 5, that it will always be their home and they will not stray. Sounds good to me. Now hopefully, we will get some guineas and the rogue chicken will have a purpose and be happy.
I'll let you know how that works out.
Simple Salad Container Update
As I already shared. I read a great article about inspiration for simple salad gardens in containers. Since I already had a pot, lettuce seeds, and some onion bulbs, I decided to give it a try. I only planted it last week, and here is what it looks like.
I only planted it about 7-10 days ago. I think it is doing great. I set the pot out on the back porch. We have had rain almost everyday since planting. For my herb container, the rain and storms were too much. But for my salad garden, bring it on!
Looks like it won't be long before I'll be having fresh salad for lunch.
We haven't planted the garden yet. It will probably be about two more weeks before that will be possible. But I'm excited to see how the container garden is going to hold up through out the year. I'll keep you posted.
I only planted it about 7-10 days ago. I think it is doing great. I set the pot out on the back porch. We have had rain almost everyday since planting. For my herb container, the rain and storms were too much. But for my salad garden, bring it on!
Looks like it won't be long before I'll be having fresh salad for lunch.
We haven't planted the garden yet. It will probably be about two more weeks before that will be possible. But I'm excited to see how the container garden is going to hold up through out the year. I'll keep you posted.
4-H Chickens
Well it is finally here. The kids on the farm have been counting down until time to go get their 4-H chickens. So last Monday we went and picked up our 25 new little additions to the farm. They seem to be really healthy and perky. The Ag Extension office said they used a new hatchery this year and the entire back they received seem very healthy.
We also got them a brand new chicken coop just for them to start their new life on the farm.
The first day they got their sugar water as suggested by the Ag Extension office. That was something new to me. I had never done that before. But then again, I have never received babies that were this young. That first day, they didn't eat or drink very much. The instructions said to wait 2-3 hours after giving them sugar water before putting food in with them.
Now they have been on the farm for a whole week. I'm happy to report that all 25 are doing great. It's amazing how fast the little things grow. The big hens just stand by the garage door wanting to see what all the cheeping is about.
We have already had offers to buy some of our babies, but we want to keep them a little while. When the fair comes around, we take 6 of them to the fair.
We had heard that in order to check to see how many were roosters and how many were hens, that you could place your open hand above their heads. Then the roosters raise their heads up and the hens squat down. Well I tried that yesterday, and all it did was startle the poor guys and they all ran all over the place. I couldn't tell any difference. Maybe we will try again in a day or two.
Feel free to leave me ideas about how to distinguish the sex of baby chicks.
Now they have been on the farm for a whole week. I'm happy to report that all 25 are doing great. It's amazing how fast the little things grow. The big hens just stand by the garage door wanting to see what all the cheeping is about.
We have already had offers to buy some of our babies, but we want to keep them a little while. When the fair comes around, we take 6 of them to the fair.
We had heard that in order to check to see how many were roosters and how many were hens, that you could place your open hand above their heads. Then the roosters raise their heads up and the hens squat down. Well I tried that yesterday, and all it did was startle the poor guys and they all ran all over the place. I couldn't tell any difference. Maybe we will try again in a day or two.
Feel free to leave me ideas about how to distinguish the sex of baby chicks.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Chicken Sitter
Gotta love it. My Mom just said the other day that she would love to have a small farm with a few animals but doesn't want to be tied down if she wants to go on a vacation. Problem solved. Get a chicken sitter.
NASA begins testing chicken fat as new jet fuel - National Strange News | Examiner.com
NASA begins testing chicken fat as new jet fuel - National Strange News | Examiner.com
I hope people don't use this to cruelly raise chickens just for fuel, but as a repurposing aspect, I think it is great that they can find a way to reduce fuel cost and not waste any biproducts.
I hope people don't use this to cruelly raise chickens just for fuel, but as a repurposing aspect, I think it is great that they can find a way to reduce fuel cost and not waste any biproducts.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Hash Brown Casserole Recipe : Paula Deen : Food Network
Hash Brown Casserole Recipe : Paula Deen : Food Network
So, when you have chickens, there are times when you have more eggs than you know what to do with. This is one of those times. I needed something to cook that would use up some of our wonderful fresh eggs before they get too old. This recipe did the trick. It uses 8 eggs. But it was more than just a way to get rid of eggs. It was delicious. I made it for supper. It made enough for our family of 5 to eat on twice. I was a little worried about the mustard in it, but it works. I also used my own potato's. Since my 2 year old "misplaced" a part of my food processor, I cut the potato's into small cubes and lightly fried them with some onion and then continued with the recipe as written. We all really like it. Even the kids.
So, when you have chickens, there are times when you have more eggs than you know what to do with. This is one of those times. I needed something to cook that would use up some of our wonderful fresh eggs before they get too old. This recipe did the trick. It uses 8 eggs. But it was more than just a way to get rid of eggs. It was delicious. I made it for supper. It made enough for our family of 5 to eat on twice. I was a little worried about the mustard in it, but it works. I also used my own potato's. Since my 2 year old "misplaced" a part of my food processor, I cut the potato's into small cubes and lightly fried them with some onion and then continued with the recipe as written. We all really like it. Even the kids.
Simple Salad-Garden Containers
Simple Salad-Garden Containers
This article has some good ideas. I'm planning on planting a salad garden outside this year. Then before winter I would like to make one of these container salad gardens that can be taken indoors.
This article has some good ideas. I'm planning on planting a salad garden outside this year. Then before winter I would like to make one of these container salad gardens that can be taken indoors.
Good News for Chicken People
More people in Spokane Valley Washington now have the opportunity to enjoy their chickens and get fresh eggs. This was just in the news today.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Herbs/Garden/Pear Tree
This is what everything looks like in March around here.
This is the garden. It looks like we have some work to do.
I finally planted my herb box. I have been wanting a small box of the herbs that I use the most. I really wanted something I could move indoors or out. This is what I came up with. I planted flat leaf parsley, sweet basil, and oregano. I have ordered Cilantro seeds that I will add later. Can't wait to start cooking with them.
The seeds,box and potting soil came from Wal-Mart.
And the pear tree. It have nice firm pears that are great for preserves or eating if you like them crunchy. The day after I took this picture the blooms were even fuller and beautiful.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
4-H Chickens
Well for anyone of you who have read my post at http://www.farmfor5.com/, you know that we had applied to get 4-H chickens this year. We received our letter a few days ago that we will be getting the chickens. This should be a good project for the kids. They are excited about getting to show them at the fair. We are looking forward to it. But the 5 chickens we have now have been keeping us with more eggs than we can eat, so I don't know what we are going to do. Anybody have any suggestions for this project? And keep checking back, I plan on posting more pics this week.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Laying/Nesting Boxes
I am interested to hear what everybody is using out there for nesting boxes for their chickens. Right now, some of ours are using a dog house, and one is actually using the box. Just looking for ideas. Thanks for sharing.
Testing Eggs for Freshness
So, our sneaky chickens have been laying eggs out in the leaves. We went about 2 weeks without eggs, but just thought it was due to a cold snap. Then one day when searching the farm, found 3 eggs and at least two shells that had already been broken. So how old are these eggs? Can we eat them? Should we throw them out?
This is so neat. Check out how to find answers to those questions at http://www.farmfor5.com/eggsfor5.htm
Now I know those eggs are good to eat. And the kids loved this experiment.
This is so neat. Check out how to find answers to those questions at http://www.farmfor5.com/eggsfor5.htm
Now I know those eggs are good to eat. And the kids loved this experiment.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Easy T-shirt dress
Just Deanna: Make a simple tshirt dress with a ruffle hem
That's where I found the tutorial for some really cute outfits. I made two of these dresses for my youngest girls and then a matching skirt for my oldest. And of course matching hairbows. I'll be posting pics soon I hope.
That's where I found the tutorial for some really cute outfits. I made two of these dresses for my youngest girls and then a matching skirt for my oldest. And of course matching hairbows. I'll be posting pics soon I hope.
Easy Ruffle Skirts
I've added pics of the ruffle skirts I made from The Train to Crazy tutorial. Check them out. You are going to want to try this.
http://www.farmfor5.com/sewingfor5.htm
http://www.farmfor5.com/sewingfor5.htm
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