Chicken Processing

Slightly graphic, perhaps, but I really skipped photographing most of the gore. Plus, I kept the photos small.
First, we packed 12 15-week-old Buff Orpington cockerels into cardboard boxes lined with newspaper in the van (3-5 per box, three boxes):

The first step was to hang them in these cones. The processor (our friend Brian) would then [...]

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Tillers International

I just want to re-iterate how cool it is that  this place is local to me. I mean, check out the classes that you can take there! (A class at Tillers would be the perfect gift for this newbie farmgirl. Just sayin’.)
A description of Tillers International, from their website:
Tillers International is a 501(c)3 IRS non-profit [...]

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I FOUND A TICK ON MY SCALP.

Just scratching an itch, and I felt something. Pulled it out, praying the whole time that it was just dandruff or food or anything but a tick. But it was a tick. Right before bed. Ask me how thoroughly I checked the sheets and pillows. Ask me how long it took me to fall asleep.
I [...]

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I Ordered Chicks Today!!

Wheeeeeee! I just placed an order for 25 straight run (that means non-sexed) chicks from Meyer Hatchery in Ohio. They will ship on March 30 and arrive within 2-3 days. That’s soon!
The breed we selected was Buff Orpingtons. They are a good dual-purpose backyard chicken variety; they are good layers, good mothers, cold hardy, and [...]

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Animals. Animals? Animals!

I know. Things are a little slow around this blog. But not in my life. See how the two are related? I heretofore pledge not to neglect Thee anymore, Oh Blog. At least not as much. That’s something, right?
So, animals. When we moved out here to our little ten acre homestead in late July, the [...]

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