Happenings
We seem to be recovered from all the post-Christmas illnesses. Keith is even close to normal levels of strength after the pneumonia.
- We picked up 4 "piglets" (okay--app. 70 or so pounds, Keith is guessing, when we picked them up) Tuesday of last week. They took a couple of days to turn the ICU into a plowed plot! They are now in an empty area of the berry patch, plowing that up for us. They seem very respectful of the electric fencing.
- The pasture fencing is DONE!!! (Many, many thanks to Tentdweller and family.)
- The barn is cleaned out. (Ditto, Tentdweller and family.)
- The garden shed/chicken coop is cleaned out. (Ditto, again!)
- We brought Clarabelle home today from Georgia. She's our first milk cow--or will be in a few months. A jersey heifer, she's expecting her first calf near the end of July.
- We've ordered some seed, and are hoping to get a greenhouse ready soon, but will proceed with the seed, even if the greenhouse (a hoophouse) doesn't materialize in the near future.
- Under my father's direction and help (He'd have probably done it all by himself, but broke his foot and ankle on a mission trip a couple of weeks ago.), we separated and transplanted strawberry plants yesterday morning, more than doubling our garden space for them.
We've had beautiful weather and fellowship this week, making us all eager to get out and work; so, thankfully, much has been accomplished, even though Keith had to work late a number of days at his "regular" job.
Mary Susan
posted by The Bradshaws at 2:17 PM
5 Comments:
We're happy that y'all made it home safely! We so enjoyed your visit and getting to participate in your Clarabelle acquisition. Just look at what all you've accomplished!
We miss you already!
Love,
Trish
Hi Mary Susan! Sounds like spring is coming quickly down your way. Are your pigs going to be pastured? One of my egg customers keeps telling me we need to get a pig but I don't know. We'd have to put up fencing. More $$$ we don't have!
Hi, Emily! Good to have you back blogging!
Yes, the pigs are pastured, enclosed in electric fencing. They are doing a great job of plowing up the spots we've put them. Hopefully, this will make prepping the ground for planting easier.
Mary Susan
Mary Susan, what sort of electric fencing did you use for the pigs? We used 3 strands of high tensile and our pig went right through it after the 2nd time of getting popped. Were you pigs already behind electric fencing where you got them from?
On your cow, is she going to be grass fed only? If so, come up with some sort of treat for her. If not you can just use her grain. Get her used to you coming up to her and petting her. If you are going to use some sort of stanchion, start feeding her there now. After she is used to you being around her, I would start feeling around her udder... just touching, not trying to milk or anything. This just helped us with both cows and goats. They weren't as jumpy being milked that first time. YOu may already be an expert, and wonder why I am saying all this too. =)
Marci,
The electric fence is "regular," Keith says. It's 3 strands of Red Brand 14-guage electric fence wire (according to 11yo son) set at 6", 12", 20". We have a solar charger. Keith tested it (NOT suggested!) and says it felt like a baseball bat hit him in the chest. He's a pretty big guy, and felt it for quite awhile.
Your suggestions for Clarabelle are already in practice--not because we knew to do it (we're complete novices with a milk cow), but because her previous owner has been worderful mentoring us and being available for questions, etc.
Mary Susan
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