Hey Reader, I think I need to stop telling you about the weather because whatever I say, the opposite happens next month. We've left mud behind for a heat wave. The dogs are not happy about it, but, to be honest, neither is anyone else around here. And of course, the humidity is mostly to blame. It is amusing seeing the chickens walk around with their wings held out to cool off. And the dogs are enjoying the fan we bought them, but I can't seem to get them to dip their toes in the kiddie...
about 2 months ago • 7 min read
Hey Reader, Remember last month when I said we were in a drought? Well that ended and we're now in mud season. It's honestly a good thing but it also brings an explosion of mosquitoes (we use dunks buckets) and the aforementioned mud everywhere (the dogs are brown now). Everything is on turbo drive to growth and greening up here now. Homestead Updates In the Coop Like I mentioned last month, our egg production has dropped off a bit from 241 eggs in April to 217 in May, a ~10% decrease. Not...
3 months ago • 6 min read
Hey Reader, The beginning of this month got away from me, but here I am now back in your inbox. April brought little rain and we're still in a drought here in the western part of Tennessee. What we experienced in monsoon season last year has been decidedly absent this go around. Thankfully everything is still greening up with what little precipitation we're receiving but I do wonder how it will affect hay and straw prices. A topic for another day, but I was thrown for a loop by the difference...
3 months ago • 5 min read
Hey Reader, Only a few more weeks until these pups are ready for their new homes! And honestly I'm not sure how we're going to get them easily to their next vet appt. This week we took them for their 9 week appointment and Blue and Red are leading the pack at 17.6 and 17.4 pounds respectively. 😳 Thankfully they're very well behaved so the vet visits are a breeze. my CRV has been through a lot in its 16 years so do you really need a LGD? Here's some guidance. 1. Farm dog vs LGD Sometimes a...
almost 2 years ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader, I know you've been waiting with bated breath to know who the biggest pup of them all is this week! And the winner goes to.....RED! Seriously this girl is still holding her own, but her lead is narrowing. I'm betting over the next few weeks that she's no longer the leader or at least is tying with some of her siblings. Jove with one of his sons On to the controversy! And that controversy is that there is not one set way to raise a livestock guardian dog. No matter what people may...
almost 2 years ago • 4 min read
Hey Reader, Continuing with the so dang cute puppy content... is that a heart shaped nose? Who can resist this face?? The puppies are really coming out of their baby phase and enjoying exploring the world around them. I can't say our Svarthöna are impressed by these seven in their midst, but it's important for the puppies to grow up around our livestock. And weekly weigh-ins aren't showing too much difference from previous weeks. Red is still definitely the leader of the pack at over 6 pounds...
almost 2 years ago • 1 min read