Home on the Range

So we have been having quite an adventure here. It all started when I said to Adam, "I think I'm ready to do animals this year." This has been an ongoing discussion for a few years, with Adam and I tossing it back and forth, mostly with me not so much wanting to since I didn't think I would be able to eat them. I grew up with my food coming out of a package and not having to face the life part of the animals I knew as meat. However, in light of the treatment of animals of late, I've decided I would rather raise it myself so I know they have room to be happy and grow naturally. So the city in me is slowly giving out. Chickens grew into discussions about pigs and then turkeys. So now we have a regular ol' family farm. We have 24 chickens, 6 turkeys, and 2 pigs. I have to remind the kids (and myself) that they are food and not pets.

The Buff Orpingtons are meat birds and the dark ones, Barred Rocks are egg layers.

This has been great for the kids, who seem to enjoy the animals. Hannah, my little carnivore, is very excited about the idea of eating these poor animals, though I don't think she is as heartless as it sounds. We were moving the pigs yesterday (we do it every two weeks) and Adam said something about trapping them, and she got very upset. This made me feel a little better.

Jacob and Daniel like to help catch the chickens and turkeys. We have to do this everyday, morning and evening, because Adam is still working on the coop. I am excited because it is almost done. We have a large box in our cellar that currently houses them (it was made rather quickly as the day came and we were not as ready as we should have been). Sometimes Maddy comes to my rescue and helps too, especially as the birds have been getting bigger so it is more trips with the dog carriers.

Adam building the coop

Jacob and a turkey

Gathering chickens