A NU-(bian) Goat


Notice something in this picture? That’s our newest edition to the goat pen. He is comin’ in for a flyin’ leap across the finish line at the goat-Olympics. It is sort of like the Olympics a lot of the time in the goat pen. We picked up our new Nubian buckling Monday night from a friend (the Goat’s name is Buckwheat).


Buckin’ Bronco? Buckwheat is.



To give you an idea of Buckwheat’s size he is about 4 months old and weighs 64 pounds. The eventual idea is to phase Billy the Kid (our other buck goat) out into the freezer and replace him with a milk breed (Buckwheat). We don’t really want to be milking a goat that has a lot of Boer in it as Nanny has a lot of Alpine.











I don’t know how many of you can jump on top of your house, but Billy the Kid can.






The goats have really thinned out the weeds in their pen. Tuesday night we placed some scrap tin on an existing exercise platform to give Buckwheat some protection from the weather since the others don’t really want to let him into the shelter. Nanny is getting along fine. We expect her to deliver by Christmas. We’ve have some egg eating chickens (they’re Buff Orpingtons) and I think that they are going to end up in the stew pot. We’ve giving these chickens several chances and done all we know how to do and they eat more than they produce.

Samuel

COW PATTIES


The day finally came for "RIBEYE" the steer to start on his way to becoming steak and hamburger. The killing went fairly quickly. The first shot took him down, the his throat was cut to let him bleed out. Ribeye tried a few times to raise up and kick Keith as he tried to chain the legs for hoisting. He wasn't quite ready to give up so a second shot was in order. This brought him to a quick end. As you can see from the picture Ribeye isn't half the cow he used to be and it took a lot of guts to get him that way. All four quarters are hanging nicely now in the Allelon Farm basement (see their blog sites for a more complete photo journal of the event). The butchering of the meat will take place after the beef ages for 3-4 weeks. Stay tuned for that adventure.


I think the other cows are looking for Ribeye!


The boys work diligently at preparing the hide for tanning. A first cut (pun intended) was made at fleshing the hide (only the bug chunks). Tomorrow we will get back together to finish the fleshing process and prepare the hide for the next step in the preservation process. If the cameras are ready we will catalog the whole process for future reference and laughs. This has truly been wonderful experience for our families. It is nice to know where your food comes from and that the animals had a good life before they were slaughtered.

I am looking forward to processing our next batch of chickens. They are still a little small but hopefully they will fill out a little more by mid November. We plan on keeping two cornish hens to cross with our buff orpington rooster and hopefully raise our own meat bird stock.

Our Nanny goat is very pregnant. Hopefully we will have some milk in a month or two. We are looking forward to raising the goats and trying our hand at making butter, cheese and soap.

God has been very gracious to us. We are thankful for the circle of brothers and sisters in Christ He has placed us in.

ROOSTER to ROASTER


WARNING...The following blogging entry has photos of chicken processing. If you don't care for seeing how birds are butchered please close your eyes as you read.

The kids told me the other day they were having problems with our Aracana rooster. He was our bonus bird thrown in with the batch of broilers we processed back in June. We had never tried killing a bird the old fashioned way by chopping off the head...So we decided to let the kids give it a try. We have all heard stories of how the birds hop around and generally make a mess.

We took an chunk of a tree we had recently cut down as the chopping block and Joshua sharpened up his throwing axe.

The bird was none too happy about the event and was a bit uncooperative.

Well that bird lost his head over the whole matter and was soon hopping mad...Although seemingly without much direction. Reminds me a lot of the management around where I work. Oh well lets not dwell too much on that right now.



Well after a bit of excitement everything calmed down and it was time to hand the bird up and let him finish bleeding out before we started the plucking process.


Laura wasn't all that happy about where we hung him to drip, but that humming bird feeder hanger was mighty convenient.


Well after we hung the bird up we decided to salvage a few feathers off of him before he went into the scalding pot. And not being ones that like to waste much (the dog really likes our chickens-not in the best way for their health), I had Samuel give the head of the bird to our dog. She generally gets all of the organ meat and has a real liking for the feet, but this is the first we gave her of a head. It didn't take her too long to separate most of the hackle feathers and devour the head.



Next comes the scalding pot. This losens up the feathers and makes them come out relatively easy. The best way we have found to check the readiness of the bird is to try pulling on the pin feathers in the wing. When that comes out easy then it is ready for plucking. Don't leave it in there too long or that skin will come off with the feathers when you pluck it. This bird stayed 2 1/2 minutes in water at 140 degrees F.

This rooster plucked extremely easy. We had a few too many hands involved. It is really a one person job, but all three boys had a desire to participate. It works better when you have more birds. It was good to go back to the old way of doing things, if just for the experience. One can get a bit spoiled by the Bradshaw Bullet Bucket.

Next comes the gutting (if you want the $5 word its eviscerate). This type of bird has a much smaller body cavity, so I had to be a bit more careful make the cuts. Overall it went very smoothly. Didn't get one complaint out of that bird.

The bird dressed out at 2.5 lbs. A bit small but enough for a meal. I can't stress enough how much better these normal birds taste when compared to the standard broiler variety. It takes them a bit longer to grow, but then they don't eat near as much. The skin feels more like a latex, you need a sharp knife to cut it with. But it makes a delicious broth. Now tonight we are going to cook this bird up. He will be our gust of honor at dinner.

All things said, it is good to know where our food comes from and how it was raised and slaughtered. It gives me a better appreciation for life and death.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

Well.....

The colors are starting to change around our part of the woods now. I just really enjoy this time of year as the weather cools and life slows down. We would all do well to slow down and take time to reflect on how we have spent our time this year.

We have had some water issues lately. It seems our well, which is set to a depth of 130 feet and has about a 20 foot water level, had a leaking pipe system. With all of the sediment and loss of pressure I thought it was running dry. While it is a little low, we should be back up and running today, although a little poorer in the process ($2,100). Since we don’t have a back up power system I decided to go ahead and hook up to county water. That was the expensive part. It seems the utility department is afraid of our well water so a $600 backflow- preventer has to be installed. But with all of that we have yet to be without water. The Lord has been very merciful to us during this dry year

The goats have really taken to their new surrounding. I expect we will have some goat kids by February. Maybe then we can try our hand at milking and cheese making.



Our co-cow owners (and pasture/cooler providers) and our family are getting ready to butcher an Angus steer. Hopefully by the 7th of October. This will be a first for all of us. If our past experience with chickens is any indicator, I am sure it will be a time of great learning and encouragement. May our lives be open enough to take time and spend with others. Helping each other and learning to serve one another in love.

As we try to learn more of the ways of a self sufficient country life, we don’t want to forget to be salt and light to a lost and dying world.

MAYHUGH FAMILY REUNION

Laura's family had their family reunion up in St. Louis this past weekend. There were people there that we had not seen for 23 years. Others we had seen a few years back when we traveled through on our way from California. Just like they have all grown a little older, but still the same people. It is always a good reminder how short our lives are here in this world. Nancy was just as fiesty as ever. Hope was busy with setting everything in order. Ken the older brother of Dennis there is only a slight family remeblance. Faith has passed on, but was on our minds. All of the spouses and friends gathering one more time never really knowing if everyone will make it back next year.We only have each other for a short time in this present age. We can't gain back this time. We can't change the past. I would ask each of us, are we loving our neighbor as ourselves. This includes family that we can sometimes take for granted. No matter what you own, how rich or how poor death has a way of putting everyone on equal footing. I would like to see my family start having get togethers again. Sometimes these things tend to cease as the older ones pass on from the present world. It is good to have these times with earthly family, but I find more and more a desire to spend time with my brothers and sisters in the faith. I so missed our time of Sunday fellowship and teaching with the brethern. My deepest prayer is that all of our family would know and follow Christ with all of thier hearts. And love him above all else.


Galations 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Joshua's Birthday

Our middle son has turned thirteen this past weekend. He had expressed a desire to go hunting with his father. This seemed to be a simple request, but a dear one also. For him to desire to spend time with his father, learning what little his dad knows about hunting. We had a good time out in the woods. It always amazes me when I spend time out in God's wonderful creation. Getting away from the things that say "CIVILIZATION" and instead being overwhelmed at the intricate detail God has placed in every creature. From the lowly bug to the simple squirrel and even to man. Without the Lord we have know hope and no life.

It is a priviledge to celebrate another year in the each life of our family. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, yet we will praise God for yesterday, today and tomorrow - no matter what befalls us. Joshua spent the rest of the day experimenting with his new guitar accessories. His skill is increasing daily as is his desire to us music to praise and glorify his maker. May this be his heart's desire that all of his life would bring praise, glory and honor to Jesus Christ - who has set him free from the sin of this dark present world. My prayer would be the same for all who have found grace and mercy in the Lord. And for those that do not know Him - that He would open their eyes and ears that they might find mercy and compassion at the cross of Christ.














Psalm 49:12But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish. 13
This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. Selah 14 Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. 15 But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Selah

Animal Update




The rabbits are doing well. We had to separate the two male Florida whites. The female had one offspring but it died, I believe to the excessive heat this summer. The two dwarf rabbits we were given are very cuddly, much more so than the others.




The Cornish and Cornish cross broilers are coming along fine. We have not lost anymore as of yet. I am still not very impressed with the red broilers. I will probably not order from Ideal hatchery again. I was not pleased with the breed stock we received from them. My plan is to allow our youngest son to try and raise some breeding stock from the Dark Cornish (definitely the hardiest of this batch). We plan on keeping two hens from this group for breeding with our Buff Orpington Rooster. We are trying our hand at our own cross meat bird.




We have had our goats for one week now. They were very skiddish at first, but they have warmed up to us. Especially if you happen to have feed in your hands. We are letting Nanny dry up for now. More due from the lack of a milking stand and milking area. We hope to get both built in the near future just to get her used to the idea of being milked. For now we are relying on some contraband raw Jersey cow milk.




Lastly our regular chickens now have a much larger chicken yard, while having less protection. We have removed the old fence and installed some field fencing. I feel that soon we will be installing chicken wire over the field fence both to keep birds in and other animals out. We also removed the overhead netting, so I am hoping hawks don't become a problem. Some friends have lost a number of birds recently to various predation problems (as of yet to be determined).

Our guest rooster has been wondering about trying to figure out how to get at the other rooster and with the hens. After clipping his wings and the goats running him around, he still seems to say IIII AAAMMM THEEEEE MANNNNN!.

So much like us in our own pride. Thinking we are all that and more - while in truth we are nothing. The Lord thankfully is patient and correcting toward his children as he seeks to purge the pride out of our lives, especially my own.

Psalm 49:5-7 Why should I fear in days of adversity, When the iniquity of my foes surrounds me, Even those who trust in their wealth And boast in the abundance of their riches? No man can by any means redeem his brother Or give to God a ransom for him--

GOATS...GOATS...GOATS

Well we are finally ready for the goats. The boys and Laura (as well as me) were all quite excited about the event. We went and picked up Nanny Goat and Billy Goat today. They seemed a little nervous as was I, as we loaded them up one by one in our little goat trailer. It took a little coaxing to get them out of the trailer and into their new home. They seem to have adjusted and settled down by this evening. It looks as though (probably Billy) one of them
jumped on the top of the goat shed. Now the top on one side is bent over. Wish we coauld have caught sight of the acrobatics. I am sure we will have ample opportunity in the future. Laura seems taken with them. It takes a lot to keep her out in the midday sun to watch anything. We will give an update as we experience the life of having goats. Next I need to build a milking stand along with a permanent shelter and milking area. Hopefully others can benefit from our mistakes or share from their own wisdom and help us avoid some pitfalls. And one last photo as finally everyone is setled and all of the critters are checking each other out (Dog, Goats and Rooster).

PRACTICAL PALLETS


Today has been a good work day. We have finished the goat fenced in pen and the gate. We decided to make the gate out of a pallet. I tend to collect pallets whenever I can, it has turned into a running joke around here. Our chicken coop framing and flooring was made totally out of pallets, I like the price of FREE really well. Joshua and I welded up a couple of pieces of rebarb to make grates for some problem areas in the fence. This appears to have taken care of




We propped up the pallet at first and it seemed to be a good fit and starting point. Then we added the upper frame (also from pallet wood), next went on the farm fence and to finish things off we added three strands of barb wire securing and filling in the fence in upper section. Standard gate hardware was used for the installation.

Next came the pallet palace for the goats and one rooster for now. This will just be a temporary shelter until we can build the larger milking shed and shelter. We will use a saltbox design as we did for our equip shed. But for now here are a few shots of the goat shelter.

We finished the goat shelter off with so aluminum siding salvaged by my sister in-law Trisha. The shelter will be located to the lower part of the goat pen once we get the other shed built. It will cost us about $500.00 to complete it, so hopefully come October we will finish it up.

Next weekend the plans are to extend the chicken yard and pickup the goats. We really enjoy having all of the animals around, but it really changes how you live your day to day life (vacations, overnight trips). We are still learning to not go so much and by God's grace and mercy He is changing us little by little.

A total of 6 chicks from this batch have died, three more red Broilers have been isolated. I believe the Red Broilers have been over all weaker but more active than the standard broiler cross. Since they tend to sit around more than the other chicks they seemed to get stepped on a lot, that is why we are isolating these few to give them a chance to recover. We have a Dark Cornish and a Red Broiler in one picture together the Red Broiler is the larger of the two. In the other picture is a Buff Cornish.

On the layer front we are having some issues with the hens pecking and breaking the eggs. This has only occurred since we have added a friends additional six hens. I can only conclude that the area is becoming overly congested for the chickens. We are separating out some of the culprits, the other hens seem to readily pickup their bad habits. I plan on enlarging the pen this weekend if I can finish off the goat pen. I may build a drop away egg nest box also. Any other suugetions would be welcomed.

Transformed Trailer to Huge House

I finally found a picture of my sister inlaw's place in Georgia. She has taken an old double wide trailer and transformed it (still in progress) into an extremely nice house. She and David had the trailer moved 12 feet apart and then added a 12 foot wide clear story. I have never seen anything like this done before, so I thought I would share it in case someone else was considering widening a double wide trailer. It will be very interesting to see the finished product. Laura, myself and the boys had a good visit while being able to help out with the project a little while we were there.

More Fencing

We are just about finished with the fence installation for our goats. We need to string ½ of the 1 strand of barbwire and all of the 2nd strand and build the gate. All three of the boys have worked extremely hard with me. I couldn’t ask for a better crew. We have had some offers for help, but I really wanted this to be a family project. It has been a growth process for me and the boys. I truly desire to teach them how to work together and what it means to do the job right the first time. As they have found out it is much better to do it right the first time rather than do the job twice. Of course some of that blame falls right back on me for not giving clear instructions at times. Assuming they know more than they have been taught is a frustrating practice for all of us.

By the end of the day on Saturday we all felt like Zech and Buttinz.

I am beginning to truly appreciate the wisdom of God in creating a day of rest. We all need both physical and spiritual restoration by the weeks end. The Lord is truly gracious and merciful to us in every aspect of our lives.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. Psalm 103:13-18

CANNING CRAZY

Laura has been very busy canning tomatoes, salsa and peaches. We have done canning in the past, but this has been a real learning time for us this year. She canned some green beans but without a pressure canner. The results were less than pleasing. About 45 quarts all went bad, an expensive lesson in using the right equipment. We would love to get to the point (hopefully starting next year) that we raise most of our own garden items and produce enough to last through out the year. It is neither cheap or easy to do as we are finding out, but well worth the effort and pain. Laura has been a real jewel even with the problems she still perseveres as one working unto the Lord.

CHICKENS AND GOATS

We added another six layers to our flock (we are caring for the chickens of some friends, it may be temporary or permanent). Now we are getting 11 eggs a day. Sometimes it seems as though the chickens will never start earning their feed.

Our new chicks have now reached 1 week old. We have now lost a total of six chicks. This is by far the worst loss we have yet to experience. Ideal Poultry was very friendly and quick to refund the price of the first four chicks. The other two died later (of unknown causes) and I have not sought any reimbursement for those chicks. We have only lost Buff Cornish and Red Broiler chicks. All of the Dark Cornish have survived and appear to be much more vigorous than the others.

In recent days we have been trying to finish up a fenced area for our goats. We are due to pick them up (a nanny goat and a billy goat) by the end of August. Not knowing much about goats this will be somewhat of an experiment. We are planning on raising the goats for milk primarily and possibly for meat (depending on the offspring). More or our goat plans after we get them situated.

More CHICKENS!

We received a new batch of chickens today. We order 10 Buff Cornish (not the cross broiler but the real breed) and 10 Dark Cornish and 10 Red Broiler Cross-breed. This was our first order from Ideal Poultry in Texas. Overall condition of the chicks was good, but 3 did arrive dead and a couple of other ones were weak. We will have to wait and see how the hatchery responds to the shipping deaths. It has been extremely hot these past few days and that may well have contributed to the condition of the chicks. We intend on raising these birds for meat production. We have raised the normal Rock/Cornish Cross earlier this year. I was not impressed by their lack of energy to do anything but eat, sleep, and create manure, but they do grow extremely fast. A friend has called them Fraken-Birds and I have to agree with that assessment. So we are hoping one of these other varieties will prove to create a satisfactory meat-bird in overall size, that matures a bit quicker than typical chicken breeds. This is really a test run to discover our favorite type of meat-bird.

On the other chicken front, a friend gave us three more laying hens (Buff orpingtons). That brings our flock up to 3 roosters (one dominant Buff Orpington, one immature Aracana and one I'm not sure about) and 11 potential layers (some Buff Orpingtons, Aracanas and others I'm not sure about). Right now we are getting six eggs a day on average. Some of the hens have not started laying yet, but should soon. At our house we could easily go through a dozen eggs a day. Right now we feel very blessed by God to have what we have. Next on the mini-farm front will involve adding a couple of goats. More at that later