Today would be considered our first day of "business" per say as we begin to become more serious about our chickens. When we bought our first hens, we bought 6 laying hens, and the craze began! Within a few weeks we were convinced we needed baby chicks, so we drove 30+ miles to get some for $1.50 each. Bought 20 total, 10 for us and 10 for my bestie. She had been wanting to get chickens, so I thought if I'm going into this head first, might as well push her in with me! lol....so, off we go! We've learned a lot along the way, all of us. Most importantly we've learned to have a good time at it. Too many people make it way to complicated and take all the fun out of it. Once I realized everything didn't have to be by the book, or a super expensive coop, then all was well.
As a "city girl" I still laugh at myself as I sit outside on nice days, just to watch them eat. Many people have feeders, but there is nothing more relaxing then throwing feed out and watching them run after it. We have had more laughs out of seeing a rooster run across the yard after a bug or some food.
So, here we go, going to grab up some chicks, resale them, and start hatching out our own, after seeing the ridiculous price of chickens, we can't NOT do something!
Day 1 began with a trip to the stockyards to sell some odd ball breed roosters and hen, finished up there, decided to reinvest the money we made, found some pullets that will be laying in 2-3 wks and bought 10. The horses have to eat too, so we made our way to our favorite place, Stillwater Mill. I just happened to spot an ad on craigslist for "cheep chicks" less than 2 miles from the store. Picked up 25 chicks and learned Easter is the best time to sell, sell, sell! There's money in them there chicks boys! lol
So, we are at the close of our day, all the hens, roosters, pullets and chicks are all tucked away safe and sound and life @ City Girlz chickery-hatchery has begun!
Remember, may all your days, be circus days!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Farmer Misconception
I promise, I will not make my blog a rant, it may not make much sense at times, but I won't rant! This is one of those that may actually not make any sense to anyone but me, but here goes.
What is your perception of farmers? Do you think they are poor, underpaid, overpriced, what?
Looking back, I guess I've always thought farmers and ranchers both maybe were a little poor, although the rancher look nice in there "spiffy clothes" My perception has changed drastically in the last few years. Here's why, 2 years ago we bought 4 acres of land, and ever so quickly started a "hobby farm," which by the way means we do it for fun, and not as a source of income. Very shortly after moving in, we acquired a horse, and some Rhode Island Red hens. Now, you have to understand this was a HUGE step for this city girl! I had never owned anything short of a domesticated pet, but horses, AND chickens! No WAY!
So let me just give you a little farming/ranching advise: horses are free for a reason! lol, that being said, let me expound on that! I started looking online for a horse, that was affordable, which very rarely comes along, when I stumbled upon a free horse. We called them, secured it, and headed to get him. After about an hours drive in a pounding rain storm, we arrived in the dark, and loaded this poor horse. It was pitch dark when we arrived home, but the rain had finally stopped. We finally got a peek at our treasure...he was 30 years old, and bone skinny...hence the "free" I need to also add that I was almost terrified of horses, thanks to a fall in junior high. Needless to say, it wasn't long before "Floyd" stole all our hearts! He lasted 2 years here on the farm, and just this past Christmas Eve, did we bury him in the pasture he called home. It hit our family hard, we all cried, even my mom, he was such a sweet heart, but he helped me get my feet wet, overcome my fears, and help with some therapy along the way! The actual point of this post was going to be about the high cost of farming equipment, but I will save that for another day, it's a beautiful day out, and I need to go enjoy it!
May all your days, be circus days!
What is your perception of farmers? Do you think they are poor, underpaid, overpriced, what?
Looking back, I guess I've always thought farmers and ranchers both maybe were a little poor, although the rancher look nice in there "spiffy clothes" My perception has changed drastically in the last few years. Here's why, 2 years ago we bought 4 acres of land, and ever so quickly started a "hobby farm," which by the way means we do it for fun, and not as a source of income. Very shortly after moving in, we acquired a horse, and some Rhode Island Red hens. Now, you have to understand this was a HUGE step for this city girl! I had never owned anything short of a domesticated pet, but horses, AND chickens! No WAY!
So let me just give you a little farming/ranching advise: horses are free for a reason! lol, that being said, let me expound on that! I started looking online for a horse, that was affordable, which very rarely comes along, when I stumbled upon a free horse. We called them, secured it, and headed to get him. After about an hours drive in a pounding rain storm, we arrived in the dark, and loaded this poor horse. It was pitch dark when we arrived home, but the rain had finally stopped. We finally got a peek at our treasure...he was 30 years old, and bone skinny...hence the "free" I need to also add that I was almost terrified of horses, thanks to a fall in junior high. Needless to say, it wasn't long before "Floyd" stole all our hearts! He lasted 2 years here on the farm, and just this past Christmas Eve, did we bury him in the pasture he called home. It hit our family hard, we all cried, even my mom, he was such a sweet heart, but he helped me get my feet wet, overcome my fears, and help with some therapy along the way! The actual point of this post was going to be about the high cost of farming equipment, but I will save that for another day, it's a beautiful day out, and I need to go enjoy it!
May all your days, be circus days!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
At Last!!!
So, due to technical difficulties, (i forgot my password) I am incredibly behind in posting. It has been brought to my attention twice this week that I had not posted....so, without further ado, I don't want to dissapoint my "followers" (all 3 of you)
I guess for this post I need to start with the one I wanted to write the day of the circus, but thought 1 blog a day was enough. So, here goes!
As I stood in reverence and respect while all the Shriners entered the building, I couldnt help but tear up. I looked around at the hundreds of people sitting with this bored expression across their face and all I could think was they had no clue. To them, it was the boring opening act, to us, it was the entrance of life changers, our lives! I leaned over and said that exact thing to my husband, and noticed the tears form in his eyes. Maybe I should back up a few years, and share the entire story with you, just in case...Our oldest daughter was born almost 12 years ago, with a cleft lip and palate. These men changed our lives! From the very begining, I heard about the Shriners, but all I could say was that I didnt want "charity", I wanted the BEST! Little did I know then, that they are the BEST! Her surgeon has been doing these surgeries for almost 30 years, and they have patented many procedures that are used all across the nation.
The Doctors here immediately wanted to start operating, Shriners wanted to wait. Every visit we get to see the handy work of Drs who want to start too soon, and do too many, because now they are there with us, trying to get the BEST to fix the other's mistakes!
Here we are, 12 years later, and she looks wonderful! Many people dont even know she's ever had a problem. She's a trooper, she has 3 more surgeries ahead of her, then this will all be behind her! She wants to be a Speech Path, to help other children just like her. She was so blessed, that her speech was barely affected, but many others are not as fortunate.
I will continue to share more with you at later times the things we have experienced during this time in our life.
Goodnight all, and may all your days, be circus days!
I guess for this post I need to start with the one I wanted to write the day of the circus, but thought 1 blog a day was enough. So, here goes!
As I stood in reverence and respect while all the Shriners entered the building, I couldnt help but tear up. I looked around at the hundreds of people sitting with this bored expression across their face and all I could think was they had no clue. To them, it was the boring opening act, to us, it was the entrance of life changers, our lives! I leaned over and said that exact thing to my husband, and noticed the tears form in his eyes. Maybe I should back up a few years, and share the entire story with you, just in case...Our oldest daughter was born almost 12 years ago, with a cleft lip and palate. These men changed our lives! From the very begining, I heard about the Shriners, but all I could say was that I didnt want "charity", I wanted the BEST! Little did I know then, that they are the BEST! Her surgeon has been doing these surgeries for almost 30 years, and they have patented many procedures that are used all across the nation.
The Doctors here immediately wanted to start operating, Shriners wanted to wait. Every visit we get to see the handy work of Drs who want to start too soon, and do too many, because now they are there with us, trying to get the BEST to fix the other's mistakes!
Here we are, 12 years later, and she looks wonderful! Many people dont even know she's ever had a problem. She's a trooper, she has 3 more surgeries ahead of her, then this will all be behind her! She wants to be a Speech Path, to help other children just like her. She was so blessed, that her speech was barely affected, but many others are not as fortunate.
I will continue to share more with you at later times the things we have experienced during this time in our life.
Goodnight all, and may all your days, be circus days!
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