Building a goat sleeping platform was one of the simplest projects we have put together on the farm. The hardest part of the project was nagging reminding my son to please pick up some pallets for me since he has the large truck with out a cap on it. Each section of the goat sleeping platform goats, used two pallets. You can make your goat sleeping platform as large as you need to or what your barn space will allow. Raising different species of livestock adds much to our lives. I … [Read more...]
Quiet Chickens – What Breeds to Choose in the Suburbs
Quiet Chickens - Is that an option? Are there quiet chickens that won't disturb the neighbors? Many suburban and city neighborhoods have voted to allow residents to keep a few chickens in the backyard. This recent question was posed to me by a resident trying to get her town to allow chicken keeping. Generally speaking, I don't find chickens noisy. Yes, roosters will crow, but most urban cities and suburban towns prohibit roosters, so that is not the concern. Hens will be more quiet than … [Read more...]
Managing and Composting Chicken Manure
Composting chicken manure is a side benefit of raising chickens. This beneficial by-product must be managed before it can be used as a garden amendment. Chickens provide us with hours of companionship, fresh eggs, and......manure! Lots of manure. Approximately one cubic foot of manure is produced by each chicken in approximately six months. Multiply that by the six chickens in an average back yard flock and you have a mountain of manure every year! If you live on a farm, that may not be a … [Read more...]
Best Tips For Keeping a Honey Bee Hive
I clearly remember our beginning days of keeping a honey bee hive. Gathering tips from other bee keepers was most helpful in getting started. We chose a deep Langstroth hive. Despite some misgivings from family members our hive of honey bees got off to a good start. Before we get into the types of hives, and the location lets discuss the bees themselves. For our first hive we chose to purchase a nuc (short for nuclear colony), from a local apiary. This is not the only way to … [Read more...]
Goat Care and Maintenance of Healthy Goats
Goats have to be one of the most entertaining farm animal to own. Knowing how to perform the required goat care is the most important first step to take, as you begin keeping goats. All breeds of goats need some sort of hoof care, proper nutrition, treatment for preventing worms, and more. Read on, for more information on goat care and maintaining a healthy herd. Proper Goat Care When Raising Goats for Fiber Two popular breeds in the fiber arena are Angora and Pygora goats. Both are … [Read more...]
