We Are Deep In the Heart of Texas

Nomadic seasons of farming adventures with nature thrown in to include; a pinch of family, snippets of friends, counting our blessings, paying IT forward, home school, and the spicy things I decide to rant about.















Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Ahhhh Normalcy

Finally, both boys seem to be on the mend from some kind of nasty virus.  We just kept passing it back and forth -- lucky for us; it seems to have gone away for now.  PHEW! I don't know about other parents but, when my boys are ill; I am not a happy camper.

Saturday, we sold a male hog and two bucks which is awesome since two of our nannies look about ready to pop.  I am worried about Ms. Aries' knees since she suffers with some kind of joint injury she was born with and I have been keeping a close eye to be there for her when she kids.

Let's see this passed weekend, we attended a birthday party at Mrs. Sobrina's for her one year old son and three year old daughter. She made the cutest cupcake birthday cakes I have seen -- with fondant icing.  I had a great time and met some nice ladies to boot.  We could not go to the homeschool family meeting on Friday since, Zephyr had a fever.  However, he will graduate kindergarten in May so YEAHHHHHHHHH!

Hubby went to the dentist yesterday, the boys and I tagged along because they were supposed to be seen.  Yet, their appointments were stacked and it took 2 hours for dad's exam.  We had to reschedule the boys; we have to be home for evening chores.  It is not easy to schedule appointments around farm chores in the morning and then evening plus; all the other things I have to do.  March they will been seen at the same time.  Sooooo Hooray!

Today, I placed an order for broad breasted turkeys only six to start for our freezer and 20 silkies.  The silkies will be the boys project to take care of and they will be required to take care of their own birds.

Hubby will be busy this weekend building a new coop for the turkeys and stilt coops for the silkies to be housed.  Later on in April, I will be ordering some Bourban Red turkeys for myself to raise and breed along with Cuckoo Marans. http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGK/Marans/BRKMarans.html

We have 25 Ameruacana, 2 day old chicks in our brooder.  I try to add a fresh round of chicks each year to keep our bloodlines strong.  Another thing I feel truly blessed is how helpful the boys are with the animals.  I enjoy watching them grow familiar with raising animals; and believe the process just makes them better human beings to have critters to love and enjoy.

It is hard for Zephyr not to pick the chicks up during the first week because; I don't allow the new babies to be handled much until they are two weeks old.  Our hens seem to be in the middle of molt and I find that a strange time of year for the process.  Again, I believe the weather just have the critters upset biologically.  It is hard on them to have freezing cold one and a couple days later be in the 80s. 

In a few weeks, I will be the mother of a teenaged boy. Saenz will be turning 13 on the 11th of Febuary.  I want hubby to take him camping with his older brothers --- like a rite of passage.   I am so blessed to have them both.  I am such a lucky mother to have two boys that want to be around me.  One day soon; they will find themselves wanting to start a family and will move away; I just hope not too far.

As the says going:

'Once a daughter; a daughter for life.
Once a son; only a son until he finds a wife.'

Tiz alright though as long as, I can share some of their future.

7 comments:

Sharon said...

Glad that the virus has left the building! Yep, sick kids make for a crabby Mom.

Have to see the kids (goat kind) after they are born and would love to see pics of the baby chicks too!

Yeah for Zephyr! He sure is growing up now, oh and Saenz - a teenager, now the fun will really start! A camp out for his Birthday, sounds really cool!

You know the song, turn around, it happens in nothing flat!

Kids and Canning Jars said...

OH my goonesssssss! A hog. Girlfriend you are holding out on me.... I want one for the meat. I love to hear the updates from my like minded buddies in blog land. We have 11 chickens total with and 8 more coming in 3 weeks. I ordered some chicks that lay dark olive green eggs. With that many chickens you must have a ton of egg overflow. I am telling you my article on egg prices gets a ton of hits every day. Shocking. I still say the boys could have a little side business.
Good luck, much love,
Melissa

Nekkid Chicken said...

Melissa, I have a sow??? Want her, she is right at one year now about 150 lbs. Corn feed after selling the male we might not have any more piglets for a long time. Though we always take in strays here. LOL

We have 50 layers, 6 roosters, 23 guineas, 3 nannies, 2 sows, 25 chicks, 3 rabbits (2 does, 1 buck) and a PUPPY SET TO RANGE FREE!


We will be adding turkeys this year for the first time. Hopefully a few freezer geese and ducks???? I hope I hope I hope!

Nekkid Chicken said...

Sharon, The virus just kept passing between us. I am happy we have no more fever. So yuppers I was in dire straights for about a month.

Will post pics tomorrow of the new chicks. In February; I will be incubating another 50 eggs to raise chickens for meat. Then slaughter will be in August.

Linda Foley said...

That is nice that the virus is well on its way to being gone!

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Do you intend to post about your garden beds??? I'd love to read about them!

Nekkid Chicken said...

Yes Linda,

As soon as hubby takes the TILLER out; it is too heavy for me to lift down from the shed. I will be prepping our garden beds to be. I am excited to start but will have to wait at least another week since, a wet front is due in starting Saturday. Sigh.......means more snow for those east of us; I am afraid.

Unknown said...

Wow, I wish I had more space to order turkeys and such. Althought I am not sure that we are ready for eating the birds, just eggs at this point.
Blessings
Diane