Still here!

My farm reports dropped off in the early winter due to a couple good showings of nature’s glory.  First the flooding in November, then we had some crazy snow (up to four feet!) that isn’t typical for us.  Then more flooding in January hitting record levels.  Between the natural disasters, holidays and guests, and the fact that everything is just quiet this time of year there’s been little to really report on.  We’ve also been doing a bit of belt tightening so that’s scaled down the projects we might otherwise be undertaking.  I’ve kind of given up on getting a farm report out until things pick up for the spring which really isn’t too far off.

The only news of late has been sad/bad news.  After losing a couple young chickens this summer we hadn’t seen any loses, but the winter storms have taken their toll on the predators around here and in the last month we’ve lost four more chickens (7 lost, 6 alive for those keeping score).  My layers are dwindling down at this point and the rooster is wearing on my nerves.  He may not live many more weeks at this point.  Not only is he slacking as prime protector but he’s gotten aggressive towards me specifically which I’m not amused with in the least.  We just placed our order for this spring with 12 meat birds and 13 layers.  Since odds have it that at least a couple will be roosters I think we are going to “try again” with the rooster.  We were just talking in the car on our commute home from work about the whole thing and I struggle more with the decision to off Bucket, the rooster, because it’s much more subjective than objective.  Raising meat birds knowing that they’ll end up on the dinner plate is very different than deciding I don’t like Bucket’s attitude and therefore he needs to go.  I don’t know of another solution to the situation though, and it’s the reality of farm life.  So, I guess I’ll get my first taste of on-farm slaughter in the coming weeks.  Not something I can say I’m *thrilled* about, but, again, it’s the reality and I’ll either work through it or become a vegetarian.

I’m working on a post about our garden plans this year.  I’ve already placed our minimal seed order for the year, but there’s more to it than that.  I’ll try to work on it and get it posted in the next few days.

In the meantime we are still here and our thoughts are certainly turning to spring!