Now that the pig pasture is mowed, it’s time to get some pigs! This year we have four, and they are all girls or gilts. (They become sows after having a litter and male pigs are always called boars.)
One brave girl is the first to step out.
After eating some rocks (pigs love to chew on rocks!) she convinces her buddies to come out.
Soon they are all out!
They quickly discover the feed trough. We feed them pig mash mixed with water to ensure they get all the correct nutrients. They will also get food destined for compost, chicken and duck eggs, and all the grass and weeds (and rocks) they care to eat.
They may be sticking close to their shed for now, but soon they will be roaming all over the pasture. Stay tuned!
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Posted in Pigs.
Tagged with Pigs.
Spring as always sneaked up on us and turned to summer before we knew it! The grass has really taken off. This is the area around last year’s garden. It has been my duty the past few weeks to get the high grass under control and mowed.
DR Mower to the rescue! It is a high-wheeled super-charged string trimmer. I highly recommend it! The chickens here are cleaning off some freshly cut grass from the mower. All of the animals have learned that our mowers are wonderful if loud salad shooters and provide lots of fresh treats.
Here is that field after mowing. Did I mention the mower is self-propelled? Very helpful.
I should have taken a before picture but here is the pig pasture after mowing. Its grass was as high as the previous field. We initially bought the mower to work on clearing fence lines — electric fencing needs to be clear of high grass or the charge will be affected — but as you can see it works great for mowing large areas as well.
Murphy enjoys a stroll in the orchard after it was mowed.
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Posted in Misc., Poultry.
The new farm has a huge redwing blackbird population. The highest concentration is around the pond. They nest in the cattails as you can see here.
Some how, when we marked out and tilled the garden, we managed to miss this RWBB nest. It is less than a foot away from the garden bed. It took me a while to find it, but the angry RWBB mama who kept screeching at me whenever I was in the area clued me in.
Not too long after I shot the picture of the eggs, they hatched. The babies are fuzzy orange and gray… and silent, unlike their parents.
Then just this week, I managed to be working in the garden the day they fledged. Took about 2 weeks since the last picture. Isn’t he a cutie but such a fierce expression!
So watch yourselves as you mow – or even walk through – the very high grasses! There may be a nest or two in your path!
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Posted in 910, Garden.
Tagged with 910, nature.
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