tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76468420108853393032024-03-14T01:09:14.105-07:00Pot Pies and Egg MoneyOur off-grid adventures with heritage chickens, turkeys and ducks (and pigs)Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-45102743917261390802017-03-10T09:29:00.001-08:002017-03-10T09:30:08.174-08:00So much social media, so little time...Boy, have things changed for me in the past few years. I am now working on my third book, and spending more of my time traveling to various speaking events around the country. Back home in the foothills of northwest Washington, gardening season is fast approaching, and I am at long last putting together my little blacksmith shop.<br />
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As you know, I love learning new skills, particularly traditional homesteading skills. This spring I am focused on learning the art of sharpening; not just kitchen knives, but all sorts of tools. Seems to me that this is a very handy skill to have around the homestead. All sorts of cutting tools are used frequently here: chainsaws, axes and mauls, lawn mowers and scythes, adzes and froes, chisels, planes, hand and power saws... you get the idea. All of these tools are at their best and most useful when they are good and sharp. So, much of my spare time at the moment is being devoted to studying and practicing my sharpening and honing skills.<br />
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Who knows, this might even turn into a farm enterprise one of these days.<br />
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With so much of my time these days spent focused on writing and speaking, I find I have less time to spare for Internet activities. It's a bit of a dilemma, since writers are constantly being told we need a presence on a variety of social media in order to build and maintain our "platform." We don't have high-speed Internet at home, so I typically spend a couple of hours, two or three times a week, at a coffee shop down the hill in Sequim, catching up on Facebook and whatever else I have time for.<br />
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I will continue to post on this blog when I can, but realistically, I have to prioritize my time and energy. I love living off the grid, and honestly I believe that not having high-speed Internet and a TV at home greatly increases my daily productivity. Social media definitely has a place in my life. But it simply doesn't work for me to be on social media sites every day.<br />
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So... thank you all for your interest in my homesteading life here in Washington. Please take a look at my website, <a href="http://victoriaredhedmiller.com/">victoriaredhedmiller.com</a>, for information about upcoming speaking events, my current writing projects, and blog posts on homestead life and my thoughts about all sorts of subjects. Feel free to comment or post questions, or use my contact form to get hold of me. I always love to hear from you!Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-46465367782325534912015-12-03T09:50:00.000-08:002015-12-03T11:07:53.866-08:00Keeping those turkeys warm in the wintertime<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAstXX6uBlWX-UDqUeRXiPaTw85nN3gtH2OuGKBvbqT8Kqx8zcgtwsD175QBvqF909Pq8jE6iSSl7e2GtgFjMqk0pA7fXk3FpKS_NgfLiNU_rX5EoMOwhCwiay4_Tsw-qkIUkVO71caTL1/s1600/snowy+house+smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAstXX6uBlWX-UDqUeRXiPaTw85nN3gtH2OuGKBvbqT8Kqx8zcgtwsD175QBvqF909Pq8jE6iSSl7e2GtgFjMqk0pA7fXk3FpKS_NgfLiNU_rX5EoMOwhCwiay4_Tsw-qkIUkVO71caTL1/s320/snowy+house+smaller.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>The farm after a typical winter snowfall.</i></div>
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We live in the foothills of the Olympic
Mountains in northwest Washington state. At our elevation of about
1000', we typically get a fair amount of snow between November and
February. An average winter would include a lot of nights with
temperatures in the 20s, some nights in the teens and often a week or
so in single digits in December. We have been raising free-range
chickens here since 2007, and turkeys and ducks since 2008.
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We are also off the grid, so we don't
use things like heat lamps in the coops. In fact, none of our coops
are heated or insulated. So how do we keep our birds warm and
comfortable during freezing weather?</div>
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One important consideration is breed
selection. Some turkeys (as well as other poultry) are more
cold-hardy than others. If you live in an area with harsh winters, do
try to find a breed known to be cold-hardy. It's also a good idea to
talk to others in the area who have some experience raising turkeys,
and get their advice.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4E9GCD3dMsuMBU2Pk-EOGE7K7QIwC1E_Bh5B8WZTcPyTtnoGW3spI4x6IYWS1BfeM9Cpqx-rAG5bzlNRGB9Uapn70e6ZK6bAj7kKzO0ToPM0r9oU4IMhkeJV_oFikrsAsiJITnK1CUn2v/s1600/Old+Tom+in+the+snow+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4E9GCD3dMsuMBU2Pk-EOGE7K7QIwC1E_Bh5B8WZTcPyTtnoGW3spI4x6IYWS1BfeM9Cpqx-rAG5bzlNRGB9Uapn70e6ZK6bAj7kKzO0ToPM0r9oU4IMhkeJV_oFikrsAsiJITnK1CUn2v/s320/Old+Tom+in+the+snow+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Old Tom, the patriarch of our Midget White turkey flock. </i></div>
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With chickens, usually a main concern
is frostbitten combs. I wondered myself, with their bare heads and
large wattles, about how our Midget White turkeys would manage when
we had days with the temperature staying below freezing. At the time
I could not find anything in books or blogs about this, so we just
had to learn from experience. Turns out, the turkeys were just fine.
We didn't do anything special to help prevent frostbite. However,
there are a few tips I can give you that have proven consistently
useful.</div>
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First, turkeys, when given the choice,
will opt to spend the night roosting outdoors, usually in a tree.
Unlike our chickens, they don't seem to mind being out in the rain or
snow; the toms especially seem disinclined to get out of the weather.
The first couple of years we had turkeys, we were chasing them out of
the trees every night. At this point, almost all the turkeys we have
were hatched on our farm, by broody hens, so they learned from their
mamas to go into a coop to roost at night. This not only keeps them
out of the bad weather, it also helps minimize predator problems.</div>
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The important thing about turkeys
roosting in a coop is to make sure the roosts are big enough. Even
smallish turkeys like the Midget White have large feet. Like
chickens, when turkeys roost, they settle down on their feet and
their feathers keep their feet warm. It's critical to use a roost
large enough so their toes can't go all the way around it; otherwise
the tips of their toes won't be covered by the feathers, so they are
vulnerable to frostbite.</div>
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What's worked well for us is to use
cedar 2x4s for roosts. If you have another kind of heritage turkey
(most of which are larger than the Midget White) you may need to try
something even larger. We turn the 2x4s so the wide side is turned
up. This seems to be just fine for all ages of turkeys. Our turkey
roosts are about 6 feet long; depending on the size of your turkeys,
if you use roosts longer than this, they may need extra support in
the middle.</div>
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Another thing we do in cold weather is
to bump up the birds' carbohydrate intake. The easiest way we've
found to do this is to feed out some cracked corn an hour or two
before they go into their coops for the night. This gives them a
carbo boost to help regulate their body heat during the long cold
winter night.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPQbXas1Mh7cz3Jso0v62bX-_RB9CcYjnnLYUDF4A95HEwnFXkr0aOyHjhdfPeN_v6J-8MocNwTcJP_Qm06EKBKVslxjpPJOqBCKQDa_MtbUqltKN-orMUorv6r0kIkyyalNYh9NQ4-Qy/s1600/Turkey+prints+in+snow+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPQbXas1Mh7cz3Jso0v62bX-_RB9CcYjnnLYUDF4A95HEwnFXkr0aOyHjhdfPeN_v6J-8MocNwTcJP_Qm06EKBKVslxjpPJOqBCKQDa_MtbUqltKN-orMUorv6r0kIkyyalNYh9NQ4-Qy/s320/Turkey+prints+in+snow+small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Turkey footprints in the snow. I used to worry about their feet </i></div>
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<i>getting cold, but snow and ice don't seem to bother them much.</i></div>
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One other bit of advice I'd like to
share: In the winter it's even more important to keep up with
cleaning your coops out regularly. The birds are spending more time
in those coops than they do outdoors when the days are short, and
most of their poop is in there with them. Birds are quite vulnerable
to respiratory problems, so please keep those coops clean and dry.
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This is also a good time to make sure
that there is adequate ventilation in your coops. It's easy to think
that your birds will be warmer and more comfortable if you close up
the windows, but air circulation is critical. I promise, it won't
hurt your birds.</div>
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To sum up: Select cold-hardy breeds if
you live where winters are cold. Make sure your roosts are large and
sturdy enough for your turkeys. Help keep them warm at night with
extra carbohydrate before you tuck them in. Keep those coops clean,
dry, and well-ventilated. Your turkeys –and other poultry-- will be
happier and healthier.</div>
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<i>I'm always interested in hearing about your experiences, especially in different parts of the country. If you raise turkeys, let me know what you do to get them through the winter.</i></div>
Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-32396857547716560892014-06-27T11:07:00.000-07:002014-06-27T11:18:40.351-07:00Just when we thought it was safe to go into the turkey coop...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzpVjTtcKn2uBG6BGDzmjEV7A_DWzYtoclJ6Koxpc_mh33IFo8daRmBiHudJXs6nKyQxVwd4V_7nTYDu1wSzEGATNe78B00-Ewuyu2cJS5cfP3W-jrRu3x8efk9x4UERs1il2rntirDAj/s1600/White+Midget+turkey+TJ+on+eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzpVjTtcKn2uBG6BGDzmjEV7A_DWzYtoclJ6Koxpc_mh33IFo8daRmBiHudJXs6nKyQxVwd4V_7nTYDu1wSzEGATNe78B00-Ewuyu2cJS5cfP3W-jrRu3x8efk9x4UERs1il2rntirDAj/s1600/White+Midget+turkey+TJ+on+eggs.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> TJ, the broody Midget </span></i><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">White </span></i> tom turkey. </span></i></div>
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I really thought I'd seen everything. With the advent of Old Tom's shoe fetish (there's really no other word for it) a few years ago, it never occurred to me that things could get any weirder in the poultry world up here.<br />
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We've seen tiny Nankin bantam roosters attempting to mate with the much larger New Hampshire hens. A Blue Swedish duck who innocently incubated two chicken eggs along with her own clutch of eggs, only to be somewhat bewildered when the chicks hatched a week before her ducklings. Oh and there was the New Hampshire rooster who shamelessly mounted a Khaki Campbell duck right in front of us. And those are just the first ones that come to mind.<br />
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So the other day David came in and reported that TJ, the year-old son of Old Tom (who's 6 years old now), was sitting on some chicken eggs that were laid in a corner of the turkey coop. Not only was he sitting on them (TJ, I mean, not David), but he apparently fluffed up indignantly and actually hissed at David when he came near the nest.<br />
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This is going to be a short blog post. I mean, what the heck is there to say about this?<br />
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I confirmed with David that TJ was, in fact, on the nest that very moment, so I did the only thing possible. Got my camera and went to see for myself. I have to admit that I wasn't all that surprised. I won't be surprised, either, if Old Tom feels a bit jealous of the attention TJ is getting. Dancing on David's shoes and getting all, ahem, worked up in the process might be funny to look at, but we see that practically every day. A broody tom turkey, now that's something new and different!<br />
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What did surprise me was that I didn't have dreams last night of TJ swimming on the Big Pond with his little brood of ducklings. But then, there's still time. Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-188421678403470112014-05-22T08:58:00.000-07:002014-05-22T08:59:22.496-07:00The Mother Earth News Fair: It's that time of year already... againWell, it's happened again. The Mother Earth News Fair at the Puyallup Fairgrounds is always scheduled for the first weekend in June, but somehow it's managed to sneak up on me again. Kind of like Christmas... Anyway, it's happening on the weekend of May 31-June 1. Take a look at their website for more information, to check out the list of 200+ workshops, or to order tickets. Here's a link: <a href="http://www.mothereathnewsfair.com/">www.mothereathnewsfair.com</a>.<br />
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I will be doing two new presentations this time. The first is <b>The True American Spirit: Distilling liquor at home, safely and legally</b>. This one will cover the basics of distilling liquor, plus I will be discussing the history of liquor licensing laws in this country and why I think they need to be changed. In a way it's a preview of my next book, so I will be looking forward to talking about it and meeting others who are interested in distilling.<br />
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This presentation is scheduled for 1:00-2:00 on Saturday, May 31. <br />
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The second talk is <b>Poultry Unplugged: Free-Ranging poultry off the grid or anywhere else</b>. Here I will be discussing the pros and cons of free-ranging poultry, and what I've discovered to be the "secret" to success even when you have lots of predator issues. We'll talk about how free-ranging affects feeding, housing and breeding, and how to plan ahead for best results. As always, I will be speaking from our own experience raising chickens, turkeys and ducks on our off-grid farm for the past seven years.<br />
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This talk will be from 2:30-3:30 on Sunday, June 1. I will be signing copies of my first book, <b>Pure Poultry</b>, right after this workshop at 3:30 in the Bookstore.<br />
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I know I say this every time the Fair comes up again, but honestly, if you're at all interested in living more sustainably, this is the event you won't want to miss. For a very reasonable cost, you can come for the day or the whole weekend and attend as many workshops as you want! Plus you can browse the Mother Earth News bookstore (one of my favorite parts of the Fair) and lots and lots of exhibitors' booths with information and products to help you on your way toward your goals, whether it's to grow more of your own food, install solar electric power or contribute to the well-being of the earth and its inhabitants in your own personal way.<br />
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The Fair is definitely family-friendly, with workshops designed just for kids. And, kids age 17 and under get in free!<br />
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It's only 9 days away now, so mark your calendars and plan to come. I hope to see you there!Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-75483165312029661882013-12-15T12:46:00.004-08:002013-12-15T12:46:39.126-08:00Our ducks are still laying... what's going on here?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLp5A_2nuLJE1rm9aOLsET5qGF8xLQ9c71bw5Z6O3MpBdKWpgAsjCOdcMUc-SOFLoCwbysayKmXhNph09GjMQJgUzwppb-v5wFKYgiVT7CnwNF7uPc1R602TWbFSycJwMpYOa8PhE00IfO/s1600/Khaki+Campbell+duck.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLp5A_2nuLJE1rm9aOLsET5qGF8xLQ9c71bw5Z6O3MpBdKWpgAsjCOdcMUc-SOFLoCwbysayKmXhNph09GjMQJgUzwppb-v5wFKYgiVT7CnwNF7uPc1R602TWbFSycJwMpYOa8PhE00IfO/s320/Khaki+Campbell+duck.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>One of our Khaki Campbell laying ducks</i></span></div>
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Okay, so it's now December 15, and we are still collecting between 6 and 10 eggs per day from our laying ducks. What's the big deal about that, you ask? Well, normally at this time of year we expect anywhere from very few to zero eggs.<br />
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Laying hens and ducks do, in fact, have an off-season; typically by mid-November, our duck egg production has slowed way down or even stopped, and starts up again round about mid-January. Why the drop in production? Well, hens and ducks go through their annual moult in the fall, and this is always accompanied by a drop in egg production. I suspect it is related to nutrition; the birds' feathers are approximately 85% protein, and they need a boost in their protein intake when they are growing new feathers during the moult. Egg production also requires adequate protein, so it's not surprising that egg-laying is affected.<br />
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Also, we're fast approaching the shortest day of the year. Egg production at our farm is highest in the spring, when days are getting longer heading into May and June. Again, nutrition is a factor; in the spring the pasture is growing fast, and the birds are naturally out on the pasture for more hours every day than they are at this time of year. Spring is when mating happens, too, so it works out well that the egg production is so strong. We don't see much mating action this time of year, so it seems to me to be a natural time for the hens and ducks to have a break from laying eggs.<br />
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A lot has been said and written about prolonging the laying season for chickens by putting artificial lighting in their coops. The theory is that somehow the birds are tricked into thinking the days are longer than they actually are, so they will keep laying. In this country we're so used to being able to buy eggs year-round that people most often don't get it when I tell them that eggs are a seasonal product. (Granted, the season lasts for 9 or 10 months, but still.) I think the birds not only deserve this annual break, I also believe that it's better for them in the long run to allow this natural rhythm to play out.<br />
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So... what's the explanation for the continued egg production this late in the year? I don't think it's the weather; we've already had more days down in the teens than we had last winter. None of our laying birds are in their first year (they don't moult their first year) so I assume they've all been moulting as usual. Since the pasture growth slows down in cold weather, and the birds aren't out there for all that long each day, I can only guess that a higher percentage of their nutrition is coming from the organic grain mash we feed every day, so possibly their protein intake is actually a bit higher than usual, which might account for the eggs.<br />
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If it sounds like I'm obsessing on minor details, I promise I'm not actually staying up nights wondering about it. It's just one of many interesting things that occur when you have animals, and I'm the kind of person who likes to understand why and how things happen.<br />
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If you have laying ducks, are you still getting eggs? I'd like to hear about your experiences, and if you have any ideas about why the egg "season" has been expended this year, please share them. Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-40361042434917592032013-10-27T09:53:00.000-07:002013-10-27T11:43:01.865-07:00Start your Christmas shopping early this year: Pure Poultry is here! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/_27uTBdZdsA/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_27uTBdZdsA?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_27uTBdZdsA?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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<i> Check out the Pure Poultry video trailer!</i></div>
<br />
I bet you had forgotten you pre-ordered my new book Pure Poultry, didn't you? For quite some time now, the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pure-Poultry-Heritage-Chickens-Turkeys/dp/0865717532/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382891570&sr=8-1&keywords=pure+poultry" target="_blank">amazon.com page for Pure Poultry</a> showed a release date of November 5, 2013. I was totally taken by surprise last Sunday when someone e-mailed me to say congratulate me on my book that was coming out on October 23!<br />
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So, on our blazingly slow dial-up connection, I raced to get on the amazon.com page to see for myself. Sure enough, October 23 was the new release date. Aack! I had been right in the thick of a big project for <a href="http://www.kcmt.org/" target="_blank">Kitsap Children's Musical Theatre</a>, and wasn't expecting to have to kick into high book-promotion gear for another two weeks or so. Plus I was just coming down with a cold (swell timing, not that there's a good time to have a cold); I suspect the sniffling, sneezing baby held on his papa's lap next to me on the flight home from Kansas City the week before. This baby was attired from head to toe in Oakland Raiders gear. How I wished I was wearing a shirt and cap that said, roughly, "Oakland Sucks!" But I digress.<br />
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I'm not quite over that cold, so I expect I'm even less subtle than usual today (and, you will be glad to note, more brief than usual too). May I just suggest that you all now have an extra 10 days or so to decide how many people on your Christmas list are going to get Pure Poultry this year. If that isn't serendipity I don't know what is. <br />
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Those of you who have already received Pure Poultry, thank you so much for your support and for posting photos and such lovely comments on Facebook. This is a very exciting time for me, and I look forward to getting more feedback from you all.Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-89635828471619044172013-08-15T14:55:00.003-07:002014-01-17T11:17:24.003-08:00Pure Poultry is going to press! <span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">"Part memoir and part roadmap to success,
Pure Poultry tells a compelling story full of grit, passion and discovery as
the author and her husband embrace a sustainable, off grid life in the woods
– with chickens, turkeys and ducks. Whether you are a seasoned fowl
keeper or a passionate dreamer, you will find yourself nodding, laughing,
commiserating, learning and simply enjoying the author’s knack for
weaving her experiences, observations and lessons into a page-turner of a
narrative. Once I started reading, it was next to impossible to put Pure
Poultry down, even when I heard my own geese honking for their supper. And when
I finally closed the book, for the last time, I knew exactly why I keep the fowl
that I do, I learned some tricks I’d not discovered in the past 35 years
and I felt happy!"</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">-Endorsement from Hank Will, Editor-in-Chief, Grit magazine </span></span> <br />
<br />
Big news, Pure Poultry fans! I just this morning sent the last few minor manuscript corrections to the publisher, who is poised to send it to press. I've been thinking a lot about all that's happened throughout this process. It's still hard to believe that it's been less than a year since I first met Ingrid Witvoet (managing editor of New Society Publishers) at the Mother Earth News Fair in Pennsylvania last September. You don't mind of I indulge in a bit of a nostalgia trip, do you?<br />
<br />
I had first come up with the idea of a book about our experiences with heritage poultry back in 2009. I pulled a book off my shelf that was on a roughly similar topic, found the name of the publisher, and thought, what the heck, I'll call. (This was before, I may say LONG before, I heard the rule that you're not supposed to cold-call publishers. Ooops.) The publisher, I learned, published about 300 new titles a year, so it made sense to me to call and ask for the name and contact information for the editor who handled livestock-related projects.<br />
<br />
So I called and left a voicemail. About 15 minutes later (I'm not kidding) I got a call back, spoke to the editor for 20 minutes, and she invited me to send her my proposal. (Another harsh lesson: Don't pitch a book project without a proposal package ready to send.) I agreed, not that I knew anything at the time about what was even in a proposal package.<br />
<br />
It took me several months to get it done. Partly this was because I had periodic spells of completely losing confidence in myself. Eventually I did send it in, though, complete with sample photos.<br />
<br />
Then I waited. And waited. Every so often I sent a note to the editor, asking for a status update. No response. Seven months later, I finally heard back from her. Unfortunately, by that time, she was working in a different department and no longer dealt with books like mine. So that was that, at least for the moment.<br />
<br />
Right around the same time, I got a call from James Duft at Mother Earth News, asking if I'd be interested in doing a presentation on raising turkeys at the Mother Earth News Fair. My first reaction was to decline, having pretty much zero experience in public speaking. My husband David, though, said I ought to do it because it might help with my book project somehow. So I did, repeating to myself right up until I went on stage my favorite mantra: "I only have to do this for the first time ONCE."<br />
<br />
Shortly after my first presentation I met Pamela Art, the president of Storey Publishing. She let me pitch my idea to her and then asked me to send her my proposal. I did, and got a note back from another Storey editor saying that it would be a "long shot" for them as they rarely published memoirs.<br />
<br />
I was totally taken aback. I know this sounds silly, but at the time I had no idea that what I was writing was a memoir. Sure, I was writing it in first person, and it is entirely based on our own experiences, but I honestly thought it was more of a how-to book.<br />
<br />
At that point I felt discouraged, and didn't really know what I was doing with the book. So I put it aside and did nothing with it for about a year. In the meantime, I continued to do presentations at Mother Earth News Fairs.<br />
<br />
The third time I went to the Fair, last September in Seven Springs, PA, I did two presentations. After the second one, late in the day on Sunday, I was approached by a woman who introduced herself as an editor from New Society Publishers. She asked me if I had ever thought about writing a book about poultry.<br />
<br />
After I got home, I updated my proposal and sent it to her. This was in October 2012. On December 19, after not hearing back from her for about two months, I got an e-mail with a draft contract attached. New Society Publishers wanted to publish my book!<br />
<br />
The contract set a date of February 1, 2013, as the deadline to submit the manuscript. I asked for it to be extended to February 15, which they agreed to. I still didn't know if I could do it, mostly because I had no clear idea of how much of the book was already written. I went at it, though, ultimately sending in the manuscript a day ahead of the deadline.<br />
<br />
Since then it's been an amazing learning experience. I read somewhere that writers need to know that writing is an art, but publishing is a business. Of course I still have a lot to learn, but the people at New Society Publishers have been so helpful, and patient with my constant questions. I've been included in just about every part of the process, from cover design to proofreading. When all is said and done, it will have been barely a year from when I first met Ingrid to when Pure Poultry comes off the press.<br />
<br />
Looking back, I am so grateful that the first publisher I contacted didn't accept my project. I honestly believe it is a much better book now, thanks to another couple of years of experience, a supportive husband and friends, and a publisher who somehow picked me out of a crowd.<br />
<br />
I'm 52 now, and although I've had ideas in the past about writing, I never tried seriously to get anything published. Now my first real publishing credit is a book! And the publisher and I have been talking about additional book projects, too.<br />
<br />
How much has happened in just a year? For one thing, I now know I'm a writer.Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-46030211912018025092013-05-27T10:26:00.000-07:002013-05-27T18:21:18.705-07:00Free eggs? Not exactly...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPoQPLCuqlJ_hXE8q1EvnpQcbHurLiAPMZqjhr_9XQHdNyxj3hJItrxWzquDRIG5EbiUyxhe-nZi7zTjRASSvFSxnRSIgNi1wiMsiGnbxSH2JgfYqNRL9vHOiod7YDZx9viEZEoRE2KHH/s1600/NH+hens+on+fence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPoQPLCuqlJ_hXE8q1EvnpQcbHurLiAPMZqjhr_9XQHdNyxj3hJItrxWzquDRIG5EbiUyxhe-nZi7zTjRASSvFSxnRSIgNi1wiMsiGnbxSH2JgfYqNRL9vHOiod7YDZx9viEZEoRE2KHH/s320/NH+hens+on+fence.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Dual purpose New Hampshire pullets</span></div>
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I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I think it's time to address a misconception regarding poultry: If you raise laying hens or ducks, there is simply no such thing as "free" eggs. This is a common assumption. We regularly hear things like, "Oh, it must be so nice to have free eggs." Or, "I'm thinking of raising chickens so I can have free eggs." <br />
<br />
I can understand why one might expect this to be true, given some of the fairly misleading information out there about raising and feeding laying birds. It is true that many breeds of chickens and ducks, particularly heritage breeds, can forage a certain percentage of their own food. However, the fact is that for optimum egg production, laying birds must have a consistently high quality of nutrition. This means that no matter how much they might graze or forage, they still need a daily ration of 16% protein layer feed.<br />
<br />
Also, when the ground is covered in snow, there is not much for the birds to forage on. If you have snow in the winter, plan ahead and make sure you have adequate feed on hand.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Gx_dq_IK8Hfpr7fz65lTHhE2uSmDpXjMRElWS1HmDIQ9x9wmSDIC3E_o32dN4OI2Y-m8qBf0U-7Fd3IiWPZHPR3Zvijv0e50ULjBWk3TkpuW94TclMB56z-8m-0h5PiijEAtfs-XS7iO/s1600/Feed+shelter+in+snow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Gx_dq_IK8Hfpr7fz65lTHhE2uSmDpXjMRElWS1HmDIQ9x9wmSDIC3E_o32dN4OI2Y-m8qBf0U-7Fd3IiWPZHPR3Zvijv0e50ULjBWk3TkpuW94TclMB56z-8m-0h5PiijEAtfs-XS7iO/s320/Feed+shelter+in+snow.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of our feed shelters</div>
<br />
If you already have poultry (or any other livestock), you're no doubt aware of how feed prices have gone up since the summer of 2012. The Midwest drought affected the corn harvest to the point where even now, months later, feed corn (especially organic corn) is in short supply and quite expensive. Last fall our feed costs jumped by 25% all at once; the 1100-pound tote of organic layer mash we buy went from about $400 to $500 just like that. The formula changed as well, due to the shortage of organic corn and peas.<br />
<br />
I know a few people who say they feed their hens nothing but kitchen scraps. Presumably these scraps are from something they either bought or grew in a garden; those are not "free" eggs. <br />
<br />
We estimate that our laying birds, which are all excellent foragers, each consume an average of 1/4 pound of organic feed per day. We also provide them with crushed oyster shell, an important calcium supplement that keeps egg shells strong. When we have baby birds, we buy baby grit to add to their feed to aid digestion; older birds get plenty of grit in the course of their daily foraging.<br />
<br />
Bedding is another expense. Keeping coops and nest boxes clean and dry is critical for the good health of the birds, so we use absorbent wood shavings and clean coops regularly. <br />
<br />
So let's add things up: Feed, oyster shell, grit (especially if your birds aren't on pasture), bedding. Even if you don't take your time into consideration, those eggs are not only not free, they might be getting a bit expensive. And we haven't even mentioned coops, or the up-front cost of the birds themselves. If you buy day-old chicks, you will be feeding them for 5 or 6 months before they even start laying eggs. <br />
<br />
Of course, the tradeoff is that they are super-fresh eggs that simply don't compare to mass-produced commercial eggs. Obviously, I'm in favor of raising hens and ducks for eggs. Just don't kid yourself that keeping laying chickens or ducks means a lifetime of free eggs for you and your family. Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-2106650863528963972013-04-07T11:04:00.000-07:002013-04-11T08:09:06.196-07:00Equal time for ducks: More on washing farm-fresh eggsThanks for all your comments and feedback on my recent post about whether homegrown eggs should be washed. It occurred to me (after the fact, as usual) that when I wrote it, I was really just thinking about chicken eggs. Probably this is because we wash more chicken eggs every day than anything else, and probably also because every single thing I've ever read on the subject of washing eggs referred only to chicken eggs.<br />
<br />
As you know, we raise laying ducks as well as chickens. Right now we're collecting an average of 28 duck eggs every day. The ducks have let me know, in no uncertain terms, that they want their moment of Internet fame; their eggs are not the same as chicken eggs, and washing them is also somewhat different from washing chicken eggs.<br />
<br />
In my last post, I referred to the "bloom" on fresh eggs. Well, with duck eggs, this bloom is apparently not the same as the bloom on chicken eggs. First, I've found it takes more effort to clean the bloom from duck eggs. The WSDA recommends using a medium sandpaper (100 or 120 grit) to gently clean eggs when warm water alone is not enough.<br />
<br />
Also, the bloom on duck eggs has a very distinct, uh, aroma. Even when the eggs look fairly clean, they still have a bit of a barnyard smell to them (I'm trying really hard to be diplomatic; our ducks are very sensitive). This alone is good reason to clean off that bloom.<br />
<br />
Duck egg shells are quite a bit stronger than chicken egg shells, which may account for the fact that duck eggs have a longer shelf life. So again, the argument that removing the bloom shortens shelf life doesn't seem to apply.<br />
<br />
With laying ducks, keeping the area where they lay eggs clean is just as important as with chickens. It's a little trickier, though, with ducks, as they don't seem all that inclined to lay in nest boxes. They also are quite messy little things, and it takes some effort to keep the bedding in their coops clean and dry. I mentioned that I sometimes find a chicken egg that doesn't require cleaning; this is pretty much never true of duck eggs, at least in our experience.<br />
<br />
Our organic duck eggs are sold in the Sequim area at Sunny Farms, Nash's Organic Produce, The Red Rooster Grocery, and at Dungeness Valley Creamery. And of course they are also featured at the wonderful Alder Wood Bistro. If you've never eaten a duck egg, do try ours, if you're in the neighborhood. They are super-fresh, and I swear they're clean.Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-17556125161726212862013-03-10T11:04:00.002-07:002013-03-10T11:09:28.005-07:00Farm-fresh eggs: To wash or not to wash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Nice clean eggs, ready to be weighed and packed.</i></span></div>
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I would not have believed how much
strong feeling this particular subject stirs up. Some people assert
that eggs should always be washed, preferably sanitized too. Others
insist that any washing or cleaning is somehow detrimental to the
quality of the egg.
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<br /></div>
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If I tell you what I think, will you
promise not to send me nasty e-mails or (horror of horrors) un-friend me
on Facebook? Okay, here goes. First let me say that since we got our
egg dealer's license in 2008, we have been obliged to follow the
guidelines of the Washington State Department of Agriculture's Food
Safety Program. I have also done a lot of research on this subject,
and I must say I think the WSDA's guidelines are quite sensible.</div>
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Because eggs are perishable, and under
certain circumstances, subject to bacterial infection, the idea is to
collect, clean, dry and refrigerate them as quickly as possible. We
use warm water and an old soft toothbrush to clean them. The water
should be warmer than the eggs. Why? Because the shell of an egg is
porous. The theory is, if there is mud or chicken poop or whatever on
the egg shell, and you wash the egg in cold water, the contents of
the egg will shrink away from the shell, bringing with it anything
lingering on the outside of the shell. Since some eggs have just been
laid when they are picked up, and a hen's body temperature is 103<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">°</span>F,
we try for a wash-water temperature of around 110<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">°</span>F.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But, you never-wash-an-egg advocates are
shouting, washing the egg removes the "bloom!" I know, I know. And I am
going to take my social-networking life in my hands and ask you, "So
what?"</div>
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<br />
<br /></div>
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The "bloom," as I understand
it, is some kind of coating that is applied to the outside of the
egg's shell right before it exits the hen's body. I have occasionally
picked up an egg that has been so freshly laid that it is still wet;
presumably this is the "bloom." The argument I always hear
about the "bloom" is that removing it results in a shorter shelf life
for the egg. First of all, unless that coating is somehow completely
sealing the entire eggshell, I don't see how this can be true.
Remember that the shell is porous; probably if it was coated thickly
with wax or something, the contents of the egg wouldn't evaporate. I
don't know what the makeup of the "bloom" is, but I doubt
it is actually sealing the egg to that extent. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%;">
And frankly, if simple washing in warm water is enough to remove it, how well do you really think it's sealing the egg shell?</div>
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<br />
<br /></div>
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In addition, we deliver our eggs several
times a week to our customers. We <i>know</i> they are being consumed
when they are quite fresh. So honestly, shelf life is of no real
concern to us.
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<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%;">
Even if we weren't subject to the WSDA
requirements, we would still be cleaning our eggs. Occasionally I see
an egg that is so clean that I don't bother washing it. This is perfectly acceptable under WSDA rules. However, I
rarely find an egg to be so pristine that it can't be improved by at
least a light cleaning. I can see no advantage in leaving mud,
chicken poop or bedding stuck to an egg, for fear of compromising the
"bloom." And since we are talking food safety here,
honestly now, why take chances?</div>
Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-45739328456168831082013-03-04T08:15:00.001-08:002013-03-04T08:15:48.866-08:00I was going to call it "The Sustainably-Raised Egg and I," but...What can I say. I've never been very good at coming up with names for things.<br />
<br />
However, it is now official: my first book, "<b>Pure Poultry: Living well with heritage chickens, turkeys and ducks</b>," is on its way to being published! The manuscript is now in the capable hands of <a href="http://www.newsociety.com/" target="_blank">New Society Publishers</a>, a British Columbia-based company which specializes in "Tools for a world of change, books to build a new society." They have an impressive book list. Take a few minutes to check it out on their <a href="http://www.newsociety.com/" target="_blank">web site</a>.<br />
<br />
Have you read Betty MacDonald's 1945 classic "The Egg and I"? It's the hilarious tale of how Betty, at age 18, marries Bob, a man 13 years older, whose dream is to run a chicken ranch. He buys an off-grid piece of property in the Chimacum valley, not far from Port Townsend, WA. It's quite an adjustment for Betty, who isn't nearly as thrilled as Bob at having no electricity or running water in the house. She perseveres, though, having been raised to believe that if her husband can do what he really wants to in life, he will be happy and therefore she will be happy too.<br />
<br />
I recently re-read The Egg and I, while I was in the middle of revising the first draft of <b>Pure Poultry</b>. This time, somehow I noticed things about Betty and Bob's experiences that closely paralleled those of David and I. Our farm is off the grid. It's located only about a 45-minute drive from the Chimacum valley. We're surrounded by the beautiful Olympic Mountains. Bob was certainly more knowledgeable about poultry than we were when we got started, but still, like us, he evidently had plenty to learn.<br />
<br />
Betty, who died in 1958 at the age of 49, was a very witty writer. Her humor reminds me a lot of Erma Bombeck, whose books I have loved for years. Although she has many moments of feeling lonely on their isolated ranch, Betty has a way of describing the mountains, trees and even the clouds as if they were living things. I love her use of language.<br />
<br />
We don't have colorful neighbors like Ma and Pa Kettle here, and our egg operation is tiny compared with Betty and Bob's. Still, there is plenty of humor and real-life experience in <b>Pure Poultry</b>. We certainly share some of the challenges of living off the grid, although I'm thankful to say that our wood stoves don't misbehave like "Stove" in The Egg and I. And in case you're wondering, we do have indoor plumbing and running water.<br />
<br />
<b>Pure Poultry</b> is a memoir of our first five years of raising heritage chickens, turkeys and ducks. There is plenty of advice and tips based on our experiences, but I believe that you will enjoy reading it even if you don't raise poultry. It might inspire you to start a little food garden in pots on your apartment's deck. Maybe you'll connect with a friend in the suburbs who has chickens and is willing to barter for fresh eggs. And if you do decide to start raising poultry, I hope that <b>Pure Poultry</b> will convince you to think about choosing beautiful, sustainable heritage breeds.<br />
<br />
<br />Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-23574733759874228732012-12-30T10:17:00.003-08:002012-12-30T10:17:32.777-08:00Time-sensitive material: Call for submissions!If you follow me on Facebook, you already know that I recently received a draft contract for my first book. It stipulates a tight time schedule: the finished manuscript is due on February 1, 2013. Obviously I've got my work cut out for me in January, especially since our business taxes and the renewal of our organic certification are also due by the end of the month.<br />
<br />
When I originally was planning my first book project, I was envisioning the possibility of including first-person anecdotes from people who grew up around heritage-breed poultry. I would love to hear your stories, or even stories you might have heard from your grandparents or other relatives. Particularly valuable would be stories dating to before World War II; this was before modern production hybrids were generally available.<br />
<br />
I have a great anecdote from my mother, who grew up on a farm in Illinois. She was quite young during the war, but remembers that virtually everyone had chickens in those days. Her family raised New Hampshire Red chickens for eggs and meat. The "egg money" from farm egg sales was an important supplement to many families' income during the lean war years.<br />
<br />
This is the kind of story or recollection I'm looking for: location, type of poultry, what purpose they served (food, money, etc.). Please contact me through Facebook (Victoria Redhed Miller) or post a comment on this blog with your contact information if you'd like to submit a story for possible inclusion in my book. Don't wait too long, though; I'll need to hear from you no later than January 10, 2013.<br />
<br />
Thanks a lot, and I hope to hear from you soon!Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-28957891003161064432012-11-04T10:19:00.000-08:002012-11-04T19:55:06.908-08:00Chicken broth and meat: Making the case for pressure canners (Part One)We slaughtered some chickens yesterday, and we'll be doing more Monday morning. The roosters we slaughtered yesterday are all between 1-1/2 and 2-1/2 years old, so they're definitely stewing birds (I feel a pot of coq au vin coming on...). As my supply of homemade chicken broth is dwindling, and winter is a short step around the corner, my plan is to cook up those 4 birds and can the meat and the broth. The roosters to be slaughtered next are younger, all hatched this spring, but they will probably all be cooked and canned as well.<br />
<br />
You may be wondering why I would bother canning the meat and broth rather than freezing it. Well, as you know, we live off the grid. This means (among other things) that we do not have full-time electricity. Our house runs on propane, including a small propane refrigerator. How small? A total of 8 cubic feet, of which barely 1 foot is the freezer. We have about enough freezer space for a couple of ice cube trays and a few packages of meat. Honestly, though, even if we had the space for a chest freezer, I'd be inclined to do without, and stick with canning. Here's why.<br />
<br />
In the fall of 2009, I had the opportunity to participate in an intensive training course to be a Master Food Preserver. Part of this course was learning about freezing food. I heard story after story about how wonderful chest freezers were, how you could put so much food in them, how easy it was, etc. I also heard (from the same people) how it was inevitable that some food was thrown away because it had gotten "buried" in the freezer and forgotten. By the time some of this food was unearthed, if the label could still be read, it wasn't unusual for it to be 2 or 3 years old, or even older. Then, fearing it was no longer any good, the person would discard it.<br />
<br />
Also, when there is a power outage, there's all that frozen food to worry about. If the power is out for any length of time (think SuperStorm Sandy), and the food thaws, it can quickly become unfit to eat.<br />
<br />
So that's one reason for not freezing food: to avoid potential waste.<br />
<br />
Another big factor for me is convenience. During these short fall and winter days, it's simply delightful to go to the pantry, grab a jar of homemade minestrone, or spaghetti sauce, or whatever, pop the lid and heat it up. In a few minutes (less for you on-gridders who have such things as microwaves) you have a meal on the table. I also have jars of smoked local tuna, smoked brisket, corned beef, and tongue. If we have leftover baked or boiled potatoes, my husband David loves to cut them up and make hash with smoked brisket. If we're in the mood for chili dogs (see the relevant post on the <a href="http://canyoncreekfarms.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Canyon Creek Farms</a> blog), it's great to be know there's jars of it ready to heat and eat. You get the idea.<br />
<br />
But wait. I know what you're thinking. How do you can meat and fish and chicken broth? I thought you could only can things like pickles and tomatoes and jam at home. Well, that's true, if you limit yourself to canning only high-acid foods. But trust me, if you're really into food preservation, you'd be doing yourself a favor to expand your horizons as far as canning low-acid foods.<br />
<br />
Yes, you'll need to use a pressure canner. And yes, I know, you have anxieties about it. I've heard lots of pressure canner horror stories too. Every single one of the stories I've heard seemed to me to trace back to not following directions. It took me a few sessions before I stopped worrying about making a
disastrous mistake, but I kept at it, and now I am canning year-round,
not just in the summer.<br />
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Have you ever used a pressure canner? Would you like to? Please post your comments and questions, and I will be glad to address them on this blog. It's my hope to convince you to get out that pressure canner that's been languishing, unloved, in the back room, or get together with someone who has one, and give it a try. In my next post, I'll go over the process for canning chicken meat and broth, just to give you an idea of how simple --and rewarding--it can be.<br />
<br />Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-43891798515747974122012-10-23T12:34:00.001-07:002012-10-26T19:31:42.158-07:00I-502: A good example of why you should get the facts before you vote <i>[Disclaimer: The following is an op-ed piece. All opinions are mine alone, and unless otherwise indicated, are expressed as generalities. I welcome your feedback, but ask that you please read this article in its entirety before you contact me.]</i><br />
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Two weeks from today, Washington state voters will decide on 3 Initiative measures, 1 Referendum, 1 Engrossed Senate Joint Resolution, 1 Senate Joint Resolution, and 2 Advisory Votes. Of course, there are also a few state and federal candidates to pick from as well, but I really don't want to talk about them right now.<br />
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No doubt my position will seem harsh to some (possibly most) of you, but I am frustrated with the apparent ability of voters to be influenced in their choices mainly by advertising. In advertising, he who spends the most wins. And it seems to me that voters are perfectly content to allow someone else to tell them how to vote.<br />
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Here's a recent example. If you voted in favor of privatizing Washington State liquor sales, believing that a "yes" vote would result in lower liquor prices, how do you feel about that now? Why do you think Costco spent well over $20 million in advertising in favor of this measure? Because they knew that ultimately it would pay off, in a big way, for them. And look -- it worked. The measure passed, and my favorite Irish whiskey went from about $21 per bottle to about $35. (I've refused to buy it ever since.) Yet most people I know voted for this measure, and it passed by a comfortable margin.<br />
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We live off the grid. We have neither a television nor full-time Internet service. We don't subscribe to a daily newspaper, and choose to listen to public radio. Think I feel deprived? I do not. Of course, I'm missing out on all the attack ads, the biased sound bites that conveniently leave out critical details, and the bold-face headlines that purport to accurately summarize the issues (or the candidate's position).<br />
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So, you may be asking, how in the world do I make an informed decision when it comes time to cast my vote? Here it is: I read the Voter's Pamphlet. I study the Explanatory Statements, read the Argument For and the Argument Against (and observe who actually wrote those arguments -- very illuminating), discuss anything I'm confused about with someone I trust who won't judge me, and make an informed choice.<br />
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I think an example from the upcoming election is appropriate here. Please understand that my intent is not to influence your vote; I simply wish to illustrate the frequently vast difference between the headline (the short description on the ballot, and, incidentally, in the advertising) and the way the proposed law actually reads.<br />
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Ask anyone on the street about Initiative Measure 502, and they will likely say, "Oh, that's the one that will legalize marijuana." I have heard one or two ads (when I inadvertently landed on an AM radio station in my car) that emphasize all the new revenue that will gush into the State treasury from related licensing fees and new taxes. They say that too many law-enforcement resources are being wasted on such minor crimes as marijuana possession, and we should be prioritizing those resources to deal with more major crimes and criminals.<br />
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[For the record, I don't use marijuana. I've never even tried it. I have no personal axe to grind here. I simply believe this is a badly-written initiative that will set some disturbing precedents if it's passed.]<br />
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<b>Here's the headline</b>: "This measure would license and regulate marijuana production, distribution, and possession for persons over twenty-one; remove state-law criminal and civil penalties for activities that it authorizes; tax marijuana sales; and earmark marijuana-related revenues."<br />
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I was frankly appalled when I read the statement explaining the effect of this measure if approved. If you don't have the time to read the whole thing, please read the "Argument Against" following the Explanatory Statement in your Voter's Pamphlet. It does a good job of summarizing the numerous red flags in this measure; among others, the one detailing the changes to the present DUI laws. And at the very end of the explanatory statement, hanging out there with no additional information, is this amazing sentence: "Federal marijuana law could still be enforced in Washington."<br />
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Huh? So, let's say this initiative passes. If you're over 21, you can now legally buy and use marijuana (although you can only buy it from a state-licensed producer, processor or retailer). But wait! Start getting used to looking over your shoulder, because the Feds could swoop in at any time and charge you with a felony. The "Argument Against" further explains that "[I-502] conflicts with federal law, voiding the possibility of any newly-generated tax revenue."<br />
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Supposedly the money to pay for the additional administrative costs involved in processing license fees, taxes and penalties will come from these revenues themselves (you know, the ones that are void under federal law). However, in "License Revenue Assumptions", we read: "We lack sufficient data to estimate the number of marijuana producers and marijuana processors who will apply for a license." In other words, the best they can do is guess.<br />
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There's a lot more to I-502, and the other issues up for consideration on the November 6 ballot. I believe that voting is a privilege as well as our right in this country, and privileges come with responsibilities. Who or what you vote for is up to you. Whichever way you vote on I-502, for example, please consider carefully exactly <i>why</i> you're voting that way.<br />
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What if voters had to pass a test before each election, to show that they understand what they're voting for or against? Realistically, many people simply don't have the time to read the entire text of proposed laws (the text of I-502 goes on, in small print, for over 17 pages). Here's an idea: Turn off your TV. Turn off your iPhone. Pick up the Voter's Pamphlet. If you want to know what you're really voting for or against, you'll have to put in some effort.<br />
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As I said, my intent is not to persuade you to vote one way or another on I-502 or any other issue or candidate. As a society, we are far too easily influenced by advertising, even when it comes to issues of civil rights and personal privacy. I'm suggesting we shut out the noise for a minute, and think for ourselves. It's our responsibility.<br />
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<br />Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-79452041892473545962012-09-30T10:41:00.001-07:002012-09-30T10:41:37.382-07:00If you missed the Mother Earth News Fair in PA......well, let me tell you, you really did miss out. I hear there were over 15,000 visitors over the three days of the <a href="http://www.motherearthnews.com/fair" target="_blank">Fair</a>, and the energy and atmosphere were consistently positive. If I'd been swift enough to bring a camera, you'd see one picture after another of smiling faces, families having fun with each other, and altogether a sense of eagerness to learn and connect with other people aiming to live life more sustainably and meaningfully.<br />
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As for me, I had a terrific time. The <a href="http://www.7springs.com/" target="_blank">Seven Springs Mountain Resort</a> is quite an amazing place: 5,000 acres of ski slopes, golf courses, tennis courts, indoor swimming pool, even an indoor arcade. I stayed in a large and beautiful condo with three other women: my friend Jeannette Beranger from the <a href="http://www.albc-usa.org/" target="_blank">American Livestock Breeds Conservancy</a>, her colleague Alison Martin, and <a href="http://www.chickensandyou.com/" target="_blank">Pat Foreman</a>, author of Chicken Tractor and City Chicks, among other books. It was lovely seeing Jeannette again, and getting to know Alison and Pat a little was wonderful. I learned a lot just hanging out with these three women, and they all have been generous in their encouragement of my writing projects and ambitions.<br />
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My two presentations, one on raising turkeys and the other on raising ducks, went quite well. Considering it was raining occasionally on Saturday afternoon, I was surprised at the crowd that showed up to hear about turkeys. I really enjoy the interaction with the audience; in each of the three times I've done presentations at the Fair, I've learned something new. Even if you raise the same kind of birds that I do, something about your situation or experience will be different from mine, and this is where I think events such as the Mother Earth News Fair are so valuable. There are more and more people who, for various reasons, wish to start taking control of their own food supply, and no matter how many books or Internet pages you read, it's always helpful to connect with someone with real-life experience. (This, by the way, is just as true for me as for anyone who attended my presentations.)<br />
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Thanks to James Duft and those of you at <a href="http://www.motherearthnews.com/" target="_blank">Mother Earth News</a> whose names I don't know, for offering me this opportunity once again. Your generosity in arranging for housing, as well as a ride to and from the airport, is truly appreciated. Thanks also to those of you who attended one or both of my presentations; I loved having the opportunity to share and learn with you. Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-45547092680907665002012-09-09T10:56:00.002-07:002012-09-09T10:56:21.149-07:00Days are getting shorter; should you have lights in your chicken coops?As we move into fall months, and days are getting noticeably shorter, many of our birds have begun to moult. Our turkeys actually started moulting in August. Our older ducks and chickens are definitely moulting now as well. We always hope that the moult will hold off until later in the fall, since the later it starts, generally the shorter the moulting process is.<br />
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Why does this matter? When the birds are moulting, the egg production slows to a trickle, and many birds completely stop laying for the duration of the moult. Since we are in business selling our organic duck and chicken eggs, any drop in production is naturally a concern for us. <br />
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So what, if anything, can we do about this? Most books and magazine articles I've read advocate lighting the interior of chicken coops when the days get shorter. The theory is that peak egg production is related to the number of hours of daylight; thus, hens should be laying at their highest rate during the early summer months when days are longest. So it seems logical to add light in the coops as days get shorter.<br />
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However, we have chosen not to do this. Why? Most people who know us are aware that we live off the grid and are in the process of installing our solar electric system. They say, "Well, as soon as you have electricity you're going to light your coops, right?" <br />
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Wrong. We have spent a lot of time over the years debating this question. In short, our conclusion is that the moult is a natural part of the annual "rhythm" of these birds' lives. We simply feel it's better for them to have a break from egg-laying and not try to artificially circumvent the important moulting process.<br />
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As I mentioned, we are in business selling eggs. So how do we address the issue of dropping production in the fall and winter months? Our strategy is to plan the hatching of new birds at a point that ensures that the young birds will be starting to lay around the time the older birds are slowing down. Yes, this involves a lot of organization and management. Yes, we are sometimes caught off-guard by odd weather patterns and other factors that can influence when the moult starts and ends. But overall this strategy has worked quite well for us.<br />
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I think since everyone's situation is different, you should ultimately do whatever works best for you and your birds. I would just encourage you to keep an open mind and consider alternatives to putting artificial lighting in your coops. Even if you can't hatch or buy new chicks each spring, the moult usually lasts only a month or two. Cows get a break from milking every winter; think about giving your hens a break, too.Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-14470292623923871052012-09-05T12:21:00.003-07:002012-09-05T12:21:42.536-07:00Stop calling me a twit!I know, I know. But here's the thing: This week I finally got around to signing up for a Twitter account. I don't really know what took me so long, especially considering I don't have much to do other than lie on the futon with my feet up eating bonbons all day. Just lazy, I guess.<br />
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Anyway, you can find me on Twitter at @offgridwriter. Feel free to tweet. Just keep in mind that I am, in fact, an off-grid writer, and do not have such luxuries as a full-time Internet connection. So don't be surprised if I don't tweet back instantly. I'm still getting used to it (and the page loads slowly). Besides, I'm busy eating bonbons.Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-12406981654735190442012-09-02T12:08:00.002-07:002012-09-02T12:10:16.213-07:00Preparing (again) for the Mother Earth News FairAs you know, I've had the privilege of sharing my presentation on raising turkeys at the <a href="http://www.motherearthnews.com/fair" target="_blank">Mother Earth News Fair</a> twice now. This past June I had a great time at the Fair in Puyallup, and was invited to come to the Fair in Seven Springs, Pennsylvania, later this month. I will be doing my turkey presentation again, and also a new presentation on raising ducks.<br />
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I hope you can make it to the Fair. It runs 3 days, Sept. 21-23, and I hear they are expecting 20,000 people to visit.<br />
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It should be a really fun weekend. For anyone trying to find ways to live more sustainably, consume less and experience the satisfaction of moving toward self-sufficiency, the Fair offers a huge selection of workshops, demonstrations, products and books for sale, and the opportunity to connect with the growing number of like-minded people.<br />
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One of the keynote speakers this time is Temple Grandin, the well-known animal scientist who has been responsible for many innovations regarding the humane treatment of livestock and other animals. I am looking forward to hearing her talk; what an inspiration.<br />
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So come on out if you can! I will be speaking on the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy stage, once on Saturday and once Sunday. I hope to see you there!Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-81215684908554097352012-08-06T09:46:00.000-07:002012-08-06T09:46:58.397-07:00Northern Goshawks prefer organic chicken, too<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtddz-LgrX6axX20bMaNQASROGaokjIJkjQMPBbd-1cMwP_2ffqXoTavqZBCjWCTokqwRAY_7QfEFLmAI81N71-QsnMpMK8XNXGxfI1lkDyoXUw6DCP4SBqW5D_uUyQmF8KIG5gqIbAkGX/s1600/Goshawk+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtddz-LgrX6axX20bMaNQASROGaokjIJkjQMPBbd-1cMwP_2ffqXoTavqZBCjWCTokqwRAY_7QfEFLmAI81N71-QsnMpMK8XNXGxfI1lkDyoXUw6DCP4SBqW5D_uUyQmF8KIG5gqIbAkGX/s320/Goshawk+8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Young adult male Northern Goshawk.</span></i></div>
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Last week I was able to get some decent photos of a Northern Goshawk at our farm. Unfortunately it was standing on the dead body of one of our young New Hampshire cockerels, but what can you do.<br />
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We're guessing that this is a young adult male Goshawk. Looking closely at my photos, it appears that this bird is almost completely into its adult plumage. And like most raptors, the male Goshawk is smaller than the female, and this one is definitely smaller than the chicken it killed. In fact, the hawk couldn't get off the ground with the chicken. (The adult Goshawk tops out at 2.1 pounds, and this 14-week-old cockerel was easily twice that weight.) The photo below shows the hawk trying hard to move the chicken, but it only managed to jerk it a few inches across the grass. I wonder if the hawk learned a lesson from this? Hmm.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMZuKQXsS_VqVc55wlp6o20oQesITRRg_orP2ner1JrqWn8CTJx243EH5FCww3tqIB3x25vMN3dNRMAfeayjaJ5TTFHz4DNiRolvckE2Roxb6_GnnKTjr72RHGQHAT1F7L9mYrsOYyX6J/s1600/Goshawk+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMZuKQXsS_VqVc55wlp6o20oQesITRRg_orP2ner1JrqWn8CTJx243EH5FCww3tqIB3x25vMN3dNRMAfeayjaJ5TTFHz4DNiRolvckE2Roxb6_GnnKTjr72RHGQHAT1F7L9mYrsOYyX6J/s320/Goshawk+2.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Goshawk tries unsuccessfully to fly off with a chicken twice its size.</span></i></div>
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I've been trying to get photos of a Goshawk for a while now. Our friend Shelly Ament, a wildlife biologist with Washington's Fish and Wildlife Department, told us that Goshawks are not often seen by humans in the wild. (Ha, I thought. Try letting some chickens free-range in YOUR backyard.) I retrieved a primary wing feather, which I saw fall from the hawk while it was flapping its wings, and we saved it to give to Shelly. She had asked us to be on the lookout for Goshawk feathers. Her department is interested in comparing the genetics of Goshawks in our area to those of hawks in British Columbia, so she was quite pleased to have the feather.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbpXf4sci52Sr-CAY6pvX0DTyLCIQo_NDOHQywBk932POyNv_l8m8WUuYmKMREMHnfBReFr0e2-4KFEtRXjGsts05bZEQNwFxKRvyDlnL2_m8fAI-xnGQClFstm2s29ZnEiLbhmFtEVp8/s1600/Goshawk+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbpXf4sci52Sr-CAY6pvX0DTyLCIQo_NDOHQywBk932POyNv_l8m8WUuYmKMREMHnfBReFr0e2-4KFEtRXjGsts05bZEQNwFxKRvyDlnL2_m8fAI-xnGQClFstm2s29ZnEiLbhmFtEVp8/s320/Goshawk+5.JPG" width="263" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The white supercilium (eyebrow) clearly identifies the Northern Goshawk.</span></i></div>
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Since we choose to free-range our chickens, turkeys and ducks, we do lose birds to predators from time to time. Still, we feel fortunate to live in a place where we sometimes see beautiful animals like the Northern Goshawk. What a gorgeous bird.Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-81699342405912877512012-06-12T12:56:00.000-07:002012-06-12T12:56:06.794-07:00Cat on a hot chick brooder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwn9DUbagk-XKgxpkXznqKgsKuncu5ZU1Wp6fsxW-i753UHC4kb7BGvhtKnOZ7suTnKpircdULJGtST-23igP11MYzkMXdqhpKLpTFm8JMnOKqA9lE3irFPMK_cob0WR5rVlpI5thjbBgR/s1600/pussy+cat+on+hot+chick+brooder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwn9DUbagk-XKgxpkXznqKgsKuncu5ZU1Wp6fsxW-i753UHC4kb7BGvhtKnOZ7suTnKpircdULJGtST-23igP11MYzkMXdqhpKLpTFm8JMnOKqA9lE3irFPMK_cob0WR5rVlpI5thjbBgR/s320/pussy+cat+on+hot+chick+brooder.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Poor Cosmo. Our cat suffered through a bout of empty-nest syndrome this spring, after we moved our 51 New Hampshire chicks from their indoor brooder to an outdoor transition coop.<br />
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For more than two weeks, faithful Cosmo curled up atop the warm brooder, watching the chicks inside for hours at a time. Naturally, being a cat, he took frequent breaks from this strenuous activity to take naps. No doubt he dreamed about what he would do if the lid were left off the brooder one day. It must have been tantalizing, being literally a few inches above the heads of a lot of tiny little birds. He's a good cat, though, and he didn't really try too hard to get in there. At least, not while we were looking...<br />
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As the chicks got bigger (New Hampshires grow fast), occasionally one of them would reach up and peck at Cosmo's tail through the screened lid. It didn't seem to bother Cosmo much; in fact, I wondered if he actually enjoyed these little interactions. He certainly seemed to be fascinated by the little creatures, and I'm sure he got used to hearing their non-stop peeping.<br />
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When the day finally came for the big move, it seemed to be a bit of a shock to Cosmo. Suddenly his nice warm perch, complete with soothing background music, was gone. We felt a little bit guilty when we saw how out of sorts he was. But after all, 51 growing chicks do poop, and even with daily cleaning, frankly, we were ready for the babies to move outside.<br />
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Now the chicks are going on 9 weeks old, and Cosmo sits on his perch by the living room window, watching them in the sun. Aww.... they just grow up so fast, don't they, Cosmo?Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-68146089160347908172012-06-04T07:29:00.006-07:002012-06-05T12:45:53.620-07:00Canyon Creek Farms: we're certifiable<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvg5J3SKvcm_Q7zFRbWqv1N5mkdViyLPC3fXY9KQrCqiit4AEIxon4-j10Umm0emr7jsjszpsc8-AmXenCJ0kBqnZs6kNwByEiA761-V9L1hM2hGeVOdqh5hCUNgNeQDA2lzM2RN_Lm3xq/s1600/3+week+Khaki+ducklings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvg5J3SKvcm_Q7zFRbWqv1N5mkdViyLPC3fXY9KQrCqiit4AEIxon4-j10Umm0emr7jsjszpsc8-AmXenCJ0kBqnZs6kNwByEiA761-V9L1hM2hGeVOdqh5hCUNgNeQDA2lzM2RN_Lm3xq/s320/3+week+Khaki+ducklings.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> 3-week-old Khaki Campbell ducklings</span></div>
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You've suspected that all along, haven't you? Now we can confirm the truth: Canyon Creek Farms is on the verge of being certified organic.<br />
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After wading through the paperwork and waiting for the results of our application review, we are now awaiting the final inspection. There is a huge lot of record-keeping that is required, so I have been working hard on a database system to handle that part of the certification process. We will be inspected at least once per year, and we must be able to show records of basically every single thing that we did or bought or used during the year. Feed purchases. Every application of fertilizer or compost. If we vaccinate or otherwise give medical treatment to an animal, it must be documented. When we buy seeds or plants they have to be certified organic.<br />
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Sounds like a lot of work, right? So why are we doing it? Well, partly it's a matter of pride: We have been working hard on our farm for six years now, and we're producing top-quality chicken and duck eggs, as well as Tamworth pork. We have been managing all our animals and crops organically from the start, so we figured that the next logical step would be certification.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKOPkQI5z5GuHntvxEcb5b_2SzjbURm9XDdu-AIukZnRtssZEVNlDF68vlPhE9r9w4bRM-twYMsVW1cECuMPPtzTJdtUWjPrdxJXb9LyaNfNIckL_xkOx4cAWvbMYBzEjBgT_XSTc1_32/s1600/tamworth+piglets+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKOPkQI5z5GuHntvxEcb5b_2SzjbURm9XDdu-AIukZnRtssZEVNlDF68vlPhE9r9w4bRM-twYMsVW1cECuMPPtzTJdtUWjPrdxJXb9LyaNfNIckL_xkOx4cAWvbMYBzEjBgT_XSTc1_32/s320/tamworth+piglets+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Tamworth piglets</span></div>
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If you've bought our duck eggs recently at Sunny Farms or Nash's Farm Store, you probably noticed that they are labeled "organic." How can we call them organic when we aren't yet certified? The National Organic Program (NOP) rules state that if a farm sells less than $5,000 per year in organic product sales, it can label its products organic. However, we can't use the USDA Organic logo, and we are subject to inspection to ensure we are complying with the organic standards.<br />
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Now that more of our eggs are being sold at local retail stores, we anticipate that our farm product sales will soon top $5,000 per year, which would make us ineligible for this exception. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">New Hampshire pullets</span></div>
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Up to now, we've thought of our little farm business as more of a hobby, but it's time to step it up a notch and take ourselves more seriously. We've worked hard to provide wonderful eggs and pork for the local community. It's time we honor the loyalty of our customers as well.Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-43870608782861584902012-05-10T06:48:00.000-07:002012-06-05T12:42:02.834-07:00Duck eggs now available at Sequim stores<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Uqzhr3nwHAPkQ8HzTMVkDZygDzPtGqccQ5YB-NAU6BBubEyC3vq4zvRYNAamUAknXz7nx7ujeCU4DQCznJuhTTuJulYQDbEunLGZ3yJ9yVcUQ4eTI_kefDrYND1mxyiJLFSAewIDurEC/s1600/Duck+in+roasting+pan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Uqzhr3nwHAPkQ8HzTMVkDZygDzPtGqccQ5YB-NAU6BBubEyC3vq4zvRYNAamUAknXz7nx7ujeCU4DQCznJuhTTuJulYQDbEunLGZ3yJ9yVcUQ4eTI_kefDrYND1mxyiJLFSAewIDurEC/s320/Duck+in+roasting+pan.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Our 4-year-old Blue Swedish ducks still produce 5-6 eggs per week!</span></div>
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As our laying ducks came into full production earlier this spring, we were collecting 30-35 duck eggs per day. Sequim's wonderful Alder Wood Bistro, which has been buying our duck and chicken eggs for four years now, was still a couple of months away from the start of their busy summer season.<br />
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What to do with the extra eggs?<br />
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I started making phone calls. As a result, Canyon Creek Farms' duck eggs are now for sale at Sunny Farms Country Store on Highway 101, as well as at Nash's Farm Store north of downtown Sequim. Sunny Farms sells them by the half-dozen; Nash's offers both half-dozens and full dozens.<br />
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Duck eggs are higher in several vitamins, minerals and amino acids than chicken eggs. I recently learned that some people who are allergic to chicken eggs can tolerate duck eggs. The higher viscosity of the whites makes duck eggs ideal for baking, and customers have told us that duck eggs seem "richer and creamier" than chicken eggs.<br />
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In addition, duck eggs are larger than chicken eggs: a large chicken egg is 2 ounces, while our duck eggs average between 2-3/4 and 3-1/2 ounces. This means more food value for your money.<br />
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If you've tried the Alder Wood tart (the house quiche) or the Chocolate Bliss (a fabulous flourless brownie) at the Alder Wood Bistro, you've eaten our duck eggs. Now you can buy Canyon Creek Farms duck eggs at local Sequim stores to try at home!<br />
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<br />Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-88634107060279490172011-12-23T10:54:00.000-08:002011-12-23T18:44:33.609-08:00Ducks in the High-Occupancy Vehicle lane<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuytigy-A_JQuCeikNnyBd69rcqOknd5xfK-NKUGB6pD97Rl3cSnT5qcCeIEl8huKYUNOb7tJgBdYQaGpiDZ9qWgasVuc1HM1AcQgR81-67YElyFyJvY_ygWAWZjc1hb3TtIBu4RKZm7y/s1600/Farmall+tractor+at+Nash%2527s+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuytigy-A_JQuCeikNnyBd69rcqOknd5xfK-NKUGB6pD97Rl3cSnT5qcCeIEl8huKYUNOb7tJgBdYQaGpiDZ9qWgasVuc1HM1AcQgR81-67YElyFyJvY_ygWAWZjc1hb3TtIBu4RKZm7y/s320/Farmall+tractor+at+Nash%2527s+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Farmall tractor at Nash's Delta Farm.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi31h67pBYOTIe0nnh-ZK48YMuSNdqJhRMknbUI1bOq5iY6YJjYXT0HCym8VFZRSyEkPVWY3rFdKzaS0HfpuMZ78u_SPr_wHmlOz7pCQOaB6zl6H_Rf7wROjyUruqWDkObDMQcoXI9BtA/s1600/Runner+and+Khaki+ducks+small.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Last Friday we got a call from Scott, who works for Nash Huber of Nash's Organic Produce in Sequim. Scott had been tending a flock of Khaki Campbell and Indian Runner ducks for over a year, and for various reasons decided to shelve the duck project. He offered to give us the ducks, which he said were about 1-1/2 years old. He thought there were about 35 ducks in all.<br />
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David and I had already been discussing the possibility of increasing the size of our laying duck flock (we currently have 10 layers and 2 drakes), as duck eggs are becoming more and more popular around here. So after Scott's call, we debated only briefly before calling him back and accepting his generous offer. Although Scott had said there were a number of drakes in the flock, still we figured we would be at least doubling the number of our laying ducks. Also, the thought of bypassing the 5-month process of brooding and raising baby ducks before starting to collect eggs had an obvious appeal for us.<br />
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So, this past Tuesday, we folded down the back seats in our Subaru wagon, lined the whole back area with a heavy tarp and a thick layer of straw, and headed down to Nash's Delta Farm to catch us some ducks.<br />
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We were so thankful for the dry weather that day (although it was cold and very windy there), because the yard the ducks were in was all down to mud. Ducks move quite quickly, and these were all smallish ducks and good flyers as well. We moved the fence around to create a small corner, on the theory that we would drive a few ducks at a time into the corner, close it off, and grab the ducks.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi31h67pBYOTIe0nnh-ZK48YMuSNdqJhRMknbUI1bOq5iY6YJjYXT0HCym8VFZRSyEkPVWY3rFdKzaS0HfpuMZ78u_SPr_wHmlOz7pCQOaB6zl6H_Rf7wROjyUruqWDkObDMQcoXI9BtA/s1600/Runner+and+Khaki+ducks+small.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi31h67pBYOTIe0nnh-ZK48YMuSNdqJhRMknbUI1bOq5iY6YJjYXT0HCym8VFZRSyEkPVWY3rFdKzaS0HfpuMZ78u_SPr_wHmlOz7pCQOaB6zl6H_Rf7wROjyUruqWDkObDMQcoXI9BtA/s320/Runner+and+Khaki+ducks+small.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Khaki Campbell and Indian Runner ducks</i></div><br />
It worked reasonably well. One thing about ducks, they like to do everything as a group. And these particular ducks were very nervous, understandable since we were obviously strangers to them. Ducks in general truly hate to be handled, so we were pleasantly surprised at how calm these ducks were once we had actually picked them up.<br />
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It took nearly an hour and a half to catch them all, but we got them one at a time and put them through one of the back-seat windows into the car. And although it turned out that there were 40 ducks in all, they seemed to have plenty of room back there.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScDLqWvf-N8KnGIGsTYe8R555OIgxAvkuQCEGkNuHWmEkx__7p_2ognct1M0hICZ7MsVHhh2Quiq3ccnCuzBxg8R9_Kf6SLRy7H52aeTLtsoDn6y12hyPs9KWLn6RiVbxZiU9pkFgeWEi/s1600/Ducks+in+car+small.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScDLqWvf-N8KnGIGsTYe8R555OIgxAvkuQCEGkNuHWmEkx__7p_2ognct1M0hICZ7MsVHhh2Quiq3ccnCuzBxg8R9_Kf6SLRy7H52aeTLtsoDn6y12hyPs9KWLn6RiVbxZiU9pkFgeWEi/s320/Ducks+in+car+small.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Our new ducks in the back of our Subaru wagon.</i></div><br />
When we finally got on the road for the 25-minute drive back home, the ducks were understandably a little bit anxious, and they were naturally all quacking at once. All things considered, though, they were fairly calm during the drive. We knew that ducks like to be talked to (and even sung to), and we wanted them to get used to the sound of our voices, so we kept talking. At one point, David said, "Hey, anybody want to stop for ice cream?" A few ducks quacked. David tried again. "How about tacos?" This suggestion also generated some unenthusiastic quacking. To my offer of fried chicken there was no response at all. Finally, David called out, "Who wants some SLUGS?" Suddenly a loud chorus of excited quacking erupted from the back of the car. We just about fell off our seats laughing.<br />
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Once we got home, it was nearly dark, and the process of getting the ducks out of the car and into their new coop was quick and easy. We simply set up a ramp at the back of the car, lifted the back door, and once they figured out that the door was open, they all piled out at once. After a bedtime snack and a sip of water, the ducks headed into their straw-lined coop for the night.<br />
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We've had our new ducks for 2-1/2 days now, and they are settling in well and noticeably less nervous around us. We expect that by sometime in January, we will be starting to collect eggs, which is good news for the <a href="http://www.alderwoodbistro.com/" target="_blank">Alder Wood Bistro</a>, the <a href="http://www.theredroostergrocery.com/" target="_blank">Red Rooster Grocery</a>, and <a href="http://www.nashsorganicproduce.com/" target="_blank">Nash's Farm Store</a>.The Bistro has been buying our duck eggs for over 3 years now, and whatever extra duck eggs we have will be sold at the Red Rooster and Nash's.<br />
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It was quite an experience getting 40 ducks into our car and taking them for a ride, but it was well worth the effort. It occurred to us that if we had been traveling on a different highway, we could have used the HOV lane. And not once did we have to say, "Don't make me stop this car!"Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-12773527170339566292011-10-12T13:18:00.000-07:002011-10-12T13:18:45.877-07:00Pot Pies and Egg Money turns 50!Okay, okay, not really. But this is the 50th post on the Pot Pies and Egg Money blog, so who needs an excuse to celebrate? I thought about listing 50 ways to cook a heritage turkey (my related post of November 2010 is still getting lots of hits), or maybe 50 reasons why mechanical pluckers are preferable when slaughtering turkeys outside in late November when it's snowing and 20 degrees (although I think I just mentioned the only reason that really matters), or even 50 reasons why Tamworth pigs are nicer than bobcats (but that has a little of that apples-and-oranges thing going on).<br />
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Tell you what: Suppose I list 50 things I like about writing this blog? Okay, imagine that I came up with 50. Now I'm going to pretend I'm writing a killer query letter and pare it down to what you, the reader, really needs to know.<br />
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First, I love to write and am feeling quite cock-a-hoop with myself over the progress I've made on Pot Pies and Egg Money (the book, you know) recently. I know I'm dating myself by using phrases like "cock-a-hoop", but my husband doesn't like it when I date anyone other than him, so I'll stop now.<br />
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I lied. About stopping, I mean. The second thing I love about this blog is, frankly, YOU. I am so gratified to look at the statistics every week and see how many countries have at least one of you reading my blog. Last time I checked, that list had grown to over 30 countries! Amazing, this worldwide web thing, isn't it? I appreciate your comments and questions and wish you'd post more of them. And while you're at it, why not sign up as a follower or subscribe? That way you won't have to lose any more sleep wondering if you missed my latest post.<br />
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Thanks to all of you for faithfully following my blog over this past year. Keep in touch, and I'll keep you posted (no pun intended) about the progress of my book.<br />
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Right now, though, I think I'll start chilling the champagne. I feel like celebrating!Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646842010885339303.post-75376684942502787962011-09-06T14:05:00.000-07:002011-09-06T14:05:17.521-07:00Tamworth pigs are growing fastThe three Tamworth pigs we brought home about a month ago are doing great and seem to be growing almost before our eyes. David insists that when he feeds them late in the day, they look bigger than they did in the morning. Not to sound like a sentimental parent or anything, but is there anything more adorable than baby pigs? OK, maybe baby ducks...<br />
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As usual with Tamworths, they are plowing up their current paddock quite happily and efficiently, so we will be moving them to an adjacent paddock in the next couple of days. We've finally started to get some summer weather (80s for daytime high predicted all week), so we're going to keep re-seeding the pastures until the first fall frosts discourage such behavior.<br />
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Our average first frost is around mid-October, although we were surprised one year by a night in the 20s in September. Everyone says we're in for a hard winter, and I hear rumors of another La Nina season. Now that it's been over five years since we moved to the farm, maybe I should start learning something about the weather! I guess I assumed that El Nino and La Nina more or less alternated, but if predictions pan out, this would be two La Nina winters back to back. <br />
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What are you doing to prepare for winter? I've had a lot of questions lately about heating and/or insulating chicken coops. Do you do either of these before the cold weather sets in? I'd love to hear your comments and ideas.Victoria Redhed Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421318962129216304noreply@blogger.com4