Let's Try This Again...

My New Years' resolution to keep up with this Blog failed miserably. I thought I would stay with it, but I clearly didn't. A lot has happened since Annika passed away and the time has just slipped by. One of the things that ate up my attention for several weeks was getting our chicken butchering set up much nicer. We purchased a new scalder from Feathermen Equipment along with chicken shackles, a six-foot-long stainless steel table, new hot water tank, a used refrigerator and other small miscellaneous things. We've butchered twice since the new set up and I think it's a major improvement from what we had. The whole process hinges on the scald and the new scalder does a wonderful job! Here are a few pictures...

Also, since the last time I posted we are in full swing grazing season. This is the only reason I even farm. Grazing to me just makes sense. The ruminant is designed to eat all grass. While they are grazing they also spread their own manure and fertilize the ground for me without any additional inputs needed. I can monitor the manure and see whether or not they are getting a good diet. The pictures I'll put up now show perfect manure. The cows are getting the right amount of protein, not too much or too little. I even took a picture of a manure patty that's only 24 hours old and you can already see how the bugs are aerating it and breaking it down. 

                            That's enough for now, catch ya later.