What's a farm without a....

When I saw the ad, I thought "what on earth would we do with him?", but given the massive fly problem we have been having I thought "why not?".

And so Charlie arrived.

Charlie is an Indian Runner duck, and what makes him facinating and albeit comical is that he stands straight and tall like a bowling pin.  At the present time, he is hanging out in a dog kennel down by the barns, and being spoilt with every treat imaginable.

The trouble is, we think he's lonely.... and so we have some Indian Runner ducklings arriving this weekend. Fingers crossed that one of them turns out to be a Mrs. Charlie!

Don't waste your vote!

We have an upcoming federal election, and it is so easy to get lost in the sea of information out there when it comes to candidates.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture provided this great comparison table, which compares key parties and their thoughts on major initiatives.

http://www.cfa-fca.ca/sites/default/files/Party%20Platform%20Comparison%20Table_2011.pdf

I have found it to be very handy, and will make the most informed choice I can at the polls!

Growing Forward

The Ontario Farm course we took recently, "Growing Forward" has allowed us to look at our farm as more of a business, and less of a hobby.

When asked recently "what do your kids raise on the farm?" my mother-in-law replied "pets!". 

We hope to change that!

Prior to this point, we have been sort of floundering around and experimenting with different ideas, and while experimentation is good it is also costly. So we have now developed a business plan for the property, which will allow us to hopefully move forward and create a viable hobby farm that supports itself financially.

All of this is excellent news, with the only downside being that part of that plan involves selling off the cattle.  Our 50 acres is not suitable to a cow/calf operation, and so the difficult decision has been made to sell off most of the herd.

So what will we be looking at next? Sheep. We will be partnering with a sheep farmer, and learning more about their operation.  Having hands on experience will allow us to explore the idea without having to put capital up front.  If we decide that it's something we would like to explore further, we will begin with a small flock and ensure a solid foundation.  No more jumping in blindly, as fun as that was.

So the donkeys - all three of them - stay, and so do the chickens.  As for the cattle, we will have two for now. Our bull and one female.  However, down the road if we find the right home these two fine specimens will also leave the farm.

Endings are only the beginnings of new adventures - and this one seems like it's going to certainly be an interesting one!

Ontario Farm Fresh

We are fortunate that we live in a province that values agriculture. We are also fortunate to live in a province that is beginning to understand the health benefits of eating quality foods.

The Ontario government will be launching a new website for farmers, producers and buyers. Think of it as a "Dating site" for farmers and buyers!  Buyers will be able to go online and find specific producers, and producers will be able to connect with buyers.

To sign up your farm for this website, visit http://www.ontariofresh.ca/joinload.php

I'm Not A Flower

My dear sweet fireman was early down to the barns this morning, and as he stood greeting the donkeys he saw a large black cat dash by with it's fluffy tail at full mast.

He chided the cats for allowing a Tom cat into the barn. Peering around the hay bale, he tried to catch a glimpse of our visitor.

Nothing.

"Here puss puss! Here puss puss!", he called for the big fat Tom.

Our three barn cats sat lazily watching him searching the hay bales.

He climbed up a stack of square bales, and peered down inside the hidey hole where the barn cats like to sleep.

Peering up at him was a very large skunk.

He slowly backed down the hay bales, and retreated from the barn.

Seems our barn cats have allowed a visitor to share their cozy hay pile. Now the question is...how to get the skunk out of the barn? We can't trap him - imagine how he will spray us! Skunks can spray their musk up to 15 feet. We don't want to poison him. So we are not sure what options are available.

A quick search tells us that:

1. We may have to remove the self feeder for the cats, and start feeding them twice a day. The skunk thinks this is a buffet and we don't want the whole family moving in.
2. Place cat food up high. Skunks are terrible climbers and won't be able to climb up to the shelf. Apparently they have no issues climbing hay bales though.
3. My guess is since it is April, she is looking for a place to have her young. So we need to vacate her before that happens!
4. A loud radio can deter them, they don't like lights and noise as it doesn't feel safe. (apparently our quiet dark barn was perfect)
5. Coffee cans with holes poked in the sides full of mothballs. Tight fitting lid will keep cats from eating it.
6. Human urine. Yup - my better half is going to love that one. Apparently it is a deterrent. I don't blame them. It would deter me too.
7. Our grain is going to have to find a new home in a sealed bin, as right now it is a tasty skunk treat.

I suppose if we try all of this, we may be successful. The tricky part will be doing so without the dogs getting sprayed! For now, I will continue to open the barn door with caution.

Country Fashionista

As time goes on, I find myself caring less and less about the brand of purse I carry - and more and more about the price of corn and the practicality of something.

It seems that most days, my bogs are the footwear of choice as they are both dry and warm - a combination that none of my designer pumps seem to offer.  My coveralls, while not highly fashionable and several sizes to big, do a much better job of keeping dirt out and warmth in. I have become familiar with such fashion houses as Carhartt, Dickies, FarmGirl, and Rosies. I am constantly amazed that I manage to "clean up so well" for my off farm day job!

So was it little wonder that I would invest in a Fleece Union Suit?   I reasoned that they were popular in Vermont, an area known for it's celebrity sightings. So surely it can't be too unfashionable - can it? Our drafty old farmhouse is simply not suited for the skimpy choices available today for women's loungewear.  Flannel or fleece is more than just a choice, it's a neccessity.

I did notice that it is surprisingly similar to some of the baby sleepers I see for small children, but I am trying to ignore that.

I am winning the battle! Sort of...

Like any great battle, there comes a point where you manage to turn the corner and realize that victory may be yours.

Today I did a chicken inspection, and I am pleased to report that I didn't see any creepy crawlies on the hens. Regardless, I dusted their bottoms once more with the lice powder, just in an act of "good measure". 

They certainly seem happier - clucking away and acting more like their usual selves again.

The wee chick who has clung to deaths door for the last few weeks also seems to be turning a corner. I have sat on the fence when it comes to this chick.  I am still undecided if I am battling a case of infectious sinusitis - also known as Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) - or if she simply had Infectious Bronchitis (IB).  Regardless, I just didn't have the heart to cull her. She was still eating and drinking, and seemed to be fighting whatever it was. I separated her from the others, and gave her Superbooster (an antibiotic, vitamin treatment).  It seems to help, and she does seem to be recovering.

The difficult part about both viruses is that so many backyard flocks seem to have them if they are free ranging. Wild birds carry the virus in their stool and when backyard chickens roam they often pick it up.  

My choices became:
1) Cull the chicks as they have all been exposed. If it's just a "cold" then I may be culling them in vain, but if it's Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) I will hopefully prevent my other hens from being infected.

2) I allow them to live, knowing that they "may" have Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), and that they will have a stronger immunity to it. Some of my other hens may get sick when exposed, but again - if they recover they will have an immunity to it. Much like we develop an immunity to colds.

This website had some great info to help identify illnesses in poultry. Further reading shows me that many backyard chicken owners disagree on the subject. I guess it's somewhat like the decision to vaccinate your animals, or inoculate your children. There are always to opinions!

For now, she is still hanging in there and I just don't have the heart to "cull" her. Time will tell.