brief update

Sorry Guys I got a new job and it takes most of all my free time.  Along with all the animals and the kids I dont' have much time to blog. I'm going to try harder but can't make any guarantees.  I may not be able to keep my personal site going but I've just started a new website to try to get more traffic on the animal breeding side of things.  Check it out and give me lots of feedback so I can make it better. www.summerssanctuary.com

FLOOD!!!!!!!

We woke up this morning and it was a whole new ball game when it came to taking care of the animals.  The entire back of our yard and 3/4 of pasture is flooded.  Two ducks escaped their enclosure and 1 tiny hen drowned (sounds stupid I know but ducks do drown they become water logged and she couldn't get to dry land.  She was washed up as the "tide" started to recede. I will post updated pictures later on.  I am going to try harder to blog better than I have been but this was a shocker to us.  1 night of rain and we got everyone elses run off and are under water to my knees. Also duck taping your muck boots to keep water out worked fairly well but after being in the water for a while it started leaking not a ton but enough to freeze your feet.  It did not come lose from my legs though! we need hip boots cuz it's getting deep!

 This is the front.  we have lumber floating throughout the yard from the stacks of deck lumber to build deck all the way around the pool.

 Notice neighboring yards that drain toward ours.

 This is the sight I saw from the deck this morning. I was shocked and clueless as to what to do for the animals. We did the best we could. 

 The turkeys are out seeing how everyone else faired but the horses are staying in the barn.  I don't blame them!

 The chickens are locked in their coop for the first time ever.  the water went in the front door but the building is higher by the run so as the water goes down it runs out. the fresh sawdust I put in there yesterday after I cleaned the coop is soaked though.  We moved their floating water bucket inside.

 The above pic is of our khaki campbell drake that escaped and survived.

The duck shed has 2 inches of water inside the ducks are using straw and piling it in a corner so there is a place that is somewhat dry to lay.  Hopefully they will make it.

Didnt have to sell yet!

We didnt have to sell livestock after all! I did sell some ducks though since my younger full bloods started laying. I needed to get rid of some drakes and the only way to do that is to sell hens also. Turkeys dressed for thanksgiving between the 2 weighed a whopping 95 pounds! One was 50 the other 45! They were good turkeys though and really didn't eat much. I liked that they couldn't fly :) the 2 blue slates we have can fly and may prove to be a problem yet or accidentally become dog food if they don't stop leaving the pasture :) I also want to ask everyone to pray for donna in her fight with cancer she is taking it rough right now and needs all our prayers! we love her dearly and want her fight to be a successful one. Her transplant had to be postponed due to complications. That is all the update for now will try to post more farm pictures soon!

Sad day

Today is a sad day on the farm. We have to sell off our livestock. Im going to try to keep the horses at least but we will cease to be a farm. Im also getting rid of the little dogs. Im sure most of you are "happy" that i've finally come to my senses but my heart is breaking as I have always wanted a farm. We tried and failed so unfortunately there will be no more eggs no more fresh food. I pray that we will be able to keep the horses though otherwise trevon will not be able to continue with 4-h.  The kids skill be terribly dissappointed but they have to go for lack of food this week. If we can't sell them we will have to butcher them and as much as we need the money I sincerely hope they sell. Hard times have come once again but we will survive we have before. I sure will miss the meat though because prices are getting ready to skyrocket! Hope evetyone is well and has wonderful holidays.

Ducklings and pool

We hatched 4 golden hybrid duck eggs out of 23. We also have hatched 7 khaki campbells out of 18 not a very good hatch rate but our room temperatures change frequently. The golden hybrids are twice the size of their parents at 2 months and already start laying! They are all black with blue wing feathers. They are gorgeous!  We also finally got the pool up! It's going to take a while to fill though due to well and drought we dont want to run well dry we let it rest all day yesterday.
Our garden had also come in nicely I canned 3 qts green beans and 13 qts potatoes. We had spaghetti squash for dinner and we also have zucchini.

Forever Busy

I'm trying to look for work and or a career.  Would prefer a career so I applied to 6 state jobs today and was trying to apply for a 7th but something is wrong with the website apparently.  I'll keep looking.  I'm sure I will find something I just hope it will be worth the money I will have to spend in Child care and gas now.  Wednesday we took the horses to a 4-h meeting for Trevon.  He had a blast the horses did well.  Rose did excellent with another 4-her that was wanting to try all the horses.  She got on Rose and never got off for the whole meeting so that is great for us because she got her workout.  I ended up riding whoever didn't have a rider and of Donna's 4 horses only 2 didn't get ridden.  One that I wouldn't call broke and another that is just green but all around a good horse.  We will be looking for more hay for the winter soon so I HAVE to find something (work) so that we will have something at least I don't think that the grass around the pond will be enough to feed them all winter long. I wish we could cut the neighbors grass and just pile it in the barn that would be enough for the winter I'm sure. Of course if we had a sicle bar to mow with also and for that much a tractor.  Airiana had the flu last weekend then I got it the other day and Jeff had it a couple days ago apparently Trevon is right as rain because he never did get it.  Dad also got all the trusses on his building this week.  This weekend we are going to get Jeff's dad's pool and set it up here.  I only pray that we will be able to afford it but I guess they aren't as expensive as the in ground pools so that will help a lot.  He also maintains it all summer long with the el cheapo chemicals at walmart and meijer too I guess so that will help a lot! I hope we will figure something out with our finances soon though.  I'm dreading not making any money at all.  Well that's all for now!

This month must be out with the old in with the new

Today I got laid off from help. So I'm searching for another job although I hope I can go back to work at the law office but don't know.

New horse

Went picked up a new horse last night. Her name is Rose! She is a sweetheart. Trevon loves her. Jeff can ride her and Bullet loves her. I will post pics later

Going to ohio

Spent most of the day trying to load buddy. This was the last thing I could think within our reach to get some help but he didn't load and I'm over the whole of everything with him anymore so I've listed him for sale. Hope someone buys him so we can get a more experienced horse or at least one that likes us. I'm unbelievably disappointed and so is Trevon. Happy anniversary to us!

Ducklings

I forgot to tell everyone that I sold 2 of my ducklings Tuesday also.  Wednesday I got an order for more ducklings when these next ones hatch.  :)  We also had a great dinner last night!  Getting ready to leave for Ohio tomorrow we are running out of time and trailer issues aren't fixed and trailer doesn't have any mattresses in it yet either. Hopefully all goes well I'm a nervous wreck.  It's just going to be me Trevon, Jeff, and Buddy going too so we won't have any extra hand if we need them.  Bummer!!!  Will take plenty of pics and post everything on here when we get back more than likely! 

WE HAVE CHICKEN!

RIP Rooser! HELLO Pablo!  Lois came and killed Rooster for me then taught me how to pluck, and dress him.  She said the plucking is always horrible and stinks real bad.  Mine didn't smell much at all.  She said yeah your chickens are clean they don't stink :)  That made me feel good.  She showed me how to dress him out so that I could fry him tonight.  All in all it was pretty easier and quick it wasn't very bad at all.  This is all a learning experience for me. :)  I'm learning that I much prefer fresh chicken! It's definitely healthier! I've been getting average of 2 eggs a day now but should be getting at least 4.  Hopefully the new rooster Pablo will get the other 2 laying again.  :)  He is an Americana (Easter Egger) rooster and he's real real pretty.  He is 8 months old and smaller than Rooster was for sure!  He's also scared of everything which is great! Will keep everyone posted on the chicken!

Busier Than Ever

We have still been pretty busy so it's been hard to update the blog regular.  Thursday Trevon went to the chicken coop to check the water and our Rooster flogged him.  Scared him to death and he was screaming and Ted (our neighbor) came over to get me because I couldn't hear him in the house.  Ted was panicked because he couldn't save the kid because he was afraid he would startle the dogs and they would bite him or not let him in.  I totally understand.  He was ringing the doorbell and knocking frantically.  I went to the door and he was obviously stressed as I asked him what is going on.  He said all out of breath that Trevon was getting attacked by a chicken.  I was like "WHAT!"  So I ran out there barefoot, didn't stop for the fence just ran right over it. He was right behind me and when the dogs came out I yelled at them like they were bad (to keep them off of Ted) which they obviously knew something was amiss because they were trying to understand what was going on and couldn't even think to protect us from Ted.  I ran to coop and the Rooster had Trevon cornered and then saw me and immediately left Trevon to see if I brought some grain out.  I hit the rooster with a board and got Trevon out.  He was fine just terrified.  Just as we got back to the house Jeff and Ian came home and we were telling them all about it and Ian said that Trevon just looked humiliated that the Rooster got the best of him.  Poor kid.  We all talked and joked and then Ted went home and Jeff and Trevon went back out the coop to teach that rooster who was boss.  All went well but Trevon won't go in the coop without one of us anymore (which is totally fine).  Saturday we got up and took the horse trailer to dad to see if he could help us with our wiring issues and we got some worked out then more came about so we have to work on that again. Jeff and I took care of the chickens and ducks while Trevon took care of the horses. Oh yeah and I fell down the lower part of the back deck.  That really hurt everything cracked. Sunday we went to Shelly's for Memorial Day cookout and we fed the fish and checked out the fox holes while Trevon swam the whole time.  I'm just not having a good weekend apparently because as Nana Jeff and kids were leaving (I wanted to wait to see mom she had just got back from LA) and I nailed my toe on one of Shell's landscaping timbers.  It hurt more than normal and sure enough I sliced it good and it was bleeding. I went home and Jeff and I discussed plans for nesting boxes.  Monday Jeff's dad came over to visit more or less and while we were out back talking I decided to go check the chickens water.  Well apparently that Rooster doesn't want fresh water because he puffed up at me so I kicked him (apparently not hard enough).  Then he came back and flogged me.  Well chickens can only fly for 12 seconds so I waited patiently and when that rooster hit the ground I kicked him harder.  He went ass over teakettle 2 or 3 times then when he got up his head was stuck on the ground between his legs and he finally got it free and took off in the coop.  Jeff and his dad couldn't believe the rooster or me.  He flogs me everytime now. Yesterday I decided the rooster has limited time bugged Jeff all day to kill him and he won't. He says he won't flog him so I figured he will either get sick of taking care of the chickens alone of he will get flogged after the rooster hones his skills more and it will be bad.  Soooooo tonight Lois (a friend) is coming over to kill the rooster so we can clean pluck and eat him.  I told Trevon and he is really excited. I asked them what they wanted for dinner tonight and Trevon immediately said Chicken LOL.  This will be an experience.  Will let you all know how it goes.  PS for people reading this that may not know me it doesn't hurt chickens to stand your ground or kick them to prove dominance it's not cruel or unusual when they are butchered or anything else all fast food restaurants and grocery store suppliers do it daily and our livestock have a really good and humane life which most mass producers don't provide ever.  So think about all that before you comment please. 

Been A While Been Busy

Sorry it's been a while since I posted anything.  We have been super busy.  3 of the 6 duck eggs hatched.  1 hen and 2 drakes. 1 khaki campbell and 2 welsh harloquins. Whoo-Hoo We also extended the run on the chicken coop and they LOVE it.  We went and picked up a shed from Tim this past weekend and a concrete mixer for dad. Dropped the shed off at our house and dropped the mixer off at dads with his trailer he let us borrow.  Saturday, Trevon spent all day with Pa and had a blast and a couple of our nephews (Eddie, and Damon) stayed the night and then Sunday we got up and took care of all the farm animals then I took the kids to Tim's (Jeff's Dad's) to swim.  The kids had a blast and Airiana did too until she thought she was froze! We got out and the boys followed shortly after because they were hungry.  I took them to McD's and they ate then played on the playground there and Airiana loved that too!  I took the boys home after that and our oldest nephew (Ian) wanted to come stay with us because he was starting work with Jeff and Tim on Monday and could just ride to work with Jeff and make it easier on everyone.  Trevon loves it when the boys come and stay it doesn't really matter which one.  :)  That pretty much sums up the entire weekend that I'm totally exhausted from. 

Mother's Day

This afternoon we went to Nana's so the kids could take her a clematis, jacobs ladder, and columbine plants.  Uncle Bub was there and we visited with them for a while.  Airiana was scared of Uncle Bub and Jeff just said Hi to Nana and slept in the chair.  Later the kids and I went to mom's for Mother's day and gave her a clematis, jacobs ladder, and columbine plants.  We ate hamburgers and brats and ate cookies for desert and then Shelly and Jeff and Mom planted her garden.  We left to get back to the house because Aunt Linda, Uncle Dave, and Stacey were finally coming to visit :) We showed Uncle Dave and Stacey the place then grabbed the ducks so they could swim and splash us.  They all had fun with the ducks and especially loved Faith and Diesel.  Then Uncle Dave sounded the horn that they had to go so they all loaded up and left.  After they left we took the ducks to the neighbors so their granddaughter could see them.  She didn't want them to go! Airiana was having fun playing and she didn't want to go either!  We ran to the store real quick and when we got back Rebekah, Eric, Natalie, and Olivia were here visiting.  We hurried up and got the kids out of the van so that Airiana could play with Natalie some then the kids got cold and they had to go home and the kids needed to get in. Airiana was cold and tired.  Kids are in bed and now I'm working on the laundry that never got done. 

Update: Still waiting for duck eggs to hatch. Not real sure that they will now. Still seeing movement but not a lot.

Another Day In Paradise :)

Today was a good day!  We took pictures and went to Jeff's dad's to get some wood he didn't want anymore.  Airiana saw her first snake she wasn't scared and it was tiny. She was helping load the wood trying really hard and just having a blast!  The picture of her with fountain is because she loves water fountains and I told her when she saw that one that we had been trying to get Jeff's dad to give it up for some time and he just won't do it.  He walked out the door and she looked at him and said "That's mine" pointing to the fountain and he said ok then you can have it.  So now that's her fountain at his house lol.  He loves her to death and she has all the men wrapped around her tiny little finger it's so cute.  They just melt for her.  Hope it doesn't get her in trouble later on. 

Potty training is going well as long as she isn't wearing any bottoms. 

The duck eggs also haven't hatched yet, no pipping either.  :(  The neighbor loves our rooster and is wanting to get one of his own. 

We are going to be working on extending the run for the chickens soon and we are also going to make a separate enclosure I think for the ducks so they can have a "pond" all the time because they are making such a mess of the water.  We will getting a nice new shed from Jeff's dad (Thanks Tim!) and sectioning half off for the ducks and the other half for a tack room I think it will work out nice and it will also free up one of our other sheds up front for the kids toys and gardening tools and what not. 

Until next time Happy Mother's Day everyone!

some of the chickens

more chickens

Our big boy!

Big Boy Again

Chicken coop and temporary run

Cornish rocks YUK!

Ducks under roost and the chickens

Ducks and rooster

Rooster, red pullets and cornish rocks

ducks and chickens

My Black and White Pullet (love her)

Rooster, White leghorn and nasty cornish rocks

Cornish rocks, red pullet, and white leghorn that was supposed to be cornish rock lol

Rooster again

Rooster coming in and red pullet on roost

Rooster at Airiana level and he is still not mean to her.

Rooster wondering what Airiana is exactly

Black Hen

ducks and their cornish rock buddy trying to sleep with them

Ducks and cornish rock trying to get closer

Chickens in run with dogs

Rooster

ducks and cornish rock again

Outside again

Airiana and Patches

Airiana with her chickens lol

Airiana at Grandpa Tim's with "her" water fountain.  She had the work gloves on because she was helping daddy and bubby load wood in the truck it was so cute!

My Mother's Day gift from the kids it's really pretty!

Cleaning The Chicken Coop

We loaded up the yard cart with feed, grit, sawdust, scratch grains, bucket and Airiana.  Then we stopped at the barn and got shit shovel and wheel barrow.  Then we all headed out to the coop. The chicken coop didn't take that long to clean but the ducks sure are making a mess of the water. We shooed all the chickens and ducks out and locked the ramp so they couldn't get back in. I parked the yard cart around the side of the coop in the shade and Airiana thought that was great because she could see me through the window. :)  Trevon took the 5 gallon waterer to the spicket and cleaned it while I scooped out the coop. By the time Trevon got back from filling up the waterer I had the coop scooped, the wheel barrow full, and fresh saw dust down. I also had already filled up the garden cart again.  We filled up the grit feeder and the chicken feeder and put the water back in. We had the water in the weaker corner of the coop and I decided to move it to stronger corner.  The whole inside of the coop is insulated with reflectix and it's nice and cool in there. We then let the chickens back in and they were real happy with us then they went back outside to find all the scratch grains.  It was much quicker and easier than cleaning the horse stalls! LOL  Will take pics soon promise!

Taking pictures around the place

Took some pictures so that everyone knows who everyone is that I talk about :)

Can you find the bullfrog?

There he is!

And again.

Rusty Hollerin at us.

Rusty Again

Buddy

Bullet Face Shot Buddy Butt Shot LOL

Buddy

Buddy

Barn Cat

Bullet and Barn Cat

Jeff And Bullet

Bullet

Bullet

Bullet

Buddy

Rusty Waiting to Pounce on Barn Cat

My Small Water Fall By Front Door

Faith And Diesel

Faith And Diesel

Faith And Diesel

Precious And Misty

Patches and Hooch Comfy In Bed

Patches And Hooch Worn Out From All The Chicken Guarding Every Day

Patches Must Be Exhausted.  Hooch Doesn't Care For His Picture To Be Taken

Duck Eggs Still Waiting To Hatch