It’s been a while since we’ve written a post.

I have some things to say about our grapes and also a couple bits about the Delaware chickens.  I’ll get to them soon.  I have a few things rolling around in my head that I can’t articulate yet, but those posts will be soon.

We’ve been busy.

Part of our time has been spent prepping for the certification of our flock of Delawares.  As I said, more to come about this.

I’ve started a new outbuilding.  This one will house the brooder boxes for chicks.  It will also be shelter for the Delawares during the winter.  I’m also building a room that will be for cleaning and storing eggs.  The room will need to be approved by the WSDA.  Their requirements are not onerous.  Here’s a link to the relevant document…  Selling Eggs

I’ve stopped working on the aquaponics.  Mostly.  There are a couple plants I’m keeping alive in grow beds.  I haven’t been able to put the time into new infrastructure like I had hoped.  With the windstorms we’ve had this year, it’s just as well.  I’m still excited about this project, but it needs to wait.

Most of our Duroc litter have gone to new homes.  We have one boar that I’m selling as a breeder.  We’re keeping a girl from the litter.  We also have one other boar that we’re raising for someone else.

Our Duroc/Hereford litter is old enough to sell.  I’m not looking forward to wrangling them.  They’re wilder than march hares, wily and fast.  They aren’t as big as I would like them to be, but they’re filling out.  They’re starting to calm down, now that they’re excited about seeing a feed bucket.  Piglet prices are starting to fall, so I’d better sell soon.

I’ve been cutting down trees.  The winds here have been crazy.  Thousands of people have lost power for four and five days at a time, mostly due to fallen trees.  So, my chainsaw has been getting a lot of work.  The chicken coop we use for the free range birds is now safe.  The really scary tree is one that could hit power lines or our well.  I don’t feel confident that I can drop it safely, so I’ll lean on a friend to help me out.

That’s the big stuff that’s been going on.

Enjoy your summer!

–JS