First baby lamb this season

We found quite a surprise at home after delivered today.  Out in the pasture was our first lamb this season following her mom around!  She looks happy and healthy.

Raising Camels in Southern Oregon?

We have been researching a new avenue for the farm that is a bit unique, camel raising.  There is a long list of reasons why this seems a good idea as a personal venture, an investment, and a business opportunity for a small farm in southern oregon.  One thing is for sure, we would be the first farm, as far as I can tell, that raises camels in southern oregon.

This week we will be visiting a private breeder not too many hours away to learn more and experience the animals first hand.  Hopefully this will take us further down the road of making a decision.

the particular camels we are interested in are Bactrim camels, the ones with two humps. They seem a better fit for our environment and weather than the single hump camels.

Stay Tuned for more news!

Farm Deliveries coming this saturday

This saturday (1/28) is the next Little Sprouts Farm deliveries bringing farm fresh  eggs to the door of our customers.  I will be sending emails out mid week as a reminder to those on the regular list and to see if there are any order changes.

 A note to everyone currently on our delivery route: If you know of someone within your neighborhood who might be interested in being added to the delivery list for fresh eggs as well as other farm produce around the year, please let them or us know. Collecting customers clustered in certain areas has obvious advantages to the farm to home delivery program.

thanks! Be looking for your delivery update email!

wet weekend INDEED

 this was certainly a very wet weekend. we have had more than a couple inches of rain. the pasture is now mostly a pond. fortunately the new KUBOTA RTV can still pull through just fine. this sure makes is easier to care for the laying hens and collecT the eggs.

 today we manged to process a few roosters finally. the weather was nice enough when we started but.... by four or so the rain came with a VEGENCE! I end up finishing two roosters in the pouring rain.we ended up with "air chilled" chicken but ice soaked farmer! Oh well the new kill cones worked perfectly! (the new cones are up side traffic cones)

'more rain on its way, and more outside chores to do!   farming is all about getting up close and personal with nature.

Wisdom in little things

I find myself questioning a recent small decision , and really wishing I had thought ahead more.  I am referring to the post about moving the chicken trailer away from the suxxox eggmobile to prevent fighting. A good move at the time (aside from the time of day resulting in several hours of chicken catching) but where I left it.. . Questionable at best.

Winter rain has hit.  A bit late thus year,  which perhaps gave me a false sense of mobility in winter.  Rain is forecast.. . Pretty much forever. :) and at this moment the chicken trailer sits on the far side of the little seasonal Creek through our pasture.  So.. .. very soon driving to it will be impossible.

Seems I have two choices: carry bags of food out,  in the rain,  through the mud  Or build a bridge.  Neither option is appealing.

If I had only thought to park it on this side of the creek. .. my life would be so much simplier for the winter.  But no. .. I choose to save maybe $50 in fencing and an hour in labor by parking it where it is.  Now that seems a poor choice.

Sigh,  oh well,  good thing I have excellent  mud boots this year!