SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT
Back in the late spring/early summer I placed my order for new chicks. I ordered 30 egg layers and 25 broilers (meat birds). The company I ordered them from is called Murray McMurray Hatchery in Iowa (www.mcmurrayhatchery.com). They often throw in one or two "extras" which they did this time. Well the one they threw in was definitely different from the others. For many months I had no idea if it was a hen or rooster. I was thinking that it was a hen but I found out Christmas morning that I was wrong. I was going about my normal morning chore routine when all of a sudden this little guy decides to hail forth as only an adolescent rooster can! !
I've made arrangements to buy a small beef cow. The transaction hasn't actually happened yet so while I'm waiting I made a small hay rack and feed manger. I also bought a load of nice alfalfa hay so the little critter will have something nutritious to munch on til the green grass arrives a few months from now.
Speaking of green grass - I will be needing to build some fence so the cow can graze this summer. That will be another big job but will be oh so wonderful when it is done! Obviously, snow and frozen ground are not conducive to building fence so again I wait. Winter is the time for planning and gathering supplies so that is what I'm doing in preparation for the coming grazing season. There is fence posts, wire, gates and all sorts of miscellaneous fencing tools to accumulate in preparation for this big job. Some posts are already in hand, but more need to be ordered. I will use Black Locust fence posts. If I get them directly from a sawmill they are cheaper than the typical "treated" fence post and will most likely last longer. (A locust fence post is known to last 30 to 35 years. A "treated" one will likely last 15 to 20 years) And after the fence is up then the real work begins - that is, the work of converting my idle, overgrown, brushy woodland to productive green pasture. Obviously that is a long term project but looking forward to tackling that a little at a time.
Another small job while waiting for winter to pass: A year or so ago I bought an antique, hand-cranked, corn sheller. Up until this time it has just been sitting around the barn gathering dust. But just the other week I decided to set it up and actually use it.
So what are you waiting for? And are you praying and working as much as you are waiting? And are you working and waiting as much as you are praying?
Thanks again for stopping by to read of my humble happenings.
Stay warm my friends!
Todd