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1.) Alex - 03/07/2013
Pretty much says it all. Wanted a thread where I can share photos, videos and random stuff from my farm here.
For starters, we now have 2 new kids on the farm as of yesterday evening.
You should all be able to see this video even if you dont have facebook. Let me know otherwise and I will put it up on youtube or vimeo.
[URL]http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151334439713597&l=5810373306339429318[/URL]
For starters, we now have 2 new kids on the farm as of yesterday evening.
You should all be able to see this video even if you dont have facebook. Let me know otherwise and I will put it up on youtube or vimeo.
[URL]http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151334439713597&l=5810373306339429318[/URL]
2.) Alex - 03/07/2013
Also, some of you may remember Boaris our only boar on the farm. He's still the reigning longest resident (for livestock) on the farm. Will be pushing 4 this year.
He a 450lb labrador though. Will love you to death if you're not careful.
He a 450lb labrador though. Will love you to death if you're not careful.
3.) rum3002576 - 03/07/2013
look at the head on that thing
4.) Alex - 03/07/2013
no kidding.. and the pig is no slouch either. :P
just had to beat Luv2 to it
just had to beat Luv2 to it
5.) rum3002576 - 03/07/2013
haha, so how many acres you have to farm? in new york correct?
6.) Alex - 03/07/2013
Yep NY... 47 acres.
Its a small farm.
Livestock varies but typically about 4-7 cows (1-2 bulls), 4 grown pigs & anywhere from 15-20 piglets, 2 goats (more during kidding season), 20+ ducks, 20+ chickens, few turkeys, 3 labradors, & 3 cats.
I think that's everyone.
The goats kid once a year. we sell the kids and then keep the goats in milk until it's time to breed them again. We were milking 3 and one dairy cow. The dairy cow went to freezer camp though. And we're down to 2 goats in milk. That's enough for us.
The piglets all sell right away and then the sows go back in with boaris so he can do he twice a year job :-P They are working on their 3rd litters.
CHickens make eggs... ducks make stew :-)
We just put 800lbs of beef and 100lbs of pork in the freezers.
We eat alot of meat here.
Of course a couple acres are planted so we can a ton of produce too.
Keeps you busy :-)
Its a small farm.
Livestock varies but typically about 4-7 cows (1-2 bulls), 4 grown pigs & anywhere from 15-20 piglets, 2 goats (more during kidding season), 20+ ducks, 20+ chickens, few turkeys, 3 labradors, & 3 cats.
I think that's everyone.
The goats kid once a year. we sell the kids and then keep the goats in milk until it's time to breed them again. We were milking 3 and one dairy cow. The dairy cow went to freezer camp though. And we're down to 2 goats in milk. That's enough for us.
The piglets all sell right away and then the sows go back in with boaris so he can do he twice a year job :-P They are working on their 3rd litters.
CHickens make eggs... ducks make stew :-)
We just put 800lbs of beef and 100lbs of pork in the freezers.
We eat alot of meat here.
Of course a couple acres are planted so we can a ton of produce too.
Keeps you busy :-)
7.) luv2bowhunt - 03/07/2013
Cool stuff.........but the animals are creepy. Hate goats, sheep, hogs, cows. Hate them since my youth.
Hey how old are your two lovely daughters now? My baby girl is 23 now.:td:
Hey how old are your two lovely daughters now? My baby girl is 23 now.:td:
8.) Alex - 03/07/2013
We built the barn ourselves.
It started out it's first year as a just a leanto
Finished it the second year.
It started out it's first year as a just a leanto
Finished it the second year.
9.) Alex - 03/07/2013
[QUOTE=luv2bowhunt;1527]Cool stuff.........but the animals are creepy. Hate goats, sheep, hogs, cows. Hate them since my youth.
Hey how old are your two lovely daughters now? My baby girl is 23 now.:td:[/QUOTE]
Sydney is going to be 16 in May
Sam is 15 in Oct.
Know you know why we have guns here :-)
Hey how old are your two lovely daughters now? My baby girl is 23 now.:td:[/QUOTE]
Sydney is going to be 16 in May
Sam is 15 in Oct.
Know you know why we have guns here :-)
10.) Alex - 03/07/2013
The girls love the animals (though not the work so much)
Sam wants to be a vet.
Sam wants to be a vet.
11.) Alex - 03/07/2013
Nothing shocks her.
She was the one that wanted to film when we were castrating the pigs.
I dont know if she will stay with it. Would be nice if she did.
She was the one that wanted to film when we were castrating the pigs.
I dont know if she will stay with it. Would be nice if she did.
12.) luv2bowhunt - 03/07/2013
Thanks for bringing the family into it, completes the story.
You are a lucky man, enjoy the good times!
.......trust no boyfriends until they've earned it. :tu:
You are a lucky man, enjoy the good times!
.......trust no boyfriends until they've earned it. :tu:
13.) TRAVELER - 03/07/2013
Your truly blessed Alex. My daughter is sixteen and has the whole Blonde / Blue eye thing going on also. I will be showing any potential suitors my gun collection also.
Hi my name is Dave, these are my guns and that's my daughter.
Hi my name is Dave, these are my guns and that's my daughter.
14.) Alex - 03/07/2013
It has it merits that's for sure.
Not always easy but always worth it.
Not always easy but always worth it.
15.) hoyt_em - 03/07/2013
Miss them days Alex...simpler life, and You get as far as the sweat on your back and the planning your brain does.
16.) DParker - 03/07/2013
[QUOTE=Alex;1531]Nothing shocks her.
She was the one that wanted to film when we were castrating the pigs.[/QUOTE]
Have you learned to sleep with one eye open yet?
[QUOTE=TRAVELER;1536]Your truly blessed Alex. My daughter is sixteen and has the whole Blonde / Blue eye thing going on also. I will be showing any potential suitors my gun collection also.
Hi my name is Dave, these are my guns and that's my daughter.[/QUOTE]
You know, I tried that approach myself...including the .50 cal cans full of .223...but she's getting married in 10 days anyway. I guess he's actually pretty fond of her.
She was the one that wanted to film when we were castrating the pigs.[/QUOTE]
Have you learned to sleep with one eye open yet?
[QUOTE=TRAVELER;1536]Your truly blessed Alex. My daughter is sixteen and has the whole Blonde / Blue eye thing going on also. I will be showing any potential suitors my gun collection also.
Hi my name is Dave, these are my guns and that's my daughter.[/QUOTE]
You know, I tried that approach myself...including the .50 cal cans full of .223...but she's getting married in 10 days anyway. I guess he's actually pretty fond of her.
17.) Ohbuckhunter - 03/07/2013
Good looking farm Alex.
18.) Alex - 03/07/2013
Thanks.
I have way too many photos of farm stuff. Will have to sort them out sometime.
I have way too many photos of farm stuff. Will have to sort them out sometime.
19.) TXHunter - 03/07/2013
jealous...
trying to get our garden in.
Spring break starts this afternoon, so it gets put in this week.
Doing the "square foot" concept with 4 - 4x4 raised beds, giving me 64 sq feet to plant. plus 2 3x2 beds for hot peppers :)
fence going around it, so the cat doesn't make it his litter box like the last garden (he almost lost all 9 lives when I saw all our seedlings dug up that next morning...)
Would LOVE to have what you have, my friend.
our city council just passed an ordinance that you CAN have a chicken coop INSIDE the city limits in a residential area, SO......that may be project #2 this week.
trying to get our garden in.
Spring break starts this afternoon, so it gets put in this week.
Doing the "square foot" concept with 4 - 4x4 raised beds, giving me 64 sq feet to plant. plus 2 3x2 beds for hot peppers :)
fence going around it, so the cat doesn't make it his litter box like the last garden (he almost lost all 9 lives when I saw all our seedlings dug up that next morning...)
Would LOVE to have what you have, my friend.
our city council just passed an ordinance that you CAN have a chicken coop INSIDE the city limits in a residential area, SO......that may be project #2 this week.
20.) DParker - 03/07/2013
[QUOTE=TXHunter;1668]plus 2 3x2 beds for hot peppers[/QUOTE]
What varieties?
What varieties?
21.) TXHunter - 03/07/2013
habaneros, ghost, and pequins <-- if I can get those to grow. They tend to do better when they pop up naturally, but I'm going to give it a shot anyway
22.) Alex - 03/07/2013
Because of the heat and drought last year we ended up keeping everything going with lots of cover.
This year we are going completely no-till and in the fall dumped tons of spent hay and compost on the plot.
When the snow melts we will level it out, and take the starters and plunk them in. Leave a 6" circle around the plant to get started and then let it go.
Works for everything but corn. That is all being turned over. We have about 3 acres of corn planting.
BTW.. the tires were for potato towers. They do a great job of keep the bugs to a min but in real dry weather they didnt help. Will be raised beds for them this year.
This year we are going completely no-till and in the fall dumped tons of spent hay and compost on the plot.
When the snow melts we will level it out, and take the starters and plunk them in. Leave a 6" circle around the plant to get started and then let it go.
Works for everything but corn. That is all being turned over. We have about 3 acres of corn planting.
BTW.. the tires were for potato towers. They do a great job of keep the bugs to a min but in real dry weather they didnt help. Will be raised beds for them this year.
23.) Alex - 03/07/2013
here is the coop we built.
The metal roof catches the rain and then feeds right into the coop. Makes watering easier. The double doors makes mucking it out a snap.
The metal roof catches the rain and then feeds right into the coop. Makes watering easier. The double doors makes mucking it out a snap.
24.) TXHunter - 03/07/2013
my coop will be about 1/10 that size. :)
thinking 2 or 3 chickens
backyard is about 90' wide by 20' deep, with 2 longer, 8' sides going down each side of the house.
thinking 2 or 3 chickens
backyard is about 90' wide by 20' deep, with 2 longer, 8' sides going down each side of the house.
25.) Alex - 03/07/2013
with just 2-3 chicks you could get away with just making a tractor. Then you could move it around as needed so they can fertilize the yard.
26.) DParker - 03/07/2013
[QUOTE=TXHunter;1676]habaneros, ghost, and pequins <-- if I can get those to grow. They tend to do better when they pop up naturally, but I'm going to give it a shot anyway[/QUOTE]
I grew all of those (plus Jalapenos, Anaheims, Poblanos, Cayennes and Guajillos) last year and learned quite a bit. The pequin plant was as healthy as could be. It grew like a weed and produced prodigiously. The same with the habenero. I was giving both away by the fistfull before it was all over. The ghost is where you need to set yourself up for some potential heartache (or heartburn, if you're lucky). Mine was a very healthy plant, but refused to even flower let alone set fruit until very late in the season. When it finally did I got 4 pods to set, but by the time they were about half grown the first hard freeze hit and I lost the whole kit-and-kaboodle. But I was up to my eyeballs in everything else. I skipped picking one day and this was the result the next day...
I grew all of those (plus Jalapenos, Anaheims, Poblanos, Cayennes and Guajillos) last year and learned quite a bit. The pequin plant was as healthy as could be. It grew like a weed and produced prodigiously. The same with the habenero. I was giving both away by the fistfull before it was all over. The ghost is where you need to set yourself up for some potential heartache (or heartburn, if you're lucky). Mine was a very healthy plant, but refused to even flower let alone set fruit until very late in the season. When it finally did I got 4 pods to set, but by the time they were about half grown the first hard freeze hit and I lost the whole kit-and-kaboodle. But I was up to my eyeballs in everything else. I skipped picking one day and this was the result the next day...
27.) TXHunter - 03/07/2013
[QUOTE=Alex;1683]with just 2-3 chicks you could get away with just making a tractor. Then you could move it around as needed so they can fertilize the yard.[/QUOTE]
that's kind of what I was thinking...
kind of worried about our 13 yr old dachshund getting ballsy with em, however. may need to get a mamma hen and a couple chicks...for protection :)
that's kind of what I was thinking...
kind of worried about our 13 yr old dachshund getting ballsy with em, however. may need to get a mamma hen and a couple chicks...for protection :)
28.) TXHunter - 03/07/2013
[QUOTE=DParker;1685]I grew all of those (plus Jalapenos, Anaheims, Poblanos, Cayennes and Guajillos) last year and learned quite a bit. The pequin plant was as healthy as could be. It grew like a weed and produced prodigiously. The same with the habenero. I was giving both away by the fistfull before it was all over. The ghost is where you need to set yourself up for some potential heartache (or heartburn, if you're lucky). Mine was a very healthy plant, but refused to even flower let alone set fruit until very late in the season. When it finally did I got 4 pods to set, but by the time they were about half grown the first hard freeze hit and I lost the whole kit-and-kaboodle. But I was up to my eyeballs in everything else. I skipped picking one day and this was the result the next day...
[/QUOTE]
I REALLY want to grow some pasilla de oxacas....
I am in LOVE with that pepper (dried and ground).
[/QUOTE]I REALLY want to grow some pasilla de oxacas....
I am in LOVE with that pepper (dried and ground).
29.) CHRIS - 03/07/2013
The farm is looking good Alex...dang the girls are growing up quick.
30.) Alex - 03/07/2013
[QUOTE=CHRIS;1692]The farm is looking good Alex...dang the girls are growing up quick.[/QUOTE]
you're telling me brother.
scares the hell out of me.
you're telling me brother.
scares the hell out of me.
31.) CHRIS - 03/07/2013
I can only say ...it get worse.
Ill shoot you email.
Ill shoot you email.
32.) Alex - 03/07/2013
good lord.. i dont think i want to know.
33.) CHRIS - 03/07/2013
it aint bad...well maybe
34.) TXHunter - 03/07/2013
hey hey....I got a daughter now...
I want in on the knowledge...
besides showing her first date my gun and silencer collection, what else do I need to know??
I want in on the knowledge...
besides showing her first date my gun and silencer collection, what else do I need to know??
35.) DParker - 03/07/2013
[QUOTE=TXHunter;1702]hey hey....I got a daughter now...
I want in on the knowledge...
besides showing her first date my gun and silencer collection, what else do I need to know??[/QUOTE]
[LIST=1]
[*]Set up a college fund and contribute to it regularly.
[*]Set up a father-of-the-bride wedding fund and contribute to it regularly.
[*]Get started on both of these things yesterday.
[/LIST]
I want in on the knowledge...
besides showing her first date my gun and silencer collection, what else do I need to know??[/QUOTE]
[LIST=1]
[*]Set up a college fund and contribute to it regularly.
[*]Set up a father-of-the-bride wedding fund and contribute to it regularly.
[*]Get started on both of these things yesterday.
[/LIST]
36.) CHRIS - 03/07/2013
4. whatever dollar amount you think you might need...add 50%.
5. drink on a regular basis
5. drink on a regular basis
37.) DParker - 03/07/2013
Yeah...those too....^
38.) billy b - 03/08/2013
Alex, everything & everybody sure changed in the (seems like) 10 years you had it shut down, the girls sure take after mom thank goodness, thanks for sharing again.
39.) JB - 03/08/2013
Mr Cartrite, my namey isa Hopsin...yes...honrable mr cartrite please send for me and I will come work for you as cooky at your ranch... thank you honarable sir. Yesn hopsin work very very hard...cheep cheep... Hopsin very good worker and good hunter and very finey figuur ofa a cooky! very goot example for all the children and animals...yes very very good...you send...I come quick... :pray:
40.) JB - 03/08/2013
This place is awesome and Im gonna love looking at all the pictures!! I liked your other house and I remember the most, the Christmas tree! I also remember the pond out back...The girls and you and your wife were outside one nite sharing a fire and I remember the stars in the sky...all in pictures you had posted way back when...it was very snowy and beautiful...I think I remember you being worried about too much weight up on the rooftop...I think...and good Lord how the girls have grown!!
41.) crookedeye - 03/08/2013
[QUOTE=Alex;1518]Also, some of you may remember Boaris our only boar on the farm. He's still the reigning longest resident (for livestock) on the farm. Will be pushing 4 this year.
He a 450lb labrador though. Will love you to death if you're not careful.
[/QUOTE]
that things not real is it? you could put a saddle on that thing and ride him around the farm..
He a 450lb labrador though. Will love you to death if you're not careful.
[/QUOTE]that things not real is it? you could put a saddle on that thing and ride him around the farm..
42.) Alex - 03/08/2013
Oh boaris is very real. He's probably made $2500 for the farm so far in babies. He'll probably make that much again before it's his time to go to freezer camp.
Will be a sad day on the farm the day he goes. He's been here the longest so far. But in the end if he's not contributing he's headed for freezer camp.
Hopefully a couple more years at least.
they grow up so fast dont they :-P
Will be a sad day on the farm the day he goes. He's been here the longest so far. But in the end if he's not contributing he's headed for freezer camp.
Hopefully a couple more years at least.
they grow up so fast dont they :-P
43.) Alex - 03/08/2013
44.) luv2bowhunt - 03/08/2013
Boaris is makin' bacon.:nta:
45.) Jag - 03/08/2013
So Molly made her way off to freezer camp huh? Damn she was a biiig girl.
Hope for a couple more years for Boaris as well, going to try to groom any of his progeny to replace him?
Hope for a couple more years for Boaris as well, going to try to groom any of his progeny to replace him?
46.) Alex - 03/08/2013
Yep Molly finally went. She was a big girl and wasnt getting preggers again.
Plus she was very OCD and becoming a handful. Fortunately she tastes like beef so it worked out.
And yeah.. one of Boaris's boys will be spared the knife one of these litters. That will unfortunately be the writing on the wall for Boaris. That'll be a tough one for me. He's been a great pig.
Plus she was very OCD and becoming a handful. Fortunately she tastes like beef so it worked out.
And yeah.. one of Boaris's boys will be spared the knife one of these litters. That will unfortunately be the writing on the wall for Boaris. That'll be a tough one for me. He's been a great pig.
47.) Alex - 03/08/2013
Another one I am going to miss is Moose. He has shot up in size this past year. I can still go in with him and handle him to a degree. He likes his neck scratched.
But he is still pushing a 3 year old Jersey bull with his horns.
He is right on the fence of learning his 900+lbs is bigger than me. When that happens he will be headed to freezer camp that same week. There is just no room for a bull that thinks he is boss. That's how people end up in the hospital.
He's been a lovable bull these past 2 years but when jersey's reach that age.. they can turn on a dime.
I keep socializing him to try and delay the inevitable. Hopefully he has done his job with Mable (Molly's girl). The minute we know she is pregers Moose will be on probation.
But he is still pushing a 3 year old Jersey bull with his horns.
He is right on the fence of learning his 900+lbs is bigger than me. When that happens he will be headed to freezer camp that same week. There is just no room for a bull that thinks he is boss. That's how people end up in the hospital.
He's been a lovable bull these past 2 years but when jersey's reach that age.. they can turn on a dime.
I keep socializing him to try and delay the inevitable. Hopefully he has done his job with Mable (Molly's girl). The minute we know she is pregers Moose will be on probation.
48.) Swamp Fox - 03/08/2013
I don't believe I could do it. I get way too attached to animals...Well, maybe not to a bull---That's what ended my rodeo career: non-attachment... :wink
But any other animal? You name it, if I've been around it much, I've gotten attached.
From mice on up (don't tell Bullz-i, LOL).
It's prolly a sickness...
:-)
But any other animal? You name it, if I've been around it much, I've gotten attached.
From mice on up (don't tell Bullz-i, LOL).
It's prolly a sickness...
:-)
49.) Alex - 03/08/2013
I learned my appreciation for the animals and the farm in general from my grandfather. He was what I always associated as a gentleman farmer. Small family farm, actually about the same or less livestock that I have most of the time. His animals were treated exceptionally and most had names and came when they were called.
People always say "Why do you name them? I couldnt do that and then eat them". I guess I understand that but part of having the farm is really enjoying the time with the animals. If you dont give them a name and their own identity then I think you're just not as likely to treat them as well.
It's hard to see some of them go. A few you cant wait to load into the truck too.
Happy animals taste better is a saying you hear around here often.
If I ever got to the point where I didnt want to get attached to the animals and was purely seeing them as food, then that would be the day I dont do this anymore.
I can buy my food cheaper most times (though not nearly as healthy). I certainly can get healthy food without hauling water in subzero temps, or mucking stalls in 90 degrees.
But just like hunters that love animals and still put meat in the freezer, it's possible to feel the same about farm.
At least that's the way I feel about it. I like to think my grandfather is smiling somewhere. Probably quite the chuckle when I'm hauling endless loads of spent hay or hand planted the acre of heirloom corn or get pissed on by piglet during castration.
:-)
It's all part of the lifestyle. I hope my girls dont wait as long as I did though to come back to it.
To each their own though.
People always say "Why do you name them? I couldnt do that and then eat them". I guess I understand that but part of having the farm is really enjoying the time with the animals. If you dont give them a name and their own identity then I think you're just not as likely to treat them as well.
It's hard to see some of them go. A few you cant wait to load into the truck too.
Happy animals taste better is a saying you hear around here often.
If I ever got to the point where I didnt want to get attached to the animals and was purely seeing them as food, then that would be the day I dont do this anymore.
I can buy my food cheaper most times (though not nearly as healthy). I certainly can get healthy food without hauling water in subzero temps, or mucking stalls in 90 degrees.
But just like hunters that love animals and still put meat in the freezer, it's possible to feel the same about farm.
At least that's the way I feel about it. I like to think my grandfather is smiling somewhere. Probably quite the chuckle when I'm hauling endless loads of spent hay or hand planted the acre of heirloom corn or get pissed on by piglet during castration.
:-)
It's all part of the lifestyle. I hope my girls dont wait as long as I did though to come back to it.
To each their own though.
50.) Alex - 03/08/2013
51.) Alex - 03/08/2013
Ok.. thats enough for now... looking forward to snow melting obviously :-P
52.) Alex - 03/08/2013
[QUOTE=JB;1814]This place is awesome and Im gonna love looking at all the pictures!! I liked your other house and I remember the most, the Christmas tree! I also remember the pond out back...The girls and you and your wife were outside one nite sharing a fire and I remember the stars in the sky...all in pictures you had posted way back when...it was very snowy and beautiful...I think I remember you being worried about too much weight up on the rooftop...I think...and good Lord how the girls have grown!![/QUOTE]
yep. doesnt matter where you are when you have your family :-)
And yeah the girls have really turned into young women almost overnight. Sad is a way. Proud of them both though.
yep. doesnt matter where you are when you have your family :-)
And yeah the girls have really turned into young women almost overnight. Sad is a way. Proud of them both though.