Tag Archive | sustainability

April Update: Chicks, Ducks, Bunnies, Oh My!

Apr6

The chicks have grown. Seven Chicks Growing
It will be so exciting when they start laying by grandson Kaiden’s birthday (August), as expected.

The ducks are laying every day and since the chicks have taken over the “duck” tractor, Hubby built me a new poultry pen. Poultry Pen
It’s quite a bit larger than the tractor. I put their former shelter (the top to an old dog carrier) in the new pen in case they wanted something familiar but they were quite happy to lay their eggs in the new couch coop. Couch Coop
The couch coop already needs a new top (we knew it would) but was providential so we aren’t complaining. It is filled with leaves (deep litter method) and the duck eggs are so clean now when we pick them up!

Now for the exciting news! We have Bunnies. The new additions were selected by the entire family on a trip to Tractor Supply for more Dumore poultry feed. Rabbit manure is exceptionally good for the garden and Spring Warren at Quarter Acre Farm says that two rabbits can produce as much poop as a steer. That will be a great addition for the worm farms, as well as the garden and compost heaps.

Meet Goldilocks and Peter Rabbit.

Some Bunny loves You

Don’t worry… like Duckling One and Duckling Two, and the seven ladies (chicks)– these bunnies are destined for a long and happy life- not the supper table!

Duck eggs, Worm farms, Aquaponics, Baby chicks

Mar17

Yesterday we collected another duck egg and moved the duck tractor to the right side of the property where the tool shed and pear tree could shade it and the ducks could eat the weeds growing beside the new compost bin. Duck Tractor Moved

We also went by Tractor supply and purchased seven red pullets. Actually two of the chicks are black and five are yellow. There appear to be three breeds as you might be able to tell from the pictures. We also got one bag of Dumore Chick Starter Grower 20%, the same unmedicated feed we bought for the ducks last year. Seven Chicks

We stopped by Mama’s house before church so we could show her the chicks. She had been to get the worms and gave me the worms and the worm farm filled with worm castings so I could divide them and make more worm farms. Worm Farm

Although I purchased a four outlet air pump and six air stones, that is as far as I’ve gotten on the aquaponics until we find barrels and get money for pvc fittings. I’m really looking forward to getting that going so I can have a tomatoes and lettuce shelf as I love salads.

Homesteading has been added as a category to my blog so I can tell you what’s going on with our sustainibilty efforts.

Sustainability is defined by the online Meriam Webster Dictionary as



 
  1: capable of being sustained
2a : of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged
b : of or relating to a lifestyle involving the use of sustainable methods

So our goal is to be able to harvest or use the resources our Heavenly Father has given us in such a way so that they are not depleted or permanently damaged. We want to make this a lifestyle choice and not just a hobby or amusement.