goat mischief

Tiny and Sugar Pie

the greenhouse

Since we're starting over at a new location, we don't have the set-up we had for starting baby chicks. This time we started the turkey poults in the garage, knowing that space would only last about 2 weeks before they outgrew it. Since the turkeys arrived, Nate's been working non-stop on building a greenhouse that will act as a brooder for the turkeys for the next month or so. After that, they'll move outside.

This will be a multipurpose greenhouse. We may house our laying hens in it over the winter and we can then start seedlings here in the Spring.

After Nate finished the foundation, it was time to put the plastic on. The farm crew got up extra early before the sun and before any breezes to accomplish the task. Being that we didn't know quite what we were doing, you might ask how we did this.

 

Now that's what I call team work.

We now have some pretty happy turkeys with plenty of room to run, jump and flap their wings. 

random

I'm overwhelmed these days . . . but in a good way. It does mean, however, that I'm finding it difficult to form complete thoughts. This is the best I can do right now.

• The baby turkeys (called poults) arrived a week ago. We were almost ready for them, they did arrive a day early though. I have more to say about getting ready for them later but seriously, those turkeys symbolize our return to farming so it's really kind of a big deal.

• The POD (portable storage unit) arrived containing the contents of the house we had to move out of last August.

• Unfortunately, the turkeys AND the POD arrived at the exact same time.

• I am surrounded by boxes and no matter how simplified I thought our lives were, we still have way too much stuff. I like stuff less and less every day. I mean, we've lived without all of this crap for a whole year. Remind me why we need it?

• I helped transplant kale and collards out in the field the other day and loved it. I love planting things and I've noticed that the more I play in dirt, the more grounded I feel.

• My turkey maternity leave ended this week so it was back to work. I'll be working 2 days a week for now and we'll see how it goes. For those 2 days, Nate will be a stay-at-the-farm turkey papa.

• I celebrated a birthday and was unbelievably honored to share it with some amazing friends. It was a lovely time, (except for having to euthanize a turkey during the party. One just wasn't doing well and we couldn't stand to watch the little guy suffer so we snuck away from the party to take care of him. Whatever, it happens - even during parties.)

• Things continue to be awesome here. I just wish I had more time and energy to write about it. Good energy all around and great ideas swirling daily.

the turkeys are here!

Need I say more?