Chickens Wearing Sweaters

My Sister in Law Tasha posted about a chicken rescue group on her Facebook page. They are named Little Hen Rescue and according to their website, they run a not-for-profit organization that rescues battery, barn, free range hens and sometimes other poultry. It sounds like most of the chickens are rescued from farmers after they have lost there use. 

The coolest part of the website is a section that teaches you how to knit sweaters for these poor chickens. the pictures are awesome and now I want my chickens to start wearing clothes. Check out some of the pictures.

All dressed up and nowhere to go.

"Does this dress cover my legs enough? I want to show them, but not all of them."

You can donate to this organization, or make sweaters for them. To find out how to help, click here.

These sweaters got me wondering about dressing up my chickens. I would like to dress one up as Sherlock Holmes, but only if I can teach her to hold a pipe. I know, it's pretty geeky to think about, but admit it, it is entertaining. What other good chicken costumes/outfits can you think of?

Baby Buttercup

Our sweet neighbor, Jane,  knows that we want to get some goats. She bought a little baby goat this week and invited us to come over and play with her. We had so much fun, and we just can't wait to get our own goats!

Her goat house is immaculate, and Jane is organized and efficient. I know when the time comes, I will have  a lot to learn from her. 

She has two baby goats, so the milk is all going to them. She put the milk right into the bottles she was going to feed them with. 

And Cosmo, licking his lips, anxiously awaits. 

And then guzzles two bottles down in less than a minute.

Then it was the baby's turn to feed the baby.

Madelyn just couldn't get enough of Buttercup.

Isn't she just the cutest little thing?

Thank you Jane!

Homestead Makeover Contest

As more American families embrace the values of simple living, the homesteading movement has moved into many suburban and urban areas. To address the need for products and information that supports the homesteading lifestyle, Manna Pro has launched a new web site at www.thehappyhomesteader.com. The web site offers information about raising backyard chickens, rabbits and goats; gardening in small spaces; and composting in a responsible and sustainable manner.


In support of this increasing popular movement, Manna Pro is holding a Homestead Makeover Contest for people who would like to improve their homestead or get a new homestead off to a great start. To enter, consumers need to record a video between two minutes and ten minutes in length detailing why they deserve to win a homestead makeover. They are encouraged to submit footage of their property showing what they would change or enhance to create a perfect homestead. “We want to know what motivates these consumers, and what inspires them to live a more sustainable lifestyle,” says Jennifer Hojnacki, Director of Marketing at Manna Pro. “Whether you envision a vegetable garden and chicken coop, or a dairy goat station and apple orchard, we want to know how having a dream homestead would change your life.” The winner of the contest will receive a homestead makeover consisting of up to $5,000 in products and services during the spring of 2012.

To enter the contest, consumers should fill out the online entry form (available at www.thehappyhomesteader.com) and email their video submissions to Manna Pro. The videos will be posted to the Happy Homesteader YouTube channel, and one winner will be selected in November 2011. Official entry rules are listed online.

There is also an opportunity for experienced homesteaders to participate in the contest. People who are already very active in homesteading activities and feel confident in their knowledge can submit a video showing their unique approach to creating a successful and sustainable environment. The entrant who illustrates the most expertise and originality in modern homesteading will receive the opportunity to be Manna Pro’s “Happy Homesteader Expert” throughout the makeover project. The winner of this category will also receive Manna Pro products and merchandise valued at $500.

Also in conjunction with the promotion, Manna Pro is launching two new poultry products: Wipe ‘N Wash^TM Egg Cleansing Towelettes and Coop ‘N Compost^TM Coop Odor Neutralizer. Wipe ‘N Wash is a 25 count, pop-top container of recyclable, biodegradable wipes that can be used to quickly and easily clean eggs. Because the wipes are biodegradable, they can be safely placed in the compost after using them. Each wipe can clean up to 2 dozen eggs depending on how soiled they are. Coop ‘N Compost is a natural product used to neutralize odors and moisture in coops, which extends the life of bedding and enhances living conditions for the flock. As an added benefit, when mixed with manure and compost, Coop ‘N Compost makes the natural nutrients more plant-accessible, which is good for the garden.

Ag Stats

I was trained as an agricultural economist at Cornell, where George F. Warren birthed the discipline of agricultural economics (The University of Wisconsin and Henry C. Taylor would take issue with that statement). As such I love to ruminate on tables like the following. Understandably, you may not be so engrossed with it so let me summarize some interesting points.

1.   Americans spent 1.1 trillion dollars on food in 2010. Wow!

2.   In 1930, the average American spent 24.2% if their take home pay on food. By 2010 this was reduced to 9.4%. That is amazing! Particularly since through the history of mankind, most people spent most of their time trying to get food. But our agricultural systems have freed up over 90% of our income to use for other things, like big screen TVs. Some would argue that there are other costs to our agricultural systems such as environmental and societal costs. I would not disagree but our agricultural systems are trying to feed almost 7 billion people.

3.  In 1930 the average American ate 12.7% of the value of their food outside the home – restaurants, etc.

That number grew to 41.3% in 2010. And a large part of that is eaten in fast food restaurants.

4.  Assuming that food prepared in the home is cheaper that restaurants, and it certainly is for us, the average person could reduce their food bill much lower than even 9.4% of their take home pay if they ate out less often. I know this is true because for years we fed a family of 8 on about 10% of my income. However, right now I have a 6’4” sixteen year old who is eating me out of house and home. 

Click to Enlarge Table

So what conclusions can you draw from this table?

Do a Good Turn

Its that time of year when your garden is thriving, ripe tomatoes on every vine, summer squash literally doubling in size daily and fresh backyard food for every meal.  Do you find that after eating all you could possibly want and preserving your favorites that you still have a lot left over?

So far this week I've picked over 20 cucumbers. After squash bores destroyed our plants last year we decided to grow a lot more cucumbers in hopes of more survivors.  Only problem is we are now getting 10-15 lbs of cucumbers a week and we don't like pickles. My personal limit for cucumber consumption is one or maybe two a day if I eat only salad with lunch and dinner.  

In January I heard on All Things Considered about a major problem with food banks, getting nutritious quality food http://www.npr.org/2011/01/13/132864584/high-demand-nutritional-dilemma-vex-food-banks.  With unemployment still high nation wide there is a lot of need.  Food banks get lots of non-perishable canned and refined foods but frequently lack a variety of fresh vegetables and fruit due to high cost and short shelf life.   

Rather than unloading your extra on neighbors and friends please make a regular commitment to deliver your plenty to your local food bank that others might also be blessed by your farm.

 

~Allen Johnson

The New Guy in Town

Michael and I had some good laughs picking out the Barry White song. Once the video all came together, it was pretty funny to listen to the words because they seemed to fit......I love you baby, let me run my fingers through your hair feathers.

~marisa

Feed the Birds!

This year, the weather patterns across many parts of the country have been abnormal.  Here in Texas we are experiencing the worst drought in our history.  So far, here in Houston where I live, we are over 18” behind regular rainfall amounts for the year.

This is having a big effect on all trees and plants and the animals are going to suffer because of it!
Natural sources of nectar are being minimized and this is a concentrated area for migrating birds.  For any readers who want to contribute… help the Hummingbirds gain the weight they need! Their migration is happening or will soon be happening (late August through September) when they will need to increase their weight by +/- 40%.

Feeders:
4: 1 water: sugar (dissolve with hot water)
No red dyes in the water
Change out the water every 2-3 days to prevent spoilage
Preferably place it in a shaded location
Keep multiple feeders far apart and in various locations to prevent fighting

Cameron

Did your Farmers Market make this list?  
(Image Credit)