Summer Fun 2016

The kids work hard all year and including the summer in which they are working with animals and
4-H activities. Summer is also a time for fun experiences like camps, horseback riding and many other things that we don't do as much during the winter.

Hannah attended 4-H camp at Crowder State Park last week.  She spends her spare time riding Gracie to get ready for the horse show in July. She and Jacob are raising chickens and the above are what she hatched this spring.  I think they believe she is the "mother!"

Shooting sports are always a big part of our summer. This photo is of Jacob showing Hannah how to shoot his Lyman Muzzleloader.

Jacob is currently at the Joseph Baldwin Academy in Kirksville for the next three weeks and he is taking classes there at Truman, which involve the Art and Science of Business and Entrepreneurship. In addition to classes, many social activities are planned in which kids are constantly busy. Counselors live in the dorms and attend classes with them.

While mowing last week, Jacob found this Luna Moth (Actias Luna). It is amazing how God created all of these wonderful insects and creatures.  I feel so blessed to live in an area in which the children are free to explore God's creations!

Introducing Chickens Into an Existing Flock

When you either raise chicks purchased from your local farm and home store or you acquired a few from a friend, there are ways to introduce chickens to an existing flock.

Chickens can be mean to each other. Hard to believe, I know! :(  You can help them to "forget" they have NEW additions, in a few simple steps.


After they are big enough to be introduced, which is when you think they are big enough to defend themselves. Typically, at least 8 weeks old.
Then, when you bring them to the coop, leave them in cages with food and water until the evening, but put them in a spot where other chickens can smell and get to know them in a safe way.

Lastly, that evening, put them in the coop when the existing flock has roosted. When they wake up, the existing flock doesn't realized they are new and accepts them.  There will always be a "pecking" order but you should not have many chickens attacking the new additions.  

Do you have any other ideas for introducing a new flock to an existing flock?

Chickens, Pears and a Field Trip

This week was another busy week.  Chickens needed their home cleaned.  So the kids and I waited for the chickens to get out of the henhouse and then we shut the door as they came out.  We checked for mites and shook DE on them.  We continued to  scraped out feces and bird feathers etc.  and finished by putting DE on the bottom of the floor and nesting boxes. We put a fresh bed of straw.

My next new adventure making Fermented Pear Sauce.  I purchased yogurt at Hy-Vee

I put the yogurt over a strainer and cheesecloth overnight sitting over a glass bowl.  I let it sit about 12 hours and the whey was waiting at the bottom of the glass bowl. 

I decided to use the whey but you could use water kefir if you have it.

Next, I put pears to a food processor and pureed them smooth.  I then added 1 tsp of salt and added two Tbls. of the whey.  Mixed well and placed in quart jars and let them sit.  I will find out tomorrow how it turns out. 

Lastly, Friday we traveled to Linneus for a field trip tour of our county courthouse and old jail museum. We had a great time with our homeschool group learning about the prosecuting and sheriff's departments, MU extension office and the old jail museum.     

  

Beginnings

Well I'm jumping into this "blogging" thing. I'm excited to share with you my parenting, home schooling and chicken raising life with all of you. I will have to take more photos.

Day 1:

Today we woke up to some wind this morning.  Hannah and I let the chickens out of their hen house. Her, Jacob and I did our chores, ate breakfast then started our school day. David, Dad, said it was the best omelet I've ever made.   :)

We had a good day in school. We attempted a new spelling curriculum.  Spelling City. I will post my review after we use it for a week or so.

We use Sonlight for History, Readers, and Read alouds.  We have used Sonlight for 3 years now and have enjoyed it. I will post soon my Pros and Cons of Sonlight.

I look forward to sharing my thoughts on life, religion and schooling.