Frustratedearthmother's Journaling Journey

[frustratedearthmother]

Yes, they just confirmed that he is in custody, detained another - but I didn't hear about the injured police officer until just now. I've been outside working and coming in and out. I've just been catching snippets of it.

 

[sumi]

OMG I'm so sorry to hear about this FEM I hope no-one you know or their kid(s) got injured or killed.

What the is wrong with people?!?

 

[frustratedearthmother]

What the is wrong with people?!?

And, that is the $64K question.

Now it seems they are finding explosives in the school and the area...geeze louise!

 

[tortoise]

Y'know.... homeschooling next school year is sounding better than ever. What the heck!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Y'know.... homeschooling next school year is sounding better than ever

Yep!

 

[NH Homesteader]

Uh, yup. Doesn't it though?

 

[sumi]

And, that is the $64K question.

Now it seems they are finding explosives in the school and the area...geeze louise!

Oh my word…. Stay safe over there you all

 

[frustratedearthmother]

WooHoo - got the pigs separated yesterday....mostly. Black pigs all look alike, lol. Somehow I invited a young-ish boar into the area with the females. Grrrr - didn't even notice until he turned around, lol. So, I've got to get him out and another female IN the pen. Always something.

I haven't even been outside this morning. I can only imagine that Cameo is waiting on me to get out there! So much to do - so little time.

Also have errands to run today and I don't wanna. Might send DH out to do them.

Gotta get busy...

 

[baymule]

I haven't been up very long......left the kitchen last night after 9. But 15 more chickens are cut up, frozen, canned and broth made. Only 16 more to go.

FEM, we ARE retired and we spend a lot on animal feed. Selling eggs helps pay for feed, but in no way is selling eggs a money maker. We break even to making money on selling pork. Selling lambs is losing money. The CX experiment looks promising if I can find more buyers, this go round we almost covered the feed cost by selling 10 chickens. The horses are giant eaters that make me happy, but have no financial benefit.

I would say to develop customers for your pork and piglet breeding trios or feeder pigs. Go for repeat customers. So far, I get feeder pigs from different people. If these Hereford hogs do well, taste good, etc, I will buy from that person again. Find people like me that you can notify that you have another litter that you are taking deposits on.

Maybe you could make cheese from your goats and sell it. Find the people who are willing to pay for premium good food. It won't pay the bills, but it will sure help on the feed bill.

You are in much better shape than I am. You have been in your location for a long time, you know lots of people, you are still working and that gives you lots of contacts. We moved here knowing nobody. You have GOOD pastures! I got a little pasture envy here......LOL

We have a few egg customers. One of them bought a lamb, but weren't crazy about it. Then they bought half a hog and fell in love with my sour corn fed pork. They ate it all up and asked for a whole hog. Then they sold half of the other hog to his sister and family. So this time, hogs are going to MAKE us MONEY! They just bought 10 of the CX chickens, cut up and packaged.

If I had more pasture and more ewes, I could possibly grow enough lambs to turn it around from losing to making money. Working on that.

If nothing else, selling will let you eat for free or nearly free. And that ain't bad.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

All good ideas! But, I don't foresee me ever selling meat of any kind. I just don't want to deal with any liability. Eggs - I'll sell 'em. Pigs, piglets, goats, kids - yup. Cheese/milk - nope.

Might work some trades with neighbors though. I don't have a problem with that. I've got a neighbor who is quick and efficient at butchering. Butcher a pig for me I'll give you meat, milk or eggs as payment. Can I butcher - yep. Do I really want to - nope, lol! But - having said that I have a wether to process. Need to just get it done.

I don't have that much land and right now the pastures are drying up. I should move the mini-horses outta here first. But, I don't want them going to the killers. Thankfully, they are the least of my money burners. They don't get grain and all shots/worming/feet trims I do myself. But they do eat pasture and hay. Pasture that meat animals could be using and hay that should only go to the critters that I eat. Eh....whatcha wanna do.

If nothing else, selling will let you eat for free or nearly free. And that ain't bad.

That's pretty much what my plan is. I could run this place with a lot more efficiency. It needs to run by the spreadsheet and not my emotions, lol.

Today's big chore is to move all feed out of the milk room. The tragedy with Cocoa and the fact that I have to fight my way through the mass of goats every time I unload feed have convinced me to change things. I'll be moving all feed up under the shed in the back yard. It'll make my life easier for sure. It has gotten darn near impossible to get the feed from the truck to the feed room without goats jumping in the cart - tearing open the feed sacks and squeezing in the feed room while I'm taking feed in. Just not going to deal with that anymore. I need to clear out a little area and put some pallets down. Then I'll move all the metal cans and feed to the new area. It'll be protected under the shed and much easier to access. And, it'll make the milk room much easier to keep clean.

Gotta get to it.