Speaking Willow Farm

Monday, February 29, 2016

February Update

All taps are in and we boiled the first batch of maple syrup for the season; approximately two weeks ahead of last year.

Kidding season is now over. We saw the arrivals of three lambs and two kids.

We recently purchased Guinea hogs and will try to breed them later this year. So far they are acclimating well to their new home. Right now they are in a stall in the barn but will get turned out to pasture in another month or two once the weather warms up.

There is a bit of fencing that needs to be repaired and additional gates to be added to increase our total number of paddocks.

We are looking forward to spring so we can get all of the animals back outside and begin working on the garden.

Monday, February 23, 2015

Piglets will be arriving soon!

We are expecting a litter of piglets in April. Reserve your order now. $2.50/lb hanging weight plus butcher fees.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

It won't be long before the pigs are ready for the butcher!

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Ready for Sap!

With some assistance from our little helper our sap buckets are up and ready for some warmer temperatures to arrive. Looking at the forecast this weekend and into next week looks promising as the temps should warm up enough for the sap to begin running. Still have some work to do on the boiler and there is a lot of wood that needs to be cut/split before we can start boiling.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Update

A lot has changed since the last post...we have relocated. We now reside on 9 acres just outside of Caledonia. All of our animals have moved with the exception of seven ducks. We hope to have them in their new abode this weekend.
Since the move Daisy and Luna both kidded twins. Daisy had two bucklings; Torch and Cactus. Luna had two doelings; yet to be named. All kids are growing nicely and are ready for their first visit to the vet for vaccinations. Since the fencing is not up yet all goats are currently being held in the barn. Once we get a break in this weather (hopefully in March) we will get a few pastures set up and can begin turning the goats outside. In the meantime we cannot complain as the barn serves as a nice retreat from the elements. I have to admit, I do not miss the days of carrying five gallon buckets of water from the house to the goats. The current set up is much more conducive to our goals on the farm.
I'm beginning to plan for the upcoming shearing season. Having never done it before I think I may reach out to some more experienced folk and offer to assist with their shearing duties in exchange for learning/seeing the process first hand. Our goal is to save the wool each year to make a rug. Each year we will have the wool dyed a certain color. I'm curious to see how many years (and colors) it will take to have enough wool for the finished product.