Time With A Little Guy

I had the opportunity to spend a few days with my oldest nephew, Ethan. He'll be nine years old in July and this was his first time away from home for more than a one-night sleep over. His younger brother, Jared gets really homesick, so he didn't get to come since it was going to be more than one night away from home. But, I have little broiler chicks coming in July and they will both be coming to stay overnight when I pick up the chicks from the hatchery.

The first day we went swimming, including Uncle Matt. A fun time was had by all, even me--a total land dweller. I swim like a rock...if you get my drift.

Tuesday, we started our day with breakfast, a rarity for me and then it was off to do morning chores. Ethan is in Cub Scouts and as part of a project requirement, he could help feed and care for the chickens. I showed him how many scoops of food the chickens got and helped him fill waterers and sweep the floor. I then created a monster! He became completely intrigued by handling the chickens and made it his duty to catch all the ones he could. After some time in the coop we went in and chilled out. He played "animal catcher" with my many cats and dogs and put them in the cages I used to use when I had my boarding kennel. Thank goodness they are so good-natured! Periodically, Ethan took it upon himself to go out to the coop and check for eggs.

Later in the day, we went to the farm where I help milk cows. It was fun for me. I hadn't milked in a while. It was so hot in the parlor! Ethan looked the part with his rag, work boots and rubber gloves. I explained what it took to prep the cows and the importance of knowing what red leg bands meant. (Leg bands indicate a "dry cow"/ pregnant and due to calf, a cow that may have mastitis, a cow that just had a calf/ "freshened" or a cow that is on medication.) He checked the legs as the cows came in and would say "that one has a band", or "no red-bander's here!" He helped count cows to let me know how many needed to fill the parlor for that round of milking. He even got to help pre-dip, strip and post dip teats. A big help for never doing it before. He hung in there pretty well till he got sweaty and itchy and wanted to leave. But, Al was milking by himself since Stan was busy baling hay and I wasn't going to leave Al to do it all himself. I sent Ethan to the milk house to wait by the bulk tank. We only had a few cows left anyway. He just couldn't take the "itching" anymore. I think he was just hot and sweaty, but he chalked it up to no fun and deemed cows made him itch and they smelled funny.

He got to help weigh eggs and I even taught him how to make scrambled eggs! He soaked up all that I taught him.

He didn't want to leave, and I admit I was enjoying the company. As for the chickens, I'm not so sure... But, he went home convinced that he wants to be a chicken farmer.

Cleaning Out the Chicken Coop & Recipe of the Week: Not Your Mom's Meatloaf

Some of my followers have been giving me heck wondering, "What gives? Why haven't you posted?" Like many other bloggers out there, I've been busy with the new responsibilities of Spring and early Summer. Right now northeast Ohio is caught in this crazy weather pattern where it rains practically every other day. It's making it impossible to get my garden out! When I do, I'm planning on documenting it as well as including some helpful hints.

One of the myriad of things I've accomplished so far is cleaning out the chicken coop. By no means a glamorous job, but still a necessary task. I picked a non-raining day and went to work.

This is before I went to work. Things were just kind of here and there. When it's the middle of Winter and 18 degrees outside, you just want to hurry back to the house. Eventually after a few months of that, things start looking pretty messy.

My coop is divided into three pens: a Hospital, or sick pen, the "Bantie Pen" and the General Population pen. The General Population pen is twice as big as the hospital or Bantie pens. I started with the General Pop pen first, since it was the biggest. I shoveled out all of the old bedding until everything was cleaned out.

I then sprinkled a Poultry Dust on the floor of the coop. This dust helps deter lice and other creepy crawlies from living on the birds.

See the dust on the floor? Also, take note of the two new nest boxes I hung. Matt's Uncle Stan and I designed them and then he built them. There is a perch on the front for the birds to hop up on and a lid on the top for me to open and collect eggs. I never have to set foot in the pen.

Next, I put down a thick layer of fresh wheat straw. Almost ready for the girls to see their new pen and boxes...

Ahh, a happy tenant in her new home getting ready to lay an egg!

Looks like somebody has been hard at work!

A place for everything and everything in its place!

Not only did I clean out the pens, but I also mixed my new hens in with the older ones. Sometimes adding new chickens to the "pecking order" can be pretty dicey. I can't say it didn't go without some squabbling, but overall, it was the most uneventful mix I've done. The girls are in full swing and giving me eight to sometimes 13 or 14 eggs a day. I have eggs coming out my ears!

Recipe of the Week: Not Your Mom's Meatloaf

courtesy Renee Schaaf, CT Farm

1 lb. ground beef

1 lb. bulk Italian sausage

2 eggs

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

2/3 c. dry bread crumbs

1/4 c. Parmesan cheese

3/4 tsp. Italian seasoning

1/2 Tblsp. parsley

1 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 c. dried minced onion

1/4 c. ketchup

Topping:

3 Tbsp. BBQ sauce (I used Bob Evan's Wildfire sauce)

3 Tbsp. ketchup

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Mix topping ingredients and spread on top of loaf. Bake until internal temperature reaches 180 degrees. Let rest five minutes before slicing.

This makes great meatloaf sandwiches the next day...