Sunday, January 11, 2009

Renovations

Lots of remodeling going on at the farm.  We are hoping all is done by end of 2009 so that we can concentrate on enjoying the livestock instead of worrying about the next project.
There used to be a corn crib type building where the fire is...... no more building.  Actually 3 buildings are gone and it looks a lot nicer.  I'm suprised that the largest building didn't fall down or get blown away- it came down rather easy.
In the place of the old corn crib will be some staging areas and sorting areas for the sheep and cows.  The idea is to get them to come from the field and to the sortation area and then if needed up to the barn. A layout of the area is needed and boy do I love layouts and especially when they involve sortation!

Below you'll see a brand new water trough.  2 water troughs were installed a week ago and they run all the time and are fed and run by spring heads.  All natural gravity power.  If you look beyond the water trough you'll the the barn structure that was removed.  



Last but not least, we are down to 12 ducks as of today.  The 2 did not die, they were sold to a nice family with 2 girls who wanted some ducks.  I got the call yesterday and the mom asked if we sold ducks.  Luckily I was quick on my feet and said that I hadn't planned on it but sure- why not, the only duck not for sale would be Spike.  They wisely chose the 2 buff ducks.  I haven't seen them up so close since they were little but as Mike had to catch them to put them in the crate we got to take a good look at them.  Beautiful buff/pink/white colors to the ducks.  I told the kids to convince mom to let them have ducklings someday.  So I guess we now officially sell ducks.  $20 per duck was the selling price.  I told my kids they could use the money and buy a few more ducks in the spring/summer when they can be outside as ducklings are messy and better that they are messy in the pasture.  They also want Polish chickens so maybe they'll get some of those....yes Polish chickens- I really don't make this stuff up- check out the video.

7 comments:

Blue Heron Farm said...

OK - I am wiping the tears away.

"We are hoping all is done by end of 2009 so that we can concentrate on enjoying the livestock instead of worrying about the next project."

...you must be new at this farming thing. The projects NEV ER end. NEVER!!!!! ;)

Those troughs are so cool. And yankees paying $20 for a duck? Y'all are big time. Congrats.

SteveandAlina said...

I just asked Steve how much he thinks a duck would cost and his reply "A Couple Hundred Bucks".... so maybe you could charge more!! =)

Michael@greenakeys.com said...

Ive got some ducks to sell you, Alina. You can have your pick. Ill even deliver them.

To Chicago.

In a Ferrari.

Michael@greenakeys.com said...

What do ducks go for in Dixie?

Remember, these were FANCY ducks...

Blue Heron Farm said...

We sold our ducklings for $4 on C-list. Someone asked if we would take $3.


...how fancy? Like they had gold teefs?

Annette said...

We paid $4 per duckling (McMurray Hatchery- Fancy Duck package) when we first got them and then paid 16 weeks of duck feed. In about 6 weeks the female will lay eggs and you can sell duck eggs for around $9/ dozen around here. So technically, in a few months we're losing out on selling them.
Y'all need to sell duck eggs at your farmers market and then you too will be big time.

Michael@greenakeys.com said...

They had dollar bills.

Oh man. Even I cant stand that pun.