Small Farms

As today is the last day of the year, it is time to look forward to doing our taxes.  I’ve written about this in my other blogs, but now the actual activity is upon us.

As any taxpayer in the U.S. knows, preparing taxes isn’t a lot of fun, and even more so if you don’t keep your paperwork together in one place during the year.  For that reason I’d like to remind everyone to remember the vet bills.  This is an expense that can be written off for your business.  I mention this because I’ve forgotten to do this from time to time.  If you haven’t kept those receipts, your local vet office may be so kind as to print them out and either mail them or have you pick them up.

If you haven’t already done so, now is the perfect time to create a real bookeeping system for your small farm.  I use a expandable file folder to keep my records at hand, and it stores them nicely when tied shut (all of those feed receipts stay put!).  I also keep records using accounting software and Excel.  Find one that works well for you and keep a copy of the records on the computer and one on a CD or floppy.  They’ll help you avoid a lot of headaches in the future.

See you next year!

~~Charlotte

While many of the tips I’m about to propose relates to sheep and goats, it can be applied in general to many other animals you may want to purchase for your small farm.  It can be fun to peruse websites looking for specific animals (such as pygamy goats in my case), but you need to know as much as you can about them before you purchase them.  Buying animals sight unseen is never a good idea, and I caution anyone against doing so.  The following are a few guidelines to use before buying animals:

• Whenever possible, buy privately, not through an auction
• Ask for health records and registration at time of sale; demand up-to-date shot records
• Animals should be clean and have good coats and hooves
• Animals should be alert but also have calm dispositions
• Be sure the animal has healthy manure, not loose stools
• Get any guarantees in writing before you purchase the animal

Buying an animal is an investment, especially if you will be using it for breeding purposes or expect a specific type of wool.  Having any guarantees in writing will protect you if the animal becomes ill immediately after the sale.  Don’t pay for the animal or remove it from the premises unless you have everything you need (especially records) at the time of the sale.

Remember- keep the receipts and record of the sale for tax purposes!

~~Charlotte

No matter what time of the year it is, chickens are susceptible to diseases.  It is always important to follow the simple rules of chicken health care:  fresh water, fresh food, plenty of room and clean bedding.  Whenever possible, have a separate clean cage at the ready in case a chicken needs special care.

The following are the protozoan chicken diseases that can affect your flock:

Common

Cryptosporidiosis - affects the cloaca, cloacal bursa, air sacs, lungs and eye lids

Coccidiosis - affects the ceca or intestines

Rare

Leucocytozoonosis - affects the brain, blood, liver, lung and spleen

Malaria - affects the brain, blood, liver, lung and spleen

Canker - mouth and throat

Very Rare

Blackhead - affects the ceca and liver

Toxoplasmosis - affects the central nervous system

I’ll cover each of these separately in posts throughout the next week.  I’ll explain the symptoms and what can be done, if anything to treat or protect your flock in the future.  Most small farmers need only worry about the most common protozoan chicken diseases, as most of the rare and very rare protozoa do not live in North America.

~~Charlotte

This particular list of poisonous plants for goats includes those that may commonly be used as landscaping plants around the home.  Occasionally small farmers allow their animals to graze in their front and back yards.  In some cases, allowing your goats to do this can cause illness or death in the animals.  Before you turn your goats loose around the home and in some cases the garden, check this list of poisonous plants:

• Azalea
• Rhododendron
• Laurel
• Camellia
• Daphne
• Andromeda
• Tansy Ragwort
• Bracken Fern
• Stone Fruits
• Oleander
• Rhubarb
• Tulip
• Daffodil
• English Ivy
• Horse Chestnut
• Japanese Yew
• Coastal Fiddleneck
• Red Maple
• Black Walnut
• St. John’s-Wort

You can obtain a complete list of poisonous plants for your goats from your local Cooperative Extension office.

~~Charlotte

As I’m gearing up for maple sugar season (just a month and a half away from tap time!), it is hard not to think about real maple sugar candy.  You can’t make it with store bought syrup- it has to be the real deal from boiled down maple tree sap.  While I know I’ll be getting a few new recipes this year at the Cooperative Extension maple syrup seminar in January, here is a tried and true favorite for first-time maple sap collectors or those that know where to find pure maple syrup:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups pure maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• Non-stick cooking spray

Equipment:

• Candy molds - leaves, maple leaf shapes or any other small molds
• Large saucepan
• Candy thermometer

Instructions:

1. Pour the syrup and butter into the saucepan.  Clip the candy thermometer to the side of the sauce pan (if it has a clip).   Heat slowly, allowing the butter to melt, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a boil.  Boil, stirring constantly, until it reaches the soft ball stage, then remove from heat.
2. Allow to cool for a few minutes, then stir briskly until the mixture turns opaque and thickens (like fudge).  Once this occurs, stop stirring and spoon the mixture into the molds, working quickly.
3. Allow to harden completely before removing from the molds.

Voila!  Enjoy your hard work with the sweet sensation of pure maple syrup candy!

~~Charlotte

As someone that travels yearly to other states, I’ve been consistently amazed that other states sell wine in their grocery stores, while New York does not.  Since I live in the Fingerlakes wine region, it is disappointing to have to travel to several different liquor stores to find favorite varietal wines.  Perhaps things are finally going to change!  There is a possibility that in the near future, wine will be available, alongside beer, at local grocery stores.

Currently in New York there are 245 wineries and approximately 1,000 grape growers (and there are many that are considered “small farms”!).  Governor Paterson thinks it is time to uncork New York, thus supporting the growing contingent of grape growers and wineries.  Let’s hope the Governor’s idea takes root.  It would mean a lot in a beleaguered economy, especially for grape growers in this state.

~~Charlotte

Winter on the farm can be great fun yet full of unexpected adventures as well.  Some of these adventures are fun while others can be downright treacherous.

While we always have cold and wet winters, one in particular comes to memory.  The Blizzard of 1978.  This particular winter started out as normal for our area of the country.  Cold, blustery and just a hint of snow.  That would soon change, and put many farmers in a predicament that would last for weeks.

On February 5, 1978 the snow storm began.  Over a three-day period we received over four feet of snow.  Because of the blowing snow and 5-inch per hour snowfalls, the snow plows couldn’t keep up with it.  As soon as the plows would come through, the snow fall would continue and the wind would create huge drifts in the road.  It seemed like it would never stop.  What blanketed our area in 3 days turned into a two-week clean up, especially in the higher regions where our family resided.  Our water froze, and stayed frozen after the power went out.  This happened to all of the farmers in our small town.  While some who lived near the highway were dug out sooner than others, our dirt road was one of the last to be cleared.

While we waited to be rescued, we made due with the few groceries we had and resorted to using our fire place to keep the house warm.  To take care of the animals we went out to our well, hacked a hole in the ice and pulled the water out in buckets.  This was rather time consuming, especially if you’ve ever tried to water thirsty cows and horses this way.  All of our neighbors did the same thing, spending most of their days trying to keep the animals hydrated.

The real fun in this story was after the work was done.  Since we live in a mountainous area, sledding and skiing was a popular past time.  My brother and I spent hours sliding down the hills and over snow covered roads, without care of any vehicles inhibiting our paths.  We built numerous snow people and dug tunnels all over the front yard.  To add to the joy, there was no school for about a week and a half after the storm.

We haven’t had a storm like that for decades, and I hope we don’t any time soon.  The idea of pulling water out of the well and heating water over a fire isn’t really my cup of tea.  I’m just not as young and adventurous as I used to be, though my kids would probably give it a go.

Hopefully, wherever you are this Christmas day, you’ll be warm and in good spirits.  Have a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

~~Charlotte

Perhaps not much in this weather, but yes, they are lowing.  If you don’t know what this is, it is simply mooing.  Here in New York we’ve had a strange day- sleet, rain and 45 degree temps.  Can’t say I’m disappointed since we’ve endured an entire week of ice storms and snow storms prior to today.  I guess the cows are a little appreciative as well, hence the mooing!

In addition to the “lowing,” perhaps you have also heard of the myth that the animals in the barn on December 24th will also be able to talk at midnight.  As a child my parents would take me out into the barn at midnight to see if this was true.  My brother and I would get all bundled up and make the trek out to the barn to sneak up on the animals to see if the animals were talking.  While we never did catch any animals making noises other than the occasional belch or bleat, we  did have fun with our covert operation each year.  Obviously as we got older we finally gave up on the idea.

Today, my children are 7 and 8.  We’re planning on starting the tradition with them after midnight mass.  Maybe we’ll finally be lucky and catch one or two words being exchanged with the animals this year!

Merry Christmas to All!

~~Charlotte

Possibly one of the most unique chickens you’ll come across is the Ameraucana chicken.  It is unique due to several characteristics.  First, it has a beard and a muff instead of the usual ear tufts.  This gives it an appearance of having full cheeks and a ruffle under the beak.  Another unique characteristic is the eggs- they come in shades of blues and greens.  These eggs are prized at Easter time- no dying required!

Characteristics of this breed are:

• Pea comb
• Male has a 45 degree angle tail; the female has a 40 degree angle tail
• Slate colored shanks and toes
• Small or absent wattles
• Muff and beard form three separate lobes
• Colors: Black, Brown Red, Buff, Wheaten, Blue Wheaten, Silver, Blue and White (see my photo of the rooster above; I hope to post more pictures in the near future!).

These chickens are usually tame and in my case, seem to get along well with my Polish and Buff Brahmas fairly well.  They don’t get along with the Black Australorps very well though.

If you’re looking for a fun chicken project for your children (4-H perhaps?), then consider these beautiful chickens.  The eggs alone are worth the effort!

These chickens can be purchased at many feed stores in the spring (usually a pre-order), and through Murray McMurray Hatchery .  I’m sure there are other outlets as well that may sell these in your area.

~~Charlotte

I’m one of the few people who raise Crevecoeur chickens in the U.S., and probably the world in general.  These chickens are the oldest of the standard-bred French fowl.  This particular breed originated in Crevecoeur, France, which is located in the Normandy region.  It is a mixture of Polish and other fowl, which is noticeable by the chicken’s fluffy “top hat.”  Initially they were referred to as Black Polish, but eventually the name was changed to Crevecoeur, as it is today.

This particular breed is known for its gourmet meat and white egg production.  They are even tempered and easy to care for, at least in my personal opinion.

Characteristics of the breed are:

• V-shaped comb
• Long, full 45 degree angled tail
• Leaden blue shanks and toes
• Large, oval crest
• Full beard
• Glossy black plumage with greenish-black tones

The status of this breed is critical.  If you come across some of these chickens, consider raising them on your own farm.  They can be purchased online from Murray McMurray Hatchery.

~~Charlotte