"No. Thanks for the ideas, but storing hay outside is not a good idea for goats because they're more likely to get sick from any mold that grows. We've done something similar to his hay pyramid idea inside the barn using pallets and hog…"
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Deborah @ Antiquity Oaks
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Deborah @ Antiquity Oaks's Discussions
Mid-America Homesteading Conference
Started this discussion. Last reply by Delanie Trusty Jul 19, 2012. 1 Reply 0 Likes
I wanted to let everyone know about the upcoming homesteading conference at Joliet Junior College in Joliet, IL. More info is available at the website:…Continue
making hay
Started this discussion. Last reply by Deborah @ Antiquity Oaks Aug 11, 2012. 2 Replies 0 Likes
We have a lot of areas on our property where the pasture grows faster than our animals can eat it, and we want to cut it as hay, but modern equipment can't get to those areas because of trees, hills,…Continue
Tags: hay
Deborah @ Antiquity Oaks's Page
Latest Activity
Matthew F replied to Deborah @ Antiquity Oaks's discussion making hay
"Have you tried building a hay rick?"
Delanie Trusty replied to Deborah @ Antiquity Oaks's discussion Mid-America Homesteading Conference
"We just registered today for myself, my hubbie and my son - we are so excited - doing the goat workshop on Sunday - we can't wait!"
Deborah @ Antiquity Oaks posted a discussion
Mid-America Homesteading Conference
I wanted to let everyone know about the upcoming homesteading conference at Joliet Junior College in Joliet, IL. More info is available at the website:http://www.homesteadingconference.comAnd if you register by Wednesday, you could win a $25 gift certificate to the conference bookstore!See More
Deborah @ Antiquity Oaks replied to Cara Randall's discussion Small farm and just me (mostly)-can it work?
"Check out the Mid-America Homesteading Conference. You might get some more ideas there. You're probably about six hours away."
Deborah @ Antiquity Oaks posted a discussion
making hay
We have a lot of areas on our property where the pasture grows faster than our animals can eat it, and we want to cut it as hay, but modern equipment can't get to those areas because of trees, hills, creeks, etc. My husband has a scythe, which he uses, but our issue is storage. We've tried a few different methods of storing it for the winter but are not terribly happy with any of them. We've tried rolling them into bales and tying with baling twine, and we've stuffed them into an old water…See More
Deborah @ Antiquity Oaks posted a status
"Check out my blog for a chance to win "Barnheart" http://www.homegrownandhandmadethebook.com/2012/03/homesteading-dreams.html"
Deborah @ Antiquity Oaks replied to MyBackAchers Farm's discussion Meat birds?
"It would be easier to discuss this if you'd read the previous posts, but I raised the CX side-by-side with barred rocks, so they were fed the same thing and had the same experience. The only difference was that I had to start limiting the…"
Deborah @ Antiquity Oaks replied to MyBackAchers Farm's discussion Meat birds?
"I won't repeat everything I've said in previous posts in this thread, but there is more to chickens than fast weight gain. I've raised heritage and CornishX side-by-side, and will not raise the CX again -- unless I'm doing it for…"
Deborah @ Antiquity Oaks replied to MyBackAchers Farm's discussion Meat birds?
"If you just want cheap, you can get a mix of heavy heritage boys a lot cheaper than that from Cackle, 50 for $32.50 --
http://cacklehatchery.com/page10.html#specialheavyassorted
I got this a few years ago, and it worked great. Out of 50 rooster,…"
Deborah @ Antiquity Oaks replied to MyBackAchers Farm's discussion Meat birds?
"Barred rocks tend to be very nice, but it does not matter if the breeds are mixed. When my daughters were in 4-H, we always had four breeds running around our farm because each girl wanted to show two different breeds. When it comes to predators,…"
Deborah @ Antiquity Oaks replied to MyBackAchers Farm's discussion Meat birds?
"I disagree with just about everything here. I have raised barred rocks and Cornish cross side-by-side -- same feed, same treatment -- and they were very different. I actually had to stop giving the CX feed 24 hours a day because they did start…"
Deborah @ Antiquity Oaks replied to MyBackAchers Farm's discussion Meat birds?
"Most of the hatcheries will tell you that those chickens are a hybrid, and if you keep them and try to create your own, they will not breed true, nor will they have the kind of weight gain that you see in the chicks you buy from them. They are also…"
Deborah @ Antiquity Oaks replied to Kathy @ Cascabel Ranch's discussion Milk Goats
"Many people actually consider Nubians to be a dual-purpose goat because they tend to be meatier than some of the dairy breeds. All that means is that they have a good amount of meat on them -- it has nothing to do with the quality of the meat.…"
Deborah @ Antiquity Oaks replied to Kathy @ Cascabel Ranch's discussion Milk Goats
"Is it true that nursed kids are hard to sell?
There are people who prefer to buy kids raised on pasteurized milk, but there are also people who prefer to buy kids that are dam raised by moms who are tested negative from diseases. I've been dam…"
Profile Information
- Which of the following best describes you?
- Homesteader, Foodie, Journalist
Our story
In 2002, we moved to 32 acres on a creek in the middle of nowhere to start growing our own food organically. Our livestock experience consisted of two cats and a poodle, but we had learned to grow a little in our s
uburban garden. Initially we made a lot of mistakes, but every year we learned a little more, and today we produce 100% of our own meat, eggs, dairy, and maple syrup, as well as most of our fruits and vegetables.
Our homestead consists of Nigerian dwarf and la mancha dairy goats, Shetland sheep, Irish dexter cattle, American guinea hogs, heritage chickens, and turkeys.
In 2011, I wrote Homegrown & Handmade: A Practical Guide to More Self-Reliant Living, which was published by New Society. It's available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your favorite independent bookstores.
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Comment Wall (3 comments)
- At 9:34am on December 21, 2011,
SELAH Farm said… Hey Deborah,
I've read the blog posts that you linked to about chickens for meat. Do you mind if I link to those blog posts on my Facebook?
I'm looking forward to reading more of your blog and learning from your experiences.
- At 9:36am on December 28, 2011,
Sarah Creviston Lee said… Hi Deborah! I met you at the MEN fair. It's good to see you on here!
- At 2:58pm on January 16, 2012,
Kathy @ Cascabel Ranch said… - Thanks! The Longhorn's name is Bonnie. She was my wedding gift from my DH. I gave him a Buckskin Pinto horse. I''ve been inS Texas for about 5 years now. DH is from here. Don't think I'd survive the mid west winters! Brrrrr
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Cara Randall replied to Tamara Suber's discussion Hello Friends! Looking for advice on getting funding to start a sheep and goat farm!!!
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