It may be winter right now, though I wouldn't call Southern Arizona's weather truly winter, but technically it is, so I'll let that rest.
I think with the holidays and everything, we are distracted this time of year and don't take advantage of the fact that now is the perfect time to be thinking about spring. Here is a great checklist of things to get done before the last frost.
Have you ordered your spring pig yet? Spring pigs are the more affordable way to own pigs, as pastures green and the world flourishes. However, piglets sell quickly, especially if you want a heritage breed. Now is the time to reserve that special future ham. Can't own a pig where you are?
Look into pig shares! Also, a trick that I'm tempted to try is potbellied pigs. Pigs are not allowed here, but potbellied pigs are, as I suppose the city considers them to be pets. Potbellied pigs can get quite large, and can make good eating.
Where to get a heritage pig:
http://homegrownacres.com/
http://www.mbfarviewfarm.com/Baby-Pigs-For-Sale.htm
http://www.nigeriansandicelandics.com/Pigs.html
http://www.heritage-pigs-for-sale.info/
Plan your garden. I should actually have my cold-weather garden in right now, but I don't, so I'm planning the what whens and wheres of planting for early spring (February here). Now is a great time to check out books and sites that are specific to your area. Mary Irish's Arizona Gardener's Guide is a favorite read for me and it's good for more than just vegetables. Now is also the time to check out
seedsavers.org. Another great garden resource for those with limited space is
Squarefoot Gardening.
Research poultry breeds and types and where they can be found. If you, like me, plan on incubating, then find breeders and hatching eggs which you can set now. Local eggs will have a better hatch rate than those that are shipped, but shipped eggs allow a better range of eggs, especially in the case of heritage breeds. Make sure to note which breeds do well in which climates and take into account whether they will be for eggs or for pets. Some of the cutest chickens just don't lay as well as others. Before you set to ordering chicks or eggs, make sure you
check town or city ordinances for where you live. For example, I can have up to 24 chickens here, but I am not permitted to have a rooster.
If you plan on ordering chicks online, then now is the time to pick out a hatchery. Here are a few that I know of:
http://www.idealpoultry.com/
http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/index.html
http://www.mthealthy.com/
http://www.cacklehatchery.com/
http://www.welphatchery.com/
http://www.healthychicksandmore.com/
Now is a great time to plan if you intend to buy a goat. Most baby goats will start arriving in the spring. Most breeders will allow pre-purchasing. In fact, in this area the early bird really does get the worm.
Once you know if you are going to be owning any new animals in the future it is time to
plan what kind of facilities you need to develop to keep your additions. Become aware of needs such as shade, water, predator protection, etc. This is essential. We lost our whole first flock of fourteen hens, three ducks, and a goose, to a coyote jumping over our back fence, and we live in the city. Don't assume that your livestock will be safe.
Depending on where you live now is also a good time to
look into cattle or sheep. Dexter cattle make great family milkers on a budget.
Mostly, do your homework and know what you are getting into before you jump into livestock ownership. There can be a very steep learning curve for new owners.
Early harvest is here in the garden-- we've been eating early tomatoes and the artichoke plant has over a dozen artichokes in progress. Enough, actually, that Boy wants us to leave one to flower so he can see what it looks like. Peas are taking over the garden like crazy.
And there is the other, even more delightful, abundance... 13 new baby chicks that hatched out just in time for Mother's Day. We put them under a broody hen from my Mother in Law, and she adopted the bunch of them. They love their mama and she loves her babies, even though she's technically a bantam breed, and these chicks are all going to out grow her. At night, when I check on them, there's usually no sign of chicks at all, unless one is nestled on her back, instead of under her wings. It's very sweet and precious to see this adoption.
The hen's name is Fluffy-Top and she is a buff laced Polish, if you were curious. I have caught one of her new babies sleeping up on her crest... talk about a feather mattress!
