Sabbath Thoughts

I don't work on Sunday-- I observe the Sabbath and find Spring-esque renewal for the week to come by spending time with my family, attending church, and trying to keep an open heart and mind to the incredible world and blessings I see around me. Miracles are so easy to find, if you just look.

After all, it's this awe and love of creation that makes me want to Homestead. It's just gravy if I can reduce my carbon footprint, or feed my family-- I just want to be part of creation and life and a spectator in birth, life, death, communication. I feel like I understand more about faith and God by learning about his creatures and creation. "It is Wonderful!"

I get lost in details, it's very much me to not be able to see the forest for the trees. I can spend hours watching my sons sleep and marvel over every eyelash or the fact that all three of them have triangle-shaped mouths. I can sit and watch my cat as he interacts with the family, and how his best friend is the baby. I wallow in it, I drown in it, and I love it. That is who I am.

Creation. Life. Birth. It is so amazing-- so simple and complex. No wonder returning to the land and earth is so core to my existence.

It May Be Winter...

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.

Recovering Goat Breed: Nigerian Dwarf

Snow 1/2 Saanen 1/2 Nigerian Dwarf,  3 months old

I tend to lean towards the more critically endangered breeds of animals, but in the case of Nigerian Dwarf goats I have actually owned this breed. Also, with goats, I have one of my rare quirks. I grew up with goats when I was little and have been friends with them. Though I am no vegetarian I have yet to eat goat. So, I lean towards the dairy breeds.

Clover 1/2 La Mancha 1/2 Nigerian Dwarf, 2 months

 Nigerians are great goats for the backyard homesteader, in that they are smaller than the standard dairy goat-- they're the 'Mini-Me' goat. They don't need as much feed as the larger breeds and they still produce a good amount of milk, not as much as the larger breeds, but significant for their size, and it's high in butter-fat, so it's forgiving, which is important in an animal that browses.

Storm 1/4 Saanen 3/4 Nigerian Dwarf, yearling milker

As goats are browse (not graze) animals, they have to be penned away from anything you value. Rose bushes are a particular favorite. We fed our goats a high-quality alfalfa hay, with free access to it, they could browse in our backyard. Our dairy goats were supplemented with sweet feed during milking time. We also provided a loose mineral for them (NOT a block).

For us, without wooded pasture, and in an area where greenery takes its toll on water bills, it wasn't cost effective for us to keep our goats. We may go that direction again, but it is a lot of work, as goats are intelligent, curious, and have prodigious jumping abilities. My only two feet at the shoulders baby goat was found on top of the neighbor's eight foot cement block wall.

Nigerian goats as purebreds are great, as I said, for pets or homesteading. My personal preference is for the cross-breeds, which allow the breed characteristics of my favorite goats. Mini-Oberhasli goats are particularly beautiful. Nubian crosses are not a good choice for a small backyard as they are more vocal, though they do handle the weather well. I have owned Saanen-Nigerian and La Mancha-Nigerian does and loved them all.
The purchase price of a goat can range wildly. In purchasing goats it's really important to ask questions. If you want a milk goat, then I suggest that you do not get a baby goat or first freshener, which is what a doe after her first kidding is called. Also, before you buy a goat you should know the following things:

Lightning 1/4 Saanen 3/4 Nigerian Dwarf, yearling milker

Where are you going to keep them? It must be solid and secure, probably with electric fencing involved.

How are you going to breed them to keep the milk coming every year?

What are you going to do with kids after they are born? Do you intend to sell them? Eat them? Let them nurse (which will reduce how much milk you get)?

Are you willing to commit to milking every morning and every night at the same time with no vacations?

Do want a goat for milk alone or do you want to show and breed for sales? Unregistered goats are less expensive to buy while purebred and well bred goats may be a better investment for someone who wants to own goats seriously.

Read up on goat diseases such as CL and CAE. Don't buy a goat without knowing what they are and if the herd you are buying from is clean.

Resources and must-reads for people considering owning a goat:

http://fiascofarm.com/goats/index.htm
homesteadingtoday.com