Morning finds the cows still relaxing in the pasture and the pigs asleep.
Our boys hear the alarm ringing at 6:00 and after their personal Bible reading and prayer time they head out to the farm.
The pasture gate is opened and the cows find their way to the milking barn.
Separating out the calves Violet and Forall can be a challenge.
Daisy, Liberty, and Isabel wait to go in the barn to get milked.
The pigs come running and squealing for their breakfast! They get a little oats along with their pasture diet. In times of extra milk, they love to have some of it!
Joseph mixes up the turkey feed, loads up the chicken feed, fills the water tank, and then heads out to the poultry pasture pens. Titus follows on his bike with his buddy Timothy.
The broiler chickens and turkey pens are moved to fresh pasture and then fed an organic feed mix and water. They love the fresh grass and peck excitedly as they are moved. The boys use a homespun ‘dolly’ to help move the pens. An escape turkey enjoys the pasture.
Then its on to the baby chicks. These are future egg layers. They need their chick feed, water, and heat lamps adjusted.
There’s usually time for some fun!
The new mother and kittens are doing well.
A quick stop at the horses tell us they are well. Dakota, below left, is Daniel’s preferred steed. Joseph prefers Bonanza, below right, and Titus rides little Blackie.
The hens are also fed and watered and their pastured Egg Mobile moved as needed, usually every other day. Gathering eggs is a rewarding and fun job! Below is a hen laying an egg and a hen saying good morning to you!
The cows get a new ‘break’ of pasture set up for them and then they are let out. Mahlon brings in the fresh healthful milk, strains it, and gets it chilling.
After a final check that all is well at the farm the boys come in ready for breakfast and to start their school work. Mahlon heads off to the Lanz farm to help with harvest. Faithful farm dog Annie takes over keeping an eye on things.
