Raising Turkeys

I’ll answer some of the questions asked in emails and comments here.
Raising turkeys is as difficult or simple as you want to make it. Survival is usually 100%. The little herniated guy from yesterday’s video spent the night in the incubator and is in the box with ten others this morning. Other than [...]

Hatching in Action!

He’s (they’re all he until I can tell them apart around four months old) on his feet and wobbling around the incubator.

Poult Update

Just came in for a drink and found #12 hatching so I grabbed the camera.  The video is uploading. So far the tally is two dead and 12 live.  One of the 12 has a bum leg. He was in a tiny egg and is now having a hard time getting one leg under him.  [...]

Party in the Incubator!

There were six poults in various stages of drying off and standing up in the incubator this morning. The last time I looked there were two more eggs close to hatching. The poults were bowling with a couple of eggs in the process of hatching so I pulled four of them from the [...]

Hatching Video

Hatch Day

Today’s the first day of hatching in the incubator.

It’s one of those days – I stand outside looking at the greenhouses, the vegetables that are growing, talk with customers and friends and am some what overwhelmed with my many blessings.

Turkeys due to hatch

Reminder: Turkeys are due to hatch in two days.

I hear babies!

8:47 am. I was just in the barn. I hear babies!
9:16 am  Four poults.  One is dead from being cold and two are cold.  The fourth is fine.  I warmed the worst of the two in the incubator and have all three under a heat lamp now. The dead poult is in the ‘bator [...]

Mulch

I’ve been doing some experimenting with aged bark mulch. It’s rich black mulch that drains well but also holds moisture. I mentioned in passing over the weekend that I wanted a load. It’s not on my list for this week (not even the list that disintegrated in the washer). Steve surprised me with [...]

Farmers’ Market Today

A magazine for market farmers.  Farmers’ Markets Today.  Consumers will find interesting articles too.

Planting This Week

I’m going to get every plant and seed in the ground that I can physically manage.  Some plants will go under low tunnels to keep them warmer.  The new greenhouse is finished other than a few patches.  We re-used the old poly from the collapsed hoop.  It’s temporary but will do just fine for the [...]

Turkeys due to hatch

Reminder: Turkeys are due to hatch in two days.

Eastern Wild Turkeys

I’m no longer amused. This is the back left corner of the market garden.

I have an option the majority of locals will hate.  Because this is my income and I can show a true profit I have the option of having the release of wild turkeys banned for a 25 mile radius.  I’m not going [...]

Turkey Hunting

3:08 am Out of bed, make coffee, shower, take an incredible amount of camo clothing to truck.
4:02 am Leave house to meet our friend and guide for the morning, Peter.
4:12 am “Got your license?” Turn around, go home, get license. At least we were only 10 miles away and not [...]

A Half-Desk Day

I’m going to spend half of my day at the desk. This afternoon I’m going to be interviewed by the Portland Press Herald. I’ll pause here while you all ohhh and ahhh. Thank you. I should be famous you know. Newspaper columnist, a mention in Organic Gardening this summer (if [...]

I’ve Been Shop/Spying

Memorial Day weekend is traditionally the weekend to plant gardens in this area. It’s early this year. When I get back from turkey hunting Friday (target practiced last night, I think I can do this in one shot and be home by mid morning) I’ll be ready to open the seedling house for [...]

Building a Compost Pile

Three bags of OPL.

Unfinished compost, greens from the greenhouse and torn bags.

Afternoon Break

Today hasn’t been what I was expecting.  It’s 2:50 pm now and just now seriously threatening to rain.  The wind has picked up and the sky darkened several times today but no rain.  The thunder was enough to get the dogs up off the floor to pace and whine this time.  We need more rain.
I [...]

Monday

It’s Monday.  Strike one.  We were out late last night so I didn’t get enough sleep.  Strike two.  It’s cool and wet.  Strike three.  Can I go back to bed now?
Inspite of the above, I have a lot to do today.  One of the first things on the to-do list is make a list of [...]

Lazy Sunday

I needed rain today. The garden needs the rain. I’ve been watering carrots daily to keep the seed from drying out. The rain will give the well a break for a few days. The spinach, peas and turnip will have a growth spurt thanks to the moisture. I needed rain for [...]