Happy hens come from homesteads!

It's also been awhile since I posted pictures of our little barnyard menagerie.  Besides, our critters are more popular than the Urban Homesteaders themselves.   Can't say as I blame them, they are sooooo picture savvy.  Me, not savvy!  When a camera comes out, I skedaddle the other way!

One of my favorite part of the day is going out just as the sun rises (this past week there has been a beautiful full moon in the morn) to open up the chicken coop.  The ducks fall out, all in lined up in a row while making soft quacking sounds.  A good morning to you too, ladies!   Besides we humans, the ducks are the earliest risers here on the homestead and are up at the crack of dawn so they can scrounge around the animal compound for worms and such.   About a hour later, the chickens will hop down off their perches, one by one, to join their compadres in the compound for a day of scratching, preening & eating.  Ahhhh the life!

This coming spring our plan (God willing) is to add to our poultry flock since many of our chickens are heading into retirement at  5 years.    We've had many questions about what we do with our non laying hens.   No, they are NOT bound for the stew pot;  instead, they live out their happy little lives - taking dust baths, scratching for bugs. Happy hens!  And for the ducks, the same, though they much rather water baths - thank you very much.

For those of you who are looking for information on starting your own poultry flock,  check out Sis's sisters site BARNYARDS & BACKYARDS that's chockablock full of helpful links and information (& Giveaways!)

I can't tell you enough how much Jordanne knows about raising animals!  She has helped many readers' sick chickens, rabbits, goats, cats and more!

Goatsies

Silly Sairey

Estella

Lucie

Ducks in a row

Crazy Quackers

And we mustn't forget....

Cassidy our sweetie

Mr Handsome

I'm rising but I ain't shining!

Care to share your what's happening in your backyard barnyard?

A reader recently commented on our award winning short film Homegrown Revolution that's on YouTube saying: "When you can do this....you don't need to Occupy Wall Street. You can abandon Wall Street."

So, our goats decided to jump in on the action.  We first put this image on Facebook and folks got a real kick out of it!

It's time to bring the revolution home! Here's some more humorous "out takes" from homestead....

Um, I can't read but I think this sign is too big... or I am too short!

Maybe if I stand up straight... that's better... now I can walk

Now it's my turn - are you ready? Here we go!

Let's work it! Yes, I know I'm cute. I'm a super goat model now... Are you getting my best profile?

Pfffft - a "raspberry" for Blackberry!

Hey humans, are we done yet? You had your kicks, I'm hungry now from carrying this heavy sign and I deserve a treat... or else.

ZZZZZZZZ, Being a poster goat sure is hard work.

Food foragings from our recent walk

Blackberry approves

When raising animals in the city, especially the four legged kind, one has to rely on outside sources for certain feed (no back forty of hay here in LA).   And feed stores in the city can  be few and far between.

You know that scene  from the Good Neighbors where Barbara Good brings back the goat from grazing on the commons?

Well, lucky for us, the urban homestead is located near a "wild commons" of sorts.  The beautiful lower Arroyo Seco  where, on our weekly walks, we can easily forage for food for our goatsies and even hens (they love the wild elderberries and currants) .

Foraging for food certainly saves on feed costs!   When the cost of food is rising and money is tight, it’s frugal and economical to forage for free food.

What do our goatsies like?

Oak leaves
Sycamore
Pine
Wild Buckwheat

Take Care: always check area for anything unusual or signs of human activity,  beware of sprayed areas, patches of poison oak and ivy,  don’t over-pick, harvest with care (like it was your own garden),  and last but not least make sure to not harvest poisonous plants.  Here's a handy list to use

A nice brisk n' cold evening goat walk in the lower Arroyo Seco with some new friends

While the goats look on, Jordanne hangs a bee trap that Justin made to trap a few wild bees that are living in a sycamore trunk

We'll go and check the bee trap in a couple days.. fingers crossed!

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.  Thank you to those who wrote and commented wishing us a "Happy Thanksgiving."

For those of you who are looking for gifts/goods for you or someone's homestead - check out our online Urban Homestead Store

Don't forget our pictorial 2011 Little Homestead in the City Calendar

Yawn!

We have some event announcements coming up, so stay tuned for a (finally) updated event calendar.  Speaking of calendars, the new 2011 Urban Homesteading calendar is just about ready  and we'll be offering an early bird special!

All that and more next week. But, for now, we'll enjoy some downtime.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Toodles!

After a busy week, boy we sure did look forward to our Saturday stroll with the goats.  Saturday is our "Time Out" day in which, for 24 hours, we take ourselves off the clock and away from computers and the like.  Nothing de-stresses and renews the spirit a body like a walk in nature with these creatures.

The weather has been lovely, yes, lovely.  The hot muggy weather is gone (for now) and it's actually quite pleasant and even a bit chilly.  Had to put on a sweater last night!

Hot diggity! There's lots to do today!  So much to do, that my brain and body is slightly paralyzed as I wonder "where to start?"   How about ya'll - how's things going on your homestead?

There's also lots to blog about here at LHITC.  We were thinking it would be a good time to revisit and revive some old challenges that we hosted a few years back -- 100 Foot Diet and Harvest Keepers.    Not to mention I have a slew of 1/2 finished posts in queue.  Posts that include series on kitchen cosmetics, homestead helpers and information on the benefits of comb honey, combating flies and more.

But time's a wastin' and the tasks are stacking up so I'll just leave you with these cute goat pictures from yesterday.

I'll be in the kitchen if you need me.

PS. Like to extend a little shout out to Zach who, we learned,  is a BIG fan of ours.  He's 16 and is raising chickens and gardening at his family's home in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Nice to have met you and your family yesterday.    Thanks for stopping by.

Mmmmm wild buckwheat!

Chomping on the flower heads

Fairlight gets a mouth full

Foraging for dinner

]]> http://urbanhomestead.org/journal/2010/07/25/saturday-stroll-3/feed/ 19 http://urbanhomestead.org/journal/2010/07/16/got-milk-2/ http://urbanhomestead.org/journal/2010/07/16/got-milk-2/#comments Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:58:57 +0000 Anais Dervaes http://urbanhomestead.org/journal/?p=21680 Warning: the montage of photos are not yet rated and may not be suitable for folks who are drinking their morning coffee or tea while reading.... ]]> Before the weekend, we are going to have some fun here at LHITC.

Here's the latest from "Critter Vision TV" on the Urban Homestead.

This week, Fairlight the foodie, gets up close and personal with a jar of peanut butter. Warning: the montage of photos are not yet rated and may not be suitable for folks who are drinking their morning coffee or tea while reading....

First, Fairlight showing some love.... lick!

Fairlight & Farmer Sergio

Now that's just downright mushy.

Ok , back to the peanut butter!

BUT if you insist on seeing more mushy action, there's more photos of Fairlight and Farmer Sergio here.

Photos courtesy of Jordanne

Mmmm peanut butter

Blackberry wants in on the action "Me wants some"

Stop hogging the peanut butter, give me some NOW will ya!

Hey, did you hear me? I want some - lady!

Fairlight ignores Blackberry's pleading (so pathetic)

All done

Hey missy, you got peanut butter all over your mouth

LICK!

Have a good weekend ya'll!

PS. Jordanne informs me that  Blackberry got spoon-fed peanutbutter soon after she put the camera down.

Speaking of critters, like to send a BIG "Thank You" to Nor Cal homesteader Julia for passing along a dvd set of All Creatures Great & Small. Thanks! They will certianly be enjoyed and treasured. Also for those of you who sent letters and cards after the passing of our duck Amy. We truly appreciate your being there for us during that very sad time.

Raising and keeping animals is a big responsibility - sometimes even more time consuming than the garden! For us city folks, the health and welfare of the animals are basically on our shoulders. Not only that, but keeping a barnyard in the backyard in an urban environment is about the welfare of the animals and the relationship with the neighbors. One of the 10 Elements of an Urban Homestead is to follow the golden rule. We try to live by that rule, strive to be good neighbors so the maintenance and upkeep of the animal compound is critical - in fact very important and high on the chore list.

Now that it's trendy to keep chickens, ducks, goats and rabbits, we rather not see a backlash due to unkempt conditions or discarded animals sent to shelters when folks realize they bit off more than they can chew.

Case in point, this recent article:

Some say fie on fowl in the city

... keeping them is not as cheap, green, humane or neighborly as some in the Church of Chicken would have you believe.

read full article

Ok, that disclaimer's a bit on the serious side.  Now, let's have a bit of fun! It's been awhile since we posted some goat mugs - so enjoy!

Lady Fairlight lounges

Smile!

Blackberry chews up what she had for lunch

Burp

What do your critters do that make you SMILE?

While Jordanne was off forging for goat food, I was left to watch the goats.  By "watching" it's not because they aren't behaved (they are - when we stop they stop) but I mainly watch for any unleashed or unruly dogs.    Actually, it's a perfect time for me to zone out, "do nothing" and the goats pretty much amuse themselves.  They like to nibble the brush, take in the sights and sounds  and sometimes even a head butting game breaks out!

Don't know who enjoys the walks the most - us or the goats?

Goats At Play!

Let's get ready to rumble! Head to head, let the fun and games begin!

Up on their toes/hooves they go

Incoming!

Hard hitting heads (this is GOAT play!)

That was fun! Wanna do it again?

Let's rumble!

Let's play that one again!

Helping hand, Marc helps us gals make dinner

Homegrown toppings

Digging in! Homegrown & homemade

Hanging out with the chickens. Fun times!

Say Maaaa

Taking the goats for a Sunday stroll

Ooooh, that feels good

Smooch. Give me a kiss!

Goat & human bonding

Come on, let's play!

Chatting with Betty, our knitting mentor and adopted Grandma

Gals & Goats

Chocolate cupcakes get devoured

Smile

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