Fall around the farm.

Well ladies and gentlemen, I think it would be safe to say "Fall came early this year" and brought with it, allergies, cold damp weather, and just the over all blahs that normally don't hit us until much later in the year.
With the upcoming fall season, there are lots of changes happening around here.

 A big one, involves our decision to get a wood burning stove.  We stop running the AC around the beginning of September, so that helps with our power bills, but then it starts getting cold and we have to run the heat.  We have a gas furnace, so not only do we have the gas bill, but also the electricity needed to pump that heat thru out the house.  The house previously had a wood burning stove, and all the existing chimney is still there,  on the recommendation of several people we are having it cleaned and looked at to ensure we are able to safely use a wood burning stove.  We also decided to buy one brand new as opposed to getting a used one off of Craigslist, not because there is anything wrong with the ones on CL, but because the government is offering a tax credit on all EPA certified stoves.  Plus the one we got is extremely more efficient than a lot of the older models.  Hunter has already started splitting wood. As soon as it is up and running I will post some photos.

Its finally time to build the coop.  After lots of planning, and budgeting we are finally ready.  And it could not have come at a more opportune time, as my chickens have started laying eggs.  I need to get them separated, to produce pure bred eggs, and chicks.  I am very excited about this venture, and am very grateful that not only does Hunter support my craziness over all things chicken, but he also enjoys helping me hunt for eggs, and hand feed them their "treats".  We have also decided that we will be raising broilers in the spring/summer/fall of next year, using a "chicken tractor".  We plan on having 16 birds at a time, which means that any "chicken" needs you may have can come from our "farm fresh free-ranging happy (for ML)" chickens. (these chickens will not be named or personalized)  We will be processing them ourselves which means we can't sell to the public, but would really like to not only sustain ourselves but share with our families as well.  Speaking of providing for our families, how would you all feel about a farm fresh Turkey for Thanksgiving?

There is a lot more going on that I will hopefully be able to share soon, but its time for dinner...and I'm hungry.