• Apr. 24, 2009
Barn Talk
When a farmer is antsy because it's too wet to start his spring planting, what happens? The barn gets cleaned out! and it was really needing it, too) We don't have a traditional barn, instead we have a big machine shed that was already on the property. Over the past few years, the farmer and the boys have built stalls, a chicken coop, and a couple of lofts to store hay & straw. One advantage to this was that it was designed with some removable fence posts & fencing, so when it's time to clean out stalls, it doesn't all have to be done by hand.
First the posts, etc are taken out, and then the skid steer goes to work. There is still some hand work, but not nearly as much.
Talk about a handy piece of equipment!! There's a bucket on the front so the manure can be dumped directly into the manure spreader, which then goes out to the field and spreads it - best fertilizer ever!
Here's the spreader being pulled by an antique tractor, as you can imagine oldest boy loves to do this job!
And here's one end of the barn, with just the permanent posts/fencing in place, and most of the debris dug out. Now to be honest, I don't really do any of this work! I bring out drinks & snacks, cook dinner for the work crew, and wash all the really stinky laundry. And of course I tell them what a good job they're all doing.
That white stuff is lime, which we always spread as a base in the stalls before adding the bedding (straw). But until now, the large open part of the barn was always just a dirt floor, which made for a lot of dust. A LOT. This time, the entire barn got dug out, every last square inch, so that the entire thing could be spread with lime, for a much nicer surface. Yay! This is a project we've been wanting to do for ages. The floor will drain better and the entire barn should be less dusty.
Today was the day for the many truck loads of lime to come- it takes quite a bit as a 6 inch layer was put down. This is looking at the north end of the barn, with the chicken coop to my right.
The chickens get fresh lime too! This shows a corner of the chicken coop, and you can see the loft build overhead where the straw is kept. The farmer built this coop a few years ago and the chickens have a small door so they can go outside during the day into their little run.
For now, the chicken coop has been divided in half to keep the new chicks separate from the old gals. My cute little chicks are already looking like gawky pre-teens, they are half feathers and half fluff, which just looks silly.
The job is just about done - the boys are putting back the other fencing and dragging feed barrels and equipment boxes back into the barn. Talk about a huge job - even with the machinery, this has taken a work crew of 6 about 3 days. Three VERY long days. Sometimes I wonder about the money and effort spent on our little livestock endeavor - it's really just for the boys to have 4-H projects and so we can have fresh eggs, it's not like we make any money from it. But the boys (well, all of us !!) have learned so much, and barn chores are a great outlet for all that young male energy. (and I NEVER hear "mom, I'm bored!") It's sure different from the way I grew up in suburbia!
And what do the goats do when their stalls are being worked on and they are locked out for the day? Just enjoy the sunshine, of course!
Comments
• Apr. 24, 2009
Untitled Comment
Posted by Oiyi
I love reading about your farm life. I grew up in suburbia and now live in a big city, so I can't even imagine what it is like.
The preteen chicks are so funny. And the goats look like they were enjoying themselves.
www.oiyi.blogspot.com
• Apr. 25, 2009
Untitled Comment
Posted by Sandy
Hi There,
I just LOVE reading your blog. I always look forward to your newest entry. Your pictures are beautiful and I love hearing all about the activities on that beautiful farm of yours...and of course I love your knitting projects.
Your friend out in sunny California.
Sandy
• Apr. 25, 2009
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Great photos!! I bet all your animals are so appreciative of their nice and clean surroundings. That is one super duper barn. Sure looks like it was a lot of work doing it though.
hakucho
• Apr. 26, 2009
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
I'm envious! We have to dig it all out by hand (with WE i mean ME...;-D) It's a lot of work! I've never heard of using lime as a base before, we use it as a fertilizer.
It was fun reading! I enjoy your blog a lot.
Have a great Spring!
Marit (http://marit-ontheneedles.blogspot.com/)
• Apr. 27, 2009
Untitled Comment
Posted by woolwinder
Very interesting. There's always something to do on a farm.
• Apr. 27, 2009
Untitled Comment
Posted by Junie Moon
Wow, lots of work going on (and I consider your role as working hard, too). That's a lot of lime y'all had trucked in there. I've never thought about such large quantities of the stuff before, but I can understand its need.
• Apr. 28, 2009
Untitled Comment
Posted by Thimbleanna
I made it to the end and was rewarded by a goat picture! Wow! What a difference a floor makes -- it all looks so shiny and clean now. Great job to the boys! And you, of course, as the cheerleader and head cook and laundress!!!
• Apr. 29, 2009
Untitled Comment
Posted by Toni
Very interesting post. Your farmer runs an excellent operation. I like the super thick layer of lime idea.When Youngest had her horse we lost a lot of soil in the barn from all the cleaning. If ever we keep animals in the barn again, I'll have a good layer of lime like that for sure. My chicken coop was in the barn, too, but now I'm holding out for a small one nearer to the house. The only profitable animals we've ever kept are chickens.
• May. 2, 2009
Untitled Comment
Posted by Kelli
It's looks wonderful and clean! The goats are enjoying the sunshine while they wait. :0)
~Kelli
www.kellishouse.blogspot.com
