Wildflower Valley Farm
  • Home
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
    • Kitchen Skirts
    • Soap
    • Yarn Crafts
  • Rabbits
  • Goats

It's a slow-cooker kind of day

3/17/2014

0 Comments

 
It's Monday.  Enough said, right?  Oh, but there's more!  Besides being the first day of my usual work week, Mondays are especially busy around here because the husband and I help with a class at our church nearly every Monday evening.  So after work, I rush home to help let the dogs out and to check on the rabbits, ducks, chickens, garden, etc. before we have to leave again.  This rarely allows time to eat before church, and on the rare occasion that it does, I certainly don't have time to cook anything in that amount of time.  We also try very hard to stick to a diet of whole, Nourishing Traditions style, homemade foods, which means fast food isn't really an option either.  So, Monday suppers are limited to either left-overs from whatever we had on Sunday, or something in the slow-cooker*.
Picture
If you don't own a slow-cooker, you should.  They are awesome for days like today when we are super busy, it's icky and rainy, and we want a good hot meal.  The slow-cooker that I own is this Hamilton-Beach model, and I like it a lot.  Today, before work I put a beef roast on to cook and not only will it be ready to eat when we are ready to eat it, but the house will smell pretty darn good as well.  Even if you think you can't cook, you can use a slow-cooker.  With most recipes, they are very forgiving.  You basically just throw all of the ingredients inside, add a little water, cover with the lid, and leave it to do its thing while you go about your day.  

Here is the "recipe" for today's meal.  I typically cook from my head, without using a recipe (unless I am baking, or trying a new dish I've never made before), so these measurements are approximate.  But just like a slow-cooker, this recipe is forgiving.  Trust me, it's so super-incredibly-painfully-simple, you would actually have to try on purpose to mess it up.  If you can afford it, grass-fed meat and organically raised vegetables are best.  In reality however, like many people, we cannot always afford to purchase organic and grass-fed, so we just do the best we can.  


Ingredients:
  • 1 approximately 1 1/2 lb beef roast (any cut you like)
  • 2 small or 1 medium sweet onion
  • 4 or 5 fist-sized white potatoes (russet, yukon-gold, or red-skinned) - I leave the skin on but you can peel if you prefer.
  • 4 medium-sized carrots
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated garlic
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/8 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt (I know that sounds like a lot, but potatoes absorb a lot of salt before taking on the flavor)
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Directions:
Rinse the roast and place in the bottom of the slow-cooker crock.  Cut the onions into approximately 1-inch chunks and place in the crock.  Cut the potatoes and carrots into thumb-sized pieces and place in the crock.  Add vinegar and sprinkle in all seasonings.  Fill with water to within 1/2 inch of the rim the lid sits on.  Cover with the lid and cook on the "low" setting for 8 hours.  (I have left this to cook for up to 12 hours with no negative results).  Taste and add additional salt and pepper if necessary.  Serve with the green vegetable of your choice.

Tonight we will have turnip greens with this, but it goes well with green beans, broccoli, or pretty much any other vegetable of your choice.  If you aren't a fan of green veggies, try a nice tossed salad instead.
Picture
Picture
I hope you enjoy this recipe.  If you try it, let me know how it turns out.  If you have your own slow-cooker recipe to share, please leave it in the comments section below!

*Around here we call it a "Crock-Pot."  However, "Crock-Pot" is a specific name brand of slow-cooker.  You can find simple ones, pretty ones, and even super-fancy ones with extra gadgets.  And then there is this - I don't know that I would ever use one, but I admit it looks interesting.  Due to copyright issues however, no other brand may be referred to as a "Crock-Pot" and I don't have the time nor inclination to have to dispute that.

**This post may contain affiliate links where appropriate.
0 Comments

Sunday Sing-A-Long

3/16/2014

0 Comments

 
I'm starting a new blog series today, and calling it Sunday Sing-A-Long.  Each week, on Sunday, I will post a YouTube video of a song you can sing with if you like.  Sometimes I may have something to say something about the song and other times I will simply post the video for your listening pleasure.  Oh and it won't always be the same genre, so if you don't like what I have this week, just come back the next Sunday and see if the new song is more to your liking.

So, with no further adieu, here is today's song:
0 Comments

2014 Rabbit Workshop

2/17/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Many of you have been asking, so the anticipation must be intense by now...  Well, the wait is over!

The first 2014 date for our Meat Rabbit Workshop has finally been determined.  The workshop will take place on Saturday, March 29th from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon.

Visit our Rabbit Workshop page for more information, a flier that you are welcome to print and share (post it on your local feed store bulletin boards and pass it around to your homesteading friends!), and the required registration forms.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need assistance in completing a form.  

Currently, this is the only date that has been set, but if there is enough demand for another class later in the year, then one will be planned.  If you are unable to attend the March 29th class but would like to be notified of future workshop dates, please use the subscribe form on the right-hand side of this page and join our email list.

Disclaimer:
None of the information contained on this site is intended to diagnose, treat, or otherwise substitute for the care and advice from a qualified human or animal medical professional.  Please consult the trusted medical professional of your choice before using any of the information contained on this site. 
0 Comments

Feeding sprouts

2/6/2014

1 Comment

 
Picture
Have you ever tried growing sprouts, either for human consumption or for animal feed?

Most any whole seed can be sprouted.  This includes grains, beans, legumes, and other seeds (such as sunflowers).  There are several benefits to sprouting grains.  By sprouting the seeds, they become more nutritiously available - this means that when consumed, the body is able to absorb and use more of the nutrition from the same amount of seeds, than if those same seeds were consumed in their unsprouted form.  Sprouting seeds also increases the content of some nutrients - the specific nutrients and level of increase will depend on the specific seeds being used. Additionally, feeding sprouts to livestock, such as chickens, increases the diversity of their feed.  The chickens are able to consume both the seed/grain and the green sprouts they produce.

Sprouted fodder can be fed to most types of livestock.  If you would normally feed the grain to a particular animal, then you can feed the same grain as sprouts to that same animal.  As an example, whole oats can be fed to chickens, goats, and rabbits.  Sprouted oats can also be fed to chickens, goats, and rabbits.  The ability to feed the same feed to multiple species can be very convenient, and can also save on feed costs!


Growing sprouts can be as simple or as sophisticated as you want to make it.  There are sprouting kits of all sizes available from many different resources.  You can also make your own "kit" with basic items such as a canning jar for the initial grain soaking, and a shallow plastic tray or bowl for growing the sprouts.

I intend to experiment with feeding sprouted grains and seeds this year.  Since this is not something I have tried yet, I will leave the more specific "how to" information for a later post that I will share with you once I have actually done it a time or two.  It will be a learning experience, but hopefully a good one!  If any of you have experience in feeding this way, I would love to hear from you!


Here are some great websites with more information on the benefits of sprouting seeds/grain, both for human and animal consumption.
Animal Fodder:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/sprouted-fodder.aspx
http://www.peakprosperity.com/blog/growing-sprouted-fodder/72618
A video from Joel Salatin on sprouting grains for chickens
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhzph-4tyUI

Human Consumption:
http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2009/01/why-sprout.html
http://nourishedkitchen.com/sprouted-grain/
http://sproutpeople.org/sprouts/nutrition/science/

Picture
Picture
Disclaimer:
None of the information contained on this site is intended to diagnose, treat, or otherwise substitute for the care and advice from a qualified human or animal medical professional.  Please consult the trusted medical professional of your choice before using any of the information contained on this site. 
1 Comment

Are you frozen?

2/3/2014

0 Comments

 
I don't know about ya'll, but I am tired of winter!  I have never liked cold, snowy weather, so this winter has not been high on my list of favorites.  It seems like everything has been frozen forever!  There are visions of palm trees dancing in my head, and I can faintly smell the salty air - but I digress...

Have you done anything special to keep your livestock warm this year?  I always take extra precautions, especially when the highs are not expected to get above freezing, and the lows are in the single digits (or sub-zero a few nights!).  I re-purposed some empty feed bags (never just toss those babies..they have too many good uses!) to wrap my hen house and keep the wind out.  I also hung some Christmas lights inside, both for supplemental light, and to add a degree or two of warmth while the girls are on the roost.
Picture
Picture
The ladies must appreciate the changes because they seem happy, and they even laid an egg for me (of course that could have been because they overheard me making plans to "thin the flock").
Picture
I showed you a while back how I prepare the rabbits for cold weather, and how I make sure they have water, even in sub-freezing temps.  They sure enjoy burrowing in the hay, and I collected quite a few ice blocks out of their water bowls, since it was too cold for them to melt.  A couple of mornings when the actual temps dropped below zero, some of the longer haired rabbits had frost on their facial fur (where their breath froze).  Even those girls didn't seem to mind the weather - but they did enjoy a nice drink of hot water!

Clearly everybody and everything is cold around here.  Fortunately however, the critters seem to be tolerating it much better than I am.  Do you think if I were to throw a temper tantrum, I could have spring NOW?  

Yeah - somehow I knew you were going to say that.  

Apparently Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow yesterday, but Beauregard Lee did not.  Nothing against you Pennsylvania farmers out there, but I like the Georgia groundhog better.

Disclaimer:
None of the information contained on this site is intended to diagnose, treat, or otherwise substitute for the care and advice from a qualified human or animal medical professional.  Please consult the trusted medical professional of your choice before using any of the information contained on this site. 
0 Comments

Winter preparation for goats

11/19/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Here in East Tennessee, we are well into Fall and have even experienced some wintery weather already this year (it’s too early for that, but the weather man didn’t consult me first)!  Today’s Q&A will discuss how a goat owner can prepare for such weather.

Q: How can I be sure my goats can tolerate cold weather?

A: If you haven’t already, now is a good time to provide your goats with some preventative care.  Put hands on each goat to check body condition.  Check FAMACHA scores on each goat, and run fecals if indicated, to determine whether any of them require deworming.  Consult your vet for information on which dewormers are safe for pregnant goats.  Check each goat’s mouth for good tooth alignment and overall oral health.  Goats in poor health will have trouble enduring winter, and these types of preventative checks will help you catch and treat health issues early.  Depending on your breeding schedule, this may also be a good time to replenish and prepare your kidding supplies.

Walk through your barn and look for cracks or holes in walls, doors, or windows that should be repaired.  Also check the roof for leaks and stability (a snow storm is NOT a good time to find out your rafters needed reinforcing).  Rodents are always a problem anywhere that feed is stored, but they are also looking for warm places to spend the winter.  Repair holes or cracks that may provide them with access to your feed room.  Entice your barn cats to spend more time inside the barn by offering food in the area where you would like for them to frequent.

Locate and install your water deicers.  The night-time temps have already dipped quite low a few times, and each new cold front brings them ever lower.  Having those deicers in place now will save you from an unexpected frosty morning of breaking ice in troughs and buckets.  If you use heated water buckets, go ahead and plug them in to ensure they are working properly.  Use good judgement and follow all manufacturers recommendations regarding placement of such buckets and cords.

Depending on your pastures, you may or may not have needed to provide supplemental hay already, but the time is coming soon when that will be necessary.  On especially cold nights, considering offering supplemental hay in addition to what you are already feeding.  A working rumen generates heat and helps goats stay warm and regulate their body temperatures in cold weather.

The best way to ensure your goats can tolerate winter is to provide preventative care.  Healthy goats that have draft-free shelter and adequate, quality food, tolerate East TN winters quite well.


What special steps do you take to prepare your goats for winter weather?

This post is part of a Q & A series on livestock care tips.  Click here for more posts in this series.

*This post may contain affiliate links where appropriate.

Disclaimer:
None of the information contained on this site is intended to diagnose, treat, or otherwise substitute for the care and advice from a qualified human or animal medical professional.  Please consult the trusted medical professional of your choice before using any of the information contained on this site. 
0 Comments

Winter care for rabbits - part 2: How to keep rabbits warm in extreme cold

11/12/2013

0 Comments

 
I’m sorry for the delay in continuing my animal care tips.  Last week was super busy, but hopefully things will begin to settle down around here as winter sets in.

Speaking of winter - I think it is arriving today.  We started the day out with a high in the mid 40’s and the temperature has been dropping fast all day.  The forecast is for us to end up in the low-mid 20’s tonight.  Brrrrr!!!  So in preparation for this, I bunked the rabbits down this morning.  

Q: How do you keep your rabbits warm in cold weather?

A: Rabbits are surprisingly well adapted to cold weather.  In fact, they tolerate cold temperatures much better than hot temperatures.  Even with their thick fur coats however, domestic rabbits need assistance when the weather turns bitter.  

The primary step is to ensure that the rabbits are protected from drafts.  If they are inside a building, close off doors and windows, leaving just enough air flow (maybe a cracked window, or a vent fan) for ventilation.  If they are not enclosed by a building, be sure the cages are protected.  You can do this by installing some type of barrier, such as wooden boards or metal sheeting, around the outside of the cages to shield them.  Depending on your set up, you may need to enclose each set of cages or, if it is possible, you can simply enclose the general area where your cages are.  If they are under a shed for instance, you can tack plywood to each side.  If you can be positive that the rabbits cannot reach to chew on it, you can wrap a shed in plastic sheeting or tarps.  Whatever your method, the idea is to prevent cold air from blowing on the cages and chilling the rabbits.  Still air feels warmer than moving air, and is easier for a rabbit to tolerate.

Depending on the weather conditions, blocking air flow may be all that is necessary.  In my case, it is not possible to completely block air flow from the entire area where my cages are.  I block what I can and then, as an added measure on exceptionally cold or windy days, I provide each rabbit with extra protection.  Nursing does already have a nest box, and this provides added shelter to the doe.  Generally, the kits in the next box have enough protection from their nest (hopefully well lined with mom’s fur) to protect them.  If the doe burrows in the box to keep herself warm, this just provides added protection to her kits as well.  Sometimes I will also provide dry does and/or bucks with a nest box stuffed with hay, simply for the added protection that it provides if the rabbit chooses to burrow in the box.  The next thing I do is stuff each cage with plenty - and I do mean plenty - of hay, to help block air flow and to provide “fuel.” The rabbits will eat the hay (which means it must be replenished daily) and they will burrow in it as well.  As they eat, the workings of their digestive system will generate heat, helping the rabbit to keep warm.  Burrowing helps to block drafts, and provides insulation to help the rabbit retain the body heat that is generated as they eat.  This, in combination with the hot water that I provide a minimum of twice daily, helps each rabbit to thrive even with temperature extremes.

Picture
Picture
On a day like today, the rabbits seem to know that the weather is going to turn nasty.  They bounced with excitement as I stuffed their cages this morning and, by the time I get home to check on them tonight, they will be content with full bellies and snugly burrowed in their hay bunkers.  

How do you you keep your rabbits warm in freezing weather?

This post is part of a Q & A series on livestock care tips.  Click here for more posts in this series.
Disclaimer:
None of the information contained on this site is intended to diagnose, treat, or otherwise substitute for the care and advice from a qualified human or animal medical professional.  Please consult the trusted medical professional of your choice before using any of the information contained on this site. 
0 Comments

Winter care for rabbits - part 1: How to provide fresh water in freezing weather

10/30/2013

1 Comment

 
Picture
Today’s post is the first in my series on livestock care tips.  Check out my previous post here, for more details on the series itself.

Q. How do you keep the water from freezing in cold weather?

A.  The short answer is, you don’t.  To my knowledge, there is no safe way to prevent either a bottle or a crock of water from freezing, short of keeping your rabbits in a heated building.  In most climates of the United States however, heating the rabbitry is unnecessary.  You certainly want to protect your rabbits from extreme elements and from drafts, but with a few provisions, healthy rabbits are able to tolerate winter weather quite well.  This does not, however, mean that you don’t have to provide your rabbits with fresh water.  They still require access to drinkable water, at all times.  So the real question is, how can you do that in sub-freezing weather?

Some larger scale rabbitries have an auto-watering system such as this one which, with a little creativity, could be fitted with a water heater to help ensure the system does not freeze in the winter.  If you have a smaller operation however, or are like me and continuously trying to keep cost as low as possible, you may need a different solution.

So here at Wildflower Valley Farm, we go low-tech and use ceramic crocks (why I don’t use bottles is another post for another day), similar in size and shape to this one.  I sometimes pick them up at thrift stores and yard sales, but fortunately my local Dollar Tree has them in stock relatively frequently.  When I see them, I buy two or three just to keep a few spares.  In the winter, I like to have two crocks for each rabbit (more for does with kits).  Each morning and evening, I provide each rabbit with a fresh crock of water.  When the temperatures drop near or below freezing, I fill them with hot tap water.  Believe it or not, my rabbits enjoy the hot water much like you or I might enjoy a cup of hot tea or coffee.  This encourages them to drink, even in cold weather, and helps prevent dehydration.

My reason for keeping at least two crocks per rabbit, is in case the water freezes solid in them overnight (it rarely stays cold enough here during the day for them to freeze solid before evening).  Should that happen, I have a spare for each rabbit so that I can give each one a fresh crock of warm water, and the frozen crocks can be taken inside to thaw.  Another alternative to carrying them inside, is that I can place the frozen crock in a bucket of warm water (don’t use hot water or the crock will break due to the sudden temperature change).  After only a minute or two, the chunk of ice will float to the top of the bucket, and the crock will be ice free and ready for use again.

So there you have it - my solution for ensuring my rabbits always have access to drinkable water, even in sub-freezing temperatures.  It has worked beautifully for me for several years, but I am always open to new ideas, so if you have a different method I would love to hear from you!


This post is part of a Q & A series on livestock care tips.  Click here for more posts in this series.
Disclaimer:
None of the information contained on this site is intended to diagnose, treat, or otherwise substitute for the care and advice from a qualified human or animal medical professional.  Please consult the trusted medical professional of your choice before using any of the information contained on this site. 
1 Comment

Looking for answers?  Send me your questions!

10/29/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
This week I plan to begin a blog series offering tips on caring for the various types of livestock that we keep.  While I do not claim to be an expert, all information provided will come from my own experience in raising these beautiful creatures.
 
Most of the posts in this series will be written in a Q & A format, mainly to encourage you to ask questions!  If there is a specific question you have about caring for rabbits, chickens, goats (and maybe even a few on horses, dogs, or barn cats), submit them through the Contact Us page (be sure to check the box that says “I have a question I would like to see answered on your blog”).
 
While I cannot guarantee that every question will be answered, every question will be acknowledged and, if I am unable to answer your question, I will let you know that as well.
 
Most questions will be answered in the order in which they are received.  The primary exception to that would be, if I should get the same question from a dozen people, I may address that question first due to popularity.  But rest assured, all questions will be addressed in as timely a manner as possible, so feel free to begin submitting questions immediately!

Disclaimer:
None of the information contained on this site is intended to diagnose, treat, or otherwise substitute for the care and advice from a qualified human or animal medical professional.  Please consult the trusted medical professional of your choice before using any of the information contained on this site.
0 Comments

How do you tell an older dog that he's getting old?

10/27/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
We adopted Jack from our county animal shelter in 2007.  The vet guessed that he was likely 2 years old at the time, which means he is now 8-ish years old.  Not ancient for a husky, but no longer a young pup either.

Jack is happy, healthy, and LOVES being outside.  No seriously - I mean he LOVES the out doors.  He is house trained, crate trained, and behaves himself very well inside, but he only tolerates it.  Anytime I have brought him inside in the past, he enjoyed it for about 5 minutes and then begged to go back out.  If I made him stay inside for some reason, he would lay by the door, patiently waiting for me to take him back outside.  So, because that is where he is happiest, he has been a permanently outside dog for the past several years

I would be fine with continuing with the current living situation, if it weren't for his age.  He is slower than he used to be.  He will still play with the other dogs, but he thinks about it for a minute before he gets up.  He no longer greets me with a bounce in his step.  Oh he still comes to me to be sociable, but rather than half running, half bouncing to me, he just walks over and says "hi mom."  He also requires more food to maintain his weight than he used to.  In the past, he stayed in great shape on only 4 to 4 1/2 cups of the particular brand of food we feed him.  Now he requires 5 1/2 to 6 cups of that same food.  He doesn't act like anything bothers him really.  He doesn't seem to be in pain or otherwise uncomfortable.  In fact, if you met him for the first time today, you would complement him for being such a good dog and would likely never guess that he is starting to slow down.  It is only because I know him so well, that I am able to see the changes.

So this is my dilemma.  With winter coming on, I worry that his age may really begin to show.  Since he already needs more food to maintain his weight, will his body be able to handle the cold like it has in years past?  I know he is a "snow dog" and I know his body is built for cold weather, but even "snow dogs" need extra care at some point.  Should I consider bringing him inside, even though I know full well that he is happiest when he is outside?  Maybe I should bring him in only at night, or only on the coldest days.  But will bringing him inside make him unhappy to the point of misery?  Will he begin to waste away because he is no longer allowed to be outside 24/7?

It isn't cold enough yet for me to have to make an immediate decision, and it may not be for a few more weeks or even a month.  But it is something that has been on my mind, and something that I want to correctly decide.  If I decide to bring him in, I will have to plan for another dog in the house.  I will have to make room for his crate, and will have to make time for exercising him daily.  I don't mind those things.  I was willing to do them the day he came home with me - I just haven't need to since he has lived outside.  It's just that, at this point, I'm not sure what would be the right thing, both for his health and his emotional well being.

Disclaimer:
None of the information contained on this site is intended to diagnose, treat, or otherwise substitute for the care and advice from a qualified human or animal medical professional.  Please consult the trusted medical professional of your choice before using any of the information contained on this site. 
0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>
    to receive blog updates and occasional news about the goings-on at our farm!

    Author

    Hi, my name is Nicole and my friends think I'm crazy.  I love farming, and my methods can be non-traditional at times, but I love simple living, I love playing in the dirt, and I love life.

    Disclaimer:
    None of the information contained on this site is intended to diagnose, treat, or otherwise substitute for the care and advice from a qualified human or animal medical professional.  Please consult the trusted medical professional of your choice before using any of the information contained on this site. 

    Archives

    May 2018
    April 2018
    July 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013

    Categories

    All
    Bees
    Chickens
    Deworming
    Dogs
    Gardening
    Goat Health
    Goats
    Milk
    Money Less Challenge
    Q&A
    Rabbits
    Survey
    The Funny Farm

    This website contains "affiliate links" where appropriate. I may earn a small commission or referral fee on your purchase, however this has no effect on your price. It is purely a cost of doing business for the vendor companies. The monies earned help maintain and support this website and free content. Unless otherwise noted, all content on this website is © Nicole Oatney and unauthorized duplication or distribution is expressly prohibited. 
    “Nicole Oatney is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.”
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.