Christmas 2022
This has been a quiet and somewhat upsetting Christmas at Briden Farm. Unfortunately, yesterday, December 24th, I had to let Millie go. Millie was one of my favourite Saanen Dairy
Goats, and one we knew had been bred and was due April 11, 2023. However, in a Herd pecking order dispute she had her hip dislocated a few weeks ago and while I tried, she continued to go downhill. Yesterday she was completely off her feet and while I know I ended her suffering, it was not easy!
Then, coming home from the Barn, and Property, where Millie was housed, I went to feed the Chickens here at Briden Farm. When I opened the Coop Door, my heart sunk!
Then My eyes filled with tears as I began to see the widespread devastation! In that coop we have about 40-45 Chickens. I think the night before there were 42 chickens. We have about ten young ones who still insist on overnighting in the smaller brooding hut they were hatched in. I continue to try to get them used to the coop, but the number in the coop ranges between 40-45 each night because of this.
A Mink, I highly suspect, had ravaged the Coop overnight on the 23rd. I’m sure those poor birds, and the many extra roosters we have, must of made lots of noise! Unfortunately we had high winds that night and it sounded like a freight train overhead. Any noise the chickens made was blown away and neither we, nor the dogs (who usually hear everything), heard anything!
So, when I opened that Coop Door, my heart sank, the tears fell, and even now, writing this, there is a lump in my throat! Laying there, scattered over the floor of the Coop, were 21 dead chickens! Of them, nearly all were bitten on the neck or head, and yet only one was eaten at all, and only the head of that one!
See, a Mink, or Weasel, will come in through rat holes, through the ground, and they kill for sport! Not killing and eating one, two, or a few, but just slaying anything they can get a Hold of!
It’s sad, devastating, and while there were some of the remaining chickens that weren’t showing any signs of distress, others were shocked!
So, I can’t say I’m very Merry today! I’m thankful, for my Salvation and for my Saviour who’s birth we celebrate today! However, it’s a little difficult to swallow loosing so many of our friends so needlessly! It’s one thing to raise an animal, even one who’s a pet, a friend, with the end purpose of becoming meat. It’s another thing to have those we raise for milk and eggs die so needlessly! It’s hard! Still Farming!
Briden Farm Goats enjoying Pasture at the Barn Property
A few weeks ago we had Moe and Curly processed and while they were both named, and pets, and friends, we knew they had a purpose and they were raised, and handled, as humanely as possible. Yet, it was easier to handle their passing as it was with purpose. We feed them and in turn they feed us!
Over Roasted, Farm Rised, Kennebec Potatoes. Locally made, pan fried, Sour Kraut. Our Woodland Pastured, Berkshire Pork.
There are lots of great benefits that come from Woodland Pastured Pork, including Rendering The Lard!
Rendering The Lard
rendering lard at briden farm
one of the side products that comes from processing pork from pigs is the fat! using that pork fat to make lard, or render lard, as it’s called, is very rewarding! while you may think it’s unhealthy… alton brown, host of the iron chef, may disagree! (watch the video on the food network) in fact prevention.com says… “while there are a few dissenters in the ranks, most [...]
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Eugene… our Mangalista Boar
Eugene is a Mangalista Boar who we brought in to breed our Berkshire Sow, Lara. Lara no Eugene seemed to hit it off rather quickly…
Lara and Eugene
introducing and breeding pigs for the first time
it was quite a day! as is often the way with farming, it didn’t all go as planned or expected, but it did go well. most of it anyway! this is the second time in about a week we’ve introduced new pigs. first the three little ones, elvis, jack, and babe to lara. that went quite well, a little biting and a few squeals, but nothing serious. now a week later lara who is about 11 months old has [...]
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Moving from Pigs to our almost getting A Team of Ponies…
We almost got these beauties!
Unfortunately, however, our Ferguson 35 Tractor, that we we’re going to trade for the Ponies, Cart, and Harness decided not to start when the owner of the Ponies come to see it!
Ferguson 35 For Sale
Although we’ve been able to use it very little up here on the Hillside without tire chains, and have had more than a little difficulty finding chains to fit it, the tractor has worked surprisingly well! That is… till it though we were going to trade it for the Ponies! I think the tractor likes the quiet it has here!
After looking after our female goats, Papa Goat has moved on to another herd. While we’ve kept his son, Little Joe and our Nigerian Dwarf Goat, Romeo.
Jack our young Berkshire Boar is looking for a new home. Preferably before going to Camp Kenmore!
Jack was born in the Summer, and we got him along with Elvis, another young Berkshire Boar, and Babe a young Berkshire Gilt (female). Unfortunately at this point we have three Boars.
Eugene, Elvis, and Jack. We had to get Eugene as Jack and Elvis were to young to be big enough to do the job. However, keeping three Boars is just asking for trouble when we only have two females. So, at least one, Jack, has to go. His days are numbered and I’m willing to give someone a good buy if they want to give Jack a good home! However, there’s only a few days left!
If You, or someone you know, is in need of a young, male, boar pig. Please call me, Brian at 902-907-0770
Meanwhile Enjoying The Snow
Actually all our Pigs are inside as I write this. Although they do seem to like a little snow. Or at least they do t seem to mind it. We move them in a section of the Barn when the temperatures drop to low.
Of course the Cats and Dogs get a little more comfort! Like Lassy and Pete pictured here.
Actually, if you know us, you know we really do make all our critters as comfortable as possible. Having the Barn, and a number of outhouses, helps me in the hose we have oil, electric, and of course our main source of heat.. our Kitchen Wood Stove!
Just. Reminder…
