I guess we’re just skipping it this year?
So…are we not doing spring this year?
After an extra cold April here in Michigan - apparently now that May has arrived we are just skipping spring weather and jumping straight to summer! Our forecast for the rest of the month is predicted to be in the 70-80s most days which is unbelievably tempting for a gardener anxious to plant some warm season crops!
I never assume the threat of frost to be done until June 1st typically - buuut I did decide to take a risk this week and seed some things early (like green beans and cucumbers!) with the ability/expectation that if weather does dip down again, I can easily cover them.
My tomatoes and peppers - however - have been growing inside for over a month now and I’m not quite willing to risk putting them out for good yet… Once we get closer to June, if the temperatures look promising though, I’ll be more likely to put them in early too!
There are a handful of old fruit trees next to our house… They are decades late for a pruning, and nearly reach the peak of our two story roof — but man are they incredible this time of year!
I wish you could smell the fragrant blossoms and hear the buzzing of bees. These old trees produce bushels of imperfect organic fruit for us & our animals every year and I am so grateful to the family who planted them years ago!
What’s holding you back from raising your own meat chickens?
A lot of people recognize the differences between milk and beef cows. Even though they are both bovines and have some similarities, they have pretty radically different nutritional needs and body structures.
The same can be said for meat chickens vs. chickens kept for egg laying. Though both chickens - they may as well be different animals completely when it comes down to how they are to be raised!
Different brooding times.
Different housing requirements.
Different nutritional needs.
Different manure loads.
Different grow out times!
When we raised our first batch years ago I figured - chickens are chickens, right? Wrong!
I’m not saying this to deter you - I actually think they are one of the perfect gateway animals to raising your own meat. it’s not rocket science. But we could have saved a lot of money and frustration with a little more know-how going into it.
This is one reason why we love teaching others to raise their own meat chickens. We have both an in person class on our farm in West Michigan on June 3rd and and full online course.
Both classes help you determine the best breed - how to budget for feed - what design of chicken tractor is best - and even a full butchering (with or without fancy equipment!) Our goal isn't to tell you “this is the right way to do it”. Our goal is to teach all the different options you should consider to find the right fit for your own property.
— Do you want white meat or dark and fat?
— is your property hilly, wooded, or flat?
— Do you want to do chores multiple times a day, or less frequently?
You have options! And our class will help you venture into meat chickens with more clarity and confidence.
Message from a past student:
“I just wanted to say thank you. We raised and processed our own meat chickens thanks to your help! I would never have done this but taking your class made all the difference. I feel so proud of my husband and I for doing it! We ate our first one the other night and it was so great!”
CLICK THIS for online course details - or CLICK to reserve one of the last spots for our in person class.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend where ever you are!
Blessings from our little homestead,
Beth
