This counts as showing up right?
#homesteading #homesteadlife #farm #farmlife #businessowner #veteranownedbusiness #veteranfarmer #burnout
But he’s such a trooper!
#homesteadhusband #homesteading #homesteadlife
We live in a very high predator area so when it comes to protecting our sheep, we don’t take any chances. We have implemented several layers of protection to keep our sheep safe.
Every night, our flock is locked up in our mini-barn (essentially a large shed we have outfitted and customized to our needs) keeping them out of reach from nighttime predators. From dusk to dawn they are secured.
But that’s just the beginning…
We fenced our entire property perimeter with 4ft MaxTight fencing, which is small enough with its 2x4in holes to keep predators from running through it like horse fencing. At 4ft tall coyotes can still jump this fence but it provides a solid first line of defense against unwanted visitors. It’s all about layers here, folks! 🧅
We have motion-activated lights throughout the property to deter predators during the night.
Our three collies patrol the property day and night, alerting us to anything suspicious. While they aren’t livestock guardian dogs (LGDs), which are specifically bred to protect livestock, these vigilant watchdogs take their job very seriously. They have treed raccoons, stood their ground to bears, and chased off coyotes 🙌🏻
We have trained our dogs to alert us to coyotes as well as to aerial predators since we free range our chickens 🦅
Many farms in our area have working LGDs which have been bred for centuries to bond with and protect livestock, often standing their ground against predators. However, not all dogs have this instinct, so it’s crucial to choose the right breed for the job and train them diligently.
Instead of LGDs some farms use llamas and donkeys to protect their flocks. They make excellent guard animals due to their natural aversion to canines and their strong protective instincts. As with dogs, selecting the right animals is critical 🦙
Keeping our flock safe requires a mix of tools and teamwork, and we’re committed to making sure our sheep are well-protected, day and night. 🐏
Anyone hear the baby cooing while I’m milking the goats?
#asmr #homestead #milkgoats #nigeriandwarf #goatstagram #homesteadlife #babywearing #farmmama
No audio. No edits. Just a lamb in a diaper running for her bottle.
Food security has been our main goal since we started homesteading in the suburbs in 2019. Since moving to acreage we’ve been able to add more layers to this plan. Last year we raised our own holiday turkeys, we added goats for milk, and hardy Icelandic Sheep for meat. Our meat chicks get here next week and we’ve installed irrigation that will allow us to build our garden. We still enjoy and rely upon hunting, fishing, and foraging as we work on the infrastructure of our homestead. It is a slow process but one we are determined to do correctly.
Interested in the journey? Be sure to hit the follow button!
#homestead #homesteading #homesteadlife #foodsecurity #raiseyourownfood #raiseyourownmeat #homegrownfood #homesteadmama
More lambs in the barn this morning: a ram lamb and a ewe lamb, already out exploring the world with the flock 🩶 The hardiness and natural instincts of the Icelandic Sheep never ceases to amaze me!
‘nuf said 🫶🏻 share if you agree!
#NorthIdaho #idahome #northidaholife #idaho #coeurdalene #coeurdaleneidaho #idahopanhandle #sandpoint #sandpointidaho #inlandnorthwest #inlandempire #northidahorealestate #idahofarm #idahofarmers #workingdogs #workingcollie #icelandicsheep
Thank you, Brothers and Sisters in arms who answered the call to serve 🇺🇸Whatever you’re doing now, I hope you’ve healed your wounds and found your peace. This day can be triggering for so many Soldiers as we remember our battles. My DMs are open to you or dial 988 then press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line if you need support today or any day ❤️
In case you missed it - we have sheep! Registered Icelandic Sheep to be specific. And we will be selling breeding quality lambs, meat, pelts, and wool all while maintaining our pastures and giving nutrients back to the land.
I’m obsessed.
And so is Skye the collie. She enjoys having a job and her daughter, Rainy, is watching and learning. Skye has helped bring them in every night and is living her best sheep dog life. It’s amazing to see her natural instinct at work. I will try to get a video soon of her in action.
In the meantime enjoy this video of the sheep in our back pasture.
Thank you to everyone who checked in on us today 🔥 We evacuated around 3pm in an absolute flurry and were able to return around 7pm thanks to our wonderful firefighters and emergency workers.
Video taken by our neighbor.
Meet Brooks, the last girl from Skye’s Alaska Litter! 🩵 This blue-eyed Lil Lassie is Sugar, Spice, and everything Sassy!
PM for more details!
The fanciest farm dogs you’ll ever see 😂🤩
I’ve reached out to everyone on our muscovy hatching list regarding todays news! It’s looking like lavenders, patinas, and possibly a chocolate mixed in there (like Honey, here) 🩵
If you didn’t hear from me but reached out expressing an interest please DM me! If you’re interested in our muscovies DM me and I’ll add you to our list. Once I work through our lists I will open this up to the public although I do not expect any leftovers.
This is the first of 3 hatches we have underway!
2 weeks until her due date and Skye, who’s always been a sweet and sensitive girl, has turned into an absolute cuddle bug 🥰
Gentle and kind, we are sure Skye will make a wonderful mother and pass on some great traits to her pups. Dual registered with both AKC and SCPS. Pups will have -/- or -/+ genetics and be raised with Puppy Culture, an exposure and desensitization program to create well socialized dogs.
Show, Family, or Homestead, these dogs will excel wherever they are!
I’d say Skye missed her calling #sleddog #mushing
Yep, you read that right: roughly SEVEN months before these young muscovies lay their first egg! But muscovies are in it for the long haul - these guys have relatives who are in their TWENTIES and still laying eggs 😱 the average muscovy lifespan is 8-12 years with specialty breeders improving on their genetics and breeding for longevity.
But until these youngsters start laying they will be the prettiest but most useless birds on our farm (unlike our quail who begin their egg laying careers at just eight weeks old!) 🤣 however once our muscovies start laying the will lay consistently for longer than most people are prepared for.
When adding animals to your farm or family be sure to look into their average lifespan and make sure you’re prepared for whatever it may be ❤️
This is the only appropriate audio for our freeloaders. Get a job 🤣
The collies are thoroughly enamored with the still nameless “Ducky” and why it’s so small 🥰
For names, I’m leaning towards Pippen (yes, LOTR) who could also be affectionately called Pip Squeak since s/he comes running when I “peep peep” for him/her. I also like Paddington, Puddles, and Sudsy. But names are hard! What else do ya got?
PS the collies are VERY safe with poultry and have never once hurt any of my birds. Oliver has been a chick babysitter for years and often sleeps next to the brooder to keep an eye on his babies. Skye has such strong maternal instincts that she needs to keep an eye on Ducky when I have her out. I completely trust both of them with my birds ❤️
