No.627: Homestead Diaries // February 2022

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February was a welcome relief from January’s bitterly cold temperatures and we were able to check off quite a few pressing tasks.  Still not where I’d like us to be, but progress!  Here’s what we accomplished around the homestead during the second month of 2022:

+ Fred had to be separated from the ladies, so Mark and the boys built him a new little A-frame house.  I was worried sick that he would be lonely, but he seems to love his bachelor life.  On the first day, he cozied right up and slept the entire afternoon!  I think he also appreciates that he doesn’t have to share his meals anymore, ha!

+ I made another few batches of fodder for the chickens.

+ On one beautiful spring-like day, I put together a new chicken tractor for the broilers.  We’ve had this run since last summer’s hawk attacks, but ended up never putting it together.  This works to our benefit because with a few tweaks, it will be perfect for our dudes.  (Ours is similar to this one, but yikes – inflation has even hit chicken runs!)

+ I finally tested my garden soil with this kit.  Our pH was around 6-6.5, so great for vegetables.  Unfortunately, the soil was very deficient in nitrogen and phosphorus, so I will have to add some amendments before planting.

+ I pruned some of the fruit trees.

+ We measured the pigs for a rough weight estimate using this calculator.  The ladies that will be going to the butcher in June are roughly 115-130 pounds, which seems about right for pasture raised Berkshire/Tamworth pigs in the winter.  I’m sure they’ll pack on the pounds quickly as the weather gets warmer.

+ We’re running out of room! We definitely could use a barn, but since that’s $$$ we don’t have, we’re making do with what we have.  On one of the warmer weekend days, we rearranged and organized and moved things around our shed and garage.  It’s amazing what a good cleanout can do!