Well, It's cold.  Again.  But we survive.  The chickens are laying well and the grass is greener so we'll ignore this cold snap and move on with spring.  As Ron said, 'March has come in like a lamb and gone out like a lion'.  

The kid and I are going to go visit the big cities next week.  He has Spring Break and wants to visit Washington DC and New York City.  So, road trip it is.  Ron will stay and take care of the critters while we're gone.  It's hard to leave the farm for a week.  There is so much to do this time of year.  I haven't even thought of the garden yet except for ordering the heirloom tomatoes at Christmas time and that's only because I order them as gifts for other people.  The Freedom Ranger chicks will need to go out soon and I have to start keeping an eye on the chicks in the store for when they go on sale,  still working on getting the mares bred and there is constant brushing for our horses for sale to get that winter coat gone.

But you have to take time off some time and next week is the week, so if you've been trying to schedule a time to come visit, don't worry, we'll be back.  We'll be refreshed and ready to finish all of the spring chores (as if that's possible).  

So,

  I know I write alot about hoping for spring and wishing for spring and searching for vague signs of spring...  I do apologize.  And for those of you who return to read the blog postings, I thank you.  Though they are calling for snow next week, I know that is is winter's last hurrah and I shall be enjoying warmer, sunnier days soon.  The bulbs around the house are starting to push through the soil, the trees have leaf buds and any day now I'll expect the first dandelion to poke her head through the greening grass.  Dandelions are the first source of pollen for our bees (so for those who live in a neighborhood, please let them grow...they are not the enemy and are quite tasty in salads).  

Last week, we separated Giorgio and Gussie (ahem) from the momma cows.  It went surprisingly well with minimal drama (that came the next day when everyone realized there was a fence between them).  We will be down to 2 bulls and 3 heifers for sale after this weekend.  We'll be moving the heifer out of the horse barn and separate the bull pen to keep 2 of the heifers in.  It's going to be nice to have an additional stall in the barn for the horses.  

This weekend I will need to get out and prune the fruit trees.  We have several trees that are a couple of years old, so I'm hoping for some nice fruit production this year.  We will be surfing all of the home improvement stores next month for half price trees.  

The chicks are doing well.  We had an issue with the buckeye chicks but the hatchery is going to send us some replacements at no charge.  The Freedom Rangers continue to eat and grow (and poop) and are putting on adult feathers.  In a few weeks, they will be going outside to mature out on grass.

So, goodbye to  old man winter, hello spring and we'll keep you posted on all of the goings ons of Bruskotter Farms.

So marks the beginning of the farming season.  Our chicks have officially arrived and are happily puttering around the brooder boxes.  We're just waiting for our hatching eggs and will start harvesting turkey eggs for hatching.  I'm also going to be keeping an eye on local feed stores.   Last year, I was able to buy 20 4 week old golden comet pullets for $0.75 per chick and turned around and sold them immediately for $1.50.  The people purchasing got an AWESOME deal (the chicks were fully feathered and ready to lay in a few months) and I turned a bit of profit.  Win, Win, Win.  

The chicken coop is mucked out (thanks Ron!) and we are just awaiting fresh shavings.  For some reason, I am having difficulties purchasing my normal pellet bedding that I love.  I have never had problems, now I can't find it anywhere.  I am very disappointed.  I have forgotten how to muck a stall with normal shavings (and it is WAY MORE work).  But we shall persevere.  

Cows are continuing to generate interest.  I have 3 leaving this weekend and 2 other parties interested in seeing what we have to offer.  Hopefully, we can get some more bovines to new homes.  If only people would start showing interest in horses as well.  

So, enjoy the mud (it isn't snow) and celebrate the arrival of spring.  Life starts getting really busy soon.