Just livin’ that glam #farmlife 👩‍🌾😆 Trimmed Phil’s undercarriage for some serious manscaping ✂️ before he leaves for a new farm on Wednesday. Pedicure 💅 + groin grooming and that shaggy dude is ready to rock 🙌 {Note the lurking young lad 🐐in the background, unsure about this rite of passage 😳🤣} There’s actually a method to my madness...I swear! Ready for a blog post about keeping bucks? Stay tuned...it’s a good one 🐐 #meetmygoatmonday @theyounghomestead

Wearing our Easter’s finest👒 Wishing you all a very hoggy day! 🌸🦔🌸

How to cut twine without a knife 🔪 {side note: I stink at editing and IG “cuts” it off as a post so be sure to watch in Reels 😉} Did you know this simple trick? I swear, it always happens when I have goats yelling at me to be fed 🌾 and I need to cut open a bale 🤦‍♀️ Want more #farmhacks? Comment below and I’ll try to make this a regular thing! ⬇️⬇️ #farmhackfriday #diy #lifehacks #farmgirl #quickfix #shortcut #countrygirl #flockboss #haybarn #barnyard #farmhacks #ladyfarmer #modernfarmer #hacks #farmlife #farmdiy #newburyfarms

Is he a #FLOCKBOSS? Definitely! Will he become a #chickendaddy? That is TBD🤔 Have you ever BRED and raised your own #pasturedpoultry? 🐓 Rick is a Freedom Ranger rooster: a cross of {I’m guessing} a New Hampshire Red with some other dual-purpose breeds. I’m considering hatching my own Freedom Ranger eggs 🐣 late Spring 2021/early Summer 2021 for our next cycle of meat birds. Closed loop ⭕️, next-level #sustainableliving... The hens are laying REALLY well and their eggs carried us through the winter, further reinforcing to me that Freedom Rangers were the better fit for my #farmstead. Cornish Crosses, the more economical choice, just don’t have the hardiness, longevity and dual-purpose that I wanted. I have no idea if Rick will do the job, but it’s worth firing up the incubators to find out! 😉 Most farms reorder their spring chicks in large quantities, making it more cost-effective to “outsource” the hatching part. But for microfarms/homesteads/backyard farmers...this is a great option! Side note: I know this isn’t a typical #roosdaytuesday post, but it’s 2021 and “typical” went out the window a year ago 💁‍♀️

Did you know that turkey heads change color depending on their mood? 💁‍♀️ Current mood: MIGHTY FRISKY ❤️ Mac is amped up today 😳 While Sweet Dee and I were having a nice moment bonding with some pets and sunflower seeds, Mac was creeping around us 👀. Not that I don’t thoroughly enjoy his smooth moves 🕺 but I prefer to stay out of their “private time,” if you know what I mean 😬 See stories ⬆️⬆️ if you dare. Anywho...gimme those turkey eggs, Dee! I can’t wait to hatch some poults this season 🐣🤞 What’s got you excited to hatch this year? Sharing my handsome lover boy for #turkeysnoodsunday with my friend, Stacy @5rfarmoregon 🦃

Where my 🐴 people at? #iykyk Ally just finished a week-long course of Banamine®, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) used to treat two equine conditions: colic and laminitis (founder). Flunixin (its generic name) treats pain, inflammation, and fever and should be used under the supervision of a veterinarian. Eleven days ago during our nightly lockup, Ally refused to get up from the stall floor 😳 Days prior, she seemed off-balance, was walking delicately (there was ice and snow still on the ground), and when I tried to pick her hooves, she struggled with me and didn’t want them touched (especially her front legs). Something just wasn’t right; both colic and laminitis require immediate attention 🚨 After an emergency visit with our vet, then a follow up the next day with Dr. Neff @fairfield_equine for radiographs, hoof testing, and blood work, we found some concerns (X-rays are key in diagnosing any rotational changes in hooves). Ally needed corrective hoof trimming, restricted movement (i.e. girl stayed in her stall for a week), diet restrictions (no grain, limited hay). Her bloodwork {TRH stim} confirmed PPID, also known as equine Cushing’s Disease. Not uncommon for a horse her age; we suspect the “flare” could have been from the stress of moving. Early Clinical Signs: •Increased coat length & prolonged shedding of coat •Mood/behavioral changes (lethargy) •Muscle mass loss (saggy topline) •Fat deposits in weird spots •Laminitis Advanced Signs: •”Hay belly” (rounded abdomen) •Abnormal sweating •Excessive thirst/increased urination •Parasitism & recurrent infections •Blindness Identifying the problem is half the battle. We’re hopeful that through daily medication (Prascend®) and some “lifestyle and dietary changes,” my fuzzy buddy will be a happy, zippy girl once again. Early intervention and treatment ➡️ a better outcome 🙏 Anyone else have a #cushingoid horse and if so, what’s worked for you?

“The rooster 🐓may crow, but the hen delivers.” We know the truth, Missy. Her expression in this pic just cracks me up 🤣(swipe ⬅️⬅️ for Walter in all his glory). As you can see, she’s totally unenthused 😒 What’s one of your favorite chicken idioms/sayings? There are so many! If you’ve got any roosters that THINK they’re the #FLOCKBOSS like Walter 😉, share them today for #roosdaytuesday! Just tag me on your pic and use the hashtag!

“You never know what you can do until you try, and very few try unless they have to.” –C.S. Lewis When she was small, they told us she had low tone, speech delays, and processing issues. That she would have “challenges.” That she would need therapies, and interventions, and treatments... There was no “plan” to follow and there is no manual for special needs parenting. It was daunting, emotionally overwhelming, exhausting and frustrating for her...but we forged on 💪🏼 Today you’ll meet a compassionate, funny, creative, social, bubbly, curious, and hard working young lady that will surely carve her own path in this world 💕 Autism may have its challenges, but it definitely doesn’t limit or define her. Today on #Internationalwomensday the theme is #ChoosetoChallenge and my daughter is the perfect example of doing just that 💁‍♀️ Challenging expectations, defying the odds, surpassing limits, living her best life. We commit to choosing to challenge the stereotypes of what living with autism looks like, especially for girls 💖 What will you CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE this year? Comment below ⬇️⬇️ , check stories for more info on #iwd and spread the word! 🗣

⭐️ BROODY CARE ⭐️ How do you handle broody hens in your flock? Muffy is a Blue Splash Silkie, a breed known for their penchant for going broody and raising chicks. Muffy is also a rookie, and unfortunately it’s not the best time (for me or her) to hatch chicks right now 😕 More importantly, there isn’t a rooster 🐓 in their coop...so girlfriend would be waiting a very loooong time for those eggs to hatch 😳🤣 The natural instincts of some broody hens are far superior than mine in teaching chicks the ways of the chicken world 🐣 However, as a responsible #FLOCKBOSS, I monitor my chicken mamas more closely so they remain healthy. I typically separate my broody hens into a maternity ward (crate) because it can get crazy in the coop and is safer for everyone involved {I touched on this topic on Tuesday during 🌟CHICK WEEK🌟, see my highlights ⬆️⬆️ more more info}. Broody behaviors (staying on the nest for ~21 days with little reprieve) can get downright dangerous 😵 as hens lose significant weight and their body condition suffers. Closer supervision ensures they’ll have clean water 💦 and feed available to them, and on occasion, I “encourage” (i.e. gently escort off the nest) them to go dust bathe and relieve themselves...because #selfcare is important to all moms 🤗 Today, Lisa @sweetpicklefarm will be sharing more on Preparing & Raising Chicks 🐥! You’ll just love her beautiful farm, gorgeous flock, and stunning rainbow eggs 🌈 Also, don’t miss out on the phenomenal Chick Gift-Away happening; details in stories 📝 on how to enter! 🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥

I’m ready for Friday: how about you?! 🐥 It’s been an amazing 🌟CHICK WEEK🌟 so far and today Rachel @sugarmaplefarmhouse will share her tips and tricks for preparing and raising chicks and chickens! Go check out her account 👀 and stories today for some great info! Each host has been saving all their tips in highlights (just in case you missed anything or want to reference back later on!) Stay tuned for a fantastic GIVEAWAY 🎉 as well! 🙌 We’ve got lots more coming your way: Friday: @sugarmaplefarmhouse Saturday: @sweetpicklefarm Sunday: @simplifylivelove

A little #tbt to my wooly Hedemora chick and Lee’s Dark Purple Rhododendron in full bloom💜 This cute girl is one of a few Hedemora 🐣 in my flock that are extra special. Besides being an ultra-rare landrace breed, Hedemora can be smooth or wooly-feathered. Much like Silkie chickens, their feather barbs don’t “lock” to create webbed, smooth feathers. Instead, their feathers feel more like fur or downy fluff, which helps keep them warm in the cold, harsh winters of Sweden #coolchick 😎 Hedemora aren’t just pretty, but weather-tolerant, independent foragers, make great broody hens, and have sweet personalities 🥰 Today, Victoria @theyounghomestead is hosting 🌟 CHICK WEEK🌟 and talking all about picking the best breeds for you and your family/farm! Head on over to her account and learn about various breeds of chickens that you might justtttttt have to add to your flock (sorry, I’m a self-admitted #chickenmathfailure 😂). Monday: @blueberryfieldsfarm Tuesday: @newburyfarms Wednesday: @parallel45farm Thursday: @theyounghomestead 🐥 (TODAY) Friday: @sugarmaplefarmhouse Saturday: @sweetpicklefarm Sunday: @simplifylivelove

Broody or ‘bator? How do you prefer raising chicks? 💁‍♀️ You can put a broody hen to work or bust out the incubator to hatch some little peeps! If you joined me yesterday for 🌟CHICK WEEK🌟, you may have noticed I’ve raised chicks several ways {and if you missed it, I’ve created a 🐥highlight in my profile ⬆️⬆️ with all the info I shared, so you can reference it anytime 🙂}. There are unique benefits and challenges to all ways, so what works best for you? Today my friend Chelsea @parallel45farm will be sharing all about raising chicks and chickens! Head on over to her account for some chicken fun and lots of great tips and info! 🐔 Here’s the lineup for this week: Monday: @blueberryfieldsfarm Tuesday: @newburyfarms Wednesday: @parallel45farm (TODAY) Thursday: @theyounghomestead Friday: @sugarmaplefarmhouse Saturday: @sweetpicklefarm Sunday: @simplifylivelove