After writing my last post, I decided I needed to get some hands-on experience with bees to help me decide if this is for me. I've read books, but doing things is different than reading about them. Especially when the risk is getting stung, and I'm unsure how I will feel after doing my first few hive checks. I am usually very afraid of all bugs in general. Who knows, after doing it a time or two I may decide that this isn't for me. If that is going to happen, I'd weather find out sooner than later, and find out BEFORE I've spent a bunch of money on hives and supplies.
When I was looking for chickens, I posted on the local farm co-op website, and someone ended up giving me chicks. So, I went on a local beekeeping forum, and posted that Im a beginner looking for some hands on experience. I got a reply to my post, someone not to far away is willing to let me 'babysit' his hive for the winter and he will tutor me through it, then, come spring, we will split the hive in two (each taking 1/2). At that point I'll have to purchase/build my own hive and will have gotten an education. So, if I discover this isn't for me, I'll be out about $100 for supplies (smoker, bee brush, beesuit, hive tool), which I can always resell on craigslist/ebay. In my mind, this is way better than having a large hive up and running before discovering any aversions to beekeeping.
Next week it looks like I'll be heading to his place to meet him, and check out his set up.
Everything is going well here. We are in the process of starting work on our house for the first remodeling project (replacing all the old galvanized plumbing with PEX). Once this is done, we'll be able to start the main job (remodeling the 1950's kitchen).
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Thinking of spring... Goals anyone?
So, whats next? I've been giving this a lot of thought. Recently we went to a barter event, which got me thinking what kind of other products I could make or harvest. Many people were trading homemade canned items, jams, jellys, preserves, salsas, sauces, honey, homemade soaps, candles, etc.
Goals:
- eventually harvest enough from our garden to can the extra for use at barters (which are pretty common around here)
- additional livestock
What about animals? I REALLY want goats. REALLY BAD. I've read numerous books on care. Recently I think I've decided goats are a bit "much" for me right now. But they're so freaking cute. They are more care than dogs. Milking 2x/day. Everyday. God knows Im not averse to hard work, but what about going away for a weekend? Or going on a daytrip? We just moved here and there is so much exploring we want to do. I'd need to arrange for goat care. Much harder than for dogs. So I will probably get goats eventually, but just not right now.
What I like about chickens is the ease of care. At most, 20 minutes a day. Many people I talk to leave their chickens for a weekend and they are fine (they fill up LARGE feeders/waters, which is fine for a few days). Additionally, all the petsitters I've contacted and are interviewing, are OK with chicken care.
Soooo........... I've decided that bees are the next livestock that suit my current needs. I read 2 books on beekeeping (about a year ago). After initial set up, they require 15 minutes per week - usually just checking the status of the hive. Uhm, OK - I can do that. That doesn't include harvesting the honey at the end of the season, which will require several hours. For a hive or two, it can be done easily in a weekend. But they are also a bit of a long term commitment - usually you cannot harvest the honey until their 2nd fall. Hives are started in the spring, and harvested in the fall. When you harvest, you must always leave enough honey to get the colony through that winter - after the first summer they haven't built enough of a honey stash to last them the winter plus have some leftover for you to harvest.
Our local ordinances allow up to 4 hives on a lot smaller than 10,000 sq feet, so I'd be fine starting with one. Additionally, we have a 6ft perimeter fence which drives the bees up when the leave/enter the hive. With the other ordinances, this makes placing the hive on the property easier (has to be xx number of feet from the property line, etc). Beekeeping classes start in March, and Im keeping my eye out for the classes at the local center. There are other programs in the area that will put a hive on your yard and care for it for you (hive hosting). So I have several options to consider.
PS: After writing this post, someone posted this article: http://www.food
Goals:
- eventually harvest enough from our garden to can the extra for use at barters (which are pretty common around here)
- additional livestock
What about animals? I REALLY want goats. REALLY BAD. I've read numerous books on care. Recently I think I've decided goats are a bit "much" for me right now. But they're so freaking cute. They are more care than dogs. Milking 2x/day. Everyday. God knows Im not averse to hard work, but what about going away for a weekend? Or going on a daytrip? We just moved here and there is so much exploring we want to do. I'd need to arrange for goat care. Much harder than for dogs. So I will probably get goats eventually, but just not right now.
What I like about chickens is the ease of care. At most, 20 minutes a day. Many people I talk to leave their chickens for a weekend and they are fine (they fill up LARGE feeders/waters, which is fine for a few days). Additionally, all the petsitters I've contacted and are interviewing, are OK with chicken care.
Soooo........... I've decided that bees are the next livestock that suit my current needs. I read 2 books on beekeeping (about a year ago). After initial set up, they require 15 minutes per week - usually just checking the status of the hive. Uhm, OK - I can do that. That doesn't include harvesting the honey at the end of the season, which will require several hours. For a hive or two, it can be done easily in a weekend. But they are also a bit of a long term commitment - usually you cannot harvest the honey until their 2nd fall. Hives are started in the spring, and harvested in the fall. When you harvest, you must always leave enough honey to get the colony through that winter - after the first summer they haven't built enough of a honey stash to last them the winter plus have some leftover for you to harvest.
Our local ordinances allow up to 4 hives on a lot smaller than 10,000 sq feet, so I'd be fine starting with one. Additionally, we have a 6ft perimeter fence which drives the bees up when the leave/enter the hive. With the other ordinances, this makes placing the hive on the property easier (has to be xx number of feet from the property line, etc). Beekeeping classes start in March, and Im keeping my eye out for the classes at the local center. There are other programs in the area that will put a hive on your yard and care for it for you (hive hosting). So I have several options to consider.
PS: After writing this post, someone posted this article: http://www.food
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Slaughter Class Follow-up
This morning was the slaughter class, about 20 people showed up with total of about 15 chickens. It was about what I expected, I am surprised that chickens have so little blood in their bodies. The method used (slitting the jugular) was simple and quick, and the chickens didn't seem to suffer. This is the method I think I would use, however with the addition of the killing cone for the flapping reaction as the brain shuts down. It was quick and simple, I definitely left feeling like I could do it. He showed the entire process, all the way through gutting. I even got to pluck/singe someones chicken!
The people there were interesting. Most had kept chickens for a while, some people were brand new (like myself), and some hadn't even got their chickens yet. Some even had other livestock (rabbits) that they had experience processing. The people were very supportive of each other, for example, one woman did not want to actually kill her bird, so swapped with another woman who didn't want to do that part on her bird either. Then they continued the process with their own birds after the bird had bled out.
It was a very interesting experience, and wasn't as 'bloody' or 'gory' as you would think. I wish hubby had come with me, I think he could have handled it and would have loved to share that experience with him.
The people there were interesting. Most had kept chickens for a while, some people were brand new (like myself), and some hadn't even got their chickens yet. Some even had other livestock (rabbits) that they had experience processing. The people were very supportive of each other, for example, one woman did not want to actually kill her bird, so swapped with another woman who didn't want to do that part on her bird either. Then they continued the process with their own birds after the bird had bled out.
It was a very interesting experience, and wasn't as 'bloody' or 'gory' as you would think. I wish hubby had come with me, I think he could have handled it and would have loved to share that experience with him.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Slaughter class
This Saturday I am going to a processing class. Someone with the farm co-op is offering to show fellow co-op members how to slaughter/butcher chickens in his backyard. For free! I am excited to gain this new knowledge. People are invited to bring their chicken and supplies (sharp knifes, a cooler w/ice). I am not bringing one of my girls since they are only 12 weeks, but am going to watch everyone else and learn how to do it when the time comes. Or, for if something happens to one of my girls and she needs to be put down, then I'll be able to to it quickly and humanely.
Hubby has declined to come with me. He is freaked out by it for some reason. He claims he is attached to them already (altho he has only ever touched one once, and refuses to hold them). After the class I'll post my reactions and thoughts about it.
Hubby has declined to come with me. He is freaked out by it for some reason. He claims he is attached to them already (altho he has only ever touched one once, and refuses to hold them). After the class I'll post my reactions and thoughts about it.
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