Due to how much we have going on, and thus a very long post, this was divided into two posts. The first post, which focused on additions to the homestead, can be seen here.
Systems
Taking care of animals, gardens, etc. takes a lot of time. I am growing in my love of systems, especially ones that we can easily, and inexpensively build for ourselves. Our newest systems mostly involve feeding and fencing. As we develop systems, we can more easily have others watch the homestead for us. This would be nice to be able to travel, etc. We aren’t there yet, but are working towards it.
System: No waste goat feeder
Having better feeding systems has been a life saver (though with some bugs to work through). With our old goat feeders (5 gallon buckets with 5 inch holes cut in them, hung on a pole), I was needing to constantly feed the goats. At the same time, about half of that feed (or more?) was ending up on the ground. I was watching my time, effort and money fall to the ground. Depressing! I found a feeder online that I could easily build that had almost no waste (they put their head inside, so anything that falls is still available) and could hold a large amount. My sons and I built it and it worked perfectly… until the kid (Darcy) learned how to hop right inside and enjoy a feast. That itself isn’t a problem, except that she then dirties the hay and the goats won’t eat it! Ahhh, right back where we started! This week, we built a new one, with a similar design, but that is able to keep the kids out. It seems to be working well, though I’m keeping check on my excitement for a few days.
We then moved the old feeder to the pen with our buck (Oscar) and one adult female (White Goat). I was surprised to look out our window and see that the female had pushed her way into the feeder. The sides of the feeder can flex in, but can’t flex out, so she was trapped, and I didn’t know how I would get her out. As it turns out, just putting an old tire outside of one of the openings gave her the step she needed to get up and out of the feeder. Hopefully my updated design will work for all of the goats.
System: Rotationally Grazing Goats
I’m still developing this habit, but we have been working on rotationally grazing the goats. We’ve found that the best way to do this is to tether them to old tires. They can eat everything in a circle around the tire and we move the tire every day. This allows them to eat brush, weeds, thorns, etc. around the property during the day and they are free in their fenced area at night.
System: Rotationally Grazing Cows
We move the cows (technically one cow and one heifer) into a new area every day. To do this, we first use about 300-400 feet of single strand electric fence to create a perimeter. We then use two shorter strands to subdivide it. Each day we create a new small area and move them in. They move quite easily since the new area has fresh grass and other greens (weeds) to enjoy.
System: Water
Water has been a difficult issue. Everything needs water, which means we need to get it there. With only one faucet (on the back of our house), this has been difficult. A few days ago, inspired by Chinese Kungfu training :o), I found my current solution. I built a yolk for myself that allows me to carry two five gallon buckets of water to where I need it on the property (about 35 lbs each) much more easily than carrying by hand. This is much faster than pulling hoses all over the property as we move the animals around. This allows the hoses to be used for the gardens, etc. Eventually, I’d like to put in some underground water lines and field faucets, but that takes time and money that we don’t have right now, and we’d like to wait until we have a better idea of the best place to put them.
System: All hands on deck
While one person can handle all of the animals (especially now with the larger goat feeders), having all hands on deck has greatly sped things up. All of the boys are out helping, and things go much more quickly and joyfully. One takes care of the ducks, another the chickens. I usually take care of the cows. Someone gets the goats, or helps me move them to their tires. It’s fun doing it together and also encouraging to know that our work is providing a nice life for our animals.
… the great escape! (Cows! Cows! Where are you?)
Back to our adventure for tonight, we had just gotten home from “5th Sunday Sing” at church and I was doing a routine check of the animals. While heading over to the cows I was playing my harmonica. I’ve done this during the day, and I don’t know for sure if it’s what spooked them, but Red (the calf) started jumping around and went right over the fence. Bonnie followed. They’ve always been very calm, so this was a surprise. (By the way, I love watching them jump and run around, which usually happens when we open a new area for them. They usually stay well away from the fence and it’s so fun to watch… though I’m careful to stay out of the way as they may not know how big they are.) I then watched them split up and disappear into the night. (They are fast, and Bonnie is black, making her (both really) nearly impossible to see at night.) Our whole family joined the hunt, going different directions. Near us there are roads, fields, houses, more fields, etc. and we had no idea where to go. While everyone was looking, I was the one who saw the reflection of cow eyes staring back at me from beside a road not far from our house. Unfortunately, we didn’t have a way to communicate to let the others know to come help. Fortunately, I had a bucket of treats with me. It took a while, but Bonnie followed me (and the treats) and the calf followed Bonnie as we walked up the street towards our house… until a car passed us. They took off running after the car! I was in pursuit (in my clunky rubber boots). We went past our house and continued up the hill on the street. They slowed down and I was catching them… until all of the local dogs started barking and they took off back down the hill! Fortunately, they stopped not far from our house and I got them onto our property. With some patience they then followed me back to their fenced area and we took care of them. Fences (of just about any type) are just a suggestion to a cow. If they want to they can jump over fairly tall fences or just smash through them. Last I checked, they were happily hanging out back in their fence. I think they just got spooked, since they seem to be happy where they are.
As well as the eventfulness of the homestead, we’ve been blessed with opportunities away from home.
Bible teaching: Fender, Sycamore
As well as continuing on the teaching team at church for Wednesday evening service, I’ve also recently been blessed with the opportunity to lead the weekly devotion at our homeschool co-op. We’ve been looking at who Christ is, using the Psalms that I’ve been teaching at Church. So far we’ve seen Christ as Shepherd (Psalm 23), Savior/Salvation (Psalm 43), King (Psalm 47 ).
New parks: hiking, fishing
We don’t get out for family outings as much as we used to and probably should, but recently we’ve been blessed to find two new parks near our home. One is a great park for hikes, and the other for fishing, hikes, etc. With the boys’ excitement for fishing, we’re excited to see how the fishing lake is and possibly to bring home some supper!
As you can see, it’s been quite a month (or so). It’s easy to feel in way over our heads… which is excellent. As today’s proverb says, being overwhelmed pushes us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” (That is from Proverb 3, and today is now April 3. It’s a game, can you figure out our Proverbs reading schedule? :o)
That has been a whole lot about us. We would also love to hear from you. It’s been great to connect with friends during the month. As we head into Spring and Summer, perhaps we’ll get to connect with some who are traveling in the area.
Are any of you homesteading (which can be done on a balcony in an apartment in the city)? What new things are you trying? We largely started with our Tower Gardens and sprouting seeds in the kitchen. It would be great to hear what you are doing or trying.
We do appreciate your prayers. We need wisdom from the Lord, especially the wisdom to not follow our own plans, but to submit to him in all our ways. Wisdom with the animals & gardens. Wisdom with our children & marriage. Wisdom with opportunities & commitments. It is great to know that it isn’t about our figuring everything out, but in having our full trust and obedience in Christ. How can we pray for you and your family?
3rd Culture Living 
Hello from Ohio! We’ve been enjoying reading your blog and seeing your homesteading adventures. We’ve started our garden indoors as it’s still too cold at night here. Things are quickly growing. Glad you’re all doing well. We miss fellowshipping with you all!
Love,
Cat
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