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**Welcome Wagon:  hello from Maine  |
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finngirl
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Karen
Bryant Pond
Maine
USA
30 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 26 2005 : 4:55:54 PM
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| Hello from Maine. I just discovered this site. My husband and I live on 5 acres of a 1000 acre farm that has been owned by my family since 1919. We have 2 cats 2 dogs and 23 chickens.We farm organically and would like to raise our own beef eventually. You never know what you are getting from the grocery store. Does anyone have beef critters? I would be interested in any info you have. |
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KarenP
True Blue Farmgirl
666 Posts
Karen
Chippewa Falls
Wisconsin
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2005 : 7:43:20 PM
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Howdy Karen!
You'll fit in here, please share your bits of wisdom with us!
KarenP
"Purest Spring Water in the World" |
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lonestargal
True Blue Farmgirl
607 Posts
Kristi
Texas
607 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2005 : 8:22:07 PM
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Hi Karen!!! Sounds like you have an awesome place going. I think Maine is beautiful and would love to have some of your colorful trees in Texas. Where I live colorful trees are hard to find!  |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2005 : 10:22:17 PM
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Welcome Karen! You sure live in a beautiful part of the country. I am glad you found us! It will be fun to hear more about you. What kind of chickens do you have?? You will sure find lots of chicken lovers here..and at least some gals that grow beef. I am trying to decide whether to raise a calf for beef if my cow has a bull calf this year..I don't have as much space as I would like so probably not. There is someone here with experience in just about everything though!!
Jenny in Utah
Put all your eggs in one basket..and then watch that basket!! Mark Twain |
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finngirl
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Karen
Bryant Pond
Maine
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Oct 27 2005 : 10:22:00 AM
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| Thanks to all for the welcome. Jenny, I have a varied flock of hens, Barred rock,Golden Comet, Araucauna, and Black Giants. We try out new breeds when we order chicks in the spring. The black giants are new for us this year. They are truly giants! I try to get breeds that are heavy, cold tolerant,and productive layers. Hard to find all in one hen. The weather here has been unbearable the past month. Rain, rain and more rain. Luckily we had a good shot of fall foliage before all the rain and wind blew the leaves off the trees! I have RA and all this damp rainy weather has played havoc with my joints but I am hanging in here in true farmgirl fashion. Thank God for my animals my family and now this kind group. |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Oct 27 2005 : 11:11:30 AM
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Hey Karen! Welcome from the West coast! Glad you are here! Some day I hope to have chickens. As I live in town limits, I can only have 3.
 I look forward to seeing you around the forum! Simply, Julia
"...the setting sun is like going into the very presence of God." Elizabeth Von Arnim |
Edited by - Julia on Oct 27 2005 11:12:19 AM |
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ThymeForEweFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
705 Posts
Robin
An organic farm in the forest in
Maine
USA
705 Posts |
Posted - Oct 27 2005 : 1:15:02 PM
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Hi Karen! I'm also from Maine. We've raised Dexter, Scottish Highland, Hereford and Belted Galloway for beef. In order of preference - Dexter, Scottish Highland, Belties, Hereford. The only breed we've had calve here is Dexter. I didn't have much of a clue. For the first one, I looked at her in the morning, thought she might calve later in the day, went back an hour later and the calf was already on his feet. I'm a firm, emphasis on firm, believer in hardy animals. I don't baby anything unless it's old or has been neglected or abused before it comes here. Survival of the fittest and not breeding animals irresponsibly to force them to grow or produce faster than they were meant to are important to me. I need my livestock and poultry to be dependable breeders and raise their own young with little intervention from me.
What kind of information are you looking for?
Robin
www.thymeforewe.com |
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finngirl
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Karen
Bryant Pond
Maine
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Oct 27 2005 : 2:48:30 PM
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Hi Robin,
I guess I am looking for any info on raising beef. My family owned dairy cows in the 60's but I was very young and don't remember much of it. I don't know where to start. Where do you get the calves? How much do they cost? Price of feed and how much and when to feed? How big a space do they need? Barn etc...All the how to's. It's nice to hear from someone from my neck of the woods so to speak! |
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Judes
True Blue Farmgirl
156 Posts
Jude
OH
USA
156 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2005 : 12:29:10 AM
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Hi Karen! I'm not a farmer, but I want to be some day....and I love love love Maine. I spent 2 magical summers there. I won't be of any help to you about dairy cows...but I just wanted to say hello and welcome!
Jude |
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ThymeForEweFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
705 Posts
Robin
An organic farm in the forest in
Maine
USA
705 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2005 : 03:39:25 AM
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When you're ready to start looking I'd start with Uncle Henry's. You can also ask who has beef critters at the feed store. They probably have a bulletin board you can look at too.
I raise my beef on grass with just a cup or so of grain in the evening so that they'll come to the barn. I like to see the animals to be sure they're alright before it gets dark. They don't need a lot of grain. Cattle are designed to graze. I think a little grain helps with marbling and taste but it's not absolutely necessary. Good pasture (there are breeds that do well on poor pasture) and fresh water are the most important.
Robin
www.thymeforewe.com |
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Kit
Farmgirl in Training
27 Posts
Mechanic Falls
Maine
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2005 : 5:30:51 PM
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| Robin and Karen ... hi neighbors. ;) I too am in Maine. I don't know a thing about Cows though, that's not our group's focus. |
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lareyna
True Blue Farmgirl
242 Posts
Arlene
Valley Ford
Ca
USA
242 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2005 : 5:56:22 PM
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We just butchered last monday so beef is on the way soon, I am not the beef person but any questions you have I can refer to the DH he is the cowboy around here.
http://bumpercrop.blogspot.com/
I was Country before Country was COOL |
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finngirl
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Karen
Bryant Pond
Maine
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Oct 31 2005 : 2:45:38 PM
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Hi Kit,
I see you are from Mc Falls! My mom,in-laws and one brother in-law live there. My hubby grew up there. I am only 35 min away! How long have you lived there? |
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finngirl
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Karen
Bryant Pond
Maine
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Oct 31 2005 : 2:49:39 PM
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Judes,
I thank you for the welcome.My hubby spent 3 weeks in Ohio doing an electrical job in Sydney. He was so lonely his company sent me out for a week! They knew a happy man is a productive man I guess. We both really loved Ohio. I would like to go back for a visit.The people were so friendly. Where in Maine did you vacation? |
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Judes
True Blue Farmgirl
156 Posts
Jude
OH
USA
156 Posts |
Posted - Oct 31 2005 : 5:07:37 PM
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Hi Karen,
I was not vacationing, although it's so breathtaking there that it felt like one! I was on Mount Desert Island. I had the opportunity to stay, but had to tend to some personal things in Ohio. My husband is from Mass, and I'm from Connecticut...There's a pull towards the east coast, don't you think? I've never met anyone who was from the east coast who didn't want to move back & settle down there. I'm sure your farm is beautiful! All that land, and clean air....ahhh. I can't wait to go back. I think it's smart to start planning to raise your own livestock. Good luck with all of your learning!
~Judes |
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Kit
Farmgirl in Training
27 Posts
Mechanic Falls
Maine
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - Nov 06 2005 : 07:33:54 AM
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Karen,
Heh, I've only lived here a few months actually. Only lived in the state of Maine a few months in fact! :P But it sounds like we really are neighbors! |
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montana gal
Farmgirl in Training
13 Posts
Sally
Bozeman
MT
USA
13 Posts |
Posted - Nov 06 2005 : 2:46:59 PM
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Hi Karen!
I'm new, too. I'd like to have chickens one day soon...do you have dogs? We have several dogs and I'm afraid they'll chase the chickens (for fun). Also, how much room do you need for their indoor nests?
Montana Gal
Paid my New York dues to live in Big Sky country |
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Meg
Moderator/Farmgirl True
974 Posts
Meg
Idaho
USA
974 Posts |
Posted - Nov 07 2005 : 10:35:12 AM
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Hi Karen! Welcome to the forum! It sounds like you're already a perfect fit and I am sure you will find some great tips for raising cows! We get our first milk cow here at the farm this month and I am looking forward to learning how to milk her.
MaryJane's daughter,
Meg
megan@maryjanesfarm.org |
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finngirl
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Karen
Bryant Pond
Maine
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Nov 07 2005 : 4:28:53 PM
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Hi Sally,
I have 2 dogs, an English pointer and a Springer spaniel. The pointer is older (almost 8) he hates the chickens. In fact he killed 8 out of my last flock and 4 guinea hens so we keep the hens in a fenced in area. The Springer is totally different. She has been raised with the hens (as chicks) when she was only a pup. I even take her into the hen house with me. The hens don't mind as long as it's dimly lit. If they see her they fly about a bit. As far as the nests, I figure about 1 nest per 2-3 hens. They share the nests anyway so you don't need a nest for every hen. I also figured 1-2 square feet of floor space per hen when we built the new hen house. That way they aren't too crowded.This is for heavy breeds so if you have smaller hens or bantams you could get away with less space. Hope you can get chickens soon. They are a joy.
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finngirl
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Karen
Bryant Pond
Maine
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Nov 07 2005 : 4:31:47 PM
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meg,
Thanks for the welcome. Let me know how you are doing with the milk cow. Right now we are concidering beef cows and sheep but I have always wanted a milker. I had one on the farm when I was a child. I can remember sitting on the kitchen floor straining the milk.Good luck! |
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Meg
Moderator/Farmgirl True
974 Posts
Meg
Idaho
USA
974 Posts |
Posted - Nov 07 2005 : 5:03:56 PM
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Thanks Karen! I may need it. My mom had a beautiful milk cow when I was a little one too (if you get a chance, there is a fun picture in Mom's book of me on her back while she is milking Rosie on page 138). Hopefully I will have the opportunity to pass these same memories to my children! And we hope to do some beef cows too. Delicious, nothing like home-grown beef!
MaryJane's daughter,
Meg
megan@maryjanesfarm.org |
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**Welcome Wagon: hello from Maine |
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hello from Maine
