Spring farrowing (when piglets are born) is always a challenging time. Getting the houses ready, making sure the heat lamps are working, and preparing creep areas are just some of things that need to be done. We then need to separate the sows so they can be alone when they farrow. We always have had a love hate relationship with
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I was recently at our favorite family owned feed store with the brains of this crazy operation, when I put my hand in my pocket of my winter coat (yes, we are still dealing with winter temps here in the Northeast) and I felt something unusual. I thought “what the heck?” and I pulled out my pocket findings. The gentleman
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For years we grew cabbage and other greens in our garden, but we always ended up with the same result. All of our cabbage and greens would be riddled with worm holes. It was always so disappointing to remove the outer leaves of a cabbage to find it full of holes, or pick a bunch of spinach, lettuce, or kale
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Just when I think things are going smoothly here at Two Branches Homestead, something always takes a turn…. This morning’s temperatures here in upstate NY were well below zero, in the negative 10’s range, and I have never been so thankful (I will explain later). I really dislike winter. I enjoy having 4 seasons, but winter here can feel very
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Today on the homestead was one of those tough days that only those who live a similar lifestyle to us would understand. It’s butcher day. We have not been able to cross into butchering our own pigs, but that is not to say that someday we might, but not today. Pigs are very smart animals. They respond to your voice,
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