I wonder if peahen eggs is the correct term or peacock eggs. The egg may contain either.
It seems the peahens are laying again. Or at least I have found one of their more recent nests. (With a chicken egg in it just for good measure.) The peahens are being very good at staying out of the gardens so are again roaming free (until the tomatoes and grapes are ripening then back to the penthouse they will go.)
Now what do I do. The eggs will be fine for a few days, she will lay a clutch and then she may come back and sit on them.
But the nest is very close to the milking parlour and the side of the barn with all the action, so I am not sure if she would sit there long.
And of course in about 13 days we will have noisy piglets in here too! How many are in there. Maybe we should run a sweepstake! I will try and work out how to do one, that could be fun! Or maybe a poll?
But I do have another broody hen for peacock eggs if need be. The eggs will wait a wee while. They have not been warmed up at all so they are still dormant.
The lambs will soon be fat enough to take to the little local abbatoir. It is a very small concern and they are good kind men who treat the animals with respect. Remember this is not a hobby for me. I am working towards being as self sufficient as possible. I don’t work off the farm, my contribution to the family coffers is much more direct. We do eat what I grow. This is why I grow. The reality of hands on farming is that you will end up looking your dinner in the eye and saying thank you. I think this is an important link in the ancient rhythm of hand to mouth. Knowing where your food comes from means you don’t waste it. Growing the food yourself means you actually eat less meat because it is hard won.
The lamb and beef, honey, vegetables and eggs also become a kind of currency. I often pay for services and favours to the farm with our own produce. This is part of being self sufficient. And keeping as few animals as possible on the ground is part of being sustainable. This is why Mia will be going with the lambs. That sheep has been through enough – it is her time. (I know this is hard but I also know that you expect truth from me and that you know deep down that this is the only answer for Mia, she has miscarried a total of six lambs, all dead, and all in grievous circumstances, she eats lying down in the field, she walks with her head down with a panicked gait . I have to call it, that is enough for the poor thing.)I know this upsets some of you but I am running a working farm. We have to deal with the tough decisions. We cannot stock more than the land can maintain without stress and we cannot keep an animal who is in stress.
Pity I can’t pay the land taxes with a piglet though! Because soon we will have pure bred Hereford piglets to sell to local children (to raise and show) and maybe even peacock chicks!
We have had two calm nights in a row now. No storms. Yesterday was a stunning day. Not too hot and perfect for the garden. Though I still have not got into the bee hives.. maybe today!
Good morning. The flood waters are slowly receding and the land and the skies are settling down again. Lets hope this trend continues for a while.
You all have a lovely day.
your friend, celi.
The Kitchen's Garden 
100 responses to “More peacock eggs and big bellies and sleeping cats!”
I have been betting on eight piglets for a long time. They will be the cutest little babies you have ever seen.
The fact that Mia is lying down as she eats is a clear indication that she is poorly. This decision is the right one, just as some of us have had to put a beloved dog or cat down. Very hard but in our hearts we know it is the right thing to do. I agree with the above writers. This country could take a lot of lessons from you, Celi
Mia is well loved and knows it. If she could understand I am sure she would be happy with the ways of the world. She sure has a place in our hearts. and the coupe will soon be done!,
As hard as it is for us to hear the news of Mia, it has to be much harder for you, as you have nurtured her and seen her through so many trials, and then had to make this decision. Hugs, Miss C.
It is the right decision and there is solace in that. have a great day!! c
It was a great day, hope yours was, too.
Like you said…and the key to life…is thanking those animals for their gift to us.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Please give Mia a hug from me. Can’t type today – keep bleeding on the keyboard. better 24 hours and counting.
Vx
I know you don’t make decisions, like the one involving Mia, without careful consideration, Celi. Who better than you to know that it’s Mia’s time?
Now, as for the little Shush-sters getting ready to make their debut, I’m guessing there’ll be “lucky 7” of the little darlin’s. And that’s one set of pics I can’t wait to see. 🙂
I, also, can’t wait to see if we can work it out so that both you, Éva, and JT are in town the same day. Now, that would be fun!
Getting excited about your piggies! I sure wish we lived close enough to buy one for Hannah. We still haven’t found a piglet for her. Have a great rest of the day, Celi! I’m off to set out my sweet potato slips. 🙂
I know I have already recommended this book to you Celi, but for the rest of the Farmy Followers this book speaks to exactly what Celi is doing (and doing right) on her farm: “This Ain’t Normal” by Joel Salatin. I am 3/4’s of the way through the book and keep muttering to my self “you have to be kidding me” and “this is Celi’s farm but bigger”. It has certainly opened my eyes to a lot of things and I thought they were already wide open!!
On another note, I am picking 9 for the number of piglets,
I can’t wait for my copy to come, I have read other work from him but for some reason not this book and it is the most important! c
Sometimes decisions are hard to make but need to be made for the sake of the animal. I have also made a few of them. I wish I was closer and then I could buy a piglet!
I vote for 9 considering its her first litter
Nine seems fair.. kind of! c
I love the honesty of this post, it’s easy to focus on the cute fluffy side of farming and pretend the other stuff doesn’t exist. It is never easy to take an animal to the abattoir, but I am so thankful for the opportunity to care for and ensure a good death for my animals. I find myself very uncomfortable about eating meat that I haven’t raised myself these days! (I often choose the vegetarian option!)
Also your comment about your work being on the farm, mine is too, and sometimes I can forget the value of that, thanks for reminding me!
we are valuable, and lucky that we can raise food full time. It is a lot of work as you know, but exceptionally important work. I also find myself eating lovely vegetarian dishes when i go out to restaurants. Though there is not often a lot of choice!! c
Good, honest post today, C…now that everyone is napping, I have a chance to tell you that 😉
My vote is 12 li’l piggies…..
TWELVE… I hope you and the nappers are coming over to help! I will have a poll tomorrow and we will see what everyone comes up with!! c
I asked my cousin in Arkansas, who has raised pigs before…that was the number he threw out. She’s a big gal, let’s hope she’s a good Mom. Then you won’t have much to do, other than make good, tight fences 😉
Yeah, about those fences!! just imagine her getting out with a whole trail of piglets following along behind! c
If there was more honesty around food, oh, and so much more, the world would be a better place…
I was wondering what comes first, the peaegg in the nest or the chicken egg… do the peahens lay where there is a chicken egg, cuckoo like… And, if you could persuade those gorgeous kitties to sleep on them, you wouldn’t need an incubator 😉
Appreciated your honesty. If farming was easy everyone would do it. X
Charlotte’s litter — baker’s dozen – 13