Yesterday Tane was observed trotting down the drive, at speed. He would not let on as to where he was actually heading but he was going there at a good clip. A case of “I don’t know where I’m going but I’m making very good time.” I know that feeling. 
Tima and the dogs and I went after him, seeing us of course he turned and met us and was escorted back to the barn then their barn door was shut. I hate to shut them in, they just get no exercise, but as soon as the snow has gone I am putting them back in the field. They can Go into the field anytime, but do not like the cold feet in deep snow. They prefer the plowed drive to loaf about in. If their house is in the field they have to walk about a bit more. I think Tane just saw the plowed lane and hoofed it.
We still have a good covering of snow. 
One day these fields will be green again.
I put the Dutch Belted cows out in Pats field so they could walk a bit further. This time of year and with this weather we are all getting sick of being cooped up and when the grass starts to grow again no-one gets to go into the fields until the pasture is established. Lady Astor being a lady and all promenaded around the perimeter.
But Elsie the old show girl was dancing with delight. Racing about like Daisy would have.
These girls both have round bellies – they just finished up all their hay. Most of that is just belly. But I am fairly sure I felt Elsie’s calf move when I was brushing her yesterday.
It is getting a little warmer over the next few days, so I should be able to get more of that maternity pen cleaned out and more gates de-iced.
Good morning. The Crash Chicks are doing well. They are eating like crazy! The last egg did not hatch. The incubator is cleaned and drying. I will refill it in another couple of weeks. In the end with the help of one of the Fellowship who works in a zoo, (you can see pictures of her turtle eggs being candled here) I decided to buy Black Turkeys. They are also known as the Spanish Black. They are a very, very old heritage breed and are more likely to breed for me out here. I need quite a hardy old fashioned smaller turkey who will also supply me with fertile eggs next year. Though a number of them will be for Thanksgiving dinner. They are considered critically endangered so we won’t eat too many. I have ordered eight. This will be a very small flock. I hope you all have a lovely day.
Love your friend on the farm,
celi
Ella Dee sent me this lovely article on raising turkeys by Barbara Kingsolver.
Have you ever heard of the Ark of Taste. Am I the only one who has not heard of the Slow Food Movement? I must get out more!
The Kitchen's Garden 
62 responses to “Trotting Pig and Running Cow”
Hah! My suspicions about Elsie’s rackety past are confirmed. Just look at her kick up her heels! Do get yourself a copy of Barbara Kingsolver’s book, it’s beautiful, poetic, horrifying and intelligent, and I think you’ll find yourself very much in sympathy with her views. I like the sound of the turkeys you’re taking on, and such an important job to keep these old breeds going.
Yes i have read it kate.. very inspiring. I read it in canada actually.. c
Reminds me of my favorite Little Rascals quote: Hey, Stymie where you going? Stymie replies, “I don’t know, but I’m on my way!”
That was exactly it! Morning Jean.. c
Oops – I followed some ot your interesting links and almost forgot to say thank you for today’s post. Elsie is hilarious. I don’t think I was galloping about or dancing when I was heavily pregnant! I am wishing you a green view very soon.
love,
ViV
Presently we are having freezing rain, I guess it is a start!?c
It’s more like just a sheet of glass on everything up here. Back to the crampons.
I am glad for the snow today, it is more crunchy than slippery, John said the roads are treacherous.
Such unbridled joy (with a milking collar). Made my day to see that picture. It appears that Tane is now bigger than Tima or is that an optical illusion? I’m glad Tane came back from his quest without any trouble. Maybe he just wanted to check the mailbox, has he been on Amazon again?. 🙂 Have a wonderful day.
I think Tane is walking on packed snow, they are about the same height. (and same width!) .. c
Tane was just doing a bit of investigating…I bet it was a funny sight..
Did I not say yesterday that those turkey babies were on the horizon ? We know now that when you are thinking of doing something, then its arrival is imminent…seems a shame to eat something which is endangered tho, couldn’t you just increase the stock and help make them unendangered, xxxx
You’ve changed again.. I like this – very you! These turkeys have always been grown for meat. In fact i am only getting them for Johns dinner! I don’t even like turkey. Though I might like the heritage turkey. However I will be keeping one or two breeding pairs and we need to see if they can survive the winters out here.. No-one gets a heated house! c
Woohoo! My Navajo Churro sheep and Royal Palm turkeys made the US “Ark” list. We’ve had great success with both breeds.
It is a fun list isn’t it!? Royal Palm – I looked at those too, are yours breeding?
I got them by mistake about 4 years ago and after I figured out what they were I kept a tom and two hens for breeding. The hens started laying in April and I collected 21 eggs for the incubator as they did not seem interested in setting. I really didn’t want 21 turkeys but as I had not seen the tom on the girls I wasn’t even sure if they were fertile…..low and behold 28 (they take longer than chickens) days later 18 HATCHED! OMG….I did manage to sell a bunch of pullets and made about $300 🙂 Also the hens started setting once it warmed up and managed to hatch 5 on their own. I don’t have a very good setup for them to set — they’re in with my chickens so I incubate some every year. LOVE this breed — they are a bit smaller at butcher time — 10-15 lbs. dressed but way tasty. Maybe I could “overnight” you some eggs for your incubator :)))
Joy on the farm in the form of running livestock…almost makes me want to take a run down my suburban street…almost. I am so excited for you with all these upcoming additions to the farm, but I am more excited for all of us who get to be introduced to and see their growth and journey through this blog. I have never been a great fan of turkeys, however the color on your new flock will be amazing with that deep blue/black against the red wattle.
Do you see a colour theme happening? I will be like those old time royalists with matching farm animals!
And High Tea in the pasture at 4 pm…what fun 🙂
Oh yes! That would be something to see – with parasols! c
I think melting temps are on the way…finally! And they can all frolic in probably mud by then. Morning miss c…t
Ah yes – mud season.. the dogs favourite!.. Morning miss T.. c
It’s good to see them running around in spite of the snow. IMHO if rare breeds are farmed and eaten, it helps to promote and save them – especially if they are being displayed on your blog 😉
yes i agree, hopefully these will be tasty (I have never been a fan of the commercial turkey meat) .. it seems to me that it is relatively simple to grow them too.. i have a friend who puts hog panels on the four sides under her hay rack (trailer) and pulls them across the grass like that.. big and sheltered. she does this every year. c
I saw a fantastic documentary on raising wild turkeys a couple of years ago – it looks like you can watch it online:
http://documentarystorm.com/my-life-as-a-turkey/
Thanks Mad, i will go and have a look this afternoon! c
I think you’ll find it fascinating 🙂
He is from my state– WY! Actually lives just “down the road”.
Wow – I bet he has an interesting menagerie.
Your post yesterday about turkeys started a whole conversation yesterday and this morning about turkeys and chickens. I found several others who want to raise chickens and turkeys!!! Now we just have to decide who has the property and time….. We can all contribute, but we need a full time steward to raise them.
My dream of having fresh chicken and eggs is getting closer to reality!!!
That is just stunning! This is the best news. You are spreading the word. growing your own food can be done by anyone.. wish you were closer, i would be your steward!
Great shot of dancing Elsie in her snow boots. I hope she slows down to a gentle waltz while still a lady in waiting! I followed both of the links and went off on a tangent then almost forgot to come back. Stay warm, Celi and take care, busy times ahead.
The image of Elsie dancing is splendid.
Elsie is having a good time.
I will be watching with great interest with the black turkeys, I raise four of them a number of years ago, got as week olds and I had temperament issues with the toms, the hens were lovely though. I have always wondered if it was the line or the breed in general, I paid a lot to import them from the usa as I thought I would do a small breeding flock, we butchered them out. I have never seen another or had anyone else in our province that I know have them
That was bad luck.. I have only read of them being very friendly and easy to handle but like all animals and birds you only need one bad one to change the temperament of the whole flock. I hope mine are nicer.. c