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03/08/09, 07:32 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York
Posts: 3,891
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Looking back ......
When I look back at my time spent here on my homestead, I can't help but reflect on some of the mistakes I've made and the things I'd do differently, given the knowledge that I now have.
I wish that I had waited to get Shetland Sheep, because that's what I really wanted. I rushed into buying two adorable lambs, and they are now 5 year old ewe's. They are very friendly, and very sweet, but nothing more than great big pets.
I've learned that it's difficult to keep more than one variety of turkey at a time, because you end up with mixed breed birds, which is fine if you want to sell them for eating, but not if you want to breed one kind.
It's really, really hard to grow a market garden or a CSA, and work fulltime, if you don't have help.
LGD's are hard headed and slow to mature. They are not like a Lab or a Golden.
Never, never tarp hay in a snowy state. This was the biggest mistake I've ever made.
Don't get me wrong, I love my life and I wouldn't change it for anything. This is meant to offer up some thoughts to others, so they don't make the same blunders. Take some time, ask lots of questions, don't be impulsive.
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I cried because I had no shoes, until I saw a man who had no feet.
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03/08/09, 07:46 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,035
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Ok, I know this is probably a dumb question but why not tarp hay in snow? Does it rot?
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03/08/09, 07:52 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York
Posts: 3,891
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A family came today to look at goat kids. The man had his heart set on a Nigerian Dwarf doeling. I had a few wethers, and 2 Mini-Nubians, two "Snubians", and a Nigie doe actually gave birth while they were here (a single buckling). I felt bad for him because he knew what he wanted, but he allowed his 3 year old son to pick the kids.
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I cried because I had no shoes, until I saw a man who had no feet.
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03/08/09, 08:16 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York
Posts: 3,891
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No, it doesn't "rot", but once the snow and ice weight down the outside edges of the tarp, it is extremely difficult to get under the tarp. The hay was on pallets, covered by a 40' x 60' tarp.
This is EXACTLY why I started this thread! I had no idea how difficult it would be, going under the tarp, day after day, pulling out bales of hay.
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I cried because I had no shoes, until I saw a man who had no feet.
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03/08/09, 10:16 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,035
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Duh! I didn't even think of that and it was so obvious after you said it! I thought rot because we have some 3 blend and it is sectioned and covered by plastic as well as a shelter, but the kids pulled some out from under the shelter(thinking it would be ok because of the plastic) and it got wet from the rain and started rotting(turing black and slimy, ick!) in spots really fast. Of course we had to toss that bale and the kids learned never to get it wet!
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03/09/09, 03:14 AM
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Very Dairy
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Dysfunction Junction
Posts: 14,603
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HilltopDaisy
No, it doesn't "rot", but once the snow and ice weight down the outside edges of the tarp, it is extremely difficult to get under the tarp. The hay was on pallets, covered by a 40' x 60' tarp.
This is EXACTLY why I started this thread! I had no idea how difficult it would be, going under the tarp, day after day, pulling out bales of hay.
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BTDT! 
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"I love all of this mud," said no one, ever.
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03/09/09, 08:22 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York
Posts: 1,656
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Part of one line really jumps out and struck a cord with me: "if you don't have help".
I couldn't begin to tell you the number of times that things didn't work out at this place because offers of help were long on promise and short on results.
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03/09/09, 08:36 AM
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: New York bordering Ontario
Posts: 4,778
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HilltopDaisy
No, it doesn't "rot", but once the snow and ice weight down the outside edges of the tarp, it is extremely difficult to get under the tarp. The hay was on pallets, covered by a 40' x 60' tarp.
This is EXACTLY why I started this thread! I had no idea how difficult it would be, going under the tarp, day after day, pulling out bales of hay.
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Here's the trick with tarps: Put them on after haying to keep the hay dry. Put them on the top, only, let the sides stay open so the stack breathes. Then, about Thanksgiving, or whenever winter starts to really set in in your area, take the tarp off. You hay is not going to get rained on anymore, and rain is the enemy of outside hay. Once it's "in the freezer" you are good!
Jennifer
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-Northern NYS
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