Written by Grace
  
   The baby rabbits are just fantastic, and I have finally been able to get some pictures of them on my computer.  Holly is getting really annoyed when I put her up at night...  They all chase after her frantically trying to nurse, and she runs away and contemplates the idea of staying there for her babies.  Yeah, she contemplates for like 2 seconds and then runs off.  What a nice mama bunny.  I know they are being fed though,  because they haven't died.  It's an easy way of knowing.  

  Also, in case you are wondering, we are not going to be eating rabbit anytime soon.  No eating little fluffballs for me!  :)  Anyway, without further ado, here are the pictures.

Also, this post is a day late, so really, it is day 20 for these babies.  Just figured I would add that.  

Thanks for reading!  

I haven't yet explored this link much, but thought I would pass it on to our readers.  If the apps and forms really function nicely, they are worth the price!  ;)

http://www.homesteadapps.com/app/

The 6 rabbits are all doing fantastic!  They have kept themselves warm and comfy for the last 8 days and they are getting cuter everyday!  They are still in that sleep all day stage but will be hopping and fluffy in a week or two.  I did find out that I have a broken Chestnut Agouti instead of a broken Silver-tipped which I had guessed in the first place.  I think the pure black might turn into a Chestnut Agouti too but in the meanwhile he is still pretty dark.  Really hoping I have a white female in this litter, either that or the Broken Chinchilla will be a doe.  Those are the only ones I would consider keeping.  Well, I am using someone else's Wi-Fi at the moment and have company so that is all for now!  

Grace

To reduce costs, many people build their own greenhouses.  That way, you can get exactly what you want.  But what if you really don't have the time, or the ability, to build your own?

From Mother Earth News, an article about all the finer points of choosing a greenhouse kit.



People who love gardens also love greenhouses. The best backyard greenhouses 
feed the need to dirty our fingers while the rest of the garden is dormant. Even 
a small greenhouse can provide effective season extension by jump-starting 
seedlings in spring. When managed properly, a greenhouse is a backyard oasis 
that yields fresh food year-round.


If a lack of construction skills is keeping you from building a greenhouse, 
consider a kit. The best greenhouse kit is one that fits your needs and your 
pocketbook. Kits are easier than building from scratch and don’t require as much 
building experience (although it certainly helps to have a DIY attitude when
you  set out to build your own greenhouse, even from a kit).

Shopping for Your Best Greenhouse Kit

Local Regulations. Start by researching required permits, 
zoning, setbacks, underground utilities and other requirements for your area. 
Some localities demand a certain type of foundation. A greenhouse attached to 
your home will likely face more stringent requirements than a free-standing 
greenhouse. In some places, greenhouses are regulated under a “storage shed” 
designation. Consider size carefully, as you may be able to avoid many 
regulations by simply settling for a small greenhouse.


Site. Your greenhouse site must have adequate light — six 
hours of uninterrupted sun on a clear day. You may have to trim or remove a tree 
to create more light for your chosen location. Also, consider access to water. 
Is there a nearby hose bib to provide water, even in winter? Some gardeners add 
gutters and an interior rain barrel to their backyard greenhouses for a winter 
water source. Electricity can power heating, lighting and ventilation, so keep 
an accessible power source in mind, too.

Vendors. Check companies carefully — even a small greenhouse 
is a big investment, and you should feel comfortable with the supplier. Don’t
be  afraid to ask questions, such as:


• How long has the company been in business?
• How many kits has it sold?  
• Does it manufacture the kits or simply resell them?
• How extensive is  the warranty?
• What technical help can the company provide?
• How is  the greenhouse shipped and packaged?
• What is the cost of shipping?



You might add other questions to this list. If you have minimal building 
experience, read a copy of the kit’s manual beforehand to make sure it’s 
understandable to you. If you’ll be building the kit on weekends, ask whether 
someone from the company will be available to answer questions on Saturdays and 
Sundays. You may want to see demonstration photos or videos of the kit’s 
construction before committing to buy. Tech support may be limited if greenhouse 
kits are not the company’s specialty but just one of many products it
sells.



Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/best-greenhouse-kit-zm0z13amzmar.aspx#ixzz2SFLa2VZh

This is a story I came across months ago, and saved because it is so sweet.  I love this blog.


http://coldantlerfarm.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-christmas-calf.html#links

I got a call from Brett this morning. He was out doing chores, checking on the
horses, when he found a brand new Highlander Bull Calf laying wet in the snow.
The heifer he recently bought was pregnant, he knew that, but he was told she
was due in the spring…

He saw that the calf needed help. The mother wasn't being very attentive and
he didn't want to lose him. He brought the little guy inside, cleaned him up,
and jumped in the truck to get some emergency
calf nutrition at Tractor Supply. If the bull calf pulls through, he will be a
bottle calf. A bottle calf can not be left alone while the farmer goes off to
have fun kicking his heals up with horses and friends...

So here's where the story gets interesting. Brett is still coming for Christmas. He's just
going to bring the calf with him if the little guy pulls through. Being a
newborn and on a strict bottle schedule we'll just set up a spot for him in the
house. I have gates and a tarp. My floors are linoleum and I have a shovel. So
this year there will most likely be a highlander calf in the house with us,
drinking from a 2-liter bottle and mooing right under the lit up tree…

Go to her website to read the follow up comments...Cold Antler Farm

Sold my very first rabbit today.  What a hoot.  35 bucks.  Before I sold this little fluffy midget, I was doubting that I should even be in the rabbit business.  She had been all over the internet for a month and no one was even REALLY interested.  Then, one day, TWO people in about 4 hours emailed my Mom saying they were really interested in her.   I got all jittery and then realized that one was a rough HOUR away (too far for craiglist people to drive. Obviously).  So, that was kind of upsetting.  Then, the second guy emailed us about her.  They said they were very interested and it was a surprise for his daughter's birthday.

Well, the day went on and the plan was for the man to come out the next day.  Well, the next day came and by 5:00 there still was no sign of him.  Then I heard the phone ring!  The buyer asked for directions and started coming our way!  His daughter (turning 10 this weekend) actually cried when she found out that she was getting this little doe.  She never did name her (not while she was here, anyway).  

A few minutes before they left, that bunny started slobbering!  The poor little thing was obviously very stressed out.  I hope she got better when she got home!  Sydney, enjoy your little bunny!  Happy Birthday. :)

Pallet stanchion; finished it today and already trimmed some hooves with it.

I have decided that my daughter Grace will no longer run the kids blog here at Billy Joe's Food Farm.  Her writing has progressed to the point that it is well written, as well as funny, so she and I both will be posting here.

I hope you enjoy her posts!  Click on the link above to the Kids Blog to read her previous


- Tina

Something killed my male duck, and the mama rabbit ate the runt of her litter that was born yesterday. 

I really didn't think the runt was going to make it to adulthood because he was so much smaller than the rest, but it still makes me sick.  Keeping rabbits is really not very high on my desired list of activities, because they are really fairly bad parents.

I'm feeling guilty about my duck, because I built the little coop he as in, and I put him in there; he was being too hard on one of my female ducks and I wanted to give her a break.  I'm guessing it as a raccoon, because of the way it was killed (which as particularly brutal), and because the attacker would have had to climb the fence to the bird yard and it was strong enough to bust out one of
the boards to get to this duck.  Kind of a crappy morning around
here.