tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post8098326989280426452..comments2023-11-07T06:51:41.301-06:00Comments on The Beginning Farmer: TBF 033 :: Preparing for Winter, Farrowing Updates, and a Hard Lesson LearnedEthan Bookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333115493519268802noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-76038972570064700912013-10-22T20:42:41.636-05:002013-10-22T20:42:41.636-05:00Wow, I was born and raised in the suburbs of St.Lo...Wow, I was born and raised in the suburbs of St.Louis, this was really eye opening to just a little bit of the things farmers have to do to prepare for winter. I remember growing up my dad preparing our back patio with enough fire food and winterizing our boat and shutting the water hoses off outside but I never though about how that differed for other families. I am sure there are lots of work on both sides but it is interesting to see what needs to be done in your case on the farm! I am now an agricultural communication major and I am constantly reading about all the different areas of agriculture and it really has been fun learning about such a important part of our lives; but in particular I loved how raw this radio show was it really gave a great picture of everyday life for you! I hope to continue to be exposed to things like this because I really want to help tell farmers stories to people in the city who need to hear about these processes. Thanks for sharing! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-31770732679100105552013-10-22T09:05:30.880-05:002013-10-22T09:05:30.880-05:00I am happy to stumble upon your blog and internet ...I am happy to stumble upon your blog and internet radio show, it contains a lot of useful info for other beginning farmers presented with great passion and enthusiasm. I look forward to digging back through your experiences!<br /><br />Regarding freezing water and chickens, you could consider 5 gal buckets with nipple waterers installed. Water freezes from the top down, so you should just be able to take the ice off the top or even try rotating them much like your son does with the rabbits.<br /><br />Look forward to continue hearing about your sucesses!<br /><br />TtBoschttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14854950316255539953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-33115286306214070312013-10-19T16:56:35.592-05:002013-10-19T16:56:35.592-05:00I listen to your recordings regularly as we just b...I listen to your recordings regularly as we just bought a big old farm here in Michigan. Thanks for your hard lessons learned. that's my favorite part!<br /><br />Best<br />Tom and JoanE Kimballjoan.ekimballhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02551212124770910158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-5581290448299448742013-10-17T14:31:52.041-05:002013-10-17T14:31:52.041-05:00It's interesting that the farm you are working...It's interesting that the farm you are working for is growing sorghum-sudangrass. <br /><br />I've been growing it for hay for about three years and it's always amazing to me that I can put a little seed in the ground and it can be 6-7 feet tall in a couple of months. Then, I can cut it off, and it can regrow 3-4 feet in a few weeks.<br /><br />On the subject of chicken waterer heaters, one time I built some simple heaters by building a simple plywood box, cutting a 6-8" dia. hole in the top, and installing a light bulb socket (I just used a upside down brooder lamp with a 40W bulb). I also had them plugged into a GFCI plug since I had water sitting just above a light bulb.<br /><br />I've seen other versions that were made of metal (like an upside down drain pan) that had a socket screwed into a hole in the side. <br /><br />You could probably get all fancy and add in some sort of thermostatically controlled switch, but I just plugged them in if it was supposed to get below freezing.Richhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11412944120622315804noreply@blogger.com