We are gearing up for fall meat sales in time for the holidays. What's better than fresh local pastured lamb for your upcoming celebration? We will have lamb available starting in the next few weeks and are now taking orders.
We have in the past only offered lamb "on the hoof" meaning that we sold the whole lamb and our customer had to pay the butcher and pack it up themselves. We are hoping to introduce more people to our delicious lamb by selling in smaller quantities this year. We are selling lamb by the cut, prepackaged for your convenience. For true lamb lovers we are still offering discount options if you would like a half or whole lamb either prepackaged or "on the hoof". All options and prices are listed at our online Shop. Simply download our orderform and get it back to us. You are welcome to contact us for more information or to order direct by phone or email.
Our lambs were pasture raised, enjoying the summer on open fields. They have had only minimal grain supplementation including spent brewer's grain from our local brewery Willimantic Brewing Company.
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Monday, July 20, 2015
Chicken Day
If you had told me ten or even three years ago that I'd be assisting in slaughtering chickens in my backyard, I would have said you were crazy. And yet, here I am having just come in from cleaning and de-feathering 8 chickens that were raised in my shed. We raised just 6 cornish cross meat birds last year but this year we have 18. We will process them in two batches, 8 this morning and another 10 another day.
This year, we had a good setup which I of course forgot to take a picture of. We recently purchased a triple basin commercial sink at auction which will eventually be installed in our milking facility for washing milking equipment. For now, it is sitting in the shed so we thought we'd make us of it and another stainless table which was also purchased for our future dairy operation.
We set the sink and basin up as work stations with garbage cans and kept a hose nearby. We also have a two burner outdoor gas stove that fits two large pots of hot water. A pop up tent was also needed to keep us in the shade. Once everything was set up and disinfected, we were ready for showtime. Coolers filled with ice water awaited. Three of us worked about 2 hours to process 8 birds. Now that we've got a good system, we hope it will take about the same amount of time to do 10 next time.
So here is what we did:
1. Jason hung the birds up in the barn by their feet one at a time, slit their throats and let them flap out their final bit of life.
2. We rinsed the carcass with a hose a bit in the first sink and then plunged the bird into hot water on the burner. Target temp was about 165 degrees. This loosens up the skin for defeathering and also removes more of the filth that doesn't come off easily with a cold rinse. The bird stays submerged for about 30 seconds to a minute though it can be a little less if the water is a bit hotter.
3. Bird is brought to work spot to right of sinks and the feathers have to be removed. If the hot water was hot enough, the feathers come out pretty easily but it sure makes a mess.
4. After de-feathering, the chicken moved to a different work station to be decapitated and eviscerated by Jason. Organs and feet were kept in seperate ziplocks to use for stock or gravy.
5. A final rinse to clean the inside and into the ice bath in the cooler to chill for a few hours before packing to freeze.
The whole process was quite wet, I and don't think a 90 degree day was the best choice but with other obligations, you gotta do it when you have time.
And so I add slaughtering chickens (though I didn't actually do the killing) to the list of things I thought I'd never do but have.
This year, we had a good setup which I of course forgot to take a picture of. We recently purchased a triple basin commercial sink at auction which will eventually be installed in our milking facility for washing milking equipment. For now, it is sitting in the shed so we thought we'd make us of it and another stainless table which was also purchased for our future dairy operation.
We set the sink and basin up as work stations with garbage cans and kept a hose nearby. We also have a two burner outdoor gas stove that fits two large pots of hot water. A pop up tent was also needed to keep us in the shade. Once everything was set up and disinfected, we were ready for showtime. Coolers filled with ice water awaited. Three of us worked about 2 hours to process 8 birds. Now that we've got a good system, we hope it will take about the same amount of time to do 10 next time.
So here is what we did:
1. Jason hung the birds up in the barn by their feet one at a time, slit their throats and let them flap out their final bit of life.
2. We rinsed the carcass with a hose a bit in the first sink and then plunged the bird into hot water on the burner. Target temp was about 165 degrees. This loosens up the skin for defeathering and also removes more of the filth that doesn't come off easily with a cold rinse. The bird stays submerged for about 30 seconds to a minute though it can be a little less if the water is a bit hotter.
3. Bird is brought to work spot to right of sinks and the feathers have to be removed. If the hot water was hot enough, the feathers come out pretty easily but it sure makes a mess.
4. After de-feathering, the chicken moved to a different work station to be decapitated and eviscerated by Jason. Organs and feet were kept in seperate ziplocks to use for stock or gravy.
5. A final rinse to clean the inside and into the ice bath in the cooler to chill for a few hours before packing to freeze.
The whole process was quite wet, I and don't think a 90 degree day was the best choice but with other obligations, you gotta do it when you have time.
And so I add slaughtering chickens (though I didn't actually do the killing) to the list of things I thought I'd never do but have.
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Meat packing day
We spent the afternoon a few weeks ago packing freshly butchered lamb and pork. Three ram lambs who were born last spring went to the butcher Monday in our new used livestock trailer. Our pig joined them. All had to be packed in vacuum bags, labeled and stuck in the freezer. We have another freezer practically full of meat including liver, heart, and some pigs ears and feet. Jason is still working on the last of it that he wanted to butcher himself. He cut up these ribs himself - don't they look lovely!
After coming home, my last task was to figure out what to do with the tallow that we took from the butcher. I'm thinking of using it to make soap but after some online research have realized that it is good for many things including cooking, candles, and even skincare. Who Knew?!
After reading some how to's, I decided to use my crock pot. I took out the tallow and chopped it up in small pieces and put it in the crockpot on low. We will see how it comes out. I have more but figured I'd start with a small batch. Our lambs were primarily grass-fed with a supplement of spent beer grain from the local brewery. Hopefully that means the tallow is good quality. I had no idea that our sheep would give us so many things - and we're just getting started.
Once the meat is all taken care of, the next project is to deal with the 30 fleeces we have bagged from sheering day. They'll need to be skirted and sent off for carding.
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| fresh cut lamb ribs |
After reading some how to's, I decided to use my crock pot. I took out the tallow and chopped it up in small pieces and put it in the crockpot on low. We will see how it comes out. I have more but figured I'd start with a small batch. Our lambs were primarily grass-fed with a supplement of spent beer grain from the local brewery. Hopefully that means the tallow is good quality. I had no idea that our sheep would give us so many things - and we're just getting started.
Once the meat is all taken care of, the next project is to deal with the 30 fleeces we have bagged from sheering day. They'll need to be skirted and sent off for carding.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Started Barn Construction
It's hard to believe but we have actually begun our barn construction for our new facility. Our barn will include space for the animals with a hay loft, a milking parlour, a milk storage room and a full kitchen where we can make cheese, gelato, cannoli's, and whatever else we fancy.
Jason's been digging the pit for the foundation for over a month, little by little. Memorial Day we worked all day and go the forms for the footing all snapped together. We used insulated concrete forms so we could do it ourselves more easily. The forms snap together like legos.
After hours in the hot sun, we got it done, and even square and level! That took some doing. There were couple Oh $*!# moments but it all worked out.
Aria has been learning how to use the excavator and she helped with the back-filling.
This week, concrete was poured into the forms so we can begin construction. The big machines came over too to work on our new septic for the facility. Our electrician is coming soon to rough in along with a plumber.
Maybe it will even be done in time to do some milking but for now the lambs are enjoying an extended nursing period.
Jason's been digging the pit for the foundation for over a month, little by little. Memorial Day we worked all day and go the forms for the footing all snapped together. We used insulated concrete forms so we could do it ourselves more easily. The forms snap together like legos.
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| Our sheep relaxing while we work on their new barn |
After hours in the hot sun, we got it done, and even square and level! That took some doing. There were couple Oh $*!# moments but it all worked out.
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| Nearly completed |
Aria has been learning how to use the excavator and she helped with the back-filling.
This week, concrete was poured into the forms so we can begin construction. The big machines came over too to work on our new septic for the facility. Our electrician is coming soon to rough in along with a plumber.
Maybe it will even be done in time to do some milking but for now the lambs are enjoying an extended nursing period.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Keeping us on our toes
Ewes certainly do like to keep us guessing. Tuesday morning, I went out with the girls to check on all the lambs, get some weights and change some their cute sweaters to a larger size. We have been waiting since last week for 63 to have her lambs and she has been in the lambing jug biding her time. We have since moved Lucille into the lambing jug beside her and Stella in to share the larger jug with her. We figured she must have cycled again before getting pregnant and would have her lamb or lambs next week.
On my way out to the nursery pen, all three expectant ewes were just sitting chewing - looking relaxed. 40 minutes later when I returned to the house, what do you know but 63 had delivered a newborn baby ewe lamb! They sure can labor quickly. I quickly moved Stella out of her pen to give her privacy with her lambs and put her in with Lucille. I watched and confirmed the baby had nursed and then went inside for a bit. About 45 minutes later I returned to find another baby born - a ram lamb.
Both had a rocky start. The boy was very weak and wouldn't get to the teat. The girl started off great but then showed signs of constipation which can be life threatening. Jay gave her an enema which seemed to solve that problem and after hours in the barn, we both had to leave to go to work.
When we returned home just a few hours later, we found a dead lamb in the other jug. It looked as if Lucille had completely ignored it - she didn't even lick off its face so it could breathe! I just wish we had caught it. We could have saved it I'm sure. This ewe is a little special shall we say. She just isn't right. Last year, she abandoned her lamb after delivery as well but then was a fine mother after being reunited. It is possible the lamb was stillborn but it seems more likely that she just ignored it. The poor little thing was still warm when we found it at about 6:30 pm. It was a girl too. Very sad.
The other two babies are doing well though and we have four other ewes due this week. I hope that is the only sad story I have to tell.
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| 63 nursing her lamb just after birth |
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Tired after a long night
After spending all afternoon moving sheep and taking care of babies, I was ready to relax Sunday night but we decided we would go weigh Lilly and Lion before bed to make sure they were doing well before leaving them for the night. When we got to the barn, we discovered that 67, who we'd been worried about all day, was definitely in labor. I ran up to the house to get some towels and such when I discovered that 39 who we'd moved into the barn the day before was also in labor.
On closer examination, 67 had a baby coming breach - rear first. Jason pulled the lamb and then she went to work licking it. This little ewe lamb seemed very weak and exhausted. I went up to the house again and found that 39 had already delivered twins. They seemed alright so I went back down to 67 who seemed to need more help. While I was gone, 67 delivered a second twin breach - another little ewe lamb. Mama then collapsed and didn't get up. She must have been in labor all day which left her exhausted. She still licked her babies but didn't have the energy needed to really care for them. Jay left me with the lambs while he went to check on the other newborns.
I didn't know what to do. Both ewe lambs seemed to by dying - almost lifeless. I rubbed them with towels and tried to keep them warm. While I was worrying about this - I heard a noise from the other side of the barn. 54 was also definitely in labor! It was overwhelming - almost comical.
After another crazy half hour, we had a total of six new lambs. I think five of them were born in 15 minutes. Thankfully 39's babies needed little help and still are doing fine. 54 did well too without any assistance.
67's babies suddenly came to life just as we were thinking of giving them a dextrose injection. All the time rubbing them with the towels and letting Mama lick as much as she could worked because they suddenly had enough energy to stand. They wouldn't suck the bottle I had prepped for them but then Mama stood up after another hour or so, they both ate. They are funny though - they would fall down seeming lifeless only to jump up again and go nurse. It was crazy.
Finally after running around in all directions and confirming that all lambs had at least most likely nursed, we weighed them all and went to bed. We had to just trust that they would do what they needed to do.
We dropped to bed exhausted at 2 am.
At 6am, I woke up to check on all our new lambs. Thankfully, they were all still alive and seemed OK so I went back to sleep.
Monday morning, we did a more thorough check and weighed them all again. Some lost weight but all were still alive and seemed OK so left them a few more hours and did another weight check on the ones that hadn't gained. They all put on weight.
On closer examination, 67 had a baby coming breach - rear first. Jason pulled the lamb and then she went to work licking it. This little ewe lamb seemed very weak and exhausted. I went up to the house again and found that 39 had already delivered twins. They seemed alright so I went back down to 67 who seemed to need more help. While I was gone, 67 delivered a second twin breach - another little ewe lamb. Mama then collapsed and didn't get up. She must have been in labor all day which left her exhausted. She still licked her babies but didn't have the energy needed to really care for them. Jay left me with the lambs while he went to check on the other newborns.
I didn't know what to do. Both ewe lambs seemed to by dying - almost lifeless. I rubbed them with towels and tried to keep them warm. While I was worrying about this - I heard a noise from the other side of the barn. 54 was also definitely in labor! It was overwhelming - almost comical.
After another crazy half hour, we had a total of six new lambs. I think five of them were born in 15 minutes. Thankfully 39's babies needed little help and still are doing fine. 54 did well too without any assistance.
67's babies suddenly came to life just as we were thinking of giving them a dextrose injection. All the time rubbing them with the towels and letting Mama lick as much as she could worked because they suddenly had enough energy to stand. They wouldn't suck the bottle I had prepped for them but then Mama stood up after another hour or so, they both ate. They are funny though - they would fall down seeming lifeless only to jump up again and go nurse. It was crazy.
Finally after running around in all directions and confirming that all lambs had at least most likely nursed, we weighed them all and went to bed. We had to just trust that they would do what they needed to do.
We dropped to bed exhausted at 2 am.
At 6am, I woke up to check on all our new lambs. Thankfully, they were all still alive and seemed OK so I went back to sleep.
Monday morning, we did a more thorough check and weighed them all again. Some lost weight but all were still alive and seemed OK so left them a few more hours and did another weight check on the ones that hadn't gained. They all put on weight.
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| 54 with one of her lambs resting |
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| 39's newborn lamb |
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| 39s newborn lamb |
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| 51 and her twins |
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Lilly and Lion
Thankfully we no more lambs born yesterday or last night. Poppy and Petunia seem to be doing well. We moved Giovanna and her two girls out to share a pen with 64 and her twin boys. They adjusted well. We moved 39, our next due up to the Giovanna's pen in the barn by the house. 67 has been acting strange all day and while we were worrying about her, 51 started labor right in front of us.
67 has been acting strange all day and shows little interest in food so she may be next. 54 was seen pawing the ground but then seems fine so we shall see who goes next. It is nearly impossible to guess.
She delivered twins within 15 minutes - a boy and a girl. Despite planning not to name boys, this one got the name Lion to go with Lilly his twin sister. They were born at about 1 pm this afternoon and have had a slightly rocky day. At first it seemed that neither were nursing but then the boy had a good long suckle while we pinned his mother against the wall. After that he seemed to nurse on his own several more times.
Lilly would not nurse so we pinned Mama again so I could pump a little colostrum. Our handy Udderly EZ milker wasn't so handy so I had to hand express the milk. Luckily I could aim it right into the bottle. Lilly was thrilled with the bottle and drank all three ounces that I milked from her mom. Since then, she got her strength and has been nursing all afternoon.
Now her brother seems a little weak and won't nurse in front of us. He also won't take a bottle but he seems warm and OK so we are waiting to see how he is.
67 has been acting strange all day and shows little interest in food so she may be next. 54 was seen pawing the ground but then seems fine so we shall see who goes next. It is nearly impossible to guess.
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| 51 looking up at me with Lion and Lilly sleeping on top of each other |
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Poppy & Petunia
While I was writing my previous post, 45 was delivering her twin girls in the barn. The kids discovered them. Obviously the delivery was easy and quick and both lambs seem to be nursing well. We are watching closely for the first few hours.
Luckily, 45 was the one we guessed would be next and was accordingly moved to a private pen last night. She is skittish and was a beast to convince to come up to the barn close to the house but with a patient friend's help, we made it up in the dark last night. I sure am glad we did. It is much easier to deal with ewes and lambs when they have the right quarters. We now have 5 more due in the next few days - all but one of which are now housed in a drop pen on one side of the main barn.
Here are the pictures of our newest additions. Unfortunately, the heat lamp makes for very bad photographs but you get the idea. The girls have decided on a flower theme for this year's lambs so these were named Poppy and Petunia. The boys will not be named.
And here are some other pictures of our other lambs.
Luckily, 45 was the one we guessed would be next and was accordingly moved to a private pen last night. She is skittish and was a beast to convince to come up to the barn close to the house but with a patient friend's help, we made it up in the dark last night. I sure am glad we did. It is much easier to deal with ewes and lambs when they have the right quarters. We now have 5 more due in the next few days - all but one of which are now housed in a drop pen on one side of the main barn.
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| Three pregnant ewes in the drop pen (and a chicken too) |
Here are the pictures of our newest additions. Unfortunately, the heat lamp makes for very bad photographs but you get the idea. The girls have decided on a flower theme for this year's lambs so these were named Poppy and Petunia. The boys will not be named.
And here are some other pictures of our other lambs.
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| Rosie in blue, Posie in red |
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| Rosie's star |
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| 64's twin boys napping |
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| 64 |
4 lambs in 12 hours
By the time I had posted my prepping to lamb post, the lambs were here.
Last night, (at least one day earlier than expected) our first due ewe, Giovanna delivered twin girls. We saw she was in labor and moved her into a private lambing pen. We thought we'd leave her alone for half an hour and then see how she was progressing but 10 minutes later, we heard the bleating of a lamb. I went out to check and sure enough there were not one but two tiny lambs. Rosie is black like her mother with the same little white mark on her forehead and Posie is white. Rosie is the smallest (and perhaps the cutest) lamb born at Aries Crossing yet. She was only 6lbs 5 oz at birth!
Friday morning, we went to check on the new lambs and then my daughter went to check on the rest of lambs. She came running back to tell me that one of the sheep had something handing from its rear end.
Sure enough 64 had delivered one and had another on the way in the main barn. Thankfully the other sheep had left her alone in the barn while they went outside so we were able to focus on her. She had two healthy ram lambs weighing in at over 12 lbs each. They were a little slow to prove they were nursing but all is well.
Last night, (at least one day earlier than expected) our first due ewe, Giovanna delivered twin girls. We saw she was in labor and moved her into a private lambing pen. We thought we'd leave her alone for half an hour and then see how she was progressing but 10 minutes later, we heard the bleating of a lamb. I went out to check and sure enough there were not one but two tiny lambs. Rosie is black like her mother with the same little white mark on her forehead and Posie is white. Rosie is the smallest (and perhaps the cutest) lamb born at Aries Crossing yet. She was only 6lbs 5 oz at birth!
Friday morning, we went to check on the new lambs and then my daughter went to check on the rest of lambs. She came running back to tell me that one of the sheep had something handing from its rear end.
Sure enough 64 had delivered one and had another on the way in the main barn. Thankfully the other sheep had left her alone in the barn while they went outside so we were able to focus on her. She had two healthy ram lambs weighing in at over 12 lbs each. They were a little slow to prove they were nursing but all is well.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Prepare for lambing!
Written March 8, 2015: We are only a week away from our first due date at Aries Crossing. I am nervous, anxious, and excited. We have restocked our supplies and need to prep our lambing pens tomorrow. Thirteen ewes are due in a roughly two-week period starting late next week. Our first round of deliveries will be our second time mothers. These will be likely to produce an average of two lambs each so we are going to be very busy. We only had two sets of twins last year and we lost one baby who was abandoned by mom in the field before we could get there in time.
Hopefully we have everything we need and all goes well. We have lube and gloves to assist in delivery if needed though we have no experience with the obstetrical side of lambing. We have dextrose. We have our Udderly EZ milker to collect colostrum or milk as needed. We have formula for a bottle lamb and colostrum replacer which we probably won't use.
Today I bought several yards of fleece to make little wearable lamb blankets. The weather has been cold. Last year March was in the single digits many nights. We had a few lamb blankets but wished we had more. This year, with perhaps 30 lambs coming during the cold weather, we will be better prepared. We got more of the pre-made lamb sweaters from premier but I wish we hadn't. It is a very simple design and i am making 16 for less than a dollar a piece. I've got prettier colors than the plain red and blue that Premier offers. I can't wait to see all the little lambs in all these colorful blankets in the field.
Hopefully we have everything we need and all goes well. We have lube and gloves to assist in delivery if needed though we have no experience with the obstetrical side of lambing. We have dextrose. We have our Udderly EZ milker to collect colostrum or milk as needed. We have formula for a bottle lamb and colostrum replacer which we probably won't use.
Today I bought several yards of fleece to make little wearable lamb blankets. The weather has been cold. Last year March was in the single digits many nights. We had a few lamb blankets but wished we had more. This year, with perhaps 30 lambs coming during the cold weather, we will be better prepared. We got more of the pre-made lamb sweaters from premier but I wish we hadn't. It is a very simple design and i am making 16 for less than a dollar a piece. I've got prettier colors than the plain red and blue that Premier offers. I can't wait to see all the little lambs in all these colorful blankets in the field.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Magic Michael
It's been a few weeks but now that the Holiday mahem is complete I have time to post. It's been quiet since the excitement of lambing. We've been eating our first harvest. Lamb is tasty.
In addition, the remaining rams have all moved back home after summering around the corner at another pasture. We tried to separate them in a bachelor paddock on one side of a fence with the ewes all together in a fully electrified enclosure right next to them. Apparently, at least one of them have supernatural powers. Our other senior ram, Michael Jackson, magically moved in with the ewes without leaving any tracks in the snow between the enclosures! There were some prints on the outside of the ewe's enclosure but we followed them and they dead-ended nowhere near the perimeter where he came from. ?!?
It's quite the puzzler. He has now been re-dubbed Magic Michael. The snow melted but he has done it several more times and also helped his friends. Now all the rams are in with the ewes within the electric fence.
We will have to work on our fences before lambing begins but for now it works OK.
In addition, the remaining rams have all moved back home after summering around the corner at another pasture. We tried to separate them in a bachelor paddock on one side of a fence with the ewes all together in a fully electrified enclosure right next to them. Apparently, at least one of them have supernatural powers. Our other senior ram, Michael Jackson, magically moved in with the ewes without leaving any tracks in the snow between the enclosures! There were some prints on the outside of the ewe's enclosure but we followed them and they dead-ended nowhere near the perimeter where he came from. ?!?
It's quite the puzzler. He has now been re-dubbed Magic Michael. The snow melted but he has done it several more times and also helped his friends. Now all the rams are in with the ewes within the electric fence.
We will have to work on our fences before lambing begins but for now it works OK.
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