countrylife |

I was looking for an easy craft or project that I could do with my kids. First off, time is limited out here with “free” time. With me trying to balance working, children, being a wife as well as a FarmHer. Finding something we can do together with benefits to the farm =bonus!!

My daughter loves all of the animals on the farm. So was very excited for this project. We had a friend’s little guy over who is also from a farm, with poultry so this was also something he was in to.

It literally took no time at all for prep.

First, we melted some coconut oil slowly to make sure we did not burn it or lose all of the good qualities to it.

We had already gone out and grabbed some scratch for the birds and had it in a bowl waiting.

*scratch consisted of: corn, wheat, barley and oats.*

After the coconut oil was soft and melted we poured the scratch into the bowl and stirred it in slowly.

Once mixed, we chose some silicon molds and I poured the mixture into the molds.

I placed the molds on a baking tray and placed them in the freezer to harden.

Once they were hard (I had them sit approximately 1.5 hours- only as I was busy doing other things).

I then took them out of the freezer and tried putting holes into them so I could attach string so they could be hung in the coop. This is where I had issues. Some broke and I was just to impatient to figure out a better way. I tied the strings and then placed them back in the molds. I melted more coconut oil and poured over top of them and stuck them back in the freezer to harden.

Once they were hard, I could place in the coop for all to enjoy!

A fun little and easy craft for the littles, with benefits to all the poultry! Less expensive and most likely healthier then store bought suets. Also, no added cost as I had all supplies already!

Some extra things you could place in the suets are but not limited to: lavender essential oil, if you have growing sage or other herbs, mealworms, unsalted peanuts, oatmeal, etc. Bacon grease could also be substituted for coconut oil if need be but I love all the benefits of the coconut oil!

Well, on to a new adventure here on the farm! It always seems like something. I have a ton of ideas in my head. I am for sure an over thinker and planner. I’m not very spontaneous and end up planning, doing research, pinning on Pinterst and reading a bunch before I jump in to a project.

After the death of our baby lamb I knew I wanted to get more. I decided after plenty of research that the Olde English Babydoll Southdown’s were the ones I wanted. They are a small/miniature like sheep that only get about 24 inches tall. With being smaller they do not try to push fence, are easier to handle and make great sheep for petting zoo’s- if that’s what you are after. They are also in my opinion!! The cutest sheep ever and are known for looking like they are smiling!! They are a wool sheep and their fiber is in the same class of cashmere. With that being said- hoping we can eventually add some fiber products to the farm to sell. Hoping to learn the art of spinning, and hand dying fiber so that I can sell some skeins and give fiber gifts that came straight from my own farm!

Deciding on the breed I wanted to add to the farm was the easy part. It was finding a registered breeder of these cute little fuzzy faces! I was in contact I believe with every single registered breeder in the province (as well as some from other provinces). I decided I would start out with a couple Olde English Babydoll Southdown Sheep and if I enjoy them as much as I hope. Will possibly add some more next year and then also become a registered breeder.

Having not been brought up on a farm, this is a new adventure and I am always learning. Mistakes have and will be made again. But hoping this will be an amazing adventure and something my kids can look back on, and say how much they learnt and loved their childhood memories. I am grateful for what God has given me, as well as for the life I live. I have for sure had my fair share of heartaches and grief but I am trying to move on from those and think positive about my future. The farm is where I was meant and destined to be. I couldn’t be more happier than where I am today.