Bacon and eggs anyone?

When Doug and I first moved to Hurricane in 1995 we decided we wanted and acre of land that we can raise our family on and we hoped to be able to incorporate some of the things we grew up with in Idaho.  We both come from small farming communities in southern Idaho and a grateful for the work ethic we have ingrained in us.  We wanted to instill that into our children so when we "moved up" into a bigger house and a flat acre, we started creating an environment that fit our ideas and beliefs.  Not too many years later, my sister invited us to participate in the Dixie Jr. Livestock show, where hogs, sheep and steers are shown and sold.  We jumped at the chance and Austin was the first to give it a go.  As each child turns 8 and is in the 3rd grade they also get to participate.  They show under the 4-H until they are old enough to be members of the FFA and choose to do so.  This year we have four hogs showing.  (that is a lot of feed, let me tell you!)  Austin is showing under the FFA, and Mady, Cody and Dalyon are showing under 4-H.  The kids are responsible to feed, water and train/walk their hogs everyday until the show which is the last week of April.  I

The kids are walking the hogs up and down "Thrill Hill" on a street behind our house.
I don't think the pigs think the hill is such a thrill.  It is a funny sight if you
are driving by. 



This is Mady and her pig.  If you scratch its belly with the
curve of the cane, she will lay down and hold still while
you scratch her belly some more!! 




Dalyon and his hog.  She is still  a bit small, but will hopefully
make weight by the end of April.  (They have to weigh 220 lbs.)



Cody and his Hog.  Cody has been really
responsible about taking  care of his pig .

Austin and his hog.  His pig really is a hog. . . for food.  He
already weighs 245 lbs! 

A few years ago our neighbors across the street decided to move and didn't want their chicken coop, so Doug moved it over to our side of the street, chickens and all, and we started experimenting with raising chickens.  Every so often we have to purchase a few more to replace those that "flew the coop", so last Wednesday I purchased 10 little cuties, who will be in my garage until they are old enough to go out to the coop.  Chickens are a lot like people, they start out so cute and fuzzy, then they go through the ugly stage until they are beautiful adults.  It is so nice to have eggs as we need them, and recently with the warmer weather we have been receiving an abundance, around 7-8 a day! (for nine chickens that is pretty good!)  Last year we were able to sell them at a farmers market and make a little money for our trip to Disneyland this summer.  We joked around that it would only take 750 dozen eggs to finance our trip!   I think we sold about 50 dozen before the little ladies slowed down on their production because of the heat.  (They are so fickle!  lol) 



Boy, she doesn't look very happy that I'm taking
her picture. 






Our cut new babies, happy to be out of their little box.





Only a few weeks ago Cody approached me and wanted me to go and get some ducklings.  I told him I didn't think we had enough room for ducks and the pond that they need, as well as the chickens and pigs.  Just a few days later our neighbor called Cody and his friend Carson over to "get these blankety blank ducks out of my yard!"  Cody was so excited!  Without any consultation with Doug or I, he put the male and female ducks in with the chickens and made them a very small "pond" in the dirt and gave them feed from the chickens.  They seem to be thriving, and I must admit, they are fun to watch.  We have even gathered some of their eggs, and the kids say they taste no difference, except the yolk is much bigger.  So begins our little "farm", final count:  5 kids, 4 hogs, 9 chickens, 10 chicks, 2 ducks, and one cat.