#onbakerroad

#day14 #whyihomestead #homesteadersofigchallenge Photo credit to John Payne for top right photo of my Grandma. I homestead because she had to. She fed 7 children on a shoestring budget, and kept her pantry full. Because everyday I want to be more like her. I homestead because, sometimes, the old ways are the best ways. I homestead because that view, that peaceful existence, that quiet evening are good for my soul. I homestead because I know where my food comes from and how it lived. Because I choose responsibility. I homestead because he is my partner, my support, my inspiration. Because this is our choice, our dream, our life together. #onbakerroad #homegrowntruth #homesteadersofinstagram #ohiohomestead #heritage #tradition #familypride #love (at Stoutsville, Ohio) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCrObDmHIjD/?igshid=14u2oi7zv0cfb

I'll be re-launching our Etsy shop soon! Mother Puppers fans will notice some original products as well as some new additions to the line up. Everything is made in small batches of 12 or less, and is often made to order. I'm working on stocking up our booth at the Chillicothe Craft Mall today with some Paws Up! Paw Protection Wax. There are no essential oils in this, Pretty Paws Salve or Crusty Nose Butter so you can use them on kitties too. This is just another way to tie in my love of animals with a little extra income. Someone needs to explain to Heidi that her Bark Box doesn't pay for itself. 😂😂 How do you make extra money from your homestead? #onbakerroad #pawsup #pupproducts #puppylove #doggosneedskincaretoo #allnatural #handmade #shopsmall #shoplocal #shopohio #ohiomade #smalltownbusiness #ohiobusinesses #homesteadbusiness #woof (at Stoutsville, Ohio) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCMJtSnnpCg/?igshid=mz15ardax9wy

That moment when some birds fly over and everyone stops until they're sure there isn't a threat. #onbakerroad #chickensofinstagram #chickenlife #wallacetherooster #roostersofinstagram #barredrockchicken #isabrownchicken #silkiechicken #oliveegger #sapphiregemchickens #easteregger #starlightgreenegger #chickenmom #oneroostertorulethemall #crazychickenlady #chickenaddiction (at Stoutsville, Ohio) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAoUw9lAl-X/?igshid=8rp2hye0fj7q

Yesterday was our 17th anniversary. We celebrated we a delivery of 6 cubic yards of hardwood mulch. Needless to say, the chickens and the plants are very happy. #onbakerroad #chickenlife #ohiogardening #ohiochickens #plantsomething #GrowSomething #smallfamilyfarm #rurallife #countryliving #farmliving https://www.instagram.com/p/CAklE-XA7Vt/?igshid=cqq5ilfveuxn

I'm incubating Cuckoo Maran eggs for a friend and it is day 11, so I did some candling. Out of the 31 eggs he wanted incubated, 23 were viable. Quite a few were not fertilized (like the first picture) and 3 of them stopped forming at some point in the process (see last photo - there is a definite blood line towards the bottom, showing that the chick stopped developing). I've had some issues maintaining heat this time around, so that may have played a part, but I can't be sure. I will candle again on day 17 to weed out any bad eggs before we go into lockdown on day 18. Candling of eggs is such a neat process, having a second opinion while you're doing it also eases a lot of insecurities. I'm thankful that my husband is a great partner in my chicken addiction! #onbakerroad #cuckoomaran #candlingeggs #chickenaddiction #chickenmama #incubatingeggs #hatchingchicks #chickenlife #crazychickenlady #chickensofinstagram #smallfamilyfarm #ohiochickens #ohiofamilyfarm #smallfarmohio #rurallife #countryliving (at Stoutsville, Ohio) https://www.instagram.com/p/B__eyTuAtDW/?igshid=o8b46fnh0spu

Sorry for pic quality, but I cannot/will not open the incubator at this point in the process, especially for a better picture. It has begun!!! Our adventure so far: 8 Cuckoo Maran eggs, 2 Barred Rock eggs and 2 ISA/Barred Rock cross eggs were placed in the incubator. Day 6, candled the eggs but couldn't tell for sure. Day 17, candled again. 1 egg was not fertilized at all and 1 had died sometime during growth. Removed those 2. Other 10 looked great! Day 18: lockdown! Day 20: first pip!! Day 21: (so far) First Cuckoo Maran chick has zipped and two more have started to pip! Heidi (one of our Boxers) is pacing nervously, trying to understand why that box in the kitchen is chirping. Stay tuned for more updates on our incubator adventure! #onbakerroad #chickenlife #chickensofinstagram #chickdays #hatch #ohiochickens #farmliving #countrylife #countryliving #farmlifebestlife #hatchingchicks #incubator #smallfarms #familyfarm #chickenmama (at Stoutsville, Ohio) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-7M4KfAJWH/?igshid=1o8vlpx70973z