The First Freeze Arrived

This fall we have had a few cold fronts pass by us, but last Tuesday was the first cold front to bring freezing temps.  Wednesday morning it was a brisk 28f (-2c) when I went out to milk Bambi.  The milking stall is made out of pallets and is basically outdoors, so we did not waste any time getting that job done and returning to the warm comforts of the house. 

The cold front actually arrived Tuesday morning.  The day started out pleasant enough in the mid 50’s.  But as the weather folks predicted by the time we finished the morning farm chores we could literally see the front coming.   I looked out the back door window to see what looked like a roll of atmosphere heading straight down upon us.  I did not think to grab the camera but we both knew the front was here.  The wind immediately picked up and with each passing hour the temperature dropped throughout the day.  It was definitely a day one wants to stay inside, but we had a job to do.  Rick has been dealing with some health issues and had not yet winterized the chicken coop.  Even though he was not fully recovered yet, there was no choice.  We went out together and spent most of the day putting up siding around the chicken coop bottom to keep the cold wind from blowing into and through the coop’s floor, which is made out of one inch square welded wire.  We used plastic to cover the windows that line three sides of the coop.  These windows are covered in chicken wire, no glass, so it is imperative they are covered to keep the wind out.  It took most of the day but we got the job done and now the chickens have a decent place to be when the weather is not fit to be out in.

 

The first freeze always means the end to the summer garden.  I have been preparing for this day for the past month.  The day before our first cold front of the year we went out to the garden and picked all the green tomatoes off the branches.  I spent the next few days trying new green tomato recipes and canning the results.  One recipe, Green Tomato Chutney¹, has proved very delicious. We opened one jar and devoured the contents within a few days.  Once everything that doesn’t do well in chilly weather had been picked, I started pulling up plants and feeding them to the animals.  Plants belonging to the nightshade family (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, etc.) are poisonous to goats. On the other hand, except for potato leaves, chickens can eat them. So day after day I pulled up a few tomato vines and tossed them into the chicken’s yard, much to their delight.  While the chickens enjoyed tomato vines, the goats enjoyed melon vines and other goodies.  I also spent time removing anything from the garden that might be dangerous to the goats or items they will destroy it if they have the chance.  So on Tuesday, with the temperature dropping by the hour, I removed the last item from the garden and then flung the connecting gate wide open.  The three goats that lived here last winter immediately headed for the garden and started gorging themselves.  The others needed a little coaxing, as they seemed unsure if they were allowed in there or not. Once inside the garden, with freedom to return to the goat enclosure whenever they desired too, the garden cleanup begun. By the end of the day there was hardly a green thing left.  It would take another day or two to finish the unripe melons and squashes, but soon even that was gone.  But there is still much to eat as the weeds took over the place this summer.  I will leave the gate open as long as my environmentally friendly cleanup crew is hard at work.

 

We are now prepared for the colder months ahead, but the animals need special attention until spring arrives.  With the onset of colder temps comes a lack of green plants for the goats and chickens to eat.  I have been experimenting with sprouting grain (fodder) for the goats and soaking grains in water to ferment them for the chickens.  The chickens go absolutely crazy for the treat and I am told fermented grain² is extremely nutritious for them.  I just started fermenting the grain this week so I am still experimenting with how much to give them and what else they need to be healthy.  But it is clearly a popular food.  I also know they like whey (what is left after making cheese) and just today I made them some yogurt as this was suggested to me too.  As for the goats, I have been busy growing the fodder in plastic trays but am not too worried about them this week since they are still busily cleaning out the garden.  Once that job is done though, I will have to be more diligent in making sure they have plenty of fresh food to eat.

But in the mean time, this is Texas and the cold weather has gone away for a few days.  As I write this it is 69f (21c) outside and no coat is needed today.

_______

1.      Recipe can be found in the Complete Book of Home Preserving.  I have been unable to locate this recipe online.  If you wish to have the recipe please email me.

2.      To learn more about fermenting grain to feed chickens:  http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com.au/p/fermented-feed.html