God Bless farmers

For the past 4 years or a bit less I have been "farming". Started out with one rooster, added 4 hens and one goat. The highest number I ever had was 32 chickens, 8 turkeys, 7 goats. Today another of my goats died, from eating plastic. Goat herd now is 2 almost grown males, 1 7 month old female and the twins who are 2 1/2 weeks. The turkeys number 7, the chickens 13. All will be given away in the next two to three weeks to people who can care for them maybe better than I have.

Chicken mortality with me has been about 90%, not counting the ones given away to be dinner for someone. Turkey mortality has been about 50%, but I wasn't trying to raise them either. The goats were OK. Lost 1/year to disease and plastic. My favorite one died early this week and another this am.

Farmers, who grow good food for their families and communities see the ups and downs of having livestock all the time. They lose crops to drought, to hail, to too much water or a bug invasion. The herds and flocks can do well, but then can be suddenly cleaned out.

I come from a long, long line of farmers, but I think I am not as good at it as those from a long time back. Good thing my family doesn't have to depend on what I raise to feed us. Maybe my upcoming move is a good thing, to take me away from farming for a season and consider if buying 20 acres and setting up a farm is really what I want to do in my old-age.