Too Hot For Everyone....Including The Animals

I was planning on writing about us not having air-conditioning later in August, however it seems most appropriate to write about this weather now. It's been brutal. Very brutal. Of course in Virginia, we are accustomed to hot, muggy summers. Maybe we would have a heat spell early for a few days but it usually doesn't get brutally hot until August. That is when we can't take it anymore and put the window A/C units in a couple of rooms.

The summer of '05 was recorded as the hottest summer here. That was our first at Pleasant Hill. We were surprised how for the most part, it really wasn't that bad. The original interior walls are about two feet thick of brick. If we opened the windows at night to allow in the cool air and closed them first thing in the morning, it really wouldn't be so bad. Of course Scott is also strategically placing the dehumidifier in various locations. It was an effort but we got through it. We eventually got used to being in a constant state of sweat and taking three cold showers a day. To be honest, I felt it would be harder for our bodies to acclimate in hot weather if we had air-conditioning.

This summer has proven to be a struggle for everyone. After a rainy spring, Hot and Muggy decided to join us and has overstayed their visit. The norm has been ninety-plus degrees with maybe a couple of days of dry, comfortable temps. We definitely look forward to those. There doesn't seem to be a break in sight as July is winding down and getting ready for August.

We have about 150 broiler chickens that were scheduled for processing on Sunday. Throughout the morning, it was necessary for me to check them frequently, move them around and make sure they had plenty of water and shade. I went down to check on them again shortly after Scott got back from the farmers market. As I turned the corner of the hoophouse, I was horrified to see that about half appeared dead. Most perked up again when I jostled them but clearly they could not handle the heat anymore and were on the way out. I went up to the house to tell Scott they were dying. I told the kids to hurry up and grab the ones that appeared okay and put them underneath the deck in the back of our house. That's where the dogs go if they are too hot. They like the damp, cool dirt. The broilers that were not going to make it were to be placed by the processing station. I put big pots of water on the stove to get the scalding tank ready. Everyone scrambled around to put everything in place. Processing had to be done a day early.....and quickly before we lost any more.

I have to say I was very proud of my kids. Sure they complain about being on a farm and having a lot of chores, but when there is an emergency they know what to do and follow our direction without any complaints or rolling eyes.

I'm especially proud of my oldest son, Jonah. Today he turned sixteen. The kids look forward to no chores as part of their birthday celebration. When I came in to tell the kids to start grabbing chickens, I told him that I was sorry but we needed him for processing. No sigh, no lovely tone that is known to teenagers. Just a very willing young man who immediately jumped right up to the plate.

This is all part of being on a farm....

A Great Morning

How wonderful it was to wake up this morning to dark clouds and a steady rain. I remember last spring when it seemed like we were getting too much rain. The ground was so saturated and couldn't handle even the slightest shower. Today's rainfall is truly welcoming! Every living thing out there needs it, especially the pigs. With the brutal heat this summer, all of us are constantly making sure all pigs, young and old, have plenty of drinking water and wallows. I noticed as I got my coffee this morning, they were up and about, grazing and frolicking . And clean! The rain gave them a good "bath" and now I can finally see what they look like.

It looks like we'll have another busy season with piglets. I believe we'll have 18-20 sows and gilts having litters this summer. Ramona is due again maybe in about a week. This time they will be pure Berkshires and not the "Red Dalmatians". We are also expecting our first Large Black Hog litter. They are just the cutest as newborns and they grow into the most gentle giants!

Tomorrow we'll start processing the chickens. It'll feel good to have product again!