Growing

The little quail are growing and will soon need a new, bigger home (or roasting pan...).

The little pigs are growing. And I moved them into their new stall over the weekend.  They completely destroyed their heat lamp the other day.  I guess they no longer wanted it?  Thankfully they didn't manage to burn the barn down in the process.  My lesson:  always hang a heat lamp higher than a pig can stand.  You wouldn't believe what acrobats and tricksters these little pork chops are!

The little dog, "Saffy," is also growing.  How the big dog puts up with her endless playing is beyond me.  Good Louie is very patient.

And here's Dottie.  Dottie is not growing...that I know of.  But she is shedding, and needed a good thirty minute grooming.  Now she's fit for a little hack.

New Arrivals, Part 1

Sunday was a busy day.  The schedule for the day was to travel an hour and a half to a friend's farm to pick up the two five-week old piglets I bought from he and his wife.  The snow was heavy that morning and made the trip a little longer than usual, but I made it there and back safe. 

I chose my two pigs (one female and one castrated male) from the litter and thought I would be on my way, then ended up taking home some other new residents for the farm.  I think I brought home nineteen of them, but I honestly can't remember, so I'll have to do a head count later today. 

Anyone know what these are?

These are Pharaoh Coturnix Quail Chicks. 

First imported from Japan in the 1850's, they are raised for their pretty song, meat and eggs.  The females can lay up to 300 eggs per year, and begin laying at six to seven weeks of age.  They weigh between 3 1/2 - 5 1/2 ounces when fully mature.

I don't really need the quail, but why not try something new?  I think I'll keep a male or two for mating, keep all the females, and try to hatch out some chicks to sell in the summer or fall.  I am, of course, assuming I can keep them all alive long enough to get to that point.

Anyone ever raise quail?  Ever tasted it?  I've yet to try it, but I hear it is good.