Top of the Class Animals!

You started day wearing hats and rain gear to stay dry and warm on a rainy day at the homestead. Even though the weather is growing cooler it won't stop the Homesteaders.

Team decisions don't always go your way. How did it feel today when you were together with your chore group talking about who would do what? You may notice some people take charge of decisions while others stay quiet. What are you like at these times, and how could you change your approach so everyone feels good about decisions made together? Talk about this at home.

How have you trained, befriended or worked with the animals? What are some good strategies? The homesteaders were more than happy to see another group of puppies come through the farm. Do you remember the names that we gave them?

Learning more about the animals helps us provide better care for them. Horses need covers when out in the cold, rainy weather. Describe to someone how to put on a horse raincoat. If you were with the small animals, tell someone at home about why oyster shells are in our hens diet. (Calcium in the shells strengthens the hens eggs). Did you notice there are less eggs in the fall compared to the summer. Do you remember why this happens? (Hens need 12-16 hours of daylight to produce an egg)

During our walk to outpost, what did you notice about the forest? The sounds, the colours, the high water? Tell someone at home about your shelter you made during our wander. What was your role on the team that created this? What tools and equipment did you need to make this shelter?

What a wonderful idea to create whittled charcoal pencils! What were your steps in creating this design. Did you stick with one idea, or change the design while working on it? The finished product looks great with a drawing made by Hummingbird!

We hiked over to the apple tree to harvest the remaining fruit and preserve them to create a healthy snack. While cutting apples, how did you decided which would be good to use and which apples we had to give to the horses? Preserving apples can take a bit of time. Do you remember how long we will have to leave the dehydrator running? (12-16 hours)

Thank you so much to Junco for bringing her skills, materials and special tools to make a beautiful curtain for the outhouse. Check out the careful sewing handiwork of Damselfly, Cardinal and Sunflower next time you visit the loo!

Note from Coyote:

I'm considering putting out a VOTE FOR YOUR FAV STONERIDGE ANIMAL post on Facebook. Help out by telling me about your favourite animal and why they are top of the class (emails are a good way to reach me). Thanks! Coyote

Happy trails until next time Homesteaders!!