Hi! I'm Zo & our family lives in Goshen, Indiana -- close to Shipshewana, the heart of Amish country here in northern Indiana. About a year and a half ago we moved from town to the home (and barn!) we built on 6 acres right outside of town. We've starting to live our dream of sustainable living on a mini farm. Our kids show polish, thrianta & silver fox rabbits in 4-H and have finally gotten the 2 English shepherd dogs they've been wanting -- and I finally have my chickens! They're a year old now and the flock is a mix of buff orpingtons, golden & silver laced wyandottes, black australorps and barred Plymouth rocks. I kept a buff roo & my son thought he had to keep an australorp roo as well. The australorp is headed for the freezer, though, because he has become way too mean! My new 2 week old babies include orpingtons, wyandottes, araucana/ameraucanas, cinnamon queens and isa browns. We had our first 2 hives of bees for 4-H last year also, but something happened (not sure what) and we lost both hives last fall -- not sure if we'll replace them or not. And last, but not least, we acquired 3 male alpacas! For the moment they are pets as well as fiber & manure producers (which we need to amend the clay soil in our garden!). My son would like to have ducks and after researching breeds, we are now on the hunt for Ancona ducks. I know we can order from Stromberg's, but I'm not sure I want to start with their minimum of 15 ducks right away! My chicken wish list includes lavender & splash orpingtons & blue laced red wyandottes. I'd also like to raise some broilers for the freezer this summer. So many things to do, so little time!!
