Tag Archives: barn

Old 1880’s barn posts on Texas Homesteader’s website.

Old Homestead Jujube Tree And Fruit – Mystery Solved

by Texas Homesteader

When we obtained our remote-pasture property last year I knew there was once an old homestead on the property years ago – the house long gone now. 

I love that this property also has an old 1880’s barn. That’s my favorite barn era and I’m so blessed to have two of these beautiful old barns now!  I’m ready to roll up my sleeves & restore this beautiful structure to its previous glory much like we did years ago with the 1880’s barn here on our homestead.

In searching for the identity of fruit trees at an old homestead we consulted the extension agent. The answer was received! #TexasHomesteader
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Chicken Update – 3 months

by Texas Homesteader~ 

*This post contains an affiliate link

Back in April we bought baby chicks – three Hybrid Ideal 236 chicks for their larger egg-laying capabilities and three Black Minorca chicks, a larger dual-purpose breed. 

They were cute fuzzy things and so much fun to watch. As they grew we moved them to an enclosed *portable coop in the garage. Then we moved the coop out to the yard as it warmed up and they grew their feathers.

We used that coop as a mobile chicken tractor moving them to a different area each day for fresh grass. When they got a little older we moved them to the coop of our 1880’s barn and locked them in for a couple of weeks to help them realize this was their new home. 

Since then we’ve let them out to free range every morning and we lock them securely back in the coop each night when they go in to roost.

We are raising Black Minorca and Hybrid Ideal 236 chickens and it has been so much fun. Read about our experience with them. #TexasHomesteader

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Refurbishing An 1880’s Barn Coop

by Texas Homesteader

We have really enjoyed raising these baby chicks so far. Their antics are good for hours of entertainment! 

But our temporary coop is only large enough for 4 grown chickens and we have 6. And these chicks are growing fast. We’d love for them to finally call our 1880’s barn coop their home, as it was meant to be!

We're finally ready for our chicks to call our 1880's barn coop their home. But steps were needed to keep them safe. See what we did! #TexasHomesteader

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Chick Update at Four Weeks

by Texas Homesteader ~

*this post contains an affiliate link

About four weeks ago we took the plunge and bought six baby chicks. We’ve never raised chickens before so this is a brand new endeavor for us. We were told when we purchased them that they were only a day old or so. Awwww…. Here’s their baby picture. Weren’t they cute and fuzzy?

The Ideal 236 hybrids are known for their large white eggs. At 4 weeks the Ideals are turning white #TexasHomesteader

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Country Beauty Through A City Girl’s Eyes

Guest post by Ashley

*contains affiliate links

I have always lived in the city.  My parents bought a beautiful stretch of country when I was just a young girl, but we still lived in the city.  They didn’t sustain themselves on the wealth of the land until I was grown and already moved across the United States, so this is all still relatively new to me.

Since I moved to North Carolina I only get to come out and visit about once a year and even then my time is stretched across Texas to try and visit all of my old friends and family. However this trip I was able to sit back and relax a little more, smell the country air, look at the little details and actually appreciate the things that my parents see every day. Things that are new, wondrous, and amazing to me is nothing but an old piece of equipment to them. So allow me to take you on a tour of the Homestead with what wondrous things these city eyes see.

It's a wondrous world in the country, especially when viewed through a city-girl's eyes. Come see & experience with me #TexasHomesteader

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Welcoming Spring

by Texas Homesteader 

Spring is my favorite time of the year.  I’m not a big winter fan, I hate to be cold and the leafless stick-trees and gray skies just don’t speak to my soul.

Oh don’t get me wrong, I love tucking inside with the fireplace blazing with wood we’ve cut and split ourselves, sipping on hot tea and snuggled on the couch under a fuzzy blanket with my RancherMan. But the season itself makes me long for the green beauty and vibrant colors of spring.

Spring is almost here. Loving life here in NE Texas. #TexasHomesteader

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Can You Sell Animals You’ve Raised?

by Texas Homesteader 

In November 2010, RancherMan became a certified A.I. technician. Our plan was to sell our registered black Angus bull and start producing our calves using A.I. instead. In April 2011 we began to A.I. our registered Hereford cows. That cow bred with her first A.I. The result was our very first A.I. calf. How exciting!

It's not hard for us to sell animals we've raised. It's a source of pride for us to raise quality, calm animals and we know we've given them a great life! #TexasHomesteader

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Making A Large Mirror Frame Using Reclaimed Wood

by Texas Homesteader 

To save our 1880’s barn we hired a contractor come shore up the exterior. We originally asked them to remove the the old ragged exterior boards and replace them onto the barn after the repairs were made.

But after removing these old boards and sorting through the ones too far gone for the barn, it was apparent there would be nowhere near enough wood to replace the entire surface. So we had them use new similarly-styled wood planks. We allowed the new wood to age for one year and then we sealed it for protection from the elements. They did an awesome job and our old barn has maintained it’s beautiful old look. (If you’d like a virtual tour of this beautiful old barn you can see it here.)

We used reclaimed wood from our 1880's barn to make a beautiful mirror frame for our home. #TexasHomesteader

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