Deer Estate Farms

Spring, and the start of Summer, in Kentucky have brought introductions to native plants.   Milkweed is one of the most prolific on our new farm.  According to the US Forest Service:  "Common milkweed is a member of the Asclepiadaceae (milkweed) family. It is one of about 115 species that occur in the Americas. Most species are tropical or arid land species. The genus name,  Asclepias , commemorates Asklepios, the Greek god of medicine. ..... Common milkweed is Nature's mega food market for insects. Over 450 insects are known to feed on some portion of the plant. Numerous insects are attracted to the nectar-laden flowers and it is not at all uncommon to see flies, beetles, ants, bees, wasps, and butterflies on the flowers at the same time. Occasionally hummingbirds will try, unsuccessfully, to extract nectar. Its sap, leaves and flowers also provide food. In the northeast and midwest, it is among the most important food plants for   monarch caterpillars ( D...

The Secret Life of Chickens: Unveiling the Wonders of Chicken Keeping Introduction: In a world filled with constant distractions and fast-paced living, finding a source of focus and tranquility can be a challenge. Surprisingly, one solution might be just a cluck away – chickens. These charming and often underestimated creatures have more to offer than meets the eye. In this blog, we'll explore the art of focusing on chickens and how these feathered friends can bring a sense of purpose, mindfulness, and joy to life. 6 chickens and 2 roosters make up our flock. Each has a unique personality and brings joy.  The Therapeutic Cluck There's something inherently calming about the gentle clucking of chickens. The rhythmic sound can act as a natural stress-reliever, providing a soothing backdrop to your daily life. Many people find solace in spending time with their flock, listening to the soft clucks, and observing their serene movements. In fact, studies have shown that interacting wi...

Mint is an effective raccoon deterrent. Early one morning my Frenchies and I discovered white balloon like shapes on our grassy knoll. After researching, the white balloons turned out to be yellow-bellied slider turtle egg shells that had been removed from their underground nest and eaten. The paw prints next to the hole were clear, it was a raccoon. The same day, we saw a slider lay her eggs on the knoll. To save the eggs from the raccoon, we read an article from UGA advising to place chicken wire over the nest to help protect the eggs. We also wanted to implement natural pest control. SFGATE.com shared an article talking about plants that raccoons do not like. The article mentions peppermint.   We planted Peppermint, Spearmint and Sweet mint. The mint and the chicken wire have worked very well. The raccoons have not disturbed the nest. The only downside to mint is that it is an invasive plant. Take care to dig a barrier around the roots or keep in separate planters i...

Welcome to Deer Estate Farms' blog. We are as excited to share the experience and our learnings as we grow.  Our farm specializes in miniature cattle "minis" and hay production. We also have 2 goats, 5 donkeys, 3 guinea hens, 6 chickens, and 2 roosters.  A little background on us and how we ended up where we are.  We're both career "business people" with decades of corporate world experiences.  And as happens, the family called and we answered.  We built a house, sold our old house, uprooted our lives, jobs, and French bulldogs, and moved to a farm in central Kentucky. COVID struck 3 months later.  The past four years have been an adventure, we have discovered that farm lessons are learned immediately and with obvious results. As we go through the process of juggling a farm with the ever-present responsibility of keeping things, literally, alive with the requirements of a day job we are going to share our story.  We are going to have fun and shar...