Sunday Five- The Barnyard

As I have explained, I was raised on a funny farm, we didn't have traditional livestock or grow conventional crops.  At the same time, I grew up surrounded by wonderful family farms, and I have to admit I have a real soft spot for historic farming. One of my reasons for visiting Mt. Vernon 10 or more times a year is to see what is growing in the gardens and to take pictures of the livestock.  When I was in Kentucky last month, we visited Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill near Harrodsburg.  Shaker Village has a very nice historic farming operation, when I lived near there I maintained an annual membership.  

So a few barnyard questions: 

1: Is the chicken above a hen or a rooster? 
2: Can you tell what kind of farm animal is in the pasture by seeing the manure? 
3: Have you ever eaten fresh vegetables that you have grown yourself? 
4: Do you buy free range eggs or the cheapest in the supermarket? 
5:  Have you ever driven a tractor in a farm field? 

My answers:
1: Is the chicken above a hen or a rooster?  He was a very proud rooster, he should be a daddy in a few weeks - he was staying "busy" the day we visited. 

2: Can you tell what kind of farm animal is in the pasture by seeing the manure? Most of the time, yes. 

3: Have you ever eaten fresh vegetables that you have grown yourself? Yes, not for a long time.  

4: Do you buy free range eggs or the cheapest in the supermarket? 
I buy free-range, preferably from a local small farmer.  They cost more, taste better, and I know the hens have had a better life. 

5:  Have you ever driven a tractor in a farm field?  Oh yes, a giant four-wheel-drive monster in a 100 acre wheat field in Colorado - 40+ years later it still thrills me to think about it.