This has been a very busy summer for us with a lot going on personally. In some ways it feels like I’ve had more time to spend on the garden but I’ve also had a lot of other balls to keep in the air. So, I’m happy that I’ve gotten a fair yield without a … Continue reading Late summer on the farm
Chickens
Meat bird harvest time
It is hard to believe but the teensy Cornish Cross chicks we brought home May 16 are already ready to harvest. These birds grew so amazingly fast, putting on weight almost before our eyes. May 16 June 2 June 23 At 7 weeks old, the males are coming out at 6-8.5 pounds dressed; females at … Continue reading Meat bird harvest time
They Grow Up So Fast
Most of the sweet little ducklings we’ve received in the last month are now hard to tell apart from the adults. They’re close to fully feathered and have been spending all day down at the pond. They’ve mastered getting down to the pond and back up to the coop in the evening. It’s just how … Continue reading They Grow Up So Fast
A New Generation of Chicks Arrive at the Farm
Last summer we parted ways with the majority of our flock, keeping just enough birds for our family and a few occasional customers here at the farm. That has been the perfect decision for our family. We are back to enjoying interacting with our birds as more of a hobby without the stress of washing … Continue reading A New Generation of Chicks Arrive at the Farm
Ducks Training
Some of you may remember my mention of how our adopted rooster wasn't having any luck with the chickens so he had turned his eye to the ducks. In this video you can see the ducks wanting to walk away from me but also hesitant to keep going because Gorgeous George is down on the … Continue reading Ducks Training
So much for a lazy weekend…
I wanted desperately to be lazy for a couple days while my hubby was out of town for a guys trip. I dreamt of days spent watching tv and crocheting warm and toasty while it was frigid outside. Unfortunately having animals means you don’t get to take time off whenever you like and the temps … Continue reading So much for a lazy weekend…
Will Winter Ever Settle in?
Has this not been the strangest, wettest year in ages? I'm beginning to wonder if winter will ever settle in to stay. We had several weeks of temps down in the 20's and had to switch over to our winter mode for the chickens and ducks. When it's that cold, we have to drain the … Continue reading Will Winter Ever Settle in?
A Wine-Making Mood
I'm not sure why but I have been in a wine-making mood of late. I've got things brewing all over the place. The smell of fermentation is beginning to take over my kitchen. When we were in Michigan last, I brought home a bag of apples and a bunch of wild mint I'd collected in … Continue reading A Wine-Making Mood
Truck Box Coop Update
Remember that truck box we got ages ago on eBay? Just this week it started to look more like a building than a truck. I finally found the time to get a coat of paint on it to match our other outbuildings. Paint is really magical. In a couple hours you can transform a space! … Continue reading Truck Box Coop Update
Some Funny Little Chickens
A lovely friend of mine has a habit of ending up with chickens she can't keep. Every so often I receive a call or email asking if we have a place for a few chickens. Mostly her trouble is that she has an affinity for unique breeds, which have to be ordered from specific hatcheries. … Continue reading Some Funny Little Chickens
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