A year and a half of news - how could I go so long without sharing my thoughts. Says a lot about my state of mind. Much loss, too much heart break, in my life in that year and a half. How do people worm their way into your life and then just pull out - no goodbyes, no hugs, nothing - just gone.
In August of last year my brother-in-law did just that! He was my friend and he died without even a good bye. In October a dear friend of many years lay dead at her computer while we waited on her at the Tea House. Just gone - no goodbyes, no "Love you", nothing. November brought the deadly stroke that started the illnesses that took my Father in January. Then another friend in June. In July Mother had two major blockages repaired and I am convinced they were from a broken heart. It is so hard when nothing brings joy to the broken hearted - the ones you love.
Some days my heart hurts with the missing of these family and friends and some days I laugh with joy at my memories. That is the way I want to be remembered - with joy and laughter!
Then a miracle was born in June and my heart starting melting and came out of shock. God knows our needs better than we do and he knows what we are going through every day. My fourth granddaughter was born bringing much joy and happiness. The birth of this child reminded me that life will go on - we have no control over God's plans for each and every one of us.
Now on to the present and the future with joy in our hearts!
About my little farm - out of 34 yard birds, I have 10 left (9 hens and 1 rooster). I am on the verge of transferring them to my daughter's farm as they have become very demanding and hard to handle. The coyotes and hawks have killed off most of my feathered friends and the snakes (removed two in one day from the laying box) and opossums (we trapped 6 in one week) are getting more eggs than I am getting. I think next Spring I will start over with a new batch and see how I manage. With no food here, maybe the varmints will move on to greener pastures. I have acquired a beautiful Land Shun that will be hard to part with.
It has been a hot summer here in central Georgia. One of the wettest springs that I can remember, but when the rain left it left for weeks. Even my rosemary dried on its own. The hibiscus is droopy and woody and the blooms have fallen off without opening. What the weather hasn't killed, the chickens have and they have enjoyed a wonderful crop of tomatoes while I had none!
Thanks for visiting and remember to Keep Smiling!
Belle
Showing posts with label chickens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chickens. Show all posts
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
2013 Spring
Lot of visits in the last few days, not complaining, just wondering! Always enjoy visits to my pictures, thoughts and gripes.
Busy, busy, busy around this little farm. New kits (bunnies) born on Easter Sunday and Star is a good mother. My rabbits seem to be a bit temperamental and sometimes behave in most unsavory ways. Pinky's babe has developed into a beautiful little thing, but is still a bit hyper and not comfortable as yet with being handled.
Chickens are so very happy to have the sunshine and warm weather return and the egg production has once again increased. The brood has to be thinned but it is hard to do when they are all your babies.
My daughter's farm, Blessed Acres Farm, is growing and developing quite nicely. She has spring onions ready to sell and they are beautiful! Too much rain on the strawberries, but that can't be helped. Maybe just a message that strawberries don't belong on her farm - she is allergic to them! Greenhouse is filled with sprouted seeds and small plants almost ready to go in the ground. The spinach patch is coming right along.
The large field has been twice plowed and harrowed; ready for the rows to be laid and plants or seeds put in the rich ground. In the next 90 to 120 days we will be feasting on beans, tomatoes, peas, spinach and all the good stuff and all GMO free and natural the way it was meant to be. Chicks and ducks are thriving in their new space and should come right along in the next few weeks. By August the chicks should be producing eggs regularly. Buff Orpingtons are good layers if on the broody side. She also has Arucanas which I know nothing about, but they are really cute chicks!
It is unbelievable how many people do not know they can not just travel across other people's property. Many 4-wheeler's cutting through the woods and fields and when confronted are very aggressive as if the property owners are the offenders! The lack of respect for other people's property and belongings astounds me, but I was raised in a different era. A few years back we came home to find a man riding his 4- wheeler in the woods next to the house. When ask who gave him permission, he said he didn't need permission - nobody lived there.
The few problems encountered will not stop my joy at such a beautiful Spring! So glad to have all the trees and shrubs budding out and blooming. The rain has even come at good times to wash to excess away and help keep my sinus' free from irritation!
Many changes occurring in our world - both local and worldwide. Praying that God protects us as we are forced to accept these changes and that He guides our leaders in their decisions that will so greatly affect us.
Thanks for dropping in and until next time . . .
Happy Reading!
Belle
Busy, busy, busy around this little farm. New kits (bunnies) born on Easter Sunday and Star is a good mother. My rabbits seem to be a bit temperamental and sometimes behave in most unsavory ways. Pinky's babe has developed into a beautiful little thing, but is still a bit hyper and not comfortable as yet with being handled.
Chickens are so very happy to have the sunshine and warm weather return and the egg production has once again increased. The brood has to be thinned but it is hard to do when they are all your babies.
My daughter's farm, Blessed Acres Farm, is growing and developing quite nicely. She has spring onions ready to sell and they are beautiful! Too much rain on the strawberries, but that can't be helped. Maybe just a message that strawberries don't belong on her farm - she is allergic to them! Greenhouse is filled with sprouted seeds and small plants almost ready to go in the ground. The spinach patch is coming right along.
The large field has been twice plowed and harrowed; ready for the rows to be laid and plants or seeds put in the rich ground. In the next 90 to 120 days we will be feasting on beans, tomatoes, peas, spinach and all the good stuff and all GMO free and natural the way it was meant to be. Chicks and ducks are thriving in their new space and should come right along in the next few weeks. By August the chicks should be producing eggs regularly. Buff Orpingtons are good layers if on the broody side. She also has Arucanas which I know nothing about, but they are really cute chicks!
It is unbelievable how many people do not know they can not just travel across other people's property. Many 4-wheeler's cutting through the woods and fields and when confronted are very aggressive as if the property owners are the offenders! The lack of respect for other people's property and belongings astounds me, but I was raised in a different era. A few years back we came home to find a man riding his 4- wheeler in the woods next to the house. When ask who gave him permission, he said he didn't need permission - nobody lived there.
The few problems encountered will not stop my joy at such a beautiful Spring! So glad to have all the trees and shrubs budding out and blooming. The rain has even come at good times to wash to excess away and help keep my sinus' free from irritation!
Many changes occurring in our world - both local and worldwide. Praying that God protects us as we are forced to accept these changes and that He guides our leaders in their decisions that will so greatly affect us.
Thanks for dropping in and until next time . . .
Happy Reading!
Belle
Thursday, January 24, 2013
My World January 2013
My! My! I have been very derelict in keeping up my blog! So much is happening in my world lately and time has been short!
Turned out my male rabbits for the winter, much time and effort in keeping them separated, fed, watered, and cared for. I know that sounds lazy, but these little fellows still get fed, but they also have the freedom to roam, hide, and find nice warm spots to get out of the cold. The females are quite happy in their little hutch and spend their days running each other around and their nights huddled together.
It has worked well for all and each morning I am met by my little fuzzy friends when I go out to feed. They follow me from chore to chore and then get their treats. Coming home from church on Sunday I had quite a surprise when four little ones scampered out of the barn behind mother. Yep, we messed up on one of those little rascals and she has 4 kits that are about 6 weeks old and healthy as can be. I was so excited to see these little ones. They have become accustomed to my movements and as long as I don't move too fast they are content to maintain their space.
Hubby put the chickens up for the winter. The barn provides much protection from the elements and my big fat hens have taken to hiding their eggs. It became a search and rescue mission when gathering eggs. Son-in-law found three nest with 84 eggs in them. The hens had gotten into the storage area and laid in the middle of rolls of barbed wire. Watching them come and go I knew there was a nest in there somewhere, but I had been unable to find it. After sun down, son-in-law took a high powered light and went on a search. So glad we found the stash.
We floated the eggs and immediately lost 2 dozen and another dozen didn't look right when I cracked them for freezing. Eggs, when placed in a glass bowl of ice cold water will float if bad or rotten and sink if good. So 2 dozen immediately popped to the top and some just hovered close to the bottom. Eggs keep very well frozen. I crack them into a muffin pan, remove when set and place in a zip lock bag.
Cold weather in our forecast has initiated my urge to sew. Maybe, maybe not. I have taxes to do, so probably not. At least the urge is still there. I am sorely disappointed in myself with my sewing projects. I have much to do , but no motivation to proceed. Sewing is my comfort chore and I suppose I have been much too content to need the comfort.
My daughter and her family is staying with us while they develop their farm and build a house. She makes the most wonderful soap. Opal's Hope Soaps are cold processed natural soaps that are so nourishing to the skin without the harmful sulfates. She also has a shampoo bar - no conditioner needed. These soaps are loaded with all the good stuff and none of the bad. The Christmas season kept her busy around here getting gift baskets ready and delivered/shipped.
Planting time is upon us and we are already behind. According to the Market Bulletin produced by the Georgia Department of Agriculture asparagus, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, mustard, Onion, potatoes, radishes, spinach and turnips should already be in the ground. Beets, collards, broccoli, and kale should be planted in two weeks. Hubby has the ground turned, but not near ready to plant. I have to get myself into gear and get out there or we won't have the fresh veggies we all love.
Hubby surprised me with a Nook for Christmas. While I love the convenience of carrying so many books with me, I sure miss the feel of the paper in my hand. I will get use to it and one day I will caress the Nook - which I have named "Reba" - as I do my wonderful books. (I haven't thrown out any books yet!) I have downloaded some of the older books I wanted to read but have been unable to find in my Thrift store rummaging.
Well, work is calling and there is much to do. Thanks for sharing the time with me and come back again to visit.
Happy Reading!
Belle
Turned out my male rabbits for the winter, much time and effort in keeping them separated, fed, watered, and cared for. I know that sounds lazy, but these little fellows still get fed, but they also have the freedom to roam, hide, and find nice warm spots to get out of the cold. The females are quite happy in their little hutch and spend their days running each other around and their nights huddled together.
It has worked well for all and each morning I am met by my little fuzzy friends when I go out to feed. They follow me from chore to chore and then get their treats. Coming home from church on Sunday I had quite a surprise when four little ones scampered out of the barn behind mother. Yep, we messed up on one of those little rascals and she has 4 kits that are about 6 weeks old and healthy as can be. I was so excited to see these little ones. They have become accustomed to my movements and as long as I don't move too fast they are content to maintain their space.
Hubby put the chickens up for the winter. The barn provides much protection from the elements and my big fat hens have taken to hiding their eggs. It became a search and rescue mission when gathering eggs. Son-in-law found three nest with 84 eggs in them. The hens had gotten into the storage area and laid in the middle of rolls of barbed wire. Watching them come and go I knew there was a nest in there somewhere, but I had been unable to find it. After sun down, son-in-law took a high powered light and went on a search. So glad we found the stash.
We floated the eggs and immediately lost 2 dozen and another dozen didn't look right when I cracked them for freezing. Eggs, when placed in a glass bowl of ice cold water will float if bad or rotten and sink if good. So 2 dozen immediately popped to the top and some just hovered close to the bottom. Eggs keep very well frozen. I crack them into a muffin pan, remove when set and place in a zip lock bag.
Cold weather in our forecast has initiated my urge to sew. Maybe, maybe not. I have taxes to do, so probably not. At least the urge is still there. I am sorely disappointed in myself with my sewing projects. I have much to do , but no motivation to proceed. Sewing is my comfort chore and I suppose I have been much too content to need the comfort.
My daughter and her family is staying with us while they develop their farm and build a house. She makes the most wonderful soap. Opal's Hope Soaps are cold processed natural soaps that are so nourishing to the skin without the harmful sulfates. She also has a shampoo bar - no conditioner needed. These soaps are loaded with all the good stuff and none of the bad. The Christmas season kept her busy around here getting gift baskets ready and delivered/shipped.
Planting time is upon us and we are already behind. According to the Market Bulletin produced by the Georgia Department of Agriculture asparagus, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, mustard, Onion, potatoes, radishes, spinach and turnips should already be in the ground. Beets, collards, broccoli, and kale should be planted in two weeks. Hubby has the ground turned, but not near ready to plant. I have to get myself into gear and get out there or we won't have the fresh veggies we all love.
Hubby surprised me with a Nook for Christmas. While I love the convenience of carrying so many books with me, I sure miss the feel of the paper in my hand. I will get use to it and one day I will caress the Nook - which I have named "Reba" - as I do my wonderful books. (I haven't thrown out any books yet!) I have downloaded some of the older books I wanted to read but have been unable to find in my Thrift store rummaging.
Well, work is calling and there is much to do. Thanks for sharing the time with me and come back again to visit.
Happy Reading!
Belle
Thursday, October 25, 2012
My Feathered Friends
The newest of the brood!
This hen shared the laying rights with another hen. There were twenty eggs in the nest when she started brooding and she hatched 17 of the 20. Half are Sextons and half are Round heads. At three weeks, she has managed to keep them all alive except one. Now the Sexton is setting on another batch of eggs, so we will see what her rate of hatch is going to be. Wonderful watching these little ones learn the survival techniques they will need to survive. I can't believe how still they can be when the hawk flies over.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Just a Little Catch Up!
Things have really started jumping around this little farm and I am trying to hop a long and keep up! February was dragging along and I was dragging with it until the 24th - yes the day of the last big storm. Star, my beautiful white and gray rabbit, decided to kindle on this day. For those of you that do not speak rabbitese - kindle is giving birth. Babies were dropping here there and yonder and unprepared me was running around in lightening and pouring rain trying to get her pen out of the rain and well stocked with all the needs of a new mother rabbit. She had four kits (babies) and is a wonderful mother. I checked on the other doe and Mr. Jedi and they were fine, so Star and I settled in for a quiet afternoon. After the storms had passed, I fed the chickens and gathered the eggs and low and behold here comes Blondie followed by 12 little ones. She led them straight to the barn to eat and eat they did! I returned to check on Cleo and Jedi. The pen was filled with babies. Cleo must have danced in the rain and quickly deposited 9 little ones in an unprepared pen. I lost about 5 to drowning and quickly moved Mother and kits into the second birthing pen. She was not a good mother! I ended up with one survivor and moved it into the pen with Star. She immediately cleaned and fed the little one and now is the happy mother of 5.
I never realized that rabbits grew so quickly. These little ones are a joy to watch. Star has been weaning them this week and I think she is about ready to go back to the big pen and let the little ones grow on up.
In the two weeks in between this tumultuous Thursday, something killed 6 of Blondie biddies and my big rooster along with one laying hen. I am hoping the hen is sitting on a nest somewhere, but I did find two patches of feathers behind the barn. It had to big a big rascal to get my Barred Rock Rooster - he was huge!
I have managed to get in some sewing and therefore knocked back my stack a bit but not near enough. That will have to wait though as I have two chairs to cane and those take priority.
Have to run. Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
I never realized that rabbits grew so quickly. These little ones are a joy to watch. Star has been weaning them this week and I think she is about ready to go back to the big pen and let the little ones grow on up.
In the two weeks in between this tumultuous Thursday, something killed 6 of Blondie biddies and my big rooster along with one laying hen. I am hoping the hen is sitting on a nest somewhere, but I did find two patches of feathers behind the barn. It had to big a big rascal to get my Barred Rock Rooster - he was huge!
I have managed to get in some sewing and therefore knocked back my stack a bit but not near enough. That will have to wait though as I have two chairs to cane and those take priority.
Have to run. Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
2011 Year End
Over this past year I have blogged about the things going on in my life - my chickens, rabbits, garden, pets, cooking, sewing - just a little of everything. So doing a recap isn't really necessary.
It has been a good year with all its ups and downs. Hubby and I are healthy and able to function and as we get older that pretty much says it all. Hubby has now lost about 80 pounds which is a big plus and I have gained about 8 (all while what I consider dieting). "Mama always said" it would all catch up with me - for so many years I weighed 112 pounds and at 5'8" I was really thin! It didn't happen at 40 like "Mama always said," but it did happen! I feel the aches and pains of the good times of my life and the bad times of my life. I make no excuses - I am what I am and God loves me even though I am not perfect.
I started the year trying to increase my chicken flock. I hatched and babied those little balls of fluff for weeks. I had 32 biddies for a while, then the dogs came and demolished about half. then the snakes came and demolished the other half. Sick at heart I replaced the little ones with lovely Barred Rocks. These ladies are so gentle and loving and fit right in to our little flock. Matilda, my old Rhode Island Red hen, accepted them aboard while maintaining her position as the head of the pecking order.
I have a special pair of Grays that are so beautiful. I hatched them and raised them separately from the rest of the flock. I will lose the beautiful rooster this week when he goes to the sale barn. The rooster's name is Ming Ming and the hen is Tuck. The oldest granddaughter named them as soon as they hatched and even though the sexes don't reflect the names - it is what it is. Ming Ming tried to flog the older of the youngest granddaughter last week and then yesterday tried to flog the youngest granddaughter. Ming Ming is too young as yet to have dangerous spurs, but his spurs are rapidly growing and with his temperment, he has to go. The grandchildren love to play outside and I won't tolerate an agressive animal.
In the Spring, the oldest granddaughter decided she wanted a rabbit, so hubby added not one but three to the menagerie. Lost one of those within two weeks but replace her with a fostor from Atlanta that was someone's pet. Now down to two and they run loose in the barn and are very content until the neighbors dogs come snooping. I really wish people would raise their pets not to get into other peoples business.
I had a fruitful early garden and filled the freezer up while enjoying all the fresh vegetables throughout the summer. I don't can much anymore, but may have to reconsider with the coming season. Hubby has already turned loads of leaves and mulch back into the soil in anticipation of the upcoming planting season.
The youngest granddaughters and I planted trash can potatoes, but we waited a little too long to plant and only harvested a couple of handfuls of small spuds. They will be great with a pot of green beans though, so all is not lost and the experiment was good for us all. Plan to try the trash can pototoes again in early March.
This fall has brought my deer back. They enjoy the huge acorn crop we have behind the house and will graze on the nuts for at least an hour a day and sometime longer. I manged to get some good pictures of them last week and where there were only three, a new beauty joined them. One day and young buck stepped in to enjoy the fare. I cringe every time I hear a shot behind the house, as I fear a hunter as downed one of my babies.
I retired this year and was happy to do so. I really enjoy staying at home and diddling with my cooking, sewing, animals, and garden. I could keep working and Hubby and I could stash the dollars toward future travel, but I watch so many that save and save and then are unable to do the things they saved to do. I wrote about my cataract sugery in an earlier blog, but I am still pleased with my much improved sight.
I spend loads of time with my youngest granddaughters and enjoy every minute. I am bowled over by my oldest grand children every time they visit. Living north of Atlanta, I only see them every six weeks or so and they change so fast. Phone calls are just not the same. They are both so bright and talented!
My parents are aging fast and it hurts my heart to see them struggle to perform even the most routine tasks. They were both so active and energetic during their younger years.
I experienced losses and gaines during the year which is part of living. I have seen new little ones come into the world, couples pledging solemn vows to each other before God, and have seen close friends and family lose the ones they love. I have contemplated the whys of life and am still uncertain that I have accomplished what I am suppose to accomplish.
Cleaning is calling, so until next time . . .
Happy New Year and
Happy reading!
Belle
It has been a good year with all its ups and downs. Hubby and I are healthy and able to function and as we get older that pretty much says it all. Hubby has now lost about 80 pounds which is a big plus and I have gained about 8 (all while what I consider dieting). "Mama always said" it would all catch up with me - for so many years I weighed 112 pounds and at 5'8" I was really thin! It didn't happen at 40 like "Mama always said," but it did happen! I feel the aches and pains of the good times of my life and the bad times of my life. I make no excuses - I am what I am and God loves me even though I am not perfect.
I started the year trying to increase my chicken flock. I hatched and babied those little balls of fluff for weeks. I had 32 biddies for a while, then the dogs came and demolished about half. then the snakes came and demolished the other half. Sick at heart I replaced the little ones with lovely Barred Rocks. These ladies are so gentle and loving and fit right in to our little flock. Matilda, my old Rhode Island Red hen, accepted them aboard while maintaining her position as the head of the pecking order.
I have a special pair of Grays that are so beautiful. I hatched them and raised them separately from the rest of the flock. I will lose the beautiful rooster this week when he goes to the sale barn. The rooster's name is Ming Ming and the hen is Tuck. The oldest granddaughter named them as soon as they hatched and even though the sexes don't reflect the names - it is what it is. Ming Ming tried to flog the older of the youngest granddaughter last week and then yesterday tried to flog the youngest granddaughter. Ming Ming is too young as yet to have dangerous spurs, but his spurs are rapidly growing and with his temperment, he has to go. The grandchildren love to play outside and I won't tolerate an agressive animal.
In the Spring, the oldest granddaughter decided she wanted a rabbit, so hubby added not one but three to the menagerie. Lost one of those within two weeks but replace her with a fostor from Atlanta that was someone's pet. Now down to two and they run loose in the barn and are very content until the neighbors dogs come snooping. I really wish people would raise their pets not to get into other peoples business.
I had a fruitful early garden and filled the freezer up while enjoying all the fresh vegetables throughout the summer. I don't can much anymore, but may have to reconsider with the coming season. Hubby has already turned loads of leaves and mulch back into the soil in anticipation of the upcoming planting season.
The youngest granddaughters and I planted trash can potatoes, but we waited a little too long to plant and only harvested a couple of handfuls of small spuds. They will be great with a pot of green beans though, so all is not lost and the experiment was good for us all. Plan to try the trash can pototoes again in early March.
This fall has brought my deer back. They enjoy the huge acorn crop we have behind the house and will graze on the nuts for at least an hour a day and sometime longer. I manged to get some good pictures of them last week and where there were only three, a new beauty joined them. One day and young buck stepped in to enjoy the fare. I cringe every time I hear a shot behind the house, as I fear a hunter as downed one of my babies.
I retired this year and was happy to do so. I really enjoy staying at home and diddling with my cooking, sewing, animals, and garden. I could keep working and Hubby and I could stash the dollars toward future travel, but I watch so many that save and save and then are unable to do the things they saved to do. I wrote about my cataract sugery in an earlier blog, but I am still pleased with my much improved sight.
I spend loads of time with my youngest granddaughters and enjoy every minute. I am bowled over by my oldest grand children every time they visit. Living north of Atlanta, I only see them every six weeks or so and they change so fast. Phone calls are just not the same. They are both so bright and talented!
My parents are aging fast and it hurts my heart to see them struggle to perform even the most routine tasks. They were both so active and energetic during their younger years.
I experienced losses and gaines during the year which is part of living. I have seen new little ones come into the world, couples pledging solemn vows to each other before God, and have seen close friends and family lose the ones they love. I have contemplated the whys of life and am still uncertain that I have accomplished what I am suppose to accomplish.
Cleaning is calling, so until next time . . .
Happy New Year and
Happy reading!
Belle
Friday, June 24, 2011
Rabbits and Chickens!
I know N O T H I N G about rabbits! But, I am learning fast! Pick them up by the nape of the neck or you will get clawed badly! They eat and drink constantly!
Never thought I would have to learn to sex a rabbit, but dang if these little fellows are a bit tricky, I started with three of these little balls of fur and lost one - I didn't know what the heck I was doing and had no idea this beauty was pregnant, but I quickly found out you can't keep males and females together. In all honesty, this little lady was pregnant when I bought her and I had no idea! I now know you palpitate the sides of a female to determine pregnancy and never keep the males and females together except during the very short breeding process. It doesn't take long as the sole purpose of male bunnies is to eat and make babies!
I now know I have all males and will continue in this vein for just a while. I need to change my hutch setup to accommodate both sexes and keep from losing anymore due to my stupidity! Things are looking up though and I have learned much in the past 3 weeks about these wonderful little animals. Their main diet consist of hay and fresh veggies - my bunnies favor celery tops and lettuce (they prefer iceberg but will eat Romain). They also like ripe tomatoes, but also enjoy any green stuff from the garden. I fear during the winter I will have to supplement the fresh garden stuff with some veggie pellets, but for now they are happy. They are emptying the water containers regularly as we have had many days of 90+ temperatures which has really taken a toll on their fur covered bodies.
The "half" grown chickens are doing well. Mid morning they all get a misting with the water hose and enjoy playing in the rain as long as the water flow isn't too strong. The mist they enjoy, a washing they don't like! I a having to dig the plastic eggs out again to stop an "egg eater." The oyster shells are suppose to stop that, but I have one that attacks the egg as soon as the hen leaves the nest! I think I have identified the culprit and if the plastic egg doesn't work, she will be separated from the flock for a while. A hungry little bugger, she eats six or seven eggs a day!
The neighbor's rooster is still eating as many of my tomatoes as I am and he has learned to "sneak" into the garden through the woods. He and I fight on a daily basis! The deer found my cantaloupe and have stripped the vines on many plants. I can identify that hoof print and so I can't blame the rabbits or rooster for that one. As some of you know I have rehabbed a couple of deer. I can only hope that one of them has come back for a visit, but I sure wish they wouldn't eat my veggies. They cleared a half a row of green beans before the cantaloupe came up but all the plants seem to have survived.
I have a dozen eggs in the incubator that a mother hen left. I am hoping they all hatch and they weren't left too long. Some great person left a dog that was no longer wanted at my nephew's house and he scared the chickens off the nest. Not vicious, just curious, he had to investigate and the hen ran off. With luck I can call my nephew to come get 12 new biddies in the next few days!
Life in the country is never boring and always filled with something going on! Lot's of work, but so rewarding!
Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Never thought I would have to learn to sex a rabbit, but dang if these little fellows are a bit tricky, I started with three of these little balls of fur and lost one - I didn't know what the heck I was doing and had no idea this beauty was pregnant, but I quickly found out you can't keep males and females together. In all honesty, this little lady was pregnant when I bought her and I had no idea! I now know you palpitate the sides of a female to determine pregnancy and never keep the males and females together except during the very short breeding process. It doesn't take long as the sole purpose of male bunnies is to eat and make babies!
I now know I have all males and will continue in this vein for just a while. I need to change my hutch setup to accommodate both sexes and keep from losing anymore due to my stupidity! Things are looking up though and I have learned much in the past 3 weeks about these wonderful little animals. Their main diet consist of hay and fresh veggies - my bunnies favor celery tops and lettuce (they prefer iceberg but will eat Romain). They also like ripe tomatoes, but also enjoy any green stuff from the garden. I fear during the winter I will have to supplement the fresh garden stuff with some veggie pellets, but for now they are happy. They are emptying the water containers regularly as we have had many days of 90+ temperatures which has really taken a toll on their fur covered bodies.
The "half" grown chickens are doing well. Mid morning they all get a misting with the water hose and enjoy playing in the rain as long as the water flow isn't too strong. The mist they enjoy, a washing they don't like! I a having to dig the plastic eggs out again to stop an "egg eater." The oyster shells are suppose to stop that, but I have one that attacks the egg as soon as the hen leaves the nest! I think I have identified the culprit and if the plastic egg doesn't work, she will be separated from the flock for a while. A hungry little bugger, she eats six or seven eggs a day!
The neighbor's rooster is still eating as many of my tomatoes as I am and he has learned to "sneak" into the garden through the woods. He and I fight on a daily basis! The deer found my cantaloupe and have stripped the vines on many plants. I can identify that hoof print and so I can't blame the rabbits or rooster for that one. As some of you know I have rehabbed a couple of deer. I can only hope that one of them has come back for a visit, but I sure wish they wouldn't eat my veggies. They cleared a half a row of green beans before the cantaloupe came up but all the plants seem to have survived.
I have a dozen eggs in the incubator that a mother hen left. I am hoping they all hatch and they weren't left too long. Some great person left a dog that was no longer wanted at my nephew's house and he scared the chickens off the nest. Not vicious, just curious, he had to investigate and the hen ran off. With luck I can call my nephew to come get 12 new biddies in the next few days!
Life in the country is never boring and always filled with something going on! Lot's of work, but so rewarding!
Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Monday, May 23, 2011
I Miss My Granddaddy!
A couple of months ago Hubby and I were at the Buggytown Auction when several cages of rabbits came up for bid. I made the statement that I would like to have some rabbits and I got "The Look" - you know the one that says "have you lost your mind?" Well, I let it drop and we came home with a couple of chickens instead. I haven't mentioned those cute little balls of fur that can be cuddled like no chicken ever could and I went on about my business.
On Friday afternoon I was talking to my granddaughter in Dahlonega about her upcoming visit and things we would like to do. Hubby comes in and the little one asked to speak to him. She wanted a rabbit - a brown rabbit! I thought to myself as I listened to them talk that she was wishing in the wind. After about thirty minutes of haggling back and forth over money and upkeep, hubby handed me the phone after which we said our goodbyes. Hubby advised me we were going to the sale barn to get some rabbits. My three granddaughters have far surpassed me in manipulating their PawPaw - even from 150 miles away they have more influence!
Off to Buggytown Auction we went and home we came 4 hours later with 5 chickens and 3 rabbits. They all spent the night in the "keeper" pen, but I knew that was not to be their new home. Off to Tractor supply we went for wire, feed and a bottle waterer. By Saturday afternoon those little bunnies had a wonderful home and plenty of feed and water and have really settled in nicely. The youngest two granddaughters had to come see the new "pets" and make sure they were settled in okay. After two days of multiple visits and all the moving, they have had a quiet day to adjust and rest just in time for the older two grandchildren to arrive mid week.
Rabbits do make good pets, but when I said we were finally going to have some good rabbit stew, my daughter in law looked at me like I was delirious. She vowed never to eat any rabbit and neither would the girls. She'll never know the difference as I will fry those offspring in a heartbeat and tell them it is chicken. Nothing is better on cold wet winter nights than a pot of rabbit stew!
Next I would like to add a couple of Pygmy goats to my menagerie, but the middle granddaughter is begging for a horse. That I do believe will be Pawpaw's waterloo and he has said he will never have another horse. We will see!
Until next time. . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Friday, April 15, 2011
Two weeks ago a very thoughtful neighbor gifted me with 20 biddies. It was an unsolicited and wonderful surprise from this man with a heart of gold.
Several weeks ago a neighbors dog killed ten of my laying hens and a rooster. These are pets that I raised and nurtured for over a year. The dog's owner offered to pay me for the hens, but having no idea the value to put on my friends, I told them no. I replaced my Rhode Island Reds with a few Barred Rock hens that were already laying.
My gift arrived. A mixture of Rhode Island Red, Red Sexlink and Big Reds, these little biddies became my focus of attention for days. I wanted to make sure they were safe, warm and well fed and watered. The little ones settled in quickly. On Saturday I went out to check their feed and water only to find a 6 foot black snake had eaten seven of my little ones. My heart fell. Sunday was a repeat only this four footer only ate three before being caught. I still have 10 little ones which during the week have relaxed once again and are happily running up and down their pen. In a couple of weeks they will be too big for the snakes to swallow and I can stop worrying so much.
I think this may have been the reason my egg production dropped from four a day to two a day. I have some well fed snakes in my area. The coyote pups have been born also. I hear their cries late at night and in the early morning in the woods behind the barn. I am waiting on them also as I know they will be coming my way in search of food.
I don't think I shall get too attached to the biddies or the new chickens. Mother Nature is not kind to my heart. And yes, I know all about the survival instinct, but I still don't like it.
Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Several weeks ago a neighbors dog killed ten of my laying hens and a rooster. These are pets that I raised and nurtured for over a year. The dog's owner offered to pay me for the hens, but having no idea the value to put on my friends, I told them no. I replaced my Rhode Island Reds with a few Barred Rock hens that were already laying.
My gift arrived. A mixture of Rhode Island Red, Red Sexlink and Big Reds, these little biddies became my focus of attention for days. I wanted to make sure they were safe, warm and well fed and watered. The little ones settled in quickly. On Saturday I went out to check their feed and water only to find a 6 foot black snake had eaten seven of my little ones. My heart fell. Sunday was a repeat only this four footer only ate three before being caught. I still have 10 little ones which during the week have relaxed once again and are happily running up and down their pen. In a couple of weeks they will be too big for the snakes to swallow and I can stop worrying so much.
I think this may have been the reason my egg production dropped from four a day to two a day. I have some well fed snakes in my area. The coyote pups have been born also. I hear their cries late at night and in the early morning in the woods behind the barn. I am waiting on them also as I know they will be coming my way in search of food.
I don't think I shall get too attached to the biddies or the new chickens. Mother Nature is not kind to my heart. And yes, I know all about the survival instinct, but I still don't like it.
Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Greener Grass
I have six new chickens. Five of these young ladies are barred rock and the other is a game lady. Very curious and easy going, these ladies follow me around the pen checking out my every move. Today was cleaning day for the outside pen. Raking the old straw and feathers, hauling them to the garden plot and checking the wire on the pen is a half day job. Of course, I spend a good bit of that time visiting with the ladies and listening to their complaints most of which relate to the demanding Roscoe (my number one rooster) and his two side kicks which I haven't named. They are true ladies as their complaints do not vary too far afield from the complaints I hear from friends about their significant others.
I am learning these new ladies personalities so I may name them appropriately. Each one is unique. Today my favorite earned the name of Jasmine - the wandering vine. As I was exiting the barn, Miss Jasmine slipped right between my legs. Frustrated at having to stop my project I chased her around the corner of the pen where low and behold she ran right into the coyote trap. She is pacing and fuming as she is now contained without food and water while her compatriots are happily playing and eating bread crumbs and seeds. Perfectly safe, she can wait for hubby to come in and relieve her of the stress of being confined in an even smaller environment.
So it is with us humans. We long to be free to roam uninhibited, yet most of the time we jump from the pot into the fire. Never content with our lot in life, we struggle to find something more. Most of the time we don't realize that even though the grass looks greener in the next pasture, it got that way because of all the fertilizer.
Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
I am learning these new ladies personalities so I may name them appropriately. Each one is unique. Today my favorite earned the name of Jasmine - the wandering vine. As I was exiting the barn, Miss Jasmine slipped right between my legs. Frustrated at having to stop my project I chased her around the corner of the pen where low and behold she ran right into the coyote trap. She is pacing and fuming as she is now contained without food and water while her compatriots are happily playing and eating bread crumbs and seeds. Perfectly safe, she can wait for hubby to come in and relieve her of the stress of being confined in an even smaller environment.
So it is with us humans. We long to be free to roam uninhibited, yet most of the time we jump from the pot into the fire. Never content with our lot in life, we struggle to find something more. Most of the time we don't realize that even though the grass looks greener in the next pasture, it got that way because of all the fertilizer.
Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Monday, January 31, 2011
Two more chickens killed last Thursday - Matilda is all I have left of my layers. The game roosters even went in the barn looking for cover. They are safe for now, but when will that old dog find another way into the pen. Yes, it was dogs - hubby caught them in the act. Went to the sale on Friday, but couldn't stay. I raised most of these from chicks and they will be hard to replace, but replace them I will - just not right now.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Catch up two
My heart has taken a beating this week. A varmint of some kind killed seven of my chickens on Sunday and then another chicken on Monday. I could have cried. It would have been one thing if it was a varmint looking for food, but only one leg of a chicken was eaten, the rest were killed just for fun which leads me to believe that it may have been a domesticated animal. I know we have fox and coyotes around so I can't be sure. Hubby did put a cage trap out, but so far it remains empty.
I have endured much teasing and fun about my chickens and that is okay. They were pets to me as well as providing food. Matilda is the only pet I have left and she is running scared. The three round heads are not open to human touch and are by nature a skittish bird. They will automatically go to the roost when approached which is probably why they are still alive. The others were caught in the outside pen and slaughtered.
They will all be replaced, but until we catch the killer the 4 remaining will have to be content with each other.
There are seven cardinals at the feeder today fighting over a spot at the seed. Is this a sign of colder weather coming our way? Will all this water that's falling freeze overnight? Even the forecasters are unsure about the front headed our way. Oh how I am ready for those warm temps once again!
Burned the garden spot off yesterday and took care of some pruning. The Althea had gotten out of control and it really got whacked. Cleaned the hydrangeas out - removing all the dead stuff and old growth. Plan to split some of my stock that has really gotten thick and overgrown. I would like to put in some dahlias this year and will have to decide soon so I can get them in the ground.
I have been absorbed in the tales of the Sisterchicks and these stories are so uplifting. Take a minute to read one of their adventures it will brighten your day.
Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
I have endured much teasing and fun about my chickens and that is okay. They were pets to me as well as providing food. Matilda is the only pet I have left and she is running scared. The three round heads are not open to human touch and are by nature a skittish bird. They will automatically go to the roost when approached which is probably why they are still alive. The others were caught in the outside pen and slaughtered.
They will all be replaced, but until we catch the killer the 4 remaining will have to be content with each other.
There are seven cardinals at the feeder today fighting over a spot at the seed. Is this a sign of colder weather coming our way? Will all this water that's falling freeze overnight? Even the forecasters are unsure about the front headed our way. Oh how I am ready for those warm temps once again!
Burned the garden spot off yesterday and took care of some pruning. The Althea had gotten out of control and it really got whacked. Cleaned the hydrangeas out - removing all the dead stuff and old growth. Plan to split some of my stock that has really gotten thick and overgrown. I would like to put in some dahlias this year and will have to decide soon so I can get them in the ground.
I have been absorbed in the tales of the Sisterchicks and these stories are so uplifting. Take a minute to read one of their adventures it will brighten your day.
Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Time for
January and February are pretty much a time of rest and preparation for us gardeners. The weather is much to cold to plant anything except onions and asparagus (I don't fool with rhubarb and that is the other garden plant ready to go in at this time). A point of trivia - asparagus and rhubarb are the only perennial garden plants.The ground is still frozen or will be in the near future. My "Blum's" almanac advises to get the garden spots ready for the planting season. Having already done that, I think I will just continue to enhance the mulch and add a few more buckets of ash - spread evenly of course over the whole of the garden area. I have already trimmed the slender stalks of the asparagus and probably should add a few crowns this year, but I think I am going to stick with the dozen planted last year.
I have some transplanting of the Chandelier Cactus. The small little flowers took root and I have 3 fish bowls to divide and share. I have found that the small glass containers from candles make wonderful little terrariums and the tender little plants thrive in the glass jars. I can easily monitor the moisture in the soil through the glass so I don't over water so easily and as many know it is easy to do with starter plants. Nothing is more discouraging than to have beautiful healthy plants one day and droopy soggy ones the next. Thanks to sis I have a good supply of jars and will get on this project soon.
The chickens are set for the cold days of January and February except for their daily feed and water. I will continue gathering eggs until mid to late February when I will attempt to get one or two of my hens to brood. Essie usually is the first to sit and hopefully she won't let me down this year.
The wandering turkey has taken roost and calls this home. He has been here for about 4 weeks and is not contained, so he can come and go as he pleases, but has made no effort to leave. Still beautiful, Mr. Tom would love to get in the pen with the chickens. He is a big eater and if not fed by 3:30 every day, he comes to the house to find me so his gullet can be filled. Very demanding he will gobble until I come out to feed him and practically pushes me to the barn. I heard him drum for the first time this week. I think that was a sign of aggressiveness and impatience with my slovenness.
As always with this time of year the mood to sew has hit. I don't have a clue what I will end up with, but my girls seem to like the Mu Mus I wear around the house, so that will definitely be one project. I also love jumpers and aprons for little girls. nothing dresses up a tee shirt and pair of jeans like a dressy jumper. They are also warm and serviceable over turtlenecks paired with tights and as mothers know kids don't enjoy wearing fussy clothes even though they love to feel dressed up. I have a tendency to sew for comfort, so in the winter it is warm and cuddly clothes and the summer calls for cool and light. My grandson loses out on the sewing, as I have tried but fail to be able to get interested in making shirts and trousers for guys. It is pure laziness on my part due to all the extra facings and other parts needed for the nice tailored look I so like on the male. I guess I could make him a set of scrubs and hope he will take an interest in medicine, but for now he will have to do without.
I have noticed a trend for children to wear tights rather than knee socks. I loved my knee socks when I was young, but I think it was because it covered my scarred and bruised legs - tomboy that I was, I kept cuts, scratches and bruises all the time. To me the thick socks seemed warmer and were perfect with my penny loafers or oxfords, but I have to agree that tights are a bit dressier and do better under those cute little dresses and jumpers.
What happened to cords? It is hard to find corduroy for women and children. They are a few trousers for men, but the trend to corduroy has gone with the wind and it is one of the warmer and more stylish of the winter fabrics. Hopefully it will make a comeback, but I have noticed that more and more manufacturers and designers are going for the denim or knit for trousers and slacks.
I still have a stack of books to read. Tom Clancy's Clear and Present Danger has kept me occupied this week. Finished it last night and it was a really good read. Clancy paints a picture with every chapter and takes the time to develop each and every character so the reader is not left to wonder as to the purpose of the character as the story line comes together. Educational in many ways due to the detailed descriptions of actions and scenes throughout the book and his stories always make me think. I enjoy his stories.
Must get to work so until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
I have some transplanting of the Chandelier Cactus. The small little flowers took root and I have 3 fish bowls to divide and share. I have found that the small glass containers from candles make wonderful little terrariums and the tender little plants thrive in the glass jars. I can easily monitor the moisture in the soil through the glass so I don't over water so easily and as many know it is easy to do with starter plants. Nothing is more discouraging than to have beautiful healthy plants one day and droopy soggy ones the next. Thanks to sis I have a good supply of jars and will get on this project soon.
The chickens are set for the cold days of January and February except for their daily feed and water. I will continue gathering eggs until mid to late February when I will attempt to get one or two of my hens to brood. Essie usually is the first to sit and hopefully she won't let me down this year.
The wandering turkey has taken roost and calls this home. He has been here for about 4 weeks and is not contained, so he can come and go as he pleases, but has made no effort to leave. Still beautiful, Mr. Tom would love to get in the pen with the chickens. He is a big eater and if not fed by 3:30 every day, he comes to the house to find me so his gullet can be filled. Very demanding he will gobble until I come out to feed him and practically pushes me to the barn. I heard him drum for the first time this week. I think that was a sign of aggressiveness and impatience with my slovenness.
As always with this time of year the mood to sew has hit. I don't have a clue what I will end up with, but my girls seem to like the Mu Mus I wear around the house, so that will definitely be one project. I also love jumpers and aprons for little girls. nothing dresses up a tee shirt and pair of jeans like a dressy jumper. They are also warm and serviceable over turtlenecks paired with tights and as mothers know kids don't enjoy wearing fussy clothes even though they love to feel dressed up. I have a tendency to sew for comfort, so in the winter it is warm and cuddly clothes and the summer calls for cool and light. My grandson loses out on the sewing, as I have tried but fail to be able to get interested in making shirts and trousers for guys. It is pure laziness on my part due to all the extra facings and other parts needed for the nice tailored look I so like on the male. I guess I could make him a set of scrubs and hope he will take an interest in medicine, but for now he will have to do without.
I have noticed a trend for children to wear tights rather than knee socks. I loved my knee socks when I was young, but I think it was because it covered my scarred and bruised legs - tomboy that I was, I kept cuts, scratches and bruises all the time. To me the thick socks seemed warmer and were perfect with my penny loafers or oxfords, but I have to agree that tights are a bit dressier and do better under those cute little dresses and jumpers.
What happened to cords? It is hard to find corduroy for women and children. They are a few trousers for men, but the trend to corduroy has gone with the wind and it is one of the warmer and more stylish of the winter fabrics. Hopefully it will make a comeback, but I have noticed that more and more manufacturers and designers are going for the denim or knit for trousers and slacks.
I still have a stack of books to read. Tom Clancy's Clear and Present Danger has kept me occupied this week. Finished it last night and it was a really good read. Clancy paints a picture with every chapter and takes the time to develop each and every character so the reader is not left to wonder as to the purpose of the character as the story line comes together. Educational in many ways due to the detailed descriptions of actions and scenes throughout the book and his stories always make me think. I enjoy his stories.
Must get to work so until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Year 2010
A beautiful year, filled with meeting new friends, reuniting with old friends, fun visits with family, and yes, I must include the loss of so many friends. The year started cold and drab as each new year does and progressed to the joyous spring with the warm breezes teasing the blossoms on the trees and shrubs. Each season brought change not only to the landscapes but to my heart. Never one to shun a heated discussion, I have found I loath the negativity, anger, and hate found in so many. I wonder what life has served them to cause such feelings to linger and fester. There is so much in life to bring joy and peace if we only search for it and brush the harsher feeling aside.
Spring brought the loss of hubby's father. Sick for over a year with strange rash on his arms but no diagnosis of the cause, he succumbed to lung cancer in a matter of days after finally being diagnosed.
Spring also bought with it the reuniting of friends in preparation of a class reunion. It was a happy time for me to see the many friends and acquaintances of my youth. One weekend was not enough time, but we made the best of the time provided and many have continued to keep in touch. So many have died through the years and they were memorialized through the artistry of a fellow classmate.
Fun in the sun was the theme of our Summer and it was a time of relaxing and visiting with family and friends and enjoying the pool through the hot summer days. Wonderful food on the grill and homemade ice cream seem to top the charts on the weekends. The grandchildren are growing by leaps and bounds and changing from one visit to the next. It is a wonder to listen to their conversation and know their minds are growing as quickly as their bodies.
My garden flourished in the early days of summer, but succumbed to the heat and lack of rain quickly. Mulching more this winter for a better chance of survival during the hot dry days for the upcoming year. The asparagus is beautiful and since this is my first try I was very pleased with the results. None to gather this season, but come spring I should have a bumper crop. Now is the time to get my onions in, so I have to get busy with those.
Fall brought on a most memorable reunion with my best friend from school. One short visit of a couple of hours was not enough, but we are staying in touch and plan to revisit soon. It is such a comfort to reunite with someone that meant so much to me for so many years. It is strange to think that we were ever separated to begin with, but that is another story. Leave it to say that we are reunited and looking forward to catching up.
Mid afternoon the yard chickens come in for a bit of scratch feed. Week before last I rounded the corner of the barn and there was a beautiful tom turkey. Light gray and cream with a rose colored waddle, he gobbled at me and headed for the scratch I had put out for the hens. I watched for a minute and decided there was not enough to go around - he was eating like crazy. I spread another batch and he proceeded to follow me in my rounds to gather eggs and water the barn hens. I called hubby to the barn and it was decided he was a tame bird and hubby proceeded to visit the neighbors to locate the owner. No one claimed the bird and he seems to have made a home here. Free to come and go as he pleases, he prefers to stay close to the pen and visit with the pen birds. He makes a nice addition to the landscape and gobbles as I talk, doesn't appear to be aggressive, but not taking chances around the babies. Those talons look fierce and that beak could do some damage if provoked. He is a beautiful bird and fun to watch.
Thanksgiving and Christmas is always filled with lots of good food, long visits and a time of fun. I so enjoyed the visits with family and friends.
As I read back over this years happenings I know I have been greatly blessed. I look forward to the coming year with anticipation. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me next. Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Spring brought the loss of hubby's father. Sick for over a year with strange rash on his arms but no diagnosis of the cause, he succumbed to lung cancer in a matter of days after finally being diagnosed.
Spring also bought with it the reuniting of friends in preparation of a class reunion. It was a happy time for me to see the many friends and acquaintances of my youth. One weekend was not enough time, but we made the best of the time provided and many have continued to keep in touch. So many have died through the years and they were memorialized through the artistry of a fellow classmate.
Fun in the sun was the theme of our Summer and it was a time of relaxing and visiting with family and friends and enjoying the pool through the hot summer days. Wonderful food on the grill and homemade ice cream seem to top the charts on the weekends. The grandchildren are growing by leaps and bounds and changing from one visit to the next. It is a wonder to listen to their conversation and know their minds are growing as quickly as their bodies.
My garden flourished in the early days of summer, but succumbed to the heat and lack of rain quickly. Mulching more this winter for a better chance of survival during the hot dry days for the upcoming year. The asparagus is beautiful and since this is my first try I was very pleased with the results. None to gather this season, but come spring I should have a bumper crop. Now is the time to get my onions in, so I have to get busy with those.
Fall brought on a most memorable reunion with my best friend from school. One short visit of a couple of hours was not enough, but we are staying in touch and plan to revisit soon. It is such a comfort to reunite with someone that meant so much to me for so many years. It is strange to think that we were ever separated to begin with, but that is another story. Leave it to say that we are reunited and looking forward to catching up.
Mid afternoon the yard chickens come in for a bit of scratch feed. Week before last I rounded the corner of the barn and there was a beautiful tom turkey. Light gray and cream with a rose colored waddle, he gobbled at me and headed for the scratch I had put out for the hens. I watched for a minute and decided there was not enough to go around - he was eating like crazy. I spread another batch and he proceeded to follow me in my rounds to gather eggs and water the barn hens. I called hubby to the barn and it was decided he was a tame bird and hubby proceeded to visit the neighbors to locate the owner. No one claimed the bird and he seems to have made a home here. Free to come and go as he pleases, he prefers to stay close to the pen and visit with the pen birds. He makes a nice addition to the landscape and gobbles as I talk, doesn't appear to be aggressive, but not taking chances around the babies. Those talons look fierce and that beak could do some damage if provoked. He is a beautiful bird and fun to watch.
Thanksgiving and Christmas is always filled with lots of good food, long visits and a time of fun. I so enjoyed the visits with family and friends.
As I read back over this years happenings I know I have been greatly blessed. I look forward to the coming year with anticipation. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me next. Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Chicken Update
I have 9 beautiful new little chicks that are as of yesterday a week old. Eat, eat, eat and drink, drink, drink is their main forte at this point. We are proud of the little buggers and just know they will be producing big brown eggs in just five months and start giving back.
With our laying hens and roosters, our new chicks brings our flock to number twenty four. Of course, some of these precious babies will be roosters and will either go in the cookpot or to the sale barn.
I want to share a few things we learned through this process. First, keep the temperature between 98 and 100 degrees. We maintained the 100 degree point through the use of an old thermostat from a discarded hot water heater. Second, rotate the eggs in the incubator - this is in addition to turning them three times a day. Third, close to hatching time (21 days in the incubator) listen and watch. We had been told not to help the biddies hatch (remove the shell or open the egg a bit) as this would make for a weak bird, but about nine of our eggs were fully developed but the shells were too hard for the little chicks to break through. They expired in the process and we lost about a dozen little chicks. Fourth, remove the water from the incubator so the babies will not drown (I lost one this way) or move the chicks immediately to another container keeping them warm and dry, but providing food and water (in a container they cannot fall into).
Our chicks did not eat anything on the first day after they hatched, but on the second day they ate like they were starving and haven't slowed down. It took about an hour after hatching for them to dry and get their legs under them, but at a week old they are flutter flying all around their box. The first chick is still the boss of the others as evidence by her tending her flock. I know this will change when they are merged with the larger chicks that are about 7 - 8 weeks now.
I was a proud Mama yesterday when I went into the pen late in the day and found my older chicks (about 4 months old) on the perch roosting with my hens. They have found their place in the flock and the hens are keeping them in line but have accepted them.
I know I have a ways to go, but this has been a most gratifying process and I think I might just try another couple of dozen in a week or so. My friends are anxious to put my babies in a pot for chicken and dumplings, but I think they may have to go to the grocer for their chickens.
Thanks for stopping in for a visit and come back soon!
Happy reading!
Belle
With our laying hens and roosters, our new chicks brings our flock to number twenty four. Of course, some of these precious babies will be roosters and will either go in the cookpot or to the sale barn.
I want to share a few things we learned through this process. First, keep the temperature between 98 and 100 degrees. We maintained the 100 degree point through the use of an old thermostat from a discarded hot water heater. Second, rotate the eggs in the incubator - this is in addition to turning them three times a day. Third, close to hatching time (21 days in the incubator) listen and watch. We had been told not to help the biddies hatch (remove the shell or open the egg a bit) as this would make for a weak bird, but about nine of our eggs were fully developed but the shells were too hard for the little chicks to break through. They expired in the process and we lost about a dozen little chicks. Fourth, remove the water from the incubator so the babies will not drown (I lost one this way) or move the chicks immediately to another container keeping them warm and dry, but providing food and water (in a container they cannot fall into).
Our chicks did not eat anything on the first day after they hatched, but on the second day they ate like they were starving and haven't slowed down. It took about an hour after hatching for them to dry and get their legs under them, but at a week old they are flutter flying all around their box. The first chick is still the boss of the others as evidence by her tending her flock. I know this will change when they are merged with the larger chicks that are about 7 - 8 weeks now.
I was a proud Mama yesterday when I went into the pen late in the day and found my older chicks (about 4 months old) on the perch roosting with my hens. They have found their place in the flock and the hens are keeping them in line but have accepted them.
I know I have a ways to go, but this has been a most gratifying process and I think I might just try another couple of dozen in a week or so. My friends are anxious to put my babies in a pot for chicken and dumplings, but I think they may have to go to the grocer for their chickens.
Thanks for stopping in for a visit and come back soon!
Happy reading!
Belle
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