Tag: Chickens

Rain kissed

 
 

 
 
 
Two baby blue eggs and a pink..my chickens gift to me last night.
 
 

 
 
..and a quick chick update…
can you believe how fast they’ve grown from fuzzy little chicks
to more than doubled in size and feathered?
It’s been just four weeks.
 
Bellatrix and Hermoine seen here.

 
 
I went to the feed and lumber store yesterday for wheels for the livestock gates.
They didn’t have any… so I brought home one more chick..
because sometimes that’s how I roll… 
 
See that little black head sticking out in the rear on the right?
She’s a Black Star, an excellent egg layer and a pretty chicken.
A leftover from the feedstore’s -Chick Day -,
 I had to give her a home, you see. 
 
She snuggled right in with the rest.  Who wants to give her a name? 

Learning as we Grow

 It’s a glorious spring weekend and I sure hope you’re able to get out there and enjoy it… stick your hands in the dirt, go for a walk , a bike, a hike.. breathe it all in, soak it up, the earth is alive again!

 The men moved our little apple grove  yesterday.  A few years ago we planted apple trees down in the low areas near the house, garage and chicken coop, at the base of the hill where the horses live.  They have not thrived, the reason being they don’t like a whole lot of WET.  Where we originally planted them is a water shed area of sorts, not a great location for a small grove of apple trees.  We finally figured out that when we visit other thriving apple orchards, they are located on hills.  The trees are now planted up on the hill behind the house.  – learning as we grow!

 
 


 
 
Old boy Max grazing…

 
 
Opie feeling good in this fine weather…  

 
 
Vegetable seedlings sprouting.. begonias waiting for
a little milder weather before they are planted outside
 

The chickens favorite dust bath spot next to the garage. 
We gave up on a decent flower bed.

 
 
 
The new chicks with even more feathers just a few days after
their last photo shoot. 

 
 
This is our big purchase from the garden center a few weeks back…
a lovely garden trellis made of giant old blueberry bush vines.
It was made by an artist and located on a Newport, RI Estate
until recently.  We found it at Balleks Garden center and it
now resides between our two raised garden beds. I’ll show you a better
photo when it has some greenery around it and the braces have been removed.  

 
Neighbors across the street have some beautiful ducks… who are not happy
with a new construction project going on over there.  So, they’ve decided
HERE is a more peaceful place to hang out.  I sure hope the coyotes don’t get
them, as I don’t have a duck house and the chicken coop is already full. 
They are happy in this particular spot because it has a waterway running  through it…
This is where the apple tries TRIED to live.
 
 
 

It’s a new day, all – make it a good one! 

See how they grow

  The chicks have all survived and are approximately three weeks old now. I have increased their living space twice already. It is absolutely amazing how fast birds of any kind develop.  They are still living on the porch, now in a two room condo with dual perches and a larger waterer.  Soon they will move to the garage, but not quite yet.  I need to be able to check on them regularly, as they clutter their waterer up hourly.  One thing chickens are without doubt… messy.

While I built the new condo out of two weber grill boxes I got out of the dumpsters at a hardware and appliance store, the chicks got to spend an hour in the grass and sun. Not quite sure what to do out there, they just stood around staring at the surroundings.  They can’t live outside yet, as they still need the warmth of the heatlamp and drafts aren’t good for them.  Nursery hatched chicks do not have a mom they can scramble under for warmth and protection, so we have to provide it for them.

You can see in just three weeks time how their feathers are developing…and they are twice the size they were when I brought them home.

Condo back on the porch… see how they are all huddled in the corner?  It took them half a day to figure out it was ok to walk into the other “room”.   There is now netting over the top, as they will be able to flutter out of the boxes shortly.

 Rain for the next few days, then I’ll show you how everything is greening up around here!

Doll house revival

  The dollhouse restoration has been a slow process.  Currently it sits out on a little tray table on the back porch with the chick heat lamp resting on it’s chimney.. so it is serving a purpose!  Spending money on additional furniture just isn’t top priority right now, but I’ll show you what I’ve gotten done so far…

The “before”  HERE

  What I’ve accomplished so far… Now this is no grandiose doll house and the furnishings are simple.  It’s a real fixer upper little summer cottage that I would love to own in my fantasy life on Marthas Vineyard.    Welcome!  Come, sit, have a sweet roll and some coffee –

 
If you need to use the bathroom it’s on the second floor –

 

 
I’m still looking for a reasonable bedroom set. 
All in good time.
 
 

 
I’m happy to report – so far, all the chicks have survived
and thrive underneath the dollhouse in their nursery box.
Almost time to get a bigger box.
 
 
You can see their little wing feathers are coming in.
It’s truly amazing how fast baby chicks grow.
In just two or three more weeks, you will see a completely
different looking chick.  I’ll be sure to show you.

 
 


Glorious

 Oh, what a beautiful morning.. .oh what a beautiful day….

Seriously, we’ve had some incredible weather this weekend, and we took full advantage by cleaning up and planting and mucking and brushing horses and walking and talking, etc…

My son picked his favorite chick and has been spending quality time with her….

 

Driving down Route 1 Saturday night, we spotted this Cupola type vent at the thrift store and Mike is probably going back today to make an offer. This is the same place that I found my Mobo Bronco metal horse, and the man who runs the place isn’t big on -making a deal-. 
 
 
 
 


 The side porch has been scrubbed with bleach and Ben is happily sunning himself once again. Danes don’t have much of a coat, so the winter months are hard on a big boy like this… he’s had to be indoors most of the time this winter with brief runs out to the yard to do his business. 

 
 
 
I had forgotten all the bulbs we planted last fall around the fenceline in the backyard. They’re coming up in full force, atleast sixty or so tulips, should be a pretty show in a few weeks time.


 

I got the pansies I bought at Balleks last week in the ground and bought this blue ceramic birdbath for $35 at Ocean State Job lot.  It’s huge, a great  deal for such a big piece of pottery.  I’ve also cleaned up my “seaside real estate garden” and had to dig out some large clumps of grass that were threatening to take it over.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Once the perennials fill in, this  area will look much more abundant with blooms
and greenery.
 

 
 

 The zinnia seeds have sprouted, veggies still under the dirt.

 

Last summers geraniums have been brought out to the greenhouse after wintering on a sunny window sill inside….

 
 
 …and dear Opie was a bit incredulous yesterday as he realized he was going BACK TO WORK!  I’m not much of  a winter rider with the ground frozen hard and my tolerance for cold weather at ZERO once I’ve spent an hour mucking and breaking up ice buckets .  Indeed, I am a fair weather rider, and so Opie gets months of off-duty living.  Today he gets front shoes back on and we are set to go!   All of the horses are shedding their winter coats. Quite often I return from the barn wearing what they shed off. 
 
 
 
 


 
We’ve got some busy weeks ahead… an eighteen birthday,  Senior Prom, first horse show of the season for K and Max, Easter Dinner here at this old house with the extended family –
 
It’s all good –  and.. it’s a new day, people.  Make it a good one.
 


24 hours in…

… and  Hermoine, Luna, Bellatrix, Lily, Minerva, Ginny and Arabella are holding their own.  All have perked up today, are drinking, eating, stretching their legs, chirping, pecking at each other, flapping their tiny little wings… so far, so good.   
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 

Chick Day !!

 
You know it’s officially and really truly SPRING
when chick day arrives.
 
 
 
Turkcy chicks!

 
 
Auracana chicks… 
 
 
 
 
 
This morning I picked up seven new chicks at Lakeside Feed
to be raised and introduced to the girls out in  the hen house
once they’re old enough.
 
 
I have yet to convince Frasier that these are not chicken nuggets!
 
 
 
The poor chicks were born two days ago, delivered to the feed store yesterday,
and took another trip home today with me…
quite a lot of stress for a new baby bird.
 
I settled them in immediately with heat lamp, food, water and clean shavings.
They promptly fell asleep, some while standing…
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Joining my crew are two cuckoo marans (good brown egg layers)
two auracanas (blue egg layers)
two comets (good brown egg layers)
and one Rhode Island Red (also a good light brown egg layer)
 
A sad fact is, not all chicks survive this stressful journey.
My first time around, one of the eight chicks I started with lasted only a few days.
These guys look so exhausted right now, but I’m hoping all will rally.
 
 
 
 

Niether rain nor sleet nor snow…

Farm folks are like postal workers… whatever the weather, we still have to get out there and do our job.  The animals depend on it.  I often think of all the animals who don’t have responsible care givers, those who will go hungry and cold today because a humans ignorance is letting them down.  When I think of all the animals out there who suffer, it breaks my heart to know I can’t help them all.  I am so grateful to those of you who take care of the animals in your charge, and extend a hand to those less fortunate. Someday I will figure out how to reach more of them.  For now.. I’ve got my crew to care for.

 As much as I would have liked to sit at this computer with a cuppa Joe this morning admiring the falling flakes, the horses and chickens were waiting for  the sound of crunching footsteps, ensuring their morning feed.  When they hear us coming up the hill, the chickens start clucking and Opie begins his rhythmic banging on the stall wall to hurry me up, I suppose.

Thankfully, this morning my assistant barn manager was available to help, as her day job was not accessible due to the storm.

I’ve done this series of iPhone shots in B & W, because that’s our world this morning, not much color. 

The girls are in their coop for the day with a red flood light – which throws heat
but not as much as a heat lamp. A healthier and safer alternative, I’ve found. 
Their water is also resting on a small heater. 
 
mini Coady waiting  for cookies…
The Gator is our most valuable piece of equipment in my opinion.
 
..as is a daughter who is willing to help on these blustery cold winter mornings..
 
Opie would like to  return to his stall for some of those cookies, please…

I’m back in and coffee is brewing.
For those of you down South, I hope y’all are safe and warm-
(did I say that right?)
We get more weather here, but we’re prepared for it.
I’m making Paleo Banana Bread today.. 
a big hit last week with my family, so I can safely recommend the recipe
 for those of you who are trying to stay away from sugar and flour. 
Recipe HERE

And just to add a little more color on this dreary day..
Here’s a recipe for an avocado  dressing I found on Pinterest
 

10 degrees

Ten.
 
Degrees.
 
And tonight it’s supposed to reach ZERO.
Believe it or not, it doesn’t feel so bad,
until the wind begins to blow that icy snow dust
up in your bared neck parts 
where you forgot to wrap a scarf. 
 
The men were up at 5:30 am to plow the six or so inches that fell overnight..
 
and the girlchild and I trudged up to the barn around 7am
to feed chickens,  horses, clean stalls, break up the ice in the water buckets
and gripe about the icy snow dust blowing up in our bared neck parts. 
Am I painting a clear picture for you here? 
 
 
I was happy to see the menfolk had cleared a path to the coop for me..
not a lot of things worse than  that  icy snow dust getting down inside your boots
as you’re just getting into your morning chores.
 
 
 
I gave the girls some oatmeal in warm milk
(they’re spoiled, don’t I know it)
 
 
 
Then we tackled the barn chores…
 

Opie and Max had a good romp in the snow 
while we mucked stalls… 
Both are double blanketed today. 

The sun slowly burned through the  heavy, grey winter sky and
we’ve currently got a balmy 16 degrees.
Have I told you lately how much I appreciate my barn help?
I don’t ask for her assistance often because she’s got two jobs 
and a horse living elsewhere at this particular place in time. 
On mornings like this, though, maybe I beg just a little. 
*****
Unrelated…
I’ve been trying some paleo recipes, and for those of you who are interested,
the two I’ve linked below are really really good.   They got a thumbs up 
from both the husband and kids and it’s so much better for you. 
I already feel lighter in my loafers,  I kid you not. 
Getting sugar and bread/pasta/wheat products
out of your system lightens your body’s load
 and the proof is in how you feel if you try it. 
 
I’m not stupid enough to believe myself when I say I’ll never eat junk again..
but there are healthy junk choices out there.. like these cookies below…
My son, the picky eater and chocolate chip connoisseur, ate almost
the whole first batch I made in one milk dunking session.  They’re that good.