Someone, who regularly reads the blog, suggested that I not fret so much about how the postings read, but just to simply state what’s been going on day to day. Most of the time I believe that’s what I do, but if I didn’t work at it a bit more than that, I think you’d be getting almost the same post every single day. Generally, I’m not home during the “working” part of the day; I get home when it’s time to do the afternoon chores. So, I don’t always have a great take on what went on during the day. This weekend and today, we did some interesting things and I think I’ll be able to share that pretty well with you. Continue reading
mobile chickens
25 Monday Jun 2018
Posted in Co-workers, Projects
Things are really hatchin’ around here! You know we had that one baby banty a month or so ago… he/she is still hanging around doing its thing. For the purposes of this blog, let’s call it Blackie, because we just don’t know if its a he or a she, yet. We weren’t too sure if Blackie would last , what with 3 mama’s and all, and there was a time when Blackie was being severely picked on by one of the other hens, but so far Blackie is a survivor. Blackie is also camera shy. I haven’t been able to get a photo of that chick for many weeks now… always running to hide behind something or some other chicken. When we first had to put Blackie in a cage out of harms way of the flock, it ran and put its head under a clump of grass… just like an ostrich! I had never seen that behavior in a chicken before. 
Midweek roundup! Well, update anyway. I had promised some photos of the RCW because Sue had been working so hard to get it completed. The goal is still to get it out in the field this weekend with the chickens out there and the fence up. Here are a couple of photos, inside and out! Sue isn’t really sure of about the Fire Engine red (called “Safety Red” on the cans) but i think it’s GREAT! And the inside looks amazing as well. She and Dustin are adding another couple of window on each side for 
as much ventilation as possible, because it is getting pretty hot in there at this point in time. Want to make sure as much breeze comes through as possible. The flashing looks great along the bottom, don’t you think? Looks so spiffy and clean. Also – love the red ramp!!! “High ceilings and low floors.” Trying to decide what we should paint on it for the decoration portion. Do you remember that at first I wanted to decorate it like a Romney caravan wagon – that’s why I call it the Romney Chicken Wagon… but lately I’ve been leaning more to something a bit more modern. I mentioned the huge sunflower I envisioned immediately when Sue sent texted me a photo of the first coat of red. A few days ago I was thinking I could maybe do a fun chicken head on one side… So, this is what I’m talking about:
Happy Memorial Day (Side note: actually, that always struck me as an odd saying – remembering those who have given their all for our country, isn’t necessarily a Happy occasion; however, I am grateful for those who have fought to protect our liberty.) Here’s a quick post for a Memorial Day Monday. Writing while eating – so forgive me if there are little food stains on your screen :). We worked outside all day today. Lots to do and a great day in which to do it. We’re making headway on many projects. Dustin came over to caulk the RCW – our goal is to move it, and chickens, next weekend. We laid out the drip line for the chestnut trees and I also started on the circle garden. The Chestnut orchard took the entire 500 feet of black line, plus maybe 20 feet more of used line. The water does make it all the way to the top of the orchard at a good clip, so we should be fine in that respect. That was the day today, but not really what I wanted to talk about. So let’s go there. 
Write no this evening from the midst of the Neighborhood Market. This is our second time here, still trying out. Lots of really great vendors with fun stuff to eat/make/purchase. Lovely customers coming for the very first time and liking what they see! So far, I think this little trailer is my favorite. I haven’t tried any of her baked goods, but saw this little trailer and it made me think of my friend Caylor… she could totally pull off a trailer makeover like this. Has a great little kitchen in there. So fun! There are
only two problems with being the only one at the booth: it’s difficult to visit the other booths and you don’t have anyone to give me a potty break! Last week Mom was here to help- so I was fine. Then miss Holly came by with Gus and Jack- so I could even go and eat! Need to make a friend here :). Plus, I need someone to help me with my sign. The wind was drying out my chalk pen before I was halfway done with the wording. Hey! wait, there are Holly and Mrs. Higbee with the whole family. Thank you, Mrs. Higbee, for giving me a potty break! Now I’m back, and- Look! Sue came to check everything out. Cool, maybe I can talk her into buying me a cookie from that cute little trailer.
I think we’re doing another post about the little things that happen that make up all the big things. Well – and there’s one, or maybe two, big things, along with some medium; they all add up to life on the farm. I liked that bulleted thing we did on Wednesday, so let’s try that again. 
We have four new-to-us chickens that we picked up today. Sex-links whose owner was trying to find them a less stressful home. They were raised with four Ameraucanas, but early on they had an “incident” which seems to have affected the temperament of the small flock. The owners had to use chicken “blinders” to keep them from picking on each other… it had gotten so bad that one almost died. But we think that the prolonged use of the blinders caused some stress on the chickens; they have been loosing their feathers for some time and just aren’t growing them back. They had been receiving a wonderfully high protein diet, they had a really nice coop and attached run, they had been getting out to free range on the property several times a week, they were, and are still, laying well – but their feathers were just a horrible issue.
Wednesday = short day. Thought I’d give you the DL update. Mostly because we just had the duck in for a checkup and that’s on my mind. We’ve continued to let her take a bath in the tub; I haven’t been very good at taking any photos through this whole process, so you’ll have to make do with the rubber ducky in the bubbles. She’s becoming more and more relaxed while in the house and therefore, more and more animated in the bathtub. Next time maybe I’ll remember and take a video – it’s pretty fun! She is definitely making good progress, although there is still a bit of infection present. So, Sue cleaned the foot out and added more 
Wing and a Prayer 