Hi Everybody....I haven't forgotten you but really there wasn't much to write about this past winter.
However, spring in ON! Small flowers are blooming and its raining. Robins are discussing territory. Squirrels are aggressively going after any food they can find. Nests are showing up is various small spots. And my birds, the chickens, are all about getting outside to each the new beginings of grass and garden bits.
We have started our garden by planting some seeds. Based on a recommendation from a family member, we ordered our seeds from Fedco Seeds. Mostly organic, open pollinator seeds and pretty much the standard garden fare: root veggies, greens, tomatoes, peas, peppers, beans and other fruits.
We will be expanding our garden toward the fence and adding two beds, an herb sprial and some sort of bloody clothes line that doesn't strangle me walking through the yard. AND...putting up a fence or two to control critters.
This is our "Sophmore" year - like high school, we are 'wise fools'. This is the year when we make more mistakes and are likely to fail at various things.
Chickens came through the winter with slighly fewer feathers on a couple birds but otherwise, strong, happy and healthy.
So for the 2 or so people following this blog - what are your plans for your garden this year.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Foster Chicken
It so happens that one of the Chickens I'd given to a neighbor was not doing well. She seemed to be broody but then was also breaking the eggs. In that flock with one bird really laying, egg broken egg was a tragedy.
If offered to take the problem bird in for a few days. She was clearly weaker than the other birds, pecked featherless on her neck and back and terrified. Clearly so. Clinging to me whenever she got a chance. She arrived in a box and I decided to put her in a bigger box and put that box with its open but protective cover in the coop with my birds. I would bring her food and water separately.
I describe my birds as pretty laid back. In the summer, they will hang out with us (humans of all ages, an occasional dog, the cat etc) and be very calm. They take the noises and commotion of our back yard in the city in stride - even the occasional skunk or raccoon at their pen doesn't put them off laying. They get ruffled when a dog isn't chicken friendly and when the local hawks (Coopers and Red Tailed) come by to dream. They run into the coop and seem fine.
It was a surprise to me when this one, weak, bedraggled hen-in-a-box set them into a hissing fit. Jurassic hissing. Growling. I was impressed, maybe even a little scared. Who knew such foul sounds could come from fowl?
I stuck to my guns and after a week or so I let the recovering hen out into the coop - this didn't go well either. She was getting beat up at a rate that wasn't fair. She liked being out to get her own food and water but she would end up buried under a table or in a corner under a nestbox when the others were allowed enter. So back in the box she went.
I ended up sending her home in a box. She had more feathers and was stronger. But I think she will always be a weaker one that will need a little bit of protection from the other birds around her. Word back is that she is doing OK but not laying yet - I think she has to put on more weight to get back to laying.
We'll see but I will be much more careful about introducing new members of the flock from now on.
If offered to take the problem bird in for a few days. She was clearly weaker than the other birds, pecked featherless on her neck and back and terrified. Clearly so. Clinging to me whenever she got a chance. She arrived in a box and I decided to put her in a bigger box and put that box with its open but protective cover in the coop with my birds. I would bring her food and water separately.
I describe my birds as pretty laid back. In the summer, they will hang out with us (humans of all ages, an occasional dog, the cat etc) and be very calm. They take the noises and commotion of our back yard in the city in stride - even the occasional skunk or raccoon at their pen doesn't put them off laying. They get ruffled when a dog isn't chicken friendly and when the local hawks (Coopers and Red Tailed) come by to dream. They run into the coop and seem fine.
It was a surprise to me when this one, weak, bedraggled hen-in-a-box set them into a hissing fit. Jurassic hissing. Growling. I was impressed, maybe even a little scared. Who knew such foul sounds could come from fowl?
I stuck to my guns and after a week or so I let the recovering hen out into the coop - this didn't go well either. She was getting beat up at a rate that wasn't fair. She liked being out to get her own food and water but she would end up buried under a table or in a corner under a nestbox when the others were allowed enter. So back in the box she went.
I ended up sending her home in a box. She had more feathers and was stronger. But I think she will always be a weaker one that will need a little bit of protection from the other birds around her. Word back is that she is doing OK but not laying yet - I think she has to put on more weight to get back to laying.
We'll see but I will be much more careful about introducing new members of the flock from now on.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Winter's Cold
It has been a long time since I posted. We got caught up in holiday preparations and traveling, a human loss in the family and, sadly, a decline and death of our dear Obie, our 87lb rabbit and garden saboteur.
Celebrations and Losses
The Holidays and January were a mix of wonderful times with family and friends and difficult losses. Thanksgiving was wonderful with family in Ohio and we decided to plan our first Christmas to be in our home with family. We were blindsided the sudden death of a family member just before Christmas. So the normal gaiety of Christmas with our family was tempered by that loss.
We traveled to Ohio to visit more family for the new years celebration and returned for a January consumed by the decline of our beloved Obie. We were able to find solutions for his pain. We are not able to find solutions for the neurological issues that left him unable to walk, sit, shift position, or lie comfortably. In short, he was unable to participate in his life on his terms. When he had a seizure that left us both lying in the snow on a very cold January morning, he asked to go. I honored that request. I miss him terribly - I still find myself rushing to be home by 5:00 pm only to find no reason to be here. I still get up at 5:am only to realize that nobody is hungry and waiting. This part of winter has be very cold.
Plans
That said we are planning for next year's garden and more infrastructure for the back yard including a laundry line that won't be in the way and adjustable in height and a tomato structure that will allow us to plant more, spread them out better and allow for more height than our stakes did this year. We also think we may have better ways of protecting our squash and fruits as summer turns to fall and the squirrels become desperate.
We have also concluded that we want to start saving seeds and we will be planting key veggies based on the requirements for pollination that will allow us to make good seeds for next year.
We also hope to choose one or two fruit trees as additions to our yard for this year. Cherry? Apple? Pear? We don't know yet - we're debating. We have more time to make the decision.
We also are signing up for a CSA. We have chosen Zilke Vegetable Farm based on their delivery to our Farmers Market here in Ypsilanti and location close to an almost daily route.
And Finally, The Chickens are All Right
This is our first winter with chickens. Some of you might remember that we chose a breed of chicken specifically for our cold winters. Buckeyes were developed for cold weather in Ohio. Ours are doing well. We are still getting 2 or so eggs every day, often 3. They have adjusted to being in their pen for the most part. When they do venture out it is clear that they are happy to return to the pen given the lack of grass and greens to eat. Deep snow befuddles them. I shovel paths in the yard from our door to our gates and to the door of the coop. They have learned to stick to the paths.
I am pleased to report that the coop has worked well. I make sure there is fresh water twice a day and have added cottage cheese treats to some mornings. The coop seems plenty warm for them and we have been rewarded with pretty happy chickens.
More coming soon....adventures in a foster chicken...
Celebrations and Losses
The Holidays and January were a mix of wonderful times with family and friends and difficult losses. Thanksgiving was wonderful with family in Ohio and we decided to plan our first Christmas to be in our home with family. We were blindsided the sudden death of a family member just before Christmas. So the normal gaiety of Christmas with our family was tempered by that loss.
We traveled to Ohio to visit more family for the new years celebration and returned for a January consumed by the decline of our beloved Obie. We were able to find solutions for his pain. We are not able to find solutions for the neurological issues that left him unable to walk, sit, shift position, or lie comfortably. In short, he was unable to participate in his life on his terms. When he had a seizure that left us both lying in the snow on a very cold January morning, he asked to go. I honored that request. I miss him terribly - I still find myself rushing to be home by 5:00 pm only to find no reason to be here. I still get up at 5:am only to realize that nobody is hungry and waiting. This part of winter has be very cold.
Plans
That said we are planning for next year's garden and more infrastructure for the back yard including a laundry line that won't be in the way and adjustable in height and a tomato structure that will allow us to plant more, spread them out better and allow for more height than our stakes did this year. We also think we may have better ways of protecting our squash and fruits as summer turns to fall and the squirrels become desperate.
We have also concluded that we want to start saving seeds and we will be planting key veggies based on the requirements for pollination that will allow us to make good seeds for next year.
We also hope to choose one or two fruit trees as additions to our yard for this year. Cherry? Apple? Pear? We don't know yet - we're debating. We have more time to make the decision.
We also are signing up for a CSA. We have chosen Zilke Vegetable Farm based on their delivery to our Farmers Market here in Ypsilanti and location close to an almost daily route.
And Finally, The Chickens are All Right
This is our first winter with chickens. Some of you might remember that we chose a breed of chicken specifically for our cold winters. Buckeyes were developed for cold weather in Ohio. Ours are doing well. We are still getting 2 or so eggs every day, often 3. They have adjusted to being in their pen for the most part. When they do venture out it is clear that they are happy to return to the pen given the lack of grass and greens to eat. Deep snow befuddles them. I shovel paths in the yard from our door to our gates and to the door of the coop. They have learned to stick to the paths.
I am pleased to report that the coop has worked well. I make sure there is fresh water twice a day and have added cottage cheese treats to some mornings. The coop seems plenty warm for them and we have been rewarded with pretty happy chickens.
More coming soon....adventures in a foster chicken...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)