I have the best of intentions of keeping up with the blog side of farming. All too often the work side has me up and down with the sun – the bits of rest I snatch during the day are consumed by meals and loving on our house pups. So here comes an attempt to … More Where does the time go?!?!
Winter 2018-2019 was tough – it lasted essentially 6 months with snow as early as October and cold/heavy rain through March. Spring has finally sprung and my field is greening up nicely – I’m currently growing a field of dandelions (for which my chickens and ducks are quite thankful!). Last summer I really longed for … More Field Fence Redo
Hard to believe the first month of 2019 is already done. I’m often asked what I do during winter months – it surprises folks when I recount a typical winter days chores. Farming is a year-round business – and it requires an entirely different wardrobe! Last week we had sub-zero wind chills – but cold … More Winter Wear
With two pregnant goats my last few weeks have been focused on the barn expansion project – I need a birthing/nursery space for the itty bitty babies! Any leftover time been devoted to fieldwork and chicken keeping, so keeping this space up to date has been sorely neglected. Padme’s babies arrive any day now (my … More Barn Expansion
I have a love/hate relationship with my vegetable field. I love the challenges of clearing land that is overgrown with clover, ragweed, grass, and maple trees – but I hate when it starts to get the best of me! This time of year it’s a bit of a race to get land cleared and plants … More Field Update
I now have three generations of chickens living in three coop-sheds with a large, covered outdoor run! The girls are getting along great and thriving. Here’s how I tied Coop 3 to Coop 2: I saved the chicken wire from the goat run when I replaced it with salvaged fence. It was new – purchased … More Coop Improvements, part 3
Spring planting has finally begun! I absolutely love this time of year – the richness of well composted soil, healthy worms wiggling as I turn the ground, the hopefulness of putting a seed into the land and waiting for it to grow. I’m always amazed by what can be planted in March and April – … More Field Planting
Last week my new chicks – the first batch that is – moved to their big girl coop. The 13 Gold Comets and 4 Ameracaunas had outgrown the yurt inside and only a couple had some downy left. The other reason? My roommate picked up 3 Welsummers and 3 Cuckoo Marans – more colored eggs! … More Moving Day
Last week’s weather helped me get started on coop improvements for my chickens and ducks. We erected a new shed in the fall and the time has come to convert it to a coop. I learned quite a bit from the first two I did so this one felt pretty easy! First I needed to … More Coop Improvements, part 2
Last week’s glorious weather had me outside working on coop improvements each day. I’ve got three shed/coops that need some work before the Chicken Haven is done (for this year anyway!). Here’s a glimpse at last week’s work on the pink coop – affectionally known as “Water World” last year as the ducks lived in … More Coop Improvements, part 1
