Clipping the Chicken Wings

"Golden Boy"

"Big Red"

"Jed the Half Breed" From what we can tell he is half Polish Crested and maybe Wyandotte? He is a small rooster, with such a pathetic crow, we couldn't bring ourselves to kill him.

Before we had the main chicken coop finished (still waiting for completed fencing before I show the final project) , 30 plus of our chickens lived in the barn. They liked it there, a lot. We didn't like the mess though, so as soon as Black Bart's "Hide Out" was finished, we moved the other chickens into their new, soon to be finished home.

Only problem? Some of the chickens REALLY liked the barn and wouldn't stop flying fences to return to the beloved space! Only solution was to clip wings. We started with the roosters and so far, only one hen has made her way back to the barn. After clipping her wings, she returned back to the barn again! What to do with her now? I'm not so sure. Black Bart may just receive another lady! Hopefully she will be happy with him in their new home. Time will tell!

We like our eggs fertilized, so we decided to keep as many roosters as possible for our group -about one rooster for every 13-15 hens. We are still a bit short of hens for that quota, but craigslist has proven helpful in our quest to obtain more hens.

We watch a lot of "Chicken TV"

The Garden Grows

...an evening spent in the garden, through the eye of my camera...

Camping Does a Family Good!

Nothing like a quick family trip to the hills to bring everyone back together. Does a family good!

When we go hiking, you can pretty much count on the following happening: I get preoccupied taking photos of native plants, critters, or even weeds, realize my family has left me behind (again) and I hurry along to catch up. When I turn the bend, I find them patiently waiting. Oh how I love this sweet family of mine!

The Chickens are Finally Home!

Busy week! 8 of our 50 chickens can now finally settle into their new home! This coop sits in the view from my kitchen window, and that is the sole reason for its placement. Just beyond the coop, is our garden and beyond that -the hills. Doing the dishes ain't so bad! The rest of our many chickens are awaiting proper fencing and a painted coop. Although I'm sure they don't mind an unpainted coop or the fences as they are.

Everything used to make this coop was found on the farm or purchased at a "restore". Only thing bought new was the paint.

We are headed to the hills for a weekend get away, time to replenish the soul with some family time exploring!

Of Chickens and Coops

Chickens and coops -that's all that we have been thinking about, it seems. More than thinking about actually, "Black Bart" -the rooster above, and his ladies will be moving into their new home by the end of the week. Lots of chicken coop "re-fashioning" happening around these parts, hope to share the finished project soon!

Native Plants, On the Farm

Summer Thunder

The morning brought thunder, followed by big rain drops, sheets of it. He hadn't really seen anything like it before...and through his eyes, I saw it again, for the first time.

Happy Birthday To Finn!

I think I blinked...maybe twice, and now he is one. Crazy. This sweet boy of mine carries my heart tight in his little hands. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Releasing Chuckars & Pheasants

We recently opened the gates to the pheasant and chuckar cages, releasing them out into the great wide open. We figured after a bit they would be gone, flying off to a more rocky location. They have surprised us, however, by sticking around the farm and returning to the barn every night.

A Year Ago, Feeling Sentimental...

As I am planning Finn's Birthday bash, I find myself feeling quite sentimental. Here I am about a year ago, awaiting arrival of the little boy who has changed our lives forever. Love that kid!

Too Many Roosters!

We are not buying straight run chicks again. 23 of the 30 purchased grew into roosters. Using the "killing cone" method, all extra roosters have been processed and are now in the freezer. It was a learning experience for all of us, to say the least.

Girls plucking. Kaziah is quite skilled at this task, but every rooster became Roxie's favorite and she couldn't handle it anymore, poor kid.

Even though we knew rooster meat would not be the most tender, we had to fry some up - just because. Finn loved it!