A great article on broody hens

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html

Trying to figure out how to get these broodies to actually hatch out some chicks!  :-)

Update: heat, weeds, broodies, a deck and goats!

Peas

I haven't updated in a while, sorry about that.  We have had such a strange spring, very cool temps and lots of rain to suddenly very hot temps and dryness.  The garden is doing okay for the lateness at which we planted it, we've harvested a cucumber, a couple handfuls of peas, and are about ready to get some lettuce this next week.  There is still a lot to grow, beans and squashes are doing well.  I planted tomato seeds straight into the garden, and they are slowly but surely coming up.  I've never done that before but by the time I got around to it, it seemed the best option.  I will likely buy a few larger plants to supplement until they get large enough.

Domestic blackberries

The chickens ate all our strawberries this year, I need to get netting over and around that!  The blackberries and raspberries are doing very well and should be ready for harvest in a couple weeks.

Apples

The fruit trees in the orchard seem pretty happy - one apple tree had 5 apples on it (then 1 dropped off), still great for it's first year here.  The other apple tree didn't even flower, but one peach tree did.  The fig plants are doing surprisingly well, I thought I had lost one over the winter but it has surprised me.  The deer have been nibbling a bit on them, but not too bad so far.

Broody girls

"Easter-egger" chicks

We picked up 7 more hens - black austrolorps.  Two of them are very broody and I'm pretty sure that they are going to hatch out some chicks for us in the next few weeks.  The "easter-egger" chicks are doing well and have moved out to the chicken house, though still in their own shelter for their protection.  I need pretty soon to start culling out the hens that aren't laying and the extra roosters.  If I'm feeding them, they need to feed me in one way or the other.  :-)  I've been able to sell several dozen eggs a week successfully which has been nice.

Collected eggs

We sold all of our baby bunnies for the asking price, which was wonderful.  They all found great pet homes and I am happy about that.  I am planning to put my white buck up for sale too and just use the dwarf buck for breeding next year.

Deck in progress

Our deck is finally moving along again!  It now has the base finished and there are 10 boards laying across the top and we can fit 2 chairs out on it.  This makes me very happy!!!  I don't know when the rest of the floor will get down and who knows when it will have rails and steps but I'm excited for what is done so far.  :-)

Daisy saying hello.

Our goats have been doing pretty well.  I need to get out for hoof trimming and am considering summer shaves too, we'll see.  I've never done that before but it may help their comfort through the summer.  Everyone is a joy and lots of fun.  Our new buckling should be coming home the end of July.

New kitty Cassie has settled in quite happily.  She is mostly in the house still but has gone outside a couple of times and enjoyed that.

Samson smiling

Samson and Molly are doing great.  Samson lives with the 2 wethers and he loves his goats.  I look forward to him being old enough to be with all the girls too next spring.  We'll see how he does at kidding. We love them both!

I think that's about it, thought I should update for now while I had a few moments.

New kitty - Cassie

We have been looking for a new young cat to add to our outdoors as Jonah is at least 15 years old and while he sure seems spry and healthy, we know he can't live forever.  Cassie came from my dad and has been living outside and is reportedly a fierce hunter!  :-)  She is 5 years old and spayed and very pretty and playful.  She is Will's cat and is adjusting now to home, we will adjust her to the outdoors eventually once we are sure that she will stay near and she's met the other critters.

Ruby's kits - 8 weeks old

 I *think* this one is a boy, no guarantees though.

 Black eye patch, think it's a girl.

 Grey nose patch, think it's a girl.

Brown and white, think it's a girl.

Our new buckling

This little guy (the black one) will be coming home in July after his mama weans him.  He is 2 weeks old now.  He will be Annalise's beau and they will get their first date in October.  :-)

 Aren't his ears great?  That's his brother there, if anyone is interested in him - I can put you in touch.

He has not been named yet, but here's his pedigree:

Sire: FLYING FARM BLUE LUMBER JACK

Sire's Dam: POCOMOKE S CAPPUCCINO

Sire's Sire: GOLDTHWAITE FATICUS

Dam: FLYING FARM ITTY BITTY

Dam's Dam: POCOMOKE S DEVORAH

Dam's Sire: GOLDTHWAITE FATICUS

 

New alpine doeling

We picked up this sweety yesterday.  She is 3 weeks old, a bottle baby and a purebred alpine (ADGA registerable).  We found a great deal from a trusted source and are pretty pleased with her.  We will breed her with The General for a fresh 1st generation of mini alpine kids, hoping to get a bit more alpine into the lines.  We have named her Marseille (mahr-sayeh).  Her mother's name was Paris so went for another French city.

Presenting:  Iron-Gate DDDJ Marseille

Sire:  DIXIE-DOES DREAMY JUNO

Sire's Sire:  IRON-ROD THE COLOR OF DREAMS

Sire's Dam:  WAIILATPU WRAL MAIRE

Dam:  DIXIE-DOES SOCRATES PARIS

Dam's Sire:  WAIILATPU WRR SOCRATES

Dam's Dam:  DIXIE-DOES DREAMY MONALISA

Lucy's kits - 4 weeks

These sweeties are currently for sale.  Check out the "For Sale" page for details.