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Around the Homestead
Well, while we're waiting on Daphne,
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| Day 146 and counting |
let me give you an update on various things happening around the homestead. I showed you the garden and hedgerow last time, but also growing is
Winter Wheat
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| Looks great, doesn't it? Can you make out the blossoms on my crab apple in the background? |
Also around the homestead -
Volunteer rooster
Remember my volunteer day rooster from next door? Sadly he met his demise a couple weeks ago. I found him in the front pasture one morning with his head chewed off. Dan thinks it was probably a possum, although we caught nothing in the live animal trap. Now one of our hens has been trying her hand (or perhaps beak) at crowing. This is not uncommon in roosterless flocks.
Eggs
Egg production has at last picked up. I think this was the first year we actually had a totally eggless period, so I'm glad I experimented with those various preservation techniques for my little eBook. Our youngest hens are going on three years old, the oldest hens, four. That means a natural decline in egg production, but I'm getting 6 to 11 eggs per day from those 15 older hens. Not bad, but also time to think about adding some new stock.
Chicken Composting
I added another compost bin to the chicken yard.
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| Theoretically I have one to add to (on the right), one working (left), and the one in the middle should be finished, although it isn't quite. |
This time of year I have a lot of barn cleanings due to daily mucking out in anticipation of kidding. Having the chickens help make the compost has been a success. It still requires some turning, but not as much not letting them help. Any time Dan or I come to stir the piles or I bring out the compost bucket they come running.
Goat Herbs
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| Cut and drying on an old window screen. |
Things are starting to grow so I'm starting to collect them for my homegrown vitamin and mineral mix for the goats. So far:
- Chickweed – beta carotene, copper, phosphorous
- Cleavers – vitamin C, calcium, copper, sodium
- Dandelion – beta carotene, dandelion, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium
Kid Games
Helen's kids have progressed from playing 'King of the Hill' on their little block of wood to the big time stump!
Until Bunny comes along and spoils the fun.
Book 6 of The Little Series of Homestead How-Tos
gardening, foraging, small scale grain and hay, & more
Honey bees
As in getting ready for!
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| Kit ready for assembly. Bees coming next month. |
That will be another thing to check off our 2015 list of goals.
For all our recent pretty weather, the temperatures have taken another nose dive. I reckon winter isn't over yet.
Source: http://www.5acresandadream.com/2015/03/around-homestead.html
