Tweaking the Tractor 07/03/2009
 As our tweaking of the tractor continues, I've just fastened a tarp over the top with clothespins to the chicken wire. We also have a gate at the front of the cage...  ...with the same style latch as is on the other door of the house. We'll probably put another latch at the bottom of this little gate, too, so persistent little predators can't push through...  Over on this side, this string has been rigged up to pull open a small hinged door for the chickens to go in and out of their house. And we can shut it at night once they've gone into roost...  So far, so good...it seems! The tractor itself is pretty heavy to lug around...much more so than we thought it would be...so we may have to come up with a better wheel arrangement solution. But overall...with a bit more tweaking...this chicken tractor/egg mobile is working out beautifully! : D  The Roadside Stand 06/27/2009
 What I'd really like to point out, though, is that this doesn't have to be a full-blown complicated expensive endeavor....at least not in our neck of the woods...and I would venture to guess not in yours either. So here's my local example. My neighbor, Kathy, is a horticulturist...but don't let that confuse you...you don't have to be a horticulturist to garden...or have a roadside stand! What's so neat about what Kathy's done next door is the sheer simplicity and charm she's created for their own little roadside stand this summer. Take a look and you'll see what I mean...  She came up with that clever sign back there just this week...and is only selling perennials that she's started in her greenhouse or has dug up around their land. Everything's $2 bucks...pretty simple...  The pots of flowers are set on this wagon and she's placed an info card on a popsickle or long wooden stick with a plastic sandwich bag pulled over the top to ward of the rain...  Here in Maine, we can still incorporate the honor system...hence the plastic coffee can with a slot cut in the top for money to be dropped in...  And this is my favorite! Their Aracauna hens are laying like crazy right now...so this says "Fresh Eggs Cheap Cheap"...I love it! And I'd also love to see your version of the roadside stand this summer, too! Send me some pix or a link to your blog and share some Roadside Stand inspiration with the rest of us! I'd dearly love to see what you come up with! : D Seedlings 06/25/2009
 Starting seedlings is so easy! I've got a friend who is still intimidated by the whole process (Jen!) and I'm only laughing because I know exactly how she feels! I've been ridiculously intimidated about the whole gardening kit-n-kaboodle and am still fascinated at how simple...and yes fun!...it all is! And I don't want our children to fall into my paralysis trap either, so we'll just get them gardening early... before they come up with any preconceived notions to the contrary!  So here goes Heather. By the way, our children are far from intimidated anyway...as opposed to their mother...and think it's nothing but incredibly interesting and wonderful. And please don't ask me why this all has seemed so very complicated to me! I know....it's not. But when I venture into garden sections and see books 5 inches thick on everything imaginable from tools....to soils...to temps...to...I'm gonna stop. I'm confusing myself! No, for kiddos everything's an adventure to them...and they don't bother with garden sections in bookstores....  Heather's planting cukes (hopefully a good pickling kind), cantaloupe, green beans, basil and dill, and carrots (their favorite!)...  And Caitlyn's turn now. We're using a seed starter mix...as opposed to regular potting soil to start these seeds. She's planting green and colored peppers, more cukes and green beans...and of course, tomatoes! : D   I also learned that it's best to keep the seeds warm and in low light initially. I set ours on trays in our downstairs bathroom on top of the washer and dryer. That room stays on the warmer side...and was especially warm once we were brooding the chicks. It's got me to thinking that it would be nice to have a room dedicated to brooding poultry and seed starting. I'll have to think on that more! 
 It's been 4 weeks to the day today. I took the tall bean plants out 3 or 4 days ago and put them into the ground in the garden. Next I'll need to get some sort of lattice for the them to climb up. But can you believe what a difference only 3 weeks makes?? It's very cool! With all the wind and rain we've had the past 2 weeks, I've not put the others out yet...but they're getting close! Gradually I began introducing the seedlings to more light...but not direct sunlight. Once they've got some healthy leaves, I let them get some direct sunlight...but not for long periods of time. Keep them moist but not over-watered. For the herbs and carrots, I had the clear plastic lids to put over them. These work great for stacking the trays...like on top of the dryer...and keeping things moist and more regulated. Again, it's not rocket science. Just watch them and feel the soil. You can figure it out...and I'm always thrilled to see how things like this are SO forgiving! As of the past couple of weeks or so I've started the 'hardening off' process. All that means is that you get the seedlings acclimated to the outdoors...sun, wind, and rain. I set the trays outdoors where they don't get blasted by the wind...but do get the cool drizzle or some sunshine and breezes. Some gardeners transplant their seedlings into larger pots...or you can just put them into the soil if night time temps aren't dipping too low. That's it! Actually that's not really it. There's lots and lots of great info on how you can tweak and adjust for better plants and greater harvests, etc. But just getting started...just do it!...is the best thing you can do for yourself and your family. Trust me! I'm so glad I did! Hopefully summer will be in full swing very soon...and we'll be ready to enjoy some honest to goodness fresh from the garden veggies! Yum! : D  Choosing Chicks 06/20/2009
 In the back section of the store, these big tubs hold all types of tiny birds...and a cacophony of tiny peep-peeping...   They really do have quite the set up back here, don't they? I'm realizing more and more that this whole brooding chicks thing just doesn't have to be that complicated. Thank goodness. The heat lamps are just suspended to strapping boards going across and a bunch of multi-plug-ins and extension cords to connect them all. Pretty simple. My kinda deal! ; )  And all 25 of our chicks are in that box...headed out for the car...  Let's see....unmedicated chick feed: check. Another waterer: check. Another feeder: check. Another lamp and bulb: check. And a box wee peeps: Check!  So now we're home. And we have ALL our poultry in our tiny downstairs bathroom! Even the big chicks...that can hardly be classified as 'chicks' anymore....are tucked in here, too. But they do still peep...with a few of these weird cluck noises thrown in once in awhile! And, by the way, they make the sweetest, softest little 'coo' sounds at night when they go to sleep. I've seriously considered keeping them in the house at night...just to hear that sound! It's so soothing...really! All you insomniacs take note...this might be a sure anecdote! Puts me right to sleep...I know, call me crazy...  Broiler chicks on the left...and turkeys on the right. I'm afraid this will be the 'cutest' these turkeys will ever be! Although to their credit, remember Ben Franklin wanted the turkey for our national mascot....over the bald eagle. I'm relieved the good Benjamin didn't get his way on that one...I have to admit!  And our sweet cooing Aracauna hens (and perhaps one that might be a rooster... verdict's not in yet) in the crate...next to the dryer...   And, yes, they are irresistibly adorable! And yes, you will want to pick up the little fluff balls constantly! And yes, we are trying to exercise all due and necessary restraint.... somewhat! And yes, this wee peep business is way too much fun! : D  A Spruce Up 06/17/2009
 And I have a zealous paint crew, too!   We decided to go with green...a 'mountain spruce' green...to be exact. Hope it'll 'spruce' it up some! har. har. And Heather and all my friends who follow me on Facebook that have now heard my horrible pun...at least twice now....just ya know, grin and bear it again! (I could really use that big cheesy grin smiley face at the moment!)  It came out a little more blue-ish green...OK 'army' green...than I was actually hoping for. But all in all, what do you think?? It's a pretty nice spruce up! I'm sure our ROAMantic chickens will love it!! : D  Good Fences Make Giddy Moms 06/15/2009
  Our children were all too enthusiastic to help with the new fence....  And our son, the little trooper that he is, helping Daddy...even in the rain!  And finally the big moment has arrived! Babycakes finds her new pasture! Run wild...run free....naughty pony! You can't escape now...unless you're part goat! I can hear all you horse owners out there snickering..."famous last words!" Yeah well, don't burst my bubble just yet, would ya? Let me enjoy my moment of euphoric idealized non-grounded-in-reality giddiness!  Looking West. There's a narrower fenced area up at the top of the hill that leads to her barn and water. We can fence this large pasture area off and keep her back there at night or on super rainy days when her hooves will wreak havoc on the grass...  ...and looking East...  Happy Horse! Happy us! Giddy Mom!! : D  Chickens in the Doghouse 06/13/2009
 Here my husband has started the frame where the wee peeps (that aren't exactly 'wee' anymore) will run around and eat great amounts of bugs and grow big...and lay lots and lots of eggs! : D  And then he added some wheels to the base...   Nice wheels, huh! These are repurposed from our old bike carrier with the plastic bottom that was broken through...  Some sort of sliding door will be cut back here so the chickens can come out to do their scratch and peck thing...that they do so well...  A handy-dandy handle so the children can lug this thing around the yard...and possibly each other, too. As I'm sure you know, being hauled around in a doghouse ranks right up there in the fun-factor. ; )  And the frame is done! Now it just needs the wire...and some hunter green stain...so everything coordinates and matches and looks finished...and cute. Of course 'cute'...this is the Rom Mom Chicken Tractor, ya know! And our chickens are romantic, too.........they're "roam-antic"...hey! I like that! Roam-antic Chickens!! Wait till my husband hears this one! He's gonna be SO impressed with me. He'll tell me how incredibly talented and creative I am....before he rolls his eyes. Just kidding!!!...he would never do that...roll his eyes, I mean! Anyhoo, I do believe that "roam-antic" chickens that lay beautiful eggs deserve a beautiful abode...or at least a cute one! : D Wee Peeps at Two Weeks 05/30/2009
 At first they weren't sure what to make of this little hole...but it wasn't too long before they were popping in and out...back and forth...having a blast!  Peek!!  We also upgraded the waterer to one of those self-filling jobs....much more convenient. And simply placed a laundry basket over the top since they are stretching and flapping those little wings these days!  And voila! They have over double the square footage now! And yes...that is a crown decorating the top of that basket! I've been informed that this is their mansion! : D Eggs-quisite 05/22/2009
 
  Caring for eggs: According to my English country cookbook, Through the Kitchen Window, Susan Hill asserts that we needn't even refrigerate the eggs. Here's what she says to do: Never freeze eggs, or even store in a refrigerator. But they can be kept easily by rubbing each fresh egg over carefully between the hands with melted butter or dripping until every bit of shell is covered. Store in tins without lids but covered in greaseproof or brown paper tied with string.  And I simply adore Susan Hill's description of eggs: SPRING is for eggs. Fresh eggs, from hens allowed to roam and forage freely. Eggs, brown and white and speckled, smooth and satisfyingly shaped, heaped up in a bowl. Eggs, whipped until frothy, eggs fried and looking like daisies, eggs with yolks with colour of buttercups. Could it be that those wee peeps of ours might be bestowing such beautiful bounty for us come October??  On No Particular Morning 05/20/2009
 And lean against the counter like this... Recognize these PJ's?? Yep. Do I wear them constantly?? Yep. Even to put the horse out on her picket???? Yep.  While drinking a cup of coffee out of one of my favorite mugs...  Looking out the window and seeing this...   It's really on 'no particular mornings' like these...  ...that make country life worth living!  |  Summer Fun!
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