Chickens in the Snow

Chickens in the winter are a little different from chickens in the summer.  From what I read, they are responding to the cold but even more important to them is the day length.  The biggest change has been a significant drop in egg production.  In September, we were averaging 18-20 eggs a day from 21 hens and now we are at 7-11 eggs a day.  Still plenty of eggs (but we have slowed down on the angel food cake production.)  And from what I hear from others with chickens around here, we’re lucky because they are going some days without getting any eggs from their chickens.

They are eating  a lot more and they are sticking much closer to the coop.  Before it got really cold in the last couple of weeks, we had a hardy band of 4 chickens led by a a big Buff Orpington hen  who routinely flew over the fence protecting them and ranged all over the back yard, front yard and even into the driveway.  One of the RI Reds had been very intent on coming into the house  and she would wait on the front stoop, looking for her chance.  They’ve all stopped roaming though and we only see them out now when the temperature gets closer to 40.

We’ve got a heat lamp set up for them in the coop and they seem to be appreciating it.  The biggest advantage to it right now too is that it keeps their water in the coop from freezing, so we can be sure they have at least one of the three waterers clear at all times.  Its colder here than when we lived 25 miles away in DC, and even several degrees colder than it is on the waterfront, only about 2 miles away.

We’re guessing that next year, this flock will molt in the winter and really stop laying like the books say will happen.  Just might have to add another 6 or so hens in the spring – the steady stream of fresh eggs is sure hard to beat!

Posted in Chickens | 4 Comments

Signs of Fall

It’s finally gotten colder here at Right Field Farm and the  walks to the bus stop in the morning are downright chilly. Finally!  Fall is my favorite season.  (In all honesty, whatever season it is at the point that I’m asked tends to be my favorite, but Fall is kind of a first among equals.)

Here’s a Squampkin we found growing in the compost.  One of those mysteries because we don’t remember having purchased a white pumpkin to make these seeds…

I made a sweet potato pie from sweet potatoes out of our garden!  This statement requires an exclamation point because the deer were eating the leaves of the poor sweet potatoes almost every day.  We were sure we wouldn’t get anything from the plant, but the first one David pulled was over 2 pounds.  I guess when stressed, the plant puts its energy into its roots.  Bonus for us!

And I’ve been knitting again.  I learned how to cable finally.  So easy and I really like the look.  I might just cable everything from now on.

And the family hat project continues but here’s a picture of two of the cuter ones so far.  Katie’s hat is on my needles now or she’d be there, being fully qualified as “cute”.

And yes, his shirt is on backwards and inside out but he put it on himself and who could ask for more?

Posted in Farm, Knitting | 5 Comments

Coveting

So I used to covet Kate Spade purses.  Now I covet this goat.

I mean look at him!  So cute, reminds me of one of the Seven Dwarves.  I think its the short legs.

What would I do with a goat you say?  Especially a male goat?  Environmentally friendly vegetation control!

Okay, so its a little out there for now.  But its fun to go places and see a farm animal I like and say “gee, we should get one of those” and really be able to do it if we wanted.

And, in all honesty, I still kind of want the Kate Spade purses.  :)

Posted in Farm | 3 Comments

Making Them Work For Their Keep

We had a lovely weekend, filled with opportunities for the kids to work:

Picking apples and then eating the subsequent apple sauce….

Wheeling the garden cart around the field…..

Digging a hole to China, or at least to sit in… and thanking their daddy for filling the hole up with water to get a proper mud puddle going.

Posted in Farm | 5 Comments

Milestones

We’ve reached a lot of milestones lately…

Tommy traded in his pacifiers for a doll who he loves so much, he hasn’t even asked for a paci since.

Zoe started kindergarten and even rode the bus for the first day of school.  She was fine, I cried.

And Katie turned 1!  She’s also almost ready to walk and has pretty much weaned herself too.  Its like they decide to grow up all at once.  :)

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments