Monday, August 27, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Corn Cobbin'
I'm a bit late for a post about our corn harvest. It happened during the first week of August but as I have been so gently reminded AGAIN by our experiences during this speedy summer month, there is little free time to do things like blog. I think I need to staycation for the first two weeks of August every year. Will someone please tell me this when I'm submitting vacation plans to my employer next year? Please?
Anyhow, things went well in the corn patch this year. It was a little touch-and-go there for a while what with our derecho winds and less than stellar germination. I must have adequately amended the soil there because our ears were nice, full and plump. Water during the critical tassel and silk phase helped too. The rains came at just the right time so we did not have to supplement.
I must admit, after eating corn for 2 weeks straight, I grew a little tired of it's presence in my kitchen. So as we do in most years, we took the majority of it, blanched it, removed it from the ears and sequestered it in our freezer until winter when we can fully appreciate its sweet goodness.
Anyhow, things went well in the corn patch this year. It was a little touch-and-go there for a while what with our derecho winds and less than stellar germination. I must have adequately amended the soil there because our ears were nice, full and plump. Water during the critical tassel and silk phase helped too. The rains came at just the right time so we did not have to supplement.
I must admit, after eating corn for 2 weeks straight, I grew a little tired of it's presence in my kitchen. So as we do in most years, we took the majority of it, blanched it, removed it from the ears and sequestered it in our freezer until winter when we can fully appreciate its sweet goodness.
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| Even the chickens got in on the action... |
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| ....and the canines too! |
Monday, August 13, 2012
Saturday, August 4, 2012
CoopUpdate
Back in May, we added two chicks to our flock. They're now just over 12 weeks old. They had been residing in our basement but it was WELL past time to move them outside. We didn't feel comfortable doing this in their previous cage setup. We have way too many predators around here (raccoons on the deck nightly!) and didn't want to risk losing pullets that we hand-raised. So, they sat in our basement and it actually ended up being a bad choice. It's not news that chickens messy little creatures. This was certainly reinforced. There is a layer of chicken dust on every single surface. If we do this again, we will keep them in our garage under lights. I have lots of cleanup to do in that basement. So, in between summer trips and obligations, we finally got phase two of the chicken coop complete. We simply added on to our current linear setup and now have an L-shaped run for the girls.
We did a lot or research about integrating new pullets to established flocks. I had a hunch this would be difficult since our Speckled Sussex is, for lack of a nicer name, a super sassy bitch. Well, my hunch was correct. I had read that placing pullets into the coop at night while everyone is asleep was a fool-proof method of introduction. All of the chickens supposedly wake up in the morning, see each other, say hello and go about their business. So, at 11pm on a warm July night, we carried our babies out to the coop and placed them inside. We closed the door and hoped for the best. We waited for a few minutes to make sure everything was okay. All was quiet and calm. Good, I thought. This is going to work. We went to bed and awoke at 6am the next morning to check on the girls. When I arrived at the coop I witnessed the carnage. Our new Golden-laced Wyandotte was huddled in the coop in shock and would not move. I didn't see our new Speckled Sussex at first and got worried. I finally found her in the corner of the run, on her side breathing heavily. She had blood all over her head and feathers were scattered everywhere. Then I witnessed Super Sassy Bitch attack her repeatedly. Integration FAIL!
We immediately removed the adult girls and placed them in their portable run for the day. I checked on the pullets (fully expecting to lose one) and although they were a little battered, it seemed like they would survive. Luckily they did. I fenced off the entrance between the old run and the new one so we could keep them separated while still keeping the new girls outside. We're hoping that by having them live side-by-side, they'll eventually just get used to each other and after a few more weeks, we can try integrating again. For now it works since it's summer and the most the young girls need for protection is a little tarp to keep themselves and their food dry. By fall though, we'll want them snug in the coop at night.
Chicken integration. Who knew it could be so difficult?
Anyone need a SuperSassy hen? That girl might as well be a rooster!
We did a lot or research about integrating new pullets to established flocks. I had a hunch this would be difficult since our Speckled Sussex is, for lack of a nicer name, a super sassy bitch. Well, my hunch was correct. I had read that placing pullets into the coop at night while everyone is asleep was a fool-proof method of introduction. All of the chickens supposedly wake up in the morning, see each other, say hello and go about their business. So, at 11pm on a warm July night, we carried our babies out to the coop and placed them inside. We closed the door and hoped for the best. We waited for a few minutes to make sure everything was okay. All was quiet and calm. Good, I thought. This is going to work. We went to bed and awoke at 6am the next morning to check on the girls. When I arrived at the coop I witnessed the carnage. Our new Golden-laced Wyandotte was huddled in the coop in shock and would not move. I didn't see our new Speckled Sussex at first and got worried. I finally found her in the corner of the run, on her side breathing heavily. She had blood all over her head and feathers were scattered everywhere. Then I witnessed Super Sassy Bitch attack her repeatedly. Integration FAIL!
We immediately removed the adult girls and placed them in their portable run for the day. I checked on the pullets (fully expecting to lose one) and although they were a little battered, it seemed like they would survive. Luckily they did. I fenced off the entrance between the old run and the new one so we could keep them separated while still keeping the new girls outside. We're hoping that by having them live side-by-side, they'll eventually just get used to each other and after a few more weeks, we can try integrating again. For now it works since it's summer and the most the young girls need for protection is a little tarp to keep themselves and their food dry. By fall though, we'll want them snug in the coop at night.
Chicken integration. Who knew it could be so difficult?
Anyone need a SuperSassy hen? That girl might as well be a rooster!
Backyard Breakfast
I seriously never tire of this concept. There's something so damn satisfying about having the contents of your entire meal come from your backyard. I worry that this seems like gloating or being a little too proud, but honestly, it's just plain ole' excitement coming from my end. I've been gardening for many years and still feel like a kid in a candy store. :) Eggs, potatoes and broccoli. It's what's for brekkie.
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