Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Good News

After 2 very sad and depressing posts - I'm happy to report good news this time around !!
We caught the raccoon. We are relieved. And it will no longer be a problem.
And Lula - are sturdy black sexlink seems to be healing nicely. She is walking and drinking on her own now.
Also we added a new member to our backyard family.... meet Luna. Our new black Indian runner duck. She is a little younger than Ducky (our fawn& white survivor duck) but the girls have already bonded nicely and Luna is helping Ducky, well, act ducky again.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Not again...

After spending most of Sunday trying to coon proof the coop - and staying up way later than we usually do to make sure our remaining flock would be safe.... we got up this morning to discover the coon had dug a tunnel under the coop and killed more of our already small flock. We are now left with 4 chicks, and 2 barred rocks, 1 red, Orpie and our 2 Banty's. Lula our sexlink with an attitude was injured and we are hoping she makes a full recovery but we aren't counting her in the surviving #'s till we see how today goes.
We are crushed and angry. Our egg business is now gone. We're trying to determine the best way to deal with the coon- we do not have any serious weapons, and most animal removal services charge an arm and a leg. Not sure what our next move is going to be - other than installing a baby monitor system in the coop so we can hear whats going on. 

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Racoon attack.

22 chickens  1 duck.

Nearly all of the fancy chicks and our jersey giants, a barred rock and, a rhode island red.

Dead.

sigh.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Having a heat wave

Wow - we've had some really warm days here, so most of our gardening has been in the evenings. Out in the garden last night we discovered little tiny jalapeno peppers on all the plants ! We are excited - we love pickled jalapenos and Ben has made some the last 2 years that have been fabulous. This weekend - Ben is making pesto. Our 3 basil plants are full of beautiful leaves that need to be ground up with walnuts, olive oil and Parmesan cheese so that we can eat it. Its going to be yummy. Little Chicks are being moved out of their small coop this weekend and moved into the general population area and large coop. We have things that need to get done but if its too hot - I'm afraid the list is going to be whittled down. Its just too hot to over do.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Update on the Garden

Everything is growing, growing, growing. We have eaten lettuce from the garden several times now and I have been using herbs alot the last few weeks. Nothing like basil and chives to go along with some fresh asparagus (which we picked up at the local farmers market). We are trying a new kind of tomato this year , its a Roma  named Tasty Sauce. The plants are looking great with lots of blooms and even some baby 'maters. It gets us excited to see the plants doing so well. It helps that we've had a good mix of weather the last few weeks.
Over 7 inches of rain have been recorded here on the farm. Plus we are having nice sunshine as well. The front yard garden is also shaping up nicely. We have Blanco zucchini taking over. Can't wait to start seeing the fruits of our labors.

All the critters seem to be doing fine. Our egg production had slacked off and I was getting worried - but the hens have picked up and once again they are doing fine. The baby ornamental/exotics are 8 weeks old today and will be joining the general play yard I believe soon.
The goats have adjusted and settled in nicely.
Found a local connection for their hay needs. It always makes me feel good on the inside knowing that I am helping a local person make a go of their business. I wish everyone would try and do local shopping. 

Happy Fathers Day this weekend to all the dads. Spend some time with yours.... maybe working in the garden.