INVASION

 

Our chickens are very happy in their new home Unfortunately we have night  critters who are  always looking for a free lunch

The perimeter fence was breached last night in the one spot where we didn't install hardware cloth

They then  attempted to dig their way into the coop without success. We covered the coop with hardware cloth this spring and that project kept our birds safe.

Kate discovered the hole when she took food down to the chickens this morning.  She is a big help feeding the birds and collecting their eggs.

Time to make another repair and secure the perimeter with more hardware cloth.

MARY'S GARDENS

 

We are starting to see more green in our forest these days. The buds have popped and the leaves are beginning to show. 

Mary's gardens are producing too. WE hope to be eating salads from the gardens by the end o the week

The spinach still has some growing to do, but it is looking healthy and productive. We should be picking and freezing spinach well into October.

Not every plant can tolerate our cold nights so these tomato plants will stay indoors for a few more weeks.

Our meat birds are finally out of the house YEA!!! and I'll post their pictures soon.

Thanks for stopping by. Stay safe and healthy.

TRAIL MARKERS

 

We have trails throughout our property that even extend across property lines. Everyone uses them for snowshoeing, biking or just an easy enjoyable afternoon hike.

This past winter our neighbours decided the trails needed adequate markers and designed a different butterfly or moth for each trail. I was impressed.

Penny ignores the markers and follows her own trails; usually into the nearest body of water. She's a retriever so this comes naturally to her. Now if we could just teach her to take a shower everyone would be happy.

Stay safe and healthy everyone and thanks for stopping by.

COOP SECURED

 In another week or two we will move the meat birds into the coop at the back We have been busy making the coop and area safe for them.

The coop was covered with chicken wire when first built and over the years we've added to the cover to make it more secure. Unfortunately we didn't realize that a huge hole was left up near the roof at the back of the coop. Don't ask what happened.

 

Yesterday that problem was solved by covering the entire back wall with heavy "hardware cloth" This stuff is like cow fencing and with all the clips holding it in place I think the little night critters will have to dine elsewhere.

Meanwhile our layers  continue to be pampered. Every day they get 3-4 hours out of the coop to scratch in the gardens and yard They are fed a special organic healthy diet of chia, flax, yogurt,, lettuce, millet,,       which Mary prepares in  the kitchen for them We have 6 birds and they are laying 5-6 eggs a day They are happy and so are we.

Here it is May 1st and we are still getting snow. This won't last but it is still too cold to move our meat birds down to their coop. Mary doesn't want them in the house much longer so we may move them to our porch. 

Stay safe and well and thanks for stopping by.

POTATO BAGS

This year we are experimenting with "potato bags"  Mary's usual potato bed is full  of garlic and her new bed is full of tree stumps; another job for another day.

We don't have rabbits but we do have chipmunks and they love to dig for seeds and new plants.

Mary wants to grow peanuts in these bags so I wrapped them in "hardware cloth". That should keep the chipmunks out and the seeds safe. I will cover the tops with chicken wire and fill the bottom with a thick layer of stones. 

There is always a job waiting for my attention and we are trying to get as many jobs done before the blackflies arrive.

Time for breakfast then outside for some exercise and fresh air.

Stay safe everyone and thanks for stopping by.

BREAD

 

Mary was busy baking bread this morning

It's a two day process so once this bread has cooled it will be enjoyed It is delicious on its own with just  a little butter..

Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by

A WEEK OF EXTREMES

 

This was a week of extremes. We had rain, snow, sun and temperatures  from -8*C to +13*C. It was  challenge keeping everything alive and healthy.

Yesterday we took the covers off the gardens  to check on our young plants. All looked like they had survived the frigid night temperatures this week. Here you  see the lettuce plants looking very healthy. We hope to start harvesting in 3-4 weeks

Our layers are now two weeks old and starting to develop feathers. We move them onto the porch when our temperatures are warm enough for their tender bodies.

Tonight will be our last dip into freezing temperatures. The forecast for the next two weeks looks much warmer  and spring like. Our next project is securing the large coop so predators don't manage to enjoy any free meals. We did see a fisher on the property this week and we know there are foxes in the area. We want our chickens safe.

Stay safe and well everyone and thanks for stopping by.