Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Fall Check-In

Colors have changed here on the farm:Dark reds, bright yellows, dark browns, and some autumn treats falling from the 4 large pecan trees on the property:

The squirrels make their run to and from the woods to the pecan trees all-day-long. Listen carefully you can hear them making quick work as they toss the shells from the branches littering the ground beneath. Fence posts make great place for squirrels to stop and crack a few and get a good view of anything suspicious.Like Mr. Kitty as he sits quietly to watch their daily rounds between trees. nothing moves but the tip of his tail. Cool nights have started and all the rent-a-chicks are back home and tucked away all warm in their mini-coop. Have about 25 of them so they get to cuddle together for warmth at night. They are just now learning how to use the perches. Over at the eggmobile, the flock is doing great. Last springs rent-a-chick group is coming along. Should be laying any day now. Waiting for the colorful egg-basket to start soon. Here is a review of the breeds: Easter Egger HenIts not hard to spot the Easter Eggers because they have puffy feathers that poof out from their cheeks. They also have very small pea combs. Silver-laced hen. I am beginning to think these feathers act as bulls-eye for the hawks, only 1 hen of the silver laced left, cry.... Speaking of predators, hoping the maturing Roosters will help curb that problem alittle. As I was snapping shots, one was keeping an eye on a vulture that was soaring high in the sky. He lets out a special warning squawk if he suspects a predator is around and the ladies head for cover.
The Welsummer has gotten quite handsome. Really struts stuff and shows off his tail feathers. Front view of his beautiful colors Believe it or not here is his counterpart, a Welsummer hen:The other boy in the flock is this New Hampshire Rooster: Testosterone has done him well from chicken nugget to beef-cake. Black Austrolorp hens have been alittle shy lately. They are molting their feathers now, and this one seemed alittle self-conscious Losing feathers or leaves, its all part of nature and change of season.
Maple trees are the prettiest.
Have hosted a few photo shoots out here (pics to come soon). Fall sunsets are picture-perfect. In the front acre, all the flowers have been yanked, thanks to help from my new-found neighbor friend Melissa. We spent a sunday pulling them all and tossed into a gigantic pile in the back pasture and swapping stories of chickens and goats. Hoping to have a nice bon-fire with the spent zinnia plants. Instead of pulling up the plastic rows altogether, have decided to take advantage of the weed free planting opportunity for 1 last season. Still getting a few goodies from the rows. ok, so I wished I liked radishes more! But I couldn't resist planting them with a short 3 week seed to salad timeline.
Dill, and basil still left of the herbs. The Dill seems to fizzle in the heat of summer, but fall and spring it really thrives.
Beautiful Row of pole Beans and Peas soaking up the last few days of quality sunlight!

And finally... got the chick pen done, but now that its November, it's gotten too chilly at night to put the baby chicks inside it. Will probably move this into the greenhouse during the winter to help keep them warm, and let the new chicks run around in this until spring.

More pics to come of some farm photo shoots, rent-a-chick day, and the new goats of course. Also been busy in the kitchen with making the best of the last weeks of basil!

1 comment:

  1. The place looks beautiful! Too many evergreens near me obscuring all the colors of the hardwoods :)

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