We made the paper! Mary Reid Barrow highlighted the farms free seed & poultry swap event happening at the farm - in the SUNDAY paper no less... :)
Yes, fellow farmers, brace yourself. I traded my "mud for mascara" briefly for a cover shoot :) haha. Thought it would Only be fitting to Hold my handsome-est New Hampshire Roo for the chicken swap picture. (Photo by Mary Reid Barrow). Here is her write up:
The entire week after the article came out, the phone was ringing off the hook with gardeners and chicken lovers were wanting to attend the swap. Everyone was so exciting to see one hosted here locally in Virginia Beach.
I had no idea what to expect for turnout but with weather looking clear - certainly was hoping for the best. I would never have dreamed of what happened in a few short hours.
Here was a picture of the stand before the swap:
Calm before the Storm! The sun was out and gardeners and homesteaders started trickling in by the car and truck load a few minutes before 10. I spent alot of time trying my best to meet and greet everyone in the stand and had much fun just talking about chickens - alot of people wanted information on how to get started with backyard hens.
Also was having alot of interest from people looking to come to sign petition to allow city dwellers to have backyard hens. Collected hundreds of signatures. If you would like to sign online click this link! www.virginiabeachchickenoutlaw.com
About 30 minutes into the swap I looked out and - the parking lot was full. Kinda felt alittle overwhelming as I saw a line of cars were stacking up on our little country road! omg!!
The chicken swap began promptly at 10:15 as people started walking around to check out the assortment of breeds and tail-gating with their feathered friends.
Beautiful pets - Silkies were a hit
Chicken talk! 
Love was in the air as Chickens and their new owners were finding each other. This little girl had a box full of stuffed animals for her baby chicks to cuddle with for the ride home.
These two redheads - My friend Liz and a Rhode Island Red hen...fell in love at first sight. It was a proud chicken swap moment :)
Lotsa plants and seed swapping were happening as well. Nothing says spring like daffodils and lil lambs!
Quite the display of handsome roosters were had most- throwing out their best cockle-doodle-do's. My friend and neighbor Melissa went home with this stunning Lavender Orpinton fella.
Even caught a glimpse of a beautiful Heritage breed bunny hopin' around.
Goats and sheep - always a hit.
Little guys - Warming up in the stand under some heat lamps
The baby duckies showed up and stole the show. (Khaki campbell type I believe? They had these precious little webbed feet and were spoken for in the first few minutes). awww babies with babies... what's not to love?
heck...I couldnt be sure but they might have been swapping kids by the pair too! (lol!)
Quite the display of handsome roosters were had most- throwing out their best cockle-doodle-do's. My friend and neighbor Melissa went home with this stunning Lavender Orpinton fella.
Even caught a glimpse of a beautiful Heritage breed bunny hopin' around.
Goats and sheep - always a hit.Little guys - Warming up in the stand under some heat lamps
The baby duckies showed up and stole the show. (Khaki campbell type I believe? They had these precious little webbed feet and were spoken for in the first few minutes). awww babies with babies... what's not to love?Everyone wanted to show off their feathered friends and I took one look out of the stand and realized what a hit this event really was.
Before the first hour - we had cars stacking up on the road to get into the farm...Estimated 250-300 people were at this free networking event!
Before the first hour - we had cars stacking up on the road to get into the farm...Estimated 250-300 people were at this free networking event!
Here is a pic of a Polish Rooster raised by a very talented 4-H'er.
What a hairdo - I couldnt say no -This punk rockn roo now adorns my coop!
We lucked out It was chilly but brisk sunny day to enjoy the company of all the attendees and get motivated for spring! Hugs galore. 
All the rent-a-chick kids showed up to pick up their brooder kits and chicks. The new blackboard paint really came in handy for me to write notes on during the chaos and excitement of pickup time.
Throughout the activities - People were filling up the lines - signing the petition to show support for changing the vb ordinance for having backyard hens in Virginia Beach (not roosters though!). I think we made a huge difference in awareness and education at the event...
Funky chickens -
Oh yeah there were more plants and seeds swapped as well! Blackberry canes, garlic bulbs, irises to roses. I had packed 200 seed envelopes of dill and zinnias to pass out but completely ran out within the first half hour! Luckily there were tons of plants and cuttings available.
All in all - The seed and chicken swap was just the type of event I had originally hoped I could host here on farm. Lots of education and networking with like minded individuals who share the same passion for small scale and backyard farming. Haven't stopped thinking of new ideas to prep and improve the event for next year. Pretty sure I wont be able to wait that long! - In June - once the flowers are blooming and chicks are all grown up - there will no doubt be another!
We lucked out It was chilly but brisk sunny day to enjoy the company of all the attendees and get motivated for spring! Hugs galore. My lil'wayne hanging with melissa's - paul the lil' lamb
All the rent-a-chick kids showed up to pick up their brooder kits and chicks. The new blackboard paint really came in handy for me to write notes on during the chaos and excitement of pickup time.Throughout the activities - People were filling up the lines - signing the petition to show support for changing the vb ordinance for having backyard hens in Virginia Beach (not roosters though!). I think we made a huge difference in awareness and education at the event...
Funky chickens -
Oh yeah there were more plants and seeds swapped as well! Blackberry canes, garlic bulbs, irises to roses. I had packed 200 seed envelopes of dill and zinnias to pass out but completely ran out within the first half hour! Luckily there were tons of plants and cuttings available.
It was one of the most rewarding days for me thus far.
Taken so long to get to this point - and so nice to hear all the feedback from all age groups and experience levels. Everyone expressed an interest in having the seed and poultry swap on a regular basis.
Thanks to all the helping hands that pulled this event together. Parking attendants, photographers, greeters, swappers and Mary Reid for the great article. It was a blast!!
Gotta catch those first squeals of delight! 
Everyone got their supplies, brooder kit and a short lesson on how to care for their new babies. Luckily I've created a little companion book to take home too - It's pretty hard to get kids to pay attention when you are competing with these peeping critters in the room!
Who can resist? They all develop names before they return home and I am always told in great detail by the kids of each chicks unique personality.
A few more floorless chicken coops are under construction over the winter months in prep for Next Rent-A-Chick event in the Spring. I adore how a few adults that joined this group and bashfully admitted at pick up day that they didn't have kids. Ha! I know the feeling but am well aware that we all turn into kids around these peepers. There is no age limit on this cuteness. 
All the wood floors are out...and footers are being replaced.
Sad to see the original 1870's wood floors being torn out but original idea of crawling under the home to do the work was just too constraining for the crew. Certainly didn't want to risk having the repairs done improperly in attempt to save the floors so it was the best thing. 
Making the most of the last bits of Basil, anticipating only a week or two left before the first frost hits us. Making some basil salts, great for marinades and adding some fresh italian flavor in the winter.
Only 3 Ingredients: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Raw Sugar & Local Honey.
Basically, will never have to buy St. Ives scrub again...
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 Hen
Its 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. 
