Tag Archives: seedlings

Spring Happenings

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve updated in here. As spring starts picking up speed, things are happening fast and furious. Chicks are being born, seedlings are being planted, ideas are being hatched, and dreams are being shattered – all at once, it seems.

Carrot is most certainly a rooster. Given his attitude, he’ll be good eating. Am I sorry I spent so much time rehabbing him? Not at all. Dealing with his unabsorbed yolksac issue and subsequent infection was a perfect learning experience. He’s healthy, happy, and thriving. Unfortunately he’s a rooster and an ass to boot. He’ll make a great stew.

One of our current roosters, Amp, is in the freezer. He was getting nasty and the girls were getting bare baked having two boys. By the end of the summer, Gucy will be joining him. As fantastic of a job as these two boys have done, they don’t really fit the bill as to what we want to eventually have for traits in our flock. Selecting and culling in this manner is tough, but will pay out in the long run.

Seedlings are kinda, not really started. Having two kids to keep me busy has been difficult. I forgot how trecherous planning a garden while having an infant could be. Thankfully we’re close to being past the last frost date and it won’t matter, seeds can go straight into the ground. Unfortunately, there’s still some I need to start sooner than later.

The wood pile has diminished substantially. It’s time to think of next year. That’s another fear that looms on the horizon.

Growing Like Weeds

chicks2013_3wks

Spring is always that amazing time of year where suddenly, when you turn your back for a minute, everything has changed. Things are growing at a tremendous pace throughout the state of Maine, and here is no different. The chicks are three weeks old, are down to 80F in the brooder, and are eating more than their fair share of the rent. While Jacks has been wonderful sharing his room with them, I know he’ll be glad to have the extra romping space back once they’re out of his room. (That poor, spoiled mini-rex.) All eight have lost their furr-ball fluff and have started getting in new patterns, making it almost impossible to tell them apart. As you can see in the photo, one definitely stands out as she has no orange on her whatsoever; the other seven are all orange and black. All of them are flighty little things and feeding them has become a modified game of whack-a-mole.

The seedlings are growing like mad. The tomatoes, celery, and bell peppers that I started all look like they’re itching to get in the ground, as do the broccoli, celery, and jalapeno plants that we got from Hoof ‘n’ Paw in New Sharon. It’s just a matter of waiting a couple more weeks and then figuring out row covers. With any luck, everything will transplant over wonderfully.

Seedlings2_May2013

Seedlings2013_May

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking of “growing like weeds,” I felt it was time to give ya’ll an updated photo of Little Mister.

Vaughn_18months

Spring Photo Update

We have a friend that's been around for a few years now, but he's now making daily appearances. He loves to hang with the chickens!

We have a friend that’s been around for a few years now, but he’s now making daily appearances. He loves to hang with the chickens!

The new game that the ladies have created is "Break In" - they try to see how far into the kitchen they can get when no one's looking.

The new game that the ladies have created is “Break In” – they try to see how far into the kitchen they can get when no one’s looking.

In the background you can see the new method we're trying with the pepper plants. Here's hoping the extra heat from teh window and wood stove give them a decent start.

In the background you can see the new method we’re trying with the pepper plants. Here’s hoping the extra heat from teh window and wood stove give them a decent start.

The San Diegos and Glaciers are growing like mad already!

The San Diegos and Glaciers are growing like mad already!