all new again

This little guy is a few days old and was hatched by the same mommy that raised all the post office babies. Another new chickens fun fun.

A garden update: everything drowned. We had 28 inches of rain in 5 weeks and the garden did not like it. Even the peach trees died, they couldn't handle that much rain. So, I'm preparing to start over for the fall.

On a side note: it rained bees today. It seems, one hive swarmed and settled in a small pine tree. I hit the pine tree with the tractor, completely by accident, and bees rained from the sky. For a few minuets is was exciting. I tried to get them out of the tree by hitting the branch they were on, no go. I cut the limb off, it pivoted on the last piece of bark and the entire swarm hit me in the side, woohoo. they moved then to another tree. this time with a friends help, i got the ladder under the swarm and set the hive body on the top. Then I pulled the limb over the box and shook the bees into the box. I left it there for a while to see if i had the queen or if they would move again. It seems after a few hours they were content to stay in the box and I moved it to the row of hives. That makes 4 hives now, fun fun fun.

Growing chicklets

Well, Sorry I haven't sent any updates in a while, it's been crazy. First, we had 18 inches of rain in a week and a half. There was so much water standing around that the chickens were building stilts. You would think a bird that can fly would have better balance but those chickens trying to walk on stilts was a sight. Also, not to be outdone but the chickens ingenuity, the squirrels built some canoes to get from tree to tree. what next eh. As you can see the chicklets are getting bigger. They go all over now. We had several incidents in the last 2 weeks and 2 adult hens were lost. One broke her neck and the other was a predator. A hawk got one of the chicklets also. the next day we heard a commotion and checked and the sharp shined hawk had a chicklet pinned on the ground. I ran hollering and Ginger went running and barking at the hawk and he decided that it was better to leave then face an angry Ginger. He flew up on a branch to see if we would go away. After a bit he decided we were not going any where he flew off and Ginger promptly went roaring and barking after it. I didn't know she could run that fast but she wanted a piece of that hawk.The bees are doing fine as well. They didn't like all the ran and rented movies all week. I don't know were they got the dvd player but they had a party in the hive 24/7. After it dried up for a day they were back to work gathering nectar and pollen. I tried to get a picture of the pollen laden bees but they all arrived before I got the camera. When you see them landing tail heavy they are loaded with nectar, the hungry ones fly more level.

Buuzzzz about the farm

The bee hive arrived today, how very exciting. They were a little irritated when they arrived and were untaped, yes, the openings were duck taped shut for transit, and upon release they were buzzing about.As you can see they have settled down some and were out looking for food already. I added some clay under the hive because this area is a little wet when we get a lot of rain.
And not to be upstaged, big mommie had the babies out most of the day. Here if you look in the brush on the right you can see some of the chicklets napping while mommie looks for food.

All in all a very exciting day. Woo Hoo

everything new

OK big update today and some of the pics may be hard to see but I will explain whats in them. This one is the melon patch, you can see the melons on the left, there's also some potato's and okra in there. The okra is just now coming up.

This is the corn patch, I will soon plant some beans in with the corn to help provide nitrogen.

This is the potato and cabbage patch. The potato's are just breaking the ground on the right so you cant see em. The stuff in the middle is cabbage and broccoli and on the left is onions and carrots.

And last but not least is the amazing mommie. When everyone else wanted nothing to do with the Babbie's, she stepped in and said. I can watch em all! So, she's not the mommie of 23 Babbie's and very proud of it also. Amazing!

babies,babies, more babies

The babies arrived this morning at the post office. I got them home and let em out in a box for the day, so they can eat and drink some before the big mommie test tonight. Well after dark I will put some under the one hen sitting and hope the helper mommie will take to the rest. Tomorrow will be a trying day watching them to see if it all works out alright.

I haven't heard from the bee guy yet today, they had some problems that needed dealing with so I hope he calls soon so the bee's can be added to the mix. Ain't farmin fun!

Babies, Babies, Babies

These little guys arived last night.

This little one is a few days old and momma has em out most of the days, running around and eating what they find.

More babies will be coming on Wednesday, so its spring time on the farm!

Fresh dirt

I broke down and ordered some composted manure and hay. After adding it I also tryed adding some clay to the one small field to see if it helps hold the nutrients in place. These are small fields, 20 by 45 each, 6 all total so I can rotate crops easier.

I also finished the nursery enough to place 2 hens in it. they are happily sitting and waiting for the great hatch day. Woohoo more chickens!