August marks the end of our first year living here. So much has happened since then!
In the past month, I've watched a honey harvest, and winterized a few beehives. The small colony that was cutout from someone's house and put in my yard returned from the mountains with very little resources for winter. My mentor decided to we will put them into a Nuc (small hive) that we will feed over winter, and in Spring put them into a colony.
The chickens are well, the 2 new girls are well acclimated. The Speckled Sussex is laying, but the Buff is not. She was infested w/mites, so I treated her. She hasn't started up since then. I suspect it's b/c she pulled some of her feathers out due to the mites, and she needs the protein to regrow the feathers. Which brings me to another issue. All of my original 4 girls just completed their first laying year, and are due to molt this winter (meaning no eggs while their bodies devote protein to regrowing feathers). It will be their (and my) first molt. Chickens look pretty sad when their feathers fall out.
I ordered my beehive, so over the winter I will be putting it together, and painting it. Also, over winter, I'd like to reorganize my chicken and bee area of the backyard.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Goals and Mites
Beekeeping season is winding down, sadly so is my beekeeping apprenticeship. It has been a fantastic experience! I still have yet to experience a honey harvest, that will be in the next month or so. Unless the harvesting experience is horrible, I have brainstormed a few goals for next beekeeping year.
1) Add my own hive to my yard (in addition to the one I host)
2) Continue my apprenticeship, checking on a local hive (but change the location form last years)
I'd also like to add another animal to our abode. I was thinking ducks, since I have chickens down pretty well. We recently tried duck eggs, and did not like them at all. However, a friend reminded me that there is a high demand for ducks eggs here, so I'd easily be able to sell them. Hubby doesn't like the idea of having an animal whose product we don't like ourselves. We shall see. I only want 2-3, and I have all winter to work on him. :)
I also discovered that the Buff hen has a severe case of mites. I have treated her and the whole flock (i.e. forcible dust bath in DE - natural non-toxic remedy) to help, but have ordered a product (chemical) that will take care of the problem for real. I am against using chemicals usually, and never have treatment my flock once. Ever. With any chemical. But her mite load is so high, her behavior is off and she seems unhappy. And she stopped laying. I think the mite load is so high, she stopped laying. So, I'll treat her and the coop when the product comes. It's similar to a 'flea dip' for your cat or dog. Because it's a chemical and I'm weird about their use, I'll dispose of the eggs for a few days after I use the treatment.
1) Add my own hive to my yard (in addition to the one I host)
2) Continue my apprenticeship, checking on a local hive (but change the location form last years)
I'd also like to add another animal to our abode. I was thinking ducks, since I have chickens down pretty well. We recently tried duck eggs, and did not like them at all. However, a friend reminded me that there is a high demand for ducks eggs here, so I'd easily be able to sell them. Hubby doesn't like the idea of having an animal whose product we don't like ourselves. We shall see. I only want 2-3, and I have all winter to work on him. :)
I also discovered that the Buff hen has a severe case of mites. I have treated her and the whole flock (i.e. forcible dust bath in DE - natural non-toxic remedy) to help, but have ordered a product (chemical) that will take care of the problem for real. I am against using chemicals usually, and never have treatment my flock once. Ever. With any chemical. But her mite load is so high, her behavior is off and she seems unhappy. And she stopped laying. I think the mite load is so high, she stopped laying. So, I'll treat her and the coop when the product comes. It's similar to a 'flea dip' for your cat or dog. Because it's a chemical and I'm weird about their use, I'll dispose of the eggs for a few days after I use the treatment.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
New Queen and Goodbye to Hive 2
The 2nd hive (the cutout, we call it) was determined not to have a queen. Which partially explains their awful temperament. We gave them some eggs on 7/10 from my established hive, hoping they'd sense they were w/o a queen, and raise themselves a new one (a queen is like $35 to purchase one). So, eggs were placed on the 10th, making the potential queen's hatch date today (7/26).
Today's hive check started off grimly. Their temperament was still foul, and lunged at me when I approached the inner cover. Not normal behavior AT ALL. They calmed down once we smoked them and were 'normal' in their temperament after that.
We found no eggs, but we did spot several queen cells that had hatched! Then, we spotted the new queen!!!!! It looked like she hadn't mated yet, as her abdomen wasn't large and swollen w/eggs as it usually is. Also, we noted no eggs in the hive which kinda confirmed she isn't fertile (laying eggs) yet.
The hive has no stored or food supplies at all, so will never make it through the winter. So this weekend, they are moving up to higher elevations (towards Mt. Rainier) so they can catch the wildflower nectar flow available there this late in the season. Hopefully, they'll get some stores for the winter.
Today's hive check started off grimly. Their temperament was still foul, and lunged at me when I approached the inner cover. Not normal behavior AT ALL. They calmed down once we smoked them and were 'normal' in their temperament after that.
We found no eggs, but we did spot several queen cells that had hatched! Then, we spotted the new queen!!!!! It looked like she hadn't mated yet, as her abdomen wasn't large and swollen w/eggs as it usually is. Also, we noted no eggs in the hive which kinda confirmed she isn't fertile (laying eggs) yet.
The hive has no stored or food supplies at all, so will never make it through the winter. So this weekend, they are moving up to higher elevations (towards Mt. Rainier) so they can catch the wildflower nectar flow available there this late in the season. Hopefully, they'll get some stores for the winter.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
More additions..
This week was filled with lots of additions.
Bees:
First, my beekeeping mentor has a friend whose business is removing bees from people's properties. Usually they are swarms, which are pretty easy to handle and docile, b/c they have no honey reserves to protect. However, he brought over a cutout that had been in the wall/ceiling of someone's house for 3 years. So it was a very well established colony, with LOTS of honey.
The first few days the bees were very angry, as their was honey comb all over the yard and lots of carnage (piles of dead bees from the move). They were also crawling all over the grass and couldn't fly. Very weird. They have calmed down some after I cleaned up all the loose honey combs, however seemed pissy still and just not acting right. We did a hive check and discovered no queen (didn't survive the move) which also contributes to bad temperament. We gave them a frame of eggs out of my hive, hoping they'll raise their own queen. Once they have a queen they'll be better. If they don't manage to raise their own queen, they'll die, or well merge them w/another hive.
My 1st hive is doing very well, they filled up one honey super already, which will be their store for the winter. We added a 2nd honey super, anything they put in that box we will be able to harvest off of the hive in August/September. This is pretty good, as usually a first year hive has not yet built up the resources to harvest from it.
Chickens:
On Sunday we acquired 2 new hens from a fellow beekeeping apprentice who is getting rid of her birds. They are a little on the old side (2 years) but for free I figure if I get 6months of eggs out of them it's worth it.
Zippy is a speckled sussex (the mottled one) and a Buff (blonde). Zippy has been quite the trouble maker, and has been getting out of the chicken area somehow, despite the fact that I've cut her flight feathers so she shouldn't be able to get airborne and over the fence.
The past few days have been a little rough, they are unused to going into my henhouse at night by themselves like the others are accustomed to. They tend to like to roost on top of the coop. Last was the first night they made it in themselves. I think they'll be in the habit of it now, as the prior night they tried to but were thwarted when the door close on them. Anyhow, they may go back to their old ways of roosting on top of the coop.
Also, they've had to re-establish pecking order amongst the flock now that there are 2 new ones. The worst part is over, and any squabbles have been minor the past few days. The first day there were a few minor scratches that I had to clean up. Buffy is now firmly at the top of the flock, and Zippy is somewhere in the middle.
Gardens:
We planted a few more blueberry bushes, as well as some raspberries, strawberries, and other things in the garden beds (after taking out what we harvested already).
Bees:
First, my beekeeping mentor has a friend whose business is removing bees from people's properties. Usually they are swarms, which are pretty easy to handle and docile, b/c they have no honey reserves to protect. However, he brought over a cutout that had been in the wall/ceiling of someone's house for 3 years. So it was a very well established colony, with LOTS of honey.
The first few days the bees were very angry, as their was honey comb all over the yard and lots of carnage (piles of dead bees from the move). They were also crawling all over the grass and couldn't fly. Very weird. They have calmed down some after I cleaned up all the loose honey combs, however seemed pissy still and just not acting right. We did a hive check and discovered no queen (didn't survive the move) which also contributes to bad temperament. We gave them a frame of eggs out of my hive, hoping they'll raise their own queen. Once they have a queen they'll be better. If they don't manage to raise their own queen, they'll die, or well merge them w/another hive.
My 1st hive is doing very well, they filled up one honey super already, which will be their store for the winter. We added a 2nd honey super, anything they put in that box we will be able to harvest off of the hive in August/September. This is pretty good, as usually a first year hive has not yet built up the resources to harvest from it.
Chickens:
On Sunday we acquired 2 new hens from a fellow beekeeping apprentice who is getting rid of her birds. They are a little on the old side (2 years) but for free I figure if I get 6months of eggs out of them it's worth it.
Zippy is a speckled sussex (the mottled one) and a Buff (blonde). Zippy has been quite the trouble maker, and has been getting out of the chicken area somehow, despite the fact that I've cut her flight feathers so she shouldn't be able to get airborne and over the fence.
The past few days have been a little rough, they are unused to going into my henhouse at night by themselves like the others are accustomed to. They tend to like to roost on top of the coop. Last was the first night they made it in themselves. I think they'll be in the habit of it now, as the prior night they tried to but were thwarted when the door close on them. Anyhow, they may go back to their old ways of roosting on top of the coop.
Also, they've had to re-establish pecking order amongst the flock now that there are 2 new ones. The worst part is over, and any squabbles have been minor the past few days. The first day there were a few minor scratches that I had to clean up. Buffy is now firmly at the top of the flock, and Zippy is somewhere in the middle.
Gardens:
We planted a few more blueberry bushes, as well as some raspberries, strawberries, and other things in the garden beds (after taking out what we harvested already).
Friday, June 29, 2012
Beekeeping skills & 1st stings
I had an evaluation this week with my beekeeping mentor, where she rated my skills thusfar during the apprenticeship. Overall, I did well. I think she over-rated me on many things.
Yesterday, we checked 3 different hives that I am assigned (2 other locations, and the one in my backyard). I decided to try doing the hive inspections without using gloves, to increase my dexterity. My gloves tend to get in my way since they are too big for my hands. The first hive check went smoothly gloveless. The 2nd hive check, I must not have zipped up my hood completely, because I ended up with 4 bees in my bonnet. After getting them out, we returned to the hive to finish the inspections, where I was stung on two of my fingers.
We returned to my house to check the hive here. I anticipated it being full, and I was right! We had to add another box! I had gloves on for this hive check, and promptly DROPPED a frame that was full of bee. Yes, dropped. Ugh. No more stings, but I was very embarrassed.
Yesterday, we checked 3 different hives that I am assigned (2 other locations, and the one in my backyard). I decided to try doing the hive inspections without using gloves, to increase my dexterity. My gloves tend to get in my way since they are too big for my hands. The first hive check went smoothly gloveless. The 2nd hive check, I must not have zipped up my hood completely, because I ended up with 4 bees in my bonnet. After getting them out, we returned to the hive to finish the inspections, where I was stung on two of my fingers.
We returned to my house to check the hive here. I anticipated it being full, and I was right! We had to add another box! I had gloves on for this hive check, and promptly DROPPED a frame that was full of bee. Yes, dropped. Ugh. No more stings, but I was very embarrassed.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Milking, Bee update, and Future
For the past 2 weeks, I've been in "training" learning to milk a friend's miniature goats, as I will be milking while she is on vacation. It is MUCH harder than I thought it'd be, as their teats are very small. Also, this 6am milking thing is.... well...tiring. I'm usually up at that hour anyhow to let the hens and dogs out, however I head right back to bed afterwards (it takes all of 10 minutes). No so easily done after being up for a while milking. So I'm tired. And I suck at milking. It's a very slow learning curve.
The bees are well, I recently had to add another box to the hive to make room for all the brood. Yesterday we checked their progress, and have moved up into the new box and are drawing it out. What is drawn out in the new box is filled with brood. With the weather warming, they are taking less and less of the sugar syrup and will probably stop completely over the next few weeks with the increase in pollen (i.e. protein) availability. Also, as you can see in this video, the entrance reducer probably needs to come off soon. You can see lots of pollen being brought into the hive!
Lately, I have really been wanting to add one of the automatic doors to the coop that are on a daylight sensor, and open/close automatically at the appropriate times. This would make the chickens even LESS work, and make me feel like they are secure at night from predators when we go away for the weekend. However, they are expensive (several hundred dollars).
The bees are well, I recently had to add another box to the hive to make room for all the brood. Yesterday we checked their progress, and have moved up into the new box and are drawing it out. What is drawn out in the new box is filled with brood. With the weather warming, they are taking less and less of the sugar syrup and will probably stop completely over the next few weeks with the increase in pollen (i.e. protein) availability. Also, as you can see in this video, the entrance reducer probably needs to come off soon. You can see lots of pollen being brought into the hive!
Lately, I have really been wanting to add one of the automatic doors to the coop that are on a daylight sensor, and open/close automatically at the appropriate times. This would make the chickens even LESS work, and make me feel like they are secure at night from predators when we go away for the weekend. However, they are expensive (several hundred dollars).
Monday, June 4, 2012
Cull and butchering
I agonized and agonized over the decision of whether or not I should cull the Wyondotte. I kept going back and forth about it. Finally, I decided to do it.
I hosted the class at my house, a total of 8 people attended (including the teacher and myself). We processed a total of 12 birds.
I am glad I decided to cull the Wyondotte, she had lots of internal abnormalities, including inflammation on her reproductive (egg laying) track. It makes me feel better that her egg laying issues were not just a fluke, and likely to happen again. I feel like I made the right decision.
I was also very worried about one particular part of the evisceration. The very first cut you make, is a circle around the anus - you have to do so carefully so not to rupture the intestinal track. I had read about it many times, and seen it once. The one time I saw someone do it, I didn't have a good view so couldn't really tell what I was supposed to do. This time I had the teacher standing next to me as I went. I now feel 100% comfortable that I could do so again, by myself.
I hosted the class at my house, a total of 8 people attended (including the teacher and myself). We processed a total of 12 birds.
I am glad I decided to cull the Wyondotte, she had lots of internal abnormalities, including inflammation on her reproductive (egg laying) track. It makes me feel better that her egg laying issues were not just a fluke, and likely to happen again. I feel like I made the right decision.
I was also very worried about one particular part of the evisceration. The very first cut you make, is a circle around the anus - you have to do so carefully so not to rupture the intestinal track. I had read about it many times, and seen it once. The one time I saw someone do it, I didn't have a good view so couldn't really tell what I was supposed to do. This time I had the teacher standing next to me as I went. I now feel 100% comfortable that I could do so again, by myself.
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