In other news the in-laws visited, and, of course, we made them an egg breakfast!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Snow and egg box update
This week was filled with eggs and snow. The first day of the snow, they chickens were out forging in the yard as it snowed and didn't seem to mind at all. It melted the next day, however the following night we got 5 inches. With the ground/grass covered, the girls were reluctant to venture out into the snow. It seems that as long as there is dirt/grass for them to forage in, they don't mind the snow. So, for 2 days they were confined to the run below the chicken tractor. As you can see from the pictures, I opened the door to let them out, however they chose not to come out.
They black colored Star, has been consistently laying in the egg boxes by herself. Henrietta is hit or miss if she'll lay in the box, or the bottom of the coop. Neither Rhode Island Red has stated laying yet, despite one having a large comb/waddle.
In other news the in-laws visited, and, of course, we made them an egg breakfast!
In other news the in-laws visited, and, of course, we made them an egg breakfast!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Coop Commotion
So now that 2 are consistently laying, they are laying on the floor of the coop. They refuse to go up to the nest boxes, located on the 2nd floor of the coop. I think they don't like the perch they have to get onto, to get into the next boxes. They tend to not be able to get down. They tend to 'fall' down, which they don't like. So I solicited help from fellow farm co-op members, and received some good suggestions and suggested modifications for the coop, which I plan on making this week.
They've been laying every other day, so I wasn't expecting them to lay today. However, I heard a racket in the back yard, and went outside to hear the most god awful screeching from the ladies. I thought they were being attacked or were hurt. Seriously, it was that bad. I thought my neighbors would think I was harming them! Last night I put a wood box in the coop in the spot they had been laying, hoping to encourage them to stand on the box to get to the nest boxes. The two layers, were pissed as hell the box was in their 'laying spot' and were trying to find a spot to lay. And, of course, squawking in displeasure.
I picked them up and put them in the nest boxes. They quickly stopped yelling, calmed down, and started to 'sit' and look broody in the nest boxes, looking like they were going to lay. I feel better knowing they were acting like they are supposed to in the nest boxes. Although I'm still confused, they've been consistently laying every other day, and I was expecting any eggs today.
UPDATE: After letting them sit in the boxes for 30 minutes, I went out to check on them. Both had laid in the nest boxes!!!! Yay! We will see if they use them next time, this time I put them in the boxes, I hope next time they climb up there themselves! They both seemed to really like the next boxes, they were rearranging the bedding in the boxes to their liking.
They've been laying every other day, so I wasn't expecting them to lay today. However, I heard a racket in the back yard, and went outside to hear the most god awful screeching from the ladies. I thought they were being attacked or were hurt. Seriously, it was that bad. I thought my neighbors would think I was harming them! Last night I put a wood box in the coop in the spot they had been laying, hoping to encourage them to stand on the box to get to the nest boxes. The two layers, were pissed as hell the box was in their 'laying spot' and were trying to find a spot to lay. And, of course, squawking in displeasure.
I picked them up and put them in the nest boxes. They quickly stopped yelling, calmed down, and started to 'sit' and look broody in the nest boxes, looking like they were going to lay. I feel better knowing they were acting like they are supposed to in the nest boxes. Although I'm still confused, they've been consistently laying every other day, and I was expecting any eggs today.
UPDATE: After letting them sit in the boxes for 30 minutes, I went out to check on them. Both had laid in the nest boxes!!!! Yay! We will see if they use them next time, this time I put them in the boxes, I hope next time they climb up there themselves! They both seemed to really like the next boxes, they were rearranging the bedding in the boxes to their liking.
Monday, January 9, 2012
2nd hen laying
The first hen to lay was the black colored 'Black Star' (I call her Blackie - I know, not very creative). She laid every other day so far. Today, Henrietta started laying as well (she is also a Black Star hatched the same day). I knew Henrietta would start laying soon, as the pelvic gap was large (3 fingers) and her comb & wattle were getting very large and brightly colored. Today, I caught Henrietta acting broody, then an hour later there was an egg w/a blood streak on it (indicating its likely the first egg to pass through the cloaca). Also, it was differently colored than the other eggs Blackie had been laying. (B's have been solid chocolatey brown, and H's had white spot on it). So I figured it was Henrietta's but was certain when the other egg appeared a few hours later (Blackie's egg). Today, they were both warm when I pulled them from the coop!
The Rhode Island's should start next week I am guessing. One of their comb/wattle is getting larger and brighter, but the other's is still small and pale colored. Maybe 2 weeks for her?
The Rhode Island's should start next week I am guessing. One of their comb/wattle is getting larger and brighter, but the other's is still small and pale colored. Maybe 2 weeks for her?
Thursday, January 5, 2012
1st egg!!!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Update...
Just a quick update. Thusfar, the ladies are not laying even though they past the age of 20 weeks (probably due to the lay of daylight hours). The good new is the winter solstice has passed, so they should start laying soon! Everytime I have to purchase eggs as the store it frustrates me!
On the bright side, I am farm sitting in a few weeks. Someone is going away for the weekend, and I volunteered to take care of her farm (9 chickens, 20 meat rabbits, and 2 pregnant does). The does are so sweet, it really make me want some. Especially since her property is smaller than mine and she manages just fine! I figure it'll give me an idea of the care, without the milking.
On the bright side, I am farm sitting in a few weeks. Someone is going away for the weekend, and I volunteered to take care of her farm (9 chickens, 20 meat rabbits, and 2 pregnant does). The does are so sweet, it really make me want some. Especially since her property is smaller than mine and she manages just fine! I figure it'll give me an idea of the care, without the milking.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Weird, Wild, and Wonderful
A recent conversation with a relative faced me with an interesting question. What do you like most about life in the Pacific Northwest? This post outlines the things a Mid-Atlantic native finds odd, interesting, and noteworthy about life here.
1) Language. For example: I see/hear the words 'car prowl' often. It means car break in. Or, 'prowler' I'll hear. A prowler was spotted in the 900 block of 35th Ave. Weird, eh?
2) Hyper Local. Everyone here recognizes the value of purchasing goods from LOCAL supplies. Whether it be produce, meats, or holiday gifts from local artists. Everyone here gets the 'local' movement.
3) Neighborhood clicks. If a fellow Seattle-lite asks you where you live, you don't say Seattle. You specify the neighborhood "Ballard", "Queene Anne", "West Seattle", "SoDo". There is a distinct sense of community in each neighborhood that is just so weird to me. It is very nice, but weird.
4) While driving over a mountain pass, we kept seeing signs marking "chain up area". What the hell is that? Well, to travel over certain mountain roads during winter months, you are required to have snow chains in your car, and be ready to 'chain up' if conditions require. In Maryland they were illegal, and here they are required by law!
5) Composting is Huge. We have a garbage truck, a recycling truck, and a compost/yard waste truck. Even restaurants and cafes will have a Compost Bin next to the Trash and Recycling receptacles. Some cities even ban the use of plastic bags (like Edmonds). Carry out isn't given in Styrofoam containers, no, instead, in compostable containers.
6) Freedoms. It's funny that living in Maryland I never felt restricted in my freedoms, until I moved here and realized how really controlled by the government life was there. Here, I can purchase beer, wine, (and in February hard liquor) in the grocery stores and other locations (like Costco)! And this state is an open-carry state, so if a resident chooses to openly carry a fire-arm, it is totally legal without any permits required. Note, they are banned from certain areas (bars, government buildings). But how wonderful it is to have a CHOICE. It's funny that I never thought of that as a choice I had to make until moving here.
My absolute favorite thing without a doubt, about living here is the beauty. It is incredibly beautiful to see snow capped mountains even in August. Or seals in the bay. It is truly beautiful. Just driving out of the neighborhood to run an errand we frequently get such amazing views of the Olympics behind the Puget Sound, that we will pull over to admire it.
1) Language. For example: I see/hear the words 'car prowl' often. It means car break in. Or, 'prowler' I'll hear. A prowler was spotted in the 900 block of 35th Ave. Weird, eh?
2) Hyper Local. Everyone here recognizes the value of purchasing goods from LOCAL supplies. Whether it be produce, meats, or holiday gifts from local artists. Everyone here gets the 'local' movement.
3) Neighborhood clicks. If a fellow Seattle-lite asks you where you live, you don't say Seattle. You specify the neighborhood "Ballard", "Queene Anne", "West Seattle", "SoDo". There is a distinct sense of community in each neighborhood that is just so weird to me. It is very nice, but weird.
4) While driving over a mountain pass, we kept seeing signs marking "chain up area". What the hell is that? Well, to travel over certain mountain roads during winter months, you are required to have snow chains in your car, and be ready to 'chain up' if conditions require. In Maryland they were illegal, and here they are required by law!
5) Composting is Huge. We have a garbage truck, a recycling truck, and a compost/yard waste truck. Even restaurants and cafes will have a Compost Bin next to the Trash and Recycling receptacles. Some cities even ban the use of plastic bags (like Edmonds). Carry out isn't given in Styrofoam containers, no, instead, in compostable containers.
6) Freedoms. It's funny that living in Maryland I never felt restricted in my freedoms, until I moved here and realized how really controlled by the government life was there. Here, I can purchase beer, wine, (and in February hard liquor) in the grocery stores and other locations (like Costco)! And this state is an open-carry state, so if a resident chooses to openly carry a fire-arm, it is totally legal without any permits required. Note, they are banned from certain areas (bars, government buildings). But how wonderful it is to have a CHOICE. It's funny that I never thought of that as a choice I had to make until moving here.
My absolute favorite thing without a doubt, about living here is the beauty. It is incredibly beautiful to see snow capped mountains even in August. Or seals in the bay. It is truly beautiful. Just driving out of the neighborhood to run an errand we frequently get such amazing views of the Olympics behind the Puget Sound, that we will pull over to admire it.
Monday, December 12, 2011
House Renovations - Stage 1
This week starts our house renovations. There is so much that needs to be done. The list of things we'd like to do includes: kitchen (complete renovation, is mostly original 1950's), main bathroom (needs new cabinet/counter and a second sink), the bonus room needs updating (adding a closet and putting in new flooring), and the siding need something to make it more aesthetically appealing (nothing wrong with it, but is very drab).
The biggest project by far will be the total overhaul of the kitchen, but the plumbing needs to be take care of first. Our house is cute and mostly updated, except the kitchen. It is just plain ugly. It has white cabinets, white Formica-like counters with gold swirls, and some type of plastic flooring. Some of the cabinets can't open without hitting the updated appliances (I guess old appliances were smaller). For example, to open the cutlery drawer completely, I need to open the oven or the drawer will hit the oven door after being opened 6 inches. To fit the new fridge, they had to cut a hold in the top cabinets, the edges were left raw with visible cut marks. There is a large burn hole in one of the counters about 2 inches long and 1 centimeter deep.
This week plumbers will be here for 3-4 days completing 3 different projects. All the original galvanized plumbing from the 50's is being removed and replace with PEX. The new water lines will be insulated. Then, they are moving the washer/dryer out of the kitchen to hookup they are installing in the bonus room, and patching up the walls where they were removed from. Lastly, the sewer pipe exiting the 2nd bathroom will be regraded (it is pitched slightly the wrong way, making the toilet difficult to flush and prone to back up).
The biggest project by far will be the total overhaul of the kitchen, but the plumbing needs to be take care of first. Our house is cute and mostly updated, except the kitchen. It is just plain ugly. It has white cabinets, white Formica-like counters with gold swirls, and some type of plastic flooring. Some of the cabinets can't open without hitting the updated appliances (I guess old appliances were smaller). For example, to open the cutlery drawer completely, I need to open the oven or the drawer will hit the oven door after being opened 6 inches. To fit the new fridge, they had to cut a hold in the top cabinets, the edges were left raw with visible cut marks. There is a large burn hole in one of the counters about 2 inches long and 1 centimeter deep.
This week plumbers will be here for 3-4 days completing 3 different projects. All the original galvanized plumbing from the 50's is being removed and replace with PEX. The new water lines will be insulated. Then, they are moving the washer/dryer out of the kitchen to hookup they are installing in the bonus room, and patching up the walls where they were removed from. Lastly, the sewer pipe exiting the 2nd bathroom will be regraded (it is pitched slightly the wrong way, making the toilet difficult to flush and prone to back up).
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