Winter 2014

Hello! I realize it has been a long while since my last update.  We have had the coldest winter that I can remember.  Lots of snow and temperatures in the negative for much of January.  We have also had lots of snow! I have been collecting photos to post for the last few months though and thought I'd share them today and give you an idea as to what I've been up to!

Despite the cold weather, the chickens have been troopers....I have gotten lots of eggs!

This is Freebie, she is the only one I have who lays white eggs!  Many of which are double yolked!

When the temperature was in the minus range for days on end, I had to mix up some treats for the chickens.  This was to reduce pecking at each other, since they couldn't be outside.  I also added a lot of straw to their coop and as you can see, they enjoyed that!

This was a mix of laying feed, sunflower seeds, crushed eggshells, cracked corn and molasses. Baked at 350 until brown and crisp on the top.

Because its been so cold we've had visitors that are not out usually in the daytime...this was an obvious worry.  This one is only a baby, but a baby can kill all of your chickens.  There was also a really large raccoon out by the pen earlier that I didn't get a photo of.  I had to close up the chickens early both days. He's cute though.

This one I call Baby Beard. One of the chicks hatched by Big Mama.  All grown and laying brown eggs!

I call her Rainbow, because she has so many colors.  These chickens are mixed breeds.  It has been fun seeing what they would grow up looking like.

This one is also one of the babies.

 Me and Big Mama chicken.

 Me and Blackbeard, one of my blue egg layers!

Soon I will be planting vegetable seeds and flowers!  I also plan on starting some greens for the chickens in the greenhouse as soon as temperatures permit!  I will give you updates on those things soon!