Happy Harvest Blog
chickens in a bag
Of soil. I bought peat moss, for the first time in years, because it’s a horrible unsustainable thing, since the potting soil I was buying is about 90% peat moss anyway, so it was still a fail. Much cheaper, and it doesn’t have the little white things that the birds pick at and sometimes eat. There are two halves, both being thoroughly enjoyed. The greenhouse and the baths are largely vacant, because it’s a thaw day, and everyone is outside. The netting was all down, but there was just enough overhead clearance for chickens.
Afternoon lounge
I took down the cross members that allowed the birds to hang out (and poop) over the Silkies. That wasn't working for anyone but the poopers. But now the birds are teetering around on the perimeter like it's a long way to tightrope walk. Hens beefing through the fence. Someday, we'll settle this. The little chickens are adorable, hanging out together in little friend groups. Someone is showing their (Puff)cheeks lineage. Do you see it?
Hen yard
Another afternoon spent in service of chicken comfort.I created the chicken yard, finally. The fence was already there, keeping chickens out of my garden all summer, but now they are to be kept in, and I strung up the bird netting to keep the pro-flying guineas in and raptors out. I imagined that the chickens would come out and enjoy it this sunny afternoon, but instead it was a tedious, cold, frustrating task that I clued up right around the usual guinea grass hour before dusk,
The guinea graze
The guineas haven't had their evening graze for a couple of days due to rain, and I let them out a touch early. (Time change! What time is it? Old time or new time?)Perchick shot out along with the guineas. That's a Cheeks move, to get in the middle of the guinea crowd and run where they're going. Can't see me! Guinea speed is a dead run for a chicken. I wouldn't mind some grass too. Then a few other chickens squeezed out. What's going on out here?
Galahad goes to bed
It's the last day of July, and I'm noticing the day drift already. Bedtime is slightly earlier at night. Before dark, I have to go out and open a door of the greenhouse to let Galahad the guinea in. The sweet spot is the time the chickens are still milling around but have lost their curiosity and have turned their chickpea sized brains toward their own going to bed, so that they don't also dart in (because they dream of it all day).
evening snacking
The evening is a peaceful time. Chicken peace ebbs and flows. The early morning is not peaceful at all. The afternoon is a long siesta, usually broken by a period of ruckus, and then the late evening is time for some mellow scrounging before bed. A coop time snack. Here come the guineas. They get right in there. So different, yet so accustomed to living with chickens. At this time, the Silkies are all mostly in bed. The guineas are so cute, grazing in the lumpy field in their pair bonds, looking like rocks.
Additions to the farmily
I wanted to even out the numbers some by adding a couple of hens. That would make three hens and two cocks; a better ratio. They arrived this evening.I carried the sacked birds to the greenhouse in my arms, their little feet holding on to my hands through the bag.I set them down in the greenhouse.
Guineas in the greenhouse
864 square feet to play Wild Jungle Fowl in. When I first released them they were so funny, running with their necks stuck out, all of them chirping excitedly BurBURburBURburBURburBUR!
Instagram.
I may not make a blog post every day, but at least I Insta.
Bite size.
