Monthly Archives: April 2015

It’s a Dog Eat Dog World

Posted on April 30, 2015 by

Actually, it’s more like a dog eat anything world. I woke up to find Echo happily chewing away in the middle of some definitely not chicken feathers. After some careful inspection and research at the informative US Fish and Wildlife … Continue reading →

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When the Dogs Bark

Posted on April 28, 2015 by

I wasn’t expecting any of this today. While putzing around the place, I stumbled upon a pink rhododendron in full bloom. It wasn’t that many days when I said, “This is going to bloom soon.” Wow! And now it is. … Continue reading →

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Warmest Day of the Year

Posted on April 27, 2015 by

The moment I stepped outdoors this morning, it felt different. The morning chill was gone. The misty air was soft and comforting. The mist lifted, the sun came out, and the air warmed all morning and afternoon, topping out at … Continue reading →

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Here Comes Skunky

Posted on April 26, 2015 by

Skunky’s family is taking a break on a roost, but where is Skunky? Skunky is in the brush, not too far away, roosting on a fallen branch. Here comes Skunky, wings flapping to make it up to the top of … Continue reading →

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Forced Change of Plans

Posted on April 26, 2015 by

I was going to go into the workshop to get something, but Hazel had other ideas. A hot metal door is like a sauna for a chicken. The door to the workshop is a favorite spot to sun. Whatever I … Continue reading →

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Fast Food

Posted on April 24, 2015 by

This is my idea of fast food. Around here, going out into the garden and seeing what’s for dinner, is fast food. I can have supper on the table faster than it takes to go through the drive-through at many … Continue reading →

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Green and Purple

Posted on April 23, 2015 by

This is a good thing. I’ve got about 200 more potatoes to plant to finish the 400 feet of potato rows I’m growing this year. The purple potatoes I planted toward the end of March are shooting up, sending vibrant … Continue reading →

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Happy, Happy, Happy

Posted on April 22, 2015 by

Everyone is happy, happy, happy, at the end of the day, especially Skunky. Skunky’s mother has all her little ones rolling around in the dirt. Skunky kicks and digs in the dirt, rolling onto its back and having a great … Continue reading →

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Drab and Splashy

Posted on April 21, 2015 by

The last of the potatoes will be going into the ground this week. Few things look as drab as a pile of seed potatoes destined for the soil. As I cut the seed potatoes, I close my eye and envision … Continue reading →

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When Are Apple’s Most Beautiful?

Posted on April 20, 2015 by

When are apple’s at their most beautiful? When they first bloom or when they ripen? It’s hard to decide when they are in full bloom. It’s hard to believe that these delicate blossoms will, by fall, be heavy, crisp, sweet, … Continue reading →

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A Bouquet of Arugula Please

Posted on April 20, 2015 by

One of the hoop houses is loaded with blooming arugula. I had a patch of arugula which overwintered, and it is now in full bloom. Each time I’d pass the hoop house, I’d smell an intriguing, minty, spicy fragrance. It’s … Continue reading →

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The Power of Microbes

Posted on April 20, 2015 by

It’s amazing how much power invisible things have. I started a new compost bin yesterday. Using a 16 foot long by 4 foot wide piece of cattle fencing, I rolled it into a ring 4.5 feet across. I had to … Continue reading →

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Asparagus in Mid-April

Posted on April 18, 2015 by

Last year, I first picked asparagus on April 30. In 2012 it was April 26. Having asparagus on April 18 is early. Asparagus picked while you prepare your lunch or dinner doesn’t need to be cooked. It has a fresh, … Continue reading →

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Nijihime’s Chicks Hatch

Posted on April 18, 2015 by

Nijihime’s chicks hatched on Thursday. I’ve had many hens hatch chicks over the years, but it’s always a pleasant surprise when I first see a chick peeping out from under its mother’s feathers. I was expecting her chicks to appear … Continue reading →

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Out of the Garden Today – 2015/04/18

Posted on April 18, 2015 by

Along with fresh greens and eggs, there is the first peony of the year. Peonies in April, way up here! When have peonies ever bloomed in April this far north? Ten, twenty years from now, will they be blooming in … Continue reading →

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Jacqueline

Posted on April 17, 2015 by

Jacqueline’s modiste went for flair when she designed Jacqueline’s comb. A little bit more, and she wouldn’t be able to see out of her left eye. One of the reasons chickens have a comb is to help cool their bodies … Continue reading →

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Skunky and Family

Posted on April 16, 2015 by

Here’s Skunky and its four siblings taking a break on a log. Their mother is right by them off to the right. Watching Skunky grow is a so much fun. It’s impossible not to smile when Skunky greets my eye. … Continue reading →

Posted in About My Chickens, Raising Chicks | 2 Comments

A Hen With a Bear’s Face

Posted on April 15, 2015 by

This is Kuma-Hime 熊姫 or Bear Princess. I call her that because she reminds me of a bear. A hen with the face of a bear and she lays a green egg. Reality is more whimsical than fairy tales. “Once … Continue reading →

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It’s the Unexpected That Make Life

Posted on April 14, 2015 by

We all have plans for the day, a schedule of things to accomplish, people to call, emails to send, calendar items to do. But it’s the unexpected things that make life. This morning there was Lucky, waiting for me to … Continue reading →

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What Water Becomes

Posted on April 13, 2015 by

Cattails, ferns, comfrey, there are so many wonderful plants shooting out of the ground. If it weren’t for the frequent spring rains, none of them would flourish. I’ve recently learned about Dr. Elaine Ingham, a fascinating microbiologist. A quote of … Continue reading →

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