A YEAR OF PIES!
HOMEMADE LIVING: HOME DAIRY
HOMEMADE LIVING: KEEPING BEES
HOMEMADE LIVING: CANNING & PRESERVING
HOMEMADE LIVING: KEEPING CHICKENS
I Saw the Signs
If I ever needed proof that spring is nipping at our heels, a walk around the cove today provided more than enough confirmation. Here’s how I know:
*Daffodils flanking the apple tree.
*Crocuses ‘a croakin’ (not really, but, you know, poetic license and all….)
*Frog spawn.
*Carpets of verdant moss.
*Quince in bloom.
*Lichen falling from the skies (well, the trees, to be exact, but, again, poetry, my friends, poetry…)
*Hive talkin’.
*A chicken posse, glossy feathers and all.
*Puddle jumping.
*Hellebores are hella pretty (in mauve and white).
*The weeds are on the move.
It’s almost here, friends!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on roosters and small children. My smallest is four. Next is eight. I love that they are able to do chicken chores.
I have this strong memory of my mama beating a rooster with a broom as it was attacking my little brother, but I’m drawn to getting one. We have six hens, all about a year old.
Spring is coming here too. I better get out there and take some pictures.
sally-it really depends on the rooster. they all have such different temperaments. i have a scar on my leg from a horrible rooster my mother had. our current rooster, r.c., is super sweet and subservient (to us, that is-to his ladies, he’s in charge). our son, huxley, is two, and r.c. has never shown any aggression to him. if he did, though, i wouldn’t hesitate to either rehouse him, or to render him into coq au vin.
Thems some fine lookin chickens!
Hi Ashley!
I’m curious how large your flock is? We are down to one pulley and one RIR rooster. I’m thinking of placing an order with an online hatchery, but I’m not sure want 20-25 chickens (girls only, no more roosters!).
Thanks!
spring in the cove looks magical! i am enjoying my neighborhood walks and spying all the new blossoms and life popping up everywhere. it’s a glorious time of year!
Hi Ashley!
The cove looks lovely! Isn’t it exciting to see those first breaths of Spring. What a comfort.
I wanted to ask you a quick question regarding your chicken flock. How many chickens do you have? We currently have two, one Ameraucana pullet and one RIR rooster. I’m thinking of ordering from an online hatchery but I’m not sure i want 20-25 chickens. We need to build a new coop anyway, so the housing isn’t so much of an issue. 25 just sounds like LOTS of chickens.
I really appreciate your thoughts.
hi heather! we currently have 9 hens and one rooster. if you have a rooster, ideally, he needs around 9+ hens to satisfy his “needs”, otherwise, you run the risk of him injuring the females. a number of hatcheries will now let you order in smaller quantities. the greater order number owes to the fact that chicks need to maintain a certain temperature in transit, which they do by thermal mass generated from lots of body heat. sometimes hatcheries will do smaller numbers, grouping orders together. good luck with your adventures in “chicken tendering”! ;^)
Oh, how I am longing for spring! Looks like you all are well ahead of us
Wish I could say the same for here, Montana! Beautiful tho’ to see your spring.
I just love those old varieties of flowers, like those double daffodils. I have some here and I notice them in everyone’s yards in the county.
Your rooster is Gorgeous! Is he an ameraucana?? Lovely colors!
Unlurking to say how much I LOVE the picture of your son slogging through the mud. It’s such a boy thing and with that photo, you are showing your acceptance and not freaking out about a little mud. Wonderful!!!