While the summer heat is lingering, we know autumn is on its way! We had a couple cool days in-between our hot spells to remind us. It’s been quite a busy summer, but things are starting to calm down a bit around here.
First of all, we want to report that our cat Samantha is officially retired for the winter from her bird-raising duties. The baby guineas we hatched (our second hatching) from our late guinea girl Henrietta have gone to new homes. They went in two groups, one of four and one of five, which made us happy. We wanted them to be together as much as possible. While I miss the little cuties, it is nice to have one less stop on my morning rounds!
We’re not sure what will be happening next spring, so Sam remains on retainer. 😊 Our coop is full to capacity, but considering how high in demand our eggs are, we might consider expanding in the future. Right now, we can’t keep eggs “in stock”. We have a good list of regular customers including family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. I literally have a waiting list (in my head) for where the next dozen will go every other day or so. In addition, I can always bring them to the farm stand where I work, another place that can’t get enough fresh eggs to sell! We’re also considering raising birds for meat as well, but I’m on the fence about that. I’ll probably write more about that at some point and maybe get some input from readers to help me in my decision.
Our own group of six guineas, now 8 weeks old, from the first hatching, are enjoying their first freedom around the coop. We now think we have at least two females, so we’re excited about that. We can’t wait until the day they are out patrolling the yard with our older “guinea boys”. I have a feeling one of those females is going to be their new boss!
Since we haven’t seen the fox for a couple weeks now, the older chickens are back to free-ranging, in the late afternoon/evenings when we’re home to keep an eye on things. We’ve still had a hawk around, though (knock wood) it seems to be staying out of the yard (hopefully thanks to all the flashy tape* we have hanging everywhere). We do remain diligent, however.
The pullets (young chickens) will get to try some free ranging eventually too; and then the “mini-guineas” will get to experience being outside in the run (or we may try letting the guineas out in the coop and run with the pullets; they seem to get along OK). The pullets are getting to the age where they will start laying eggs; and some of them are showing the signs they’re almost ready. Their combs and wattles starting to turn bright red is one of the signs. The other sign is that they squat down when you go to pat them, and at least one of our Auracanas, who we’ve named “Kermie” (because of her green legs), is doing that. We’re watching for one of her blue or green eggs to show up in the nesting boxes soon! Hopefully they can start laying in time to pick up the slack when our older girls go into their molt; when they will not likely lay much.
We’ve had some good harvest from our garden, even though a lot of the crops didn’t do well. The cherry tomatoes and yellow beans have been especially prolific. We’ve also had green beans, corn, potatoes, zucchini, and cucumbers. The beans are Luke’s favorite, and I love my Instant Pot* for steaming those for the whole family. We are also hoping for carrots and melons which are still growing. I’ll have some cool gourds for fall decorating, but the pumpkin crop did not do well, which I’m very sad about since I use those for both cooking and decorating.
I think I know where things went wrong, and it’s that our soil is lacking in proper nutrients. This fall, we will be adding the coop droppings from last winter to the soil (chicken poop is supposed to be one of the best fertilizers, but you have to let it age), and then topping it off with wood chips from the trees the Dadz has been cutting for firewood. Think how rich the soil in the forest is, and you can see where those chips could add a lot to the garden soil as well. We also need a plan for next year for keeping the weeds more under control (another problem we had this year), and I have some ideas for that.
While we didn’t have the huge bounty I was hoping for, I have been able to sell some of the tomatoes at the farm stand where I work and share some veggies with family and friends too. I’ve been working extra hours at the stand so that’s been part of my busy schedule lately. There will only be a few more weeks of working there until it closes for the winter, so I’m trying to make some extra money while I can.
Luke and I are still enjoying our daily walks. We had a nice relaxing Labor Day together, my first day off in a while. I slept in so by the time we left on our walk it was pretty hot and we were both slow. It’s so nice to have our shaded woods to walk in. I think his allergies are easing up a bit now. It’s either because we had the house closed more during the cool spell, or because whatever bothers him is now dying off (I’m hoping for that because we prefer to let the fresh air in). I stopped keeping flowers in the house to be on the safe side (though I really suspect it’s ragweed since that’s a common allergen), but we can still see the pretty sunflowers out on the patio. Remember I shared the photo of them recently? Well, apparently the squirrels decided they needed sunflower seeds and started tearing them all down! I salvaged what I could for the vase.
We are looking forward to the autumn weather, and things staying a bit quieter. While there is still fall harvest and clean-up, now that the birds are getting settled, we should have it a bit easier. Isn’t there a song about “summertime and the livin’ is easy”? That certainly hasn’t held true for us! We look forward to easier living and cooler weather in our fall! In the meantime, we’ll keep enjoying the beauty that late summer has to offer.
You have done such a beautiful job with your farm. That last photo is so beautiful!
Thank you so much! Luckily some things, like our flower garden, handle things mostly on their own. 🙂
I had no idea how big your garden is! It’s just been hot and miserable here and I’m so sick of it, can’t wait for it to cool down. Sounds like you’ve had a nice summer on the farm and earning some money too. Sandra and Dolly
We are getting a cool down now, and hope you are too! We miss you two!! ♥
That’s a lovely view to enjoy over coffee. 🙂
Yes, it is. I can’t even express how happy it makes me.
I’m glad the fox and hawks are feeding somewhere else! Your farm sound pretty idyllic, here.
It really is!!
That last photo is gorgeous!!! I can see why your summer has not been easy. Your plate is full! I’m glad that your fox is staying away… and I hope that he stays away. It must be a bit nerve wracking, between the fox and the hawk. Autumn is on its way so your wish will come true soon.
Thank you! I just drink in that view every morning. 🙂
It is nerve wracking at times. But it’s so joyous to watch the birds wandering around the yard, catching the bugs, and enjoying their freedom. We are finally getting a break from the humidity, so can definitely feel autumn on the way.
Love everything going on with the farm, it’s wonderful! I could comment on so much, but will keep it simple tonight and say that I do not think you should raise chickens for meat. Period. I know you were going to ask that later, but I can already give you my opinion. And that’s thinking of you as much as my personal thoughts. Love you!
Sounds like we’ll have a good debate ahead of us, Sis! All with love, of course. 🙂
I have to say that I agree with Lynn…. No meat birds. Period. That’s not for you. Lol. Increase the coop size to produce/sell more eggs. 🐓
We are on the same page, Sheryl, good! But we will respect their decision, but give our input until then!
Yes, we will debate then, but of course with love! Friendly debates only!
You ladies are so funny with how adamant you are! But you need to hear why we are considering it, which could make a difference. But we have other ideas too, and right now are leaning more towards expanding our laying flock (that should make you happy). 🙂
Your little guineas are soooo cute!! I cannot even begin to imagine all that you do before I have my second cup of coffee each day! Your farm looks awesome and I’m so glad the eggs and things are selling well.
While I consider myself a morning person, I still like to ease into that morning slowly….a lot of coffee is consumed in-between chores, once I actually drag myself out of bed! (the shorter days and darker mornings are definitely playing to my advantage…._)
Glad Samantha is getting her well deserved rest 🙂 We have a friend that gives us eggs and I always like those light green ones- perfect at Easter.
You are lucky to have a friend that gives you eggs. Before we had our own birds, I had SO much trouble finding fresh local eggs!
Sounds like things are going well on the farm. It’s so pretty this time of year.
It really is, and I look forward to the beauty that autumn will bring as well. Things are getting a little quieter, and I’m pretty happy about that! While we’ve loved everything that’s gone on with the hatchings…we’re ready for a bit of a breather! 🙂
My goodness…I’m worn out just from reading all that’s going on at the farm. The guinea babies are adorably cute. Here’s to temps cooling off and autumn’s beauty 🍁
We’re getting there! We’ve had a nice cool off, but we are still in store for some warmer weather. But maybe not quite so warm as before, so hopefully more bearable!
Except for having to shovel snow, I suspect wintertime is when the living is easy. 🙂
I might actually be looking forward to hibernation this year. 🙂
I have a black thumb when it comes to gardening so I can’t help there, or with additions to the fowl families. BUT I do know something about dogs on squirrel watch. 🤣 Go Get ‘Em, Luke!! 🐾🐿
It keeps them busy, and mostly out of trouble, right? 🙂
this was a pawesome update. I so wish I lived near you to purchase your eggs! Nothing better than fresh eggs! I would also LOVE to visit your menagerie! I hope that fox stays away because I have to be honest, when you post about one of the hens possibly being taken by the fox, I just can’t read it. (It isn’t your fault but it makes me cry)…….about raising chickens for meat, I couldn’t…I would become too attached. But I am strange!
No, you are not strange! That will probably be the biggest thing in the “con” column for me….getting attached to the birds. And I don’t blame you a bit for not wanting to read about the fox. I scroll past stuff that makes me sad all the time, and this has been one of the toughest parts about poultry farming for me.
Some day, as part of our retirement, we might open a little modified B&B. You could come stay. 🙂
Such wonderful photos and we love seeing the critters. Sam, you did such a grand job sweet girl.
She really did – we couldn’t have done it without her! ♥
they remind me a lot of teenage girls…. fortunately thy have very colorful feathers so you haven’t to deal with purple or green colorations ;O)))
Ha ha, if they could do that, I bet they would!
That’s amazing that the eggs are in such high demand! You seem to really enjoy the birds, so maybe expanding there would be a good thing. We know nothing about gardening and growing veggies, so can’t help out there. Have a great week.
We can’t believe it about the eggs either – around here, fresh eggs seem to be very important to a lot of people. We are thinking that expanding our layers might be the way to go.
Seeing your birds, I can’t help but think that God made some glorious creatures – and a beautiful place for us to live. I guess Sam’s on a grandparent footing with the babies … not full duty … can enjoy them for as long as she likes … and then she’s off!
Sam has got it made, doesn’t she? I love that thought – God certainly did make some glorious creatures, and so much beauty. I think of that every day I’m out on our land and the birds are following me around. Life seems tough in some ways these days, but being here keeps me hopeful. ♥