The clocks have sprung forward, and the lengthening evenings tell us that spring is close. Melting snow and warmer days say the same, that is until temperatures plunge down again and we wonder – “is it really so?”!
All of us here on the farm are ready – Mom, Dad, Luke, and the flock alike. The humans dream of gardening, green grass, and performing farm chores without having to bundle up first. Luke and I long to get back out into our woods for longer walks. The older flock is happy with some bare ground where the yard has been plowed, but the guinea fowl have to be told they can’t wander into the road to find more things to peck at!
The new birds have yet to know that they will be moving to a new home in the coop once it gets warmer, and then they will also get to experience digging in the dirt and growing plants as well. For now, they are content to stay in the house where it’s warm all the time, and the sun streams through the windows!
Flock update:
Egg production is up, and we are now getting close to a dozen per day! Once the ice in the driveway melts and temperatures moderate a bit more, we’ll be able to open up our farmstand for egg sales once again. For now, I am selling them at my shop, and will to continue to do so even when we’re selling them from the farm. I’ve established some regular customers who come in to get the eggs, or always grab them when they are there browsing for a gift.
We hatched 6 more chicks just four weeks after our first two, Cleopatra and Toni (short for Antony, just in case “she” turns out to be a “he”!) arrived.
They are in cages side by side in our office. My “former” office, where I used to do bookkeeping, has now more become the farm office, where we raise chicks and plants until everyone and thing can move outdoors. A little bit of financial work is still done in there on the computer, but only for ourselves. I am happily no longer doing bookkeeping work for anyone but my own businesses and personal needs!
I’m also happy to say that Luke has been great with the birds! Mostly he just ignores them.
The other fun thing is that the office is right across from our bedroom, so I get to wake up to chirping and singing birds!
Remember I told you we got an air purifier in hopes it would keep down the dust? Birds make a crazy amount of dust, which was one reason we had been doing our hatches in the summer so they could go immediately into the coop. This year, however, we wanted an earlier hatch so we could have hens who would start laying by the end of the summer.
I’m happy to say the purifier is doing it’s job! At first, I didn’t think it was, but it turned out we only had it on the lowest setting. Since we’ve turned it up, there has been far less dust gathering.
Each Year is Different
Interesting photos popped up on my computer in my amazon photos memories one day: Wasn’t I surprised to see all the bare ground we had last year at this time! Luke and I were already walking in snow-free woods, and the birds were venturing much further out into the yard.
I will say, however, that according to my photos just several days after that the ground was once again snow covered. There were at least two decent sized storms in March, and another late April and even in early May! But it was at least not impossible to walk in the woods then. This year, deep snow with a hard but not-quite-hard-enough crust on top has made it quite difficult. While I could mostly stay on top with my snowshoes, poor Luke could take several steps on top of the snow but then suddenly plunge down deeper in. That can’t be good for his knees! We kept that trial walk short that day and luckily he’s been fine since. Several warmer days are bound to change those conditions, so we’ll be giving it another try very soon! It’s looking like at least some of our beaten paths might be safe to try.
Warm then cold again, spring is not truly here yet, so who knows what we’ll end up with? Sooner or later, we’ll be back out there though, and we can’t wait! Luke has been very well-behaved though, not acting up from the cabin fever we are all feeling. He’s been such a good boy!
What a good picture of Luke!! We have gotten about 3 feet of snow this March. Our drought hasn’t ended, but we are t complaining about the snow. Every little bit helps! The chicks are adorable!
Thanks! Getting him to look happy in a photo is challenging! 🙂
Wow, you’ve really been getting a lot of snow! I think we were way below normal precipitation for March, and all our snow is pretty much gone. We are getting a little bit today, but nothing accumulating so far.
We have sunshine today and I think the huge drift in our front yard has finally melted! It has been there for many months. We are getting warm weather this weekend, so it’s finally feeling like spring here, too! It has been nice to get the dogs out for a bit; I’m sure Luke is excited to go out without a coat!
We still have a little snow on the north side of the house, but at least we can open those doors again!
Yes, Luke is happy to skip the coat, but now he has to get bug sprayed instead! We haven’t seen any ticks yet but others have so I’m sure we will at some point. Ugh. 🙂
Paws crossed ya’ll are starting to get some spring weather!! Our first day of spring was cold, cloudy and windy which was very odd for FL but we just rolled with it and now it’s back in the 80’s. We are hoping spring sticks around fur a bit cause none of us are ready fur da heat.
xoxo,
Matt, Matilda & Mama
Yes, we are now getting some beautiful days! We’ve had some in the 60’s even. I have an aunt in FL and saw her wearing a winter coat in her recent birthday photo – that seemed crazy! Hope your temps stay comfortable for a while now.
What a good boy Luke is to ignore the birds! I am fairly certain that our pups would not be able to manage that!
I’m actually quite surprised that he ignores them, especially when they are in there flapping around and such! We do keep the door closed when we’re not home though, just to be on the safe side. 🙂
Everything looks so wonderful … hard work no doubt, but with rewards both small and big! (can we come live with you???)
Paws up for a fruitful spring into summer for all!
We certainly could use some help on the farm! 🙂
Thank you!
I absolutely LOVE that pic of sweet Luke!!! He looks sooooo happy!!
And I love the plastic-under-the-cages idea, too!
I have to give Tom credit for that one!
Luke has been SO good with being stuck inside so much. We should be able to start getting back out very soon though.
All those plants and baby birds … and I killed our cat grass. The chicks are very cute – at least until they start tossing stuff out of the cage. Looks like the guineas are winning the contest so far.
Yeah, all that tossing of stuff takes a bit away from the cuteness factor. LOL
Hi all, I love the plastic under cage idea! Everyone looks great!
Thank you!!
Busy times on the farm!
We wouldn’t have it any other way! 🙂
Everything looks so nice and neat. You’re doing a great job, Luke!
Thank you, Molly!
Woofs,
Luke
Spring is an exciting time, but even more so on a farm I would imagine – enjoy all!
It certainly is – thank you!
After the 2+ feet of snow over the weekend, I know all about the elusive season known as spring. 😂
You certainly do!!! And you can keep it there – LOL!!
It’s good to see you’re well into making sure spring and summer are taken care of on the farm. I so remember all the work that needed doing during this time of year. It’s so good to hear how things are going and to see handsome Luke again.
Have a fabulous day and week. Smooches to Luke. ♥
We’re excited with trying some new things this year.
Luke sends smooches right back to you! ♥
Glad your air purifier is working. We use ours every night, but just on the low speed. Some of those chicks are really getting big, more like real birds! Hope your egg numbers continue to climb and your spring comes for you soon.
It’s amazing how fast the chicks grow. We have them all together now, so you can really see the difference that just 4 weeks makes!
Nice to see a post from you. The chicks are adorable. I didn’t realize there would be a lot of dust, but the air purifier is a great idea. My hubby has a zucchini started inside, one that is self- pollinating and we are hoping for our first one by the end of the month- it will be itty bitty, but fresh. 🙂
Oh, that’s exciting to have your own zucchini this early in the year! I might have to try that next year. 🙂
I hope your Spring gets there soon and hooray for more fresh eggs! Luke, you’re looking mighty fine pal.
Thank you, Brian!!
Woofs, Luke
that is a super idea with the pastic bags…. I bet they write a lot of circles in the ground :O) we hope spring comes to you soon and it will be a goooood farm year
Thank you! Oh yes, those birds are messy ones! I have to give my hubby credit for thinking of the plastic bags though. 🙂
You are a BUSY family!! Loved seeing the newer chicks, and how the older pair have grown!
Hope all your spring wishes come true hastily!!
Thank you! We enjoy being busy! Well, I do anyway, not sure my hubby would agree with that. LOL