Thursday, February 20, 2014

Bits of February




Despite all the snow, our hens are really producing- thanks to the younger group now laying in full force.

 
Somersault running down the shoveled path when I call.

Homeschooling allowed us to jump in the van one cold weekday morning to see triplets minutes after the third was born.  That day morning studies were replaced by watching newly born lambs become acquainted with the world and playing games in front of the wood stove to warm up once back home.

 
There has been a lot of sledding happening on the hill beside us this winter.  Semi-thaws during the day make for fast sledding at night.  All manner of sleds (including this homemade one) can be seen zooming down the hill while adults play human shied to potential crashes at the bottom.

 Tradition: a birthday sign. My boy turned eleven and I'm not sure how I feel about it.

 Anxious to see where I'm shoveling to next.

A (horrible) picture of an Eastern Screech Owl (in red morph) sitting in the broken out window of our barn.  We're hoping it has made the barn it's home.  To get a better idea of what they look like (and sound like), go here.
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11 comments:

  1. Photos look a lot like what has been outside our window this month! Yesterday it was 50 degrees here in Indiana! It was wonderful! Your eggs look wonderful! I can't wait to have chickens again. The only thing holding me back is the thought of having to find someone to care for our animals when we want to get away. We have less neighbors in our new area. What do you do when you go away?

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    1. We have a large waterer and feeder and the chickens have constant access to the chicken yard so going away for the weekend doesn't require any outside help. When we're away for a week, we ask a neighbor or friend from church to refill their water and feed and collect the eggs mid week.

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  2. Great photos! The lamb triplets are just adorable! Thanks for sharing!

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  3. I am wondering how you clean your fresh eggs?

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    1. If we gathered our eggs daily and had chickens that knew the difference between a roost and a laying box, we wouldn't have to clean our eggs at all. Sometimes they are squeaky clean and we leave them that way (they stay fresher longer with their natural coating intact). But because our eggs often have chicken poop on them (from hens who roost where they please) we have to clean them. We gently rub them clean under warm, running water and make sure to disinfect the sink afterwards with a spray bottle of diluted bleach water. They air dry on a designated egg towel and then head for the fridge.

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    2. Thanks for your reply. We have heard not to run them under water at all. Our chickens do lay in the nest, but sometimes there is chicken poop on them anyway. We are still new at raising chickens and still trying to figure it all out. So far, we have been storing them dirty and washing as we were using them, by rubbing with a damp cloth. Glad to know it is okay to run them under warm water...

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    3. Using water is how we do it but I know there are some who advise against it. We've weighed the pros and cons and decided that washing them under water helps keep feces from getting into the egg when we crack it. There is the concern that washing it removes the coating that keeps the eggs from absorbing contaminants. Here's a good article on the topic- everyone has to decide for themselves...http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/06/salmonella-risk-in-backyard-chicken-eggs/#.UweHD4XeuuI

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    4. Interesting topic. I have a friend who doesn't wash her eggs and I had never heard of that.

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  4. Hi! So many good things going on...Sam? 11? Wow...it goes too fast, let me tell you. His birthday sign is the best ever...so cute. And that owl? How amazing is that? I love owls...birds of prey are my favorite, wild geese second and then owls...although really, I just love most birds. I can't believe your girls are laying. Mine wouldn't lay because it was 40 degrees! lol They started up again, to my surprise (and after I'd bought a pack of 18 at the store...grrrr) xoxo

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  5. Love the birthday sign...SO fun!! And, yes...11...they grow up way.too.quickly! Happy (belated birthday) to your young man. Your door looks so welcoming. Yippee for a change in pace for home school...watching a baby lamb being born? That's amazingly wonderful! Happy week to you my friend. Hugs, Camille

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