Bringing Everyone Together

The world of chickens can be more complicated then we think.  One cannot simply put chickens together and assume all is well, the factors to consider are more then I anticipated.
Having 12 chickens of one age and 8 chickens of another has been a stressful issue on the homestead.
First it was deciding when to change everyone's feed to avoid having to buy different feed running the risk of unused feed which is a waste of money.  Nothing is simple and smart choices often require careful planning.  A calender is essential, know your feed and watch your birds.  FYI everyone gets switched to layer feed in August with our first eggs expected in September.

The new hurdle is housing.  The 8 young birds are quickly outgrowing their brooder and are about to have all their feathers.  The time for them to move out into the coop is near.
However,  the "Pecking Order" is very much a reality and true to form, the bottom of the order does get pecked.  Putting the birds together too soon and we run the risk of fighting, injuries and even losing birds.
With that said, introductions must be made.
So for the past several days we have been free ranging our birds together.  For the most part they avoid each other, but I'm hoping these first impressions are not a sign of the future.  I had to stand back and watch several babies take a pecking from bigger birds.  A new order is being established.
Why can't we all just get along?!

Dehydrating - Shamefully Easy

I've decided that dehydrating foods is too easy.  Now I still totally intend on freezing and canning but who knew dehydrating was so simple, clean and rewarding!
As with all my new adventures, there was lots of research involved.  Everything I read said to start with great fresh produce.  So when a patient blessed us with pounds of fresh Shirley strawberries ar the clinic, it was the perfect opportunity to test out the new dehydrator.  I was lucky enough to snatch up 4 lbs of what have to be the best strawberries in the state!

Preparing the fruit was easy... washed it, cut off the tops and cut in halves to fourths depending on the berry size.  My dehydrator does not have a heat setting or timer, so I just loaded up the racks and plugged it in.
Approximately 10 hrs later they were done and my house smelled like a berry patch.  4 lbs = roughly 1.5 to 1.75 pints, I said 2 pints but hubby pointed out my jars weren't filled to the pint mark.  He's handy like that.
More dehydrating to come...

It's The Small Things

Life and death seem so simple in theory, but when someone meaningful passes away you are reminded of how complex and fragile life is.  That was my lesson last week as we unexpectedly had to say goodbye to our friend and coworker Dr. Starnes.
I've always taken comfort in my faith when it comes to death but for some reason not this time.  I struggled with my trust in God to provide and protect.  I was not ashamed to say I was angry with Him but He was loving enough to keep gently pushing me towards the peace He had to offer.
It's funny how something so small can soften a heart and remind us that God is ever present in ALL circles of life.  My moment of peace came after Doc's memorial service.  I had come home early from work to just find some quiet. I know it's seems odd to some but the chores involved with chickens and rabbits and gardening is peaceful and calm.  So you can imagine the unexpected excitement when I realized the pile of fur in the doe rabbit cage was a nest for baby bunnies!

Not only did we have no idea one of our doe's was pregnant but these babies had crawled through a hole in the cage and fell 3 feet to the ground only to then burrow all around the hutch area.  Hubby called it an Easter egg hunt for pink blobs.  But we found them and they were healthy and fine.  It was in that moment that I found peace in 6 pink fragile bunnies.
God is good, He will always provide and protect.  We've since lost a baby but the remaining 5 are healthy and growing.  My anger is gone and has been replaced with my memories of Doc and how he would have loved hearing about my base jumping miracle bunnies.  Cause it truly is the small things that often make the biggest impact.