Happy 1st day of spring yesterday! It's exciting but a little frustrating at the same time because I want to be outside all the time working on everything but with three little ones I have very little time to get out and do it. Last night after Avenlea went to sleep at 7 we played and worked outside for about an hour and got lots of work done. It's nice having the longer days.
nesting boxes
playing in the coop - Nate made them that little ladder to get in and out while he worked, what a good daddy
structurally finished - Nate wants to paint it red and white
He even added a little window at my request :) I want to put one of those EGGS signs on the front of the nesting box in big wooden letters.
The chicks: They are almost 4 weeks old! We went to the 12 hours on 12 hours off for food on Monday when they were 3 weeks old as I read that helps the meat chickens not grow too fast for their heart and legs. Not sure if that was just for the cornish crosses (we have red rangers) but I figured rather safe than sorry. They seem to be doing fine on that schedule, but they do finish that mason jar full of food in about 1/2 hour in the morning, so I fill it up about 2 1/2 times total through out the day now.
This is Diamond one of our Americuanas, lots of the chicks like to roost these days. The layers seem to be doing ok and still getting enough to eat as well with the new feeding schedule, something I was a little worried about. They get in there and squirm their way in to the feeder just fine.
Nick Nack found her way out of the cage somehow yesterday, I came in to find this little chick sitting on top of the fencing over their box. It really is time for them to move out. I just hope the one light keeps them warm enough outside, it dips below freezing every night still but is in the low 50's through the day. They all have most of their feathers now.
Rainbow is I think a Silver Laced Cochin - she/he is our rare chick. I was so surprised by her cool looking feathers because she started out as an all black chick.
We have been taking some of them outside one at a time to see how they like it - it's funny to see their different reactions. Vlight just sat there the whole time.
Seedlings: We have lots of little plants growing in our living room window sill now. The only thing that hasn't sprouted are the jalapenos. But all the tomatoes have at least 3 or 4 sprouts and the broccoli and cauliflower are even getting their first real leaves on a couple of them.
These are the "big beef" starts - the 3rd one isn't looking like the others so we'll see if it turns out to be the same type of plant.
I need to thin out the broccoli because I had lots of dropped seeds
that sprouted, oops. Maybe I can transplant them somewhere. I really
hope we can grow good broccoli and cauliflower this year, not a lot of
luck in the past.
Betty: I think Betty is looking well fed and she is getting nicer, at least to me. She now has a habit of licking me whenever I come to do her water or clean her pen or feed her. It's nice she's not charging but I'm not sure I like the licking either.
Finally I can get close enough for a picture without fearing for my safety
I think she secretly likes pets and scratches
Big kids and babies: Chloe and Blain had lots of fun playing outside and helping Daddy build the coop. They are so creative in their play, I love seeing them play around the farm.
Little Chloe with her lively personality.
Singing in the wheel lines
Yelling messages to each other through the pipes
Dirty faces after a long day of play - they were sneezing all through our bed time routine because of the dirt in their noses.
Thank goodness for bathtime!
Avenlea going down for the night: She has been eating solids really well and had bananas for the first time this week. She really likes them.
Sweet Sleeping Baby
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