Gathering My Chick Supplies!

This is either my Tansy or Marguerite taken shortly after I brought them home.

This is a then two year old  Jaidy's first look at the new babies. Love her expression!

I'm getting excited! New chicks should be in my brooder box next weekend. I picked up a second brooder lamp a few days ago. My original lamp is in the Hen House chasing the the ice from from the girls water bowl. After I clean out the Hen House this weekend I am putting the plastic waterer back in place. Sage is the messiest hen I have ever endured! So the plastic waterer will be hung from the rafters under the lamp and there will be clean water for the two girls. I also purchased another chick waterer and chick feeder along with a bale of Aspen bedding. Monday I will make a quick before work run to Bloomington to pick up 50 pounds of organic chick feed. I do not use medicated feed ... ever. If the chicks are healthy and are receiving fresh, clean water and food. If they are in a clean, well kept brooder box I see no need to feed medicated feed ... just my two cents.

Still waiting to see what chicken breeds the local farm stores will be offering this year. I know I will definitely be buying more Red Stars.They lay the best jumbo brown eggs I have ever eaten. I hope to find Black Stars too. Barred Rocks are a possibility and Americanas (Easter Eggers) are on the short list. My friend Sara has Australorps and I have heard good things about them being a friendly, gentle bird. I think Miss Jaidy would like them. She enjoys petting the girls and my Tansy was a favorite so Orpingtons are on the long list.

It is going to be hard to keep my count down to a dozen new girls. I first thought I would just add ten but the lists keep growing so the numbers also keep growing!

Our First Market of 2012

Trying on a new hat!

Jack Brock's wooden bowls.

A few of the Market Jammers.

Although it was warm and muggy we had a great first Saturday at the Market. We reconnected with some folks we hadn't seen since this past fall and met new folks which is always great. Angela made some $$ which is excellent! Our life is a fund raiser. lol

Having a three day weekend means I should be able to put the sealer on the outside of the new hen house and stain the floor too. Next will be getting the doors made, the window in place and extending the fence. Daddy is in hay-mode right now so I may have to wait a bit longer before the girls can move into their new home. Making hay while the sun shines isn't a cliche but a truism if you are a farmer!

Making a Lil Progress

A not so great picture of the new hen house. Only being able to work one or two days a week is making it take quite a while to finish. 

I may be adding a few more girls to the flock when the hen house is finished. One of my customers has offered me Blue Orpingtons pullets. I think they are gorgeous!

Better get a wiggle on. I need to eat a quick supper before going back to work.

A Hard Working Man

Our Daddy will be 78 on September 16th and is one of the most hardworking individuals I know. He's a dab hand at most anything he turns his hand to and is willing to try building most anything we can come up with ... if we give him a drawing to go by.

My sisters and I are blessed to have a Daddy who helps us when ever he can and as much as he is able.I thank him every time he leaves my farm for his help.

P. S.
It was raining this morning so I was unable to get updated photos of the work on the new hen house. My nephew-in-law Ivan will be putting the roof on it soon. Daddy and I have the siding on and one window cut out. Next we will be making a screen door and exterior door. We are using hardware cloth instead of screening for the windows and screen door for strength and durability.

The weather forecast is bad for the Plains states today and tomorrow. We, the Midwest, are suppose to get it early next week. So batten down the hatches and stay safe where ever you live!