ELeVan ~ Honaker Farm Journal

[elevan]

Beer I'm a bourbon girl

Finger isn't fractured. Turns out it's a result of my bleeding disorder. I have to see a hematologist next Monday to identify the exact disorder but there's nothing that can be done other than monitoring and being aware of it.

 

[elevan]

Today is wonderful!

It's the first day that the kids are in school AND I don't have to do a bunch of running around. I was able to take my time getting ready for the day and I've already accomplished a ton of cleaning. I'm even considering testing a new jelly recipe.

We have 3 broody hens sitting on a nest right now - ALL TOGETHER IN THE SAME BOX! I'm not sure how that's gonna work out when something hatches but I haven't been able to get them separated successfully...they just keep moving back in together

Little Roll is getting so BIG! I never knew that bunnies grew so darn fast. He's a sweet thing too - bunny kisses are the best I tell you!

 

[BarredRockMomma]

On the big news

 

[Vickir73]

woooohooo about the kids being back in school. Mine start on the 27th and everyone is looking forward to it (at least all the adults are)

 

[elevan]

THAT DOES IT! I have a hen who is headed for the stock pot! She pecks me every time she sees me and today was the very last straw! She literally flew up and latched onto my head! Her days are numbered now.

 

[SheepGirl]

I felt the same way about my ram who always attacked me so I just got back from taking him to auction today.

Hope she didn't hurt your head too bad.

 

[autumnprairie]

 

[elevan]

That dang hen attacked me again this morning. I'm so tempted to wring her neck and feed her to the cats out of spite.

But I'm too "nice" for that. But she will be processed with the others that have that fate in another month or so. DH is gonna process a bunch of birds soon - chickens, ducks and guineas. If I can wait that long with her. I've named her "The Witch"...picked her up and tossed her outta the coop this morning when she drew blood on my leg.

Chickens are all mad at me. There is no starter feed to steal from the babies. Ha! I free range exclusively unless I have young ones still feathering out. Time to get out there and get your own chow! They've been free ranging exclusively for about a week now and are still not pleased. If it weren't for the fact that The Witch was attacking me before I would think that was the issue but alas it's not.

I've got a little guinea keet (out of my youngest batch) standing next to our little pond yelling right now. Poor thing keeps getting separated and then hollers until someone comes to get him. He always makes it to the coop at night but gets separated during the day easily. He was definitely born with that famous "guinea brain" (or lack thereof).

I'm starting to drool when I look at T-Bone now...he's turning very meaty. I talk "burger" with him and I'm not sure he likes that as he tries to give me a kiss each time bahahahahahaha! No changing my mind buddy!

Little Roll doesn't look much like a baby anymore :/ I'll have to get new pics for y'all as he's growing up rather quickly.

 

[redtailgal]

Do you keep oyster shell out for your birds? When I went from feeding to ranging, the adjustment left me with some pretty soft shells in younger birds.

 

[elevan]

Yeah they have oyster shell out all the time regardless.

I've got a hidden nest somewhere too I suspect. Last night I only got 4 eggs - out of 40 hens! The night before was only 6. I know that they'll make a drop in production when first kicking them off the feed totally as I've done this plenty of times but not that drastic. I've looked everywhere and haven't found the nest though.

Last time I had a hidden nest it took me a couple of weeks to find and then it was by accident.