News from the Farm

Went to the henhouse this evening carrying a bucket off fresh water and hoping for some eggs as there was only one yesterday. I also hoped they were "up",as it was dusk and it would make my tasks a bit easier (especially with an adolescent rooster on the premises). Indeed, I was pleased to see they were all roosting up on the high perch, with the exception of Grizzabella who sat on the slanted roof of a laying box and Pudge, who was perched on a bag of shavings. The first thing I noticed was that the entire floor iof the henhouse appeared to be covered in scratch grain. On investigation, I found that the bag had been skillfully opened ( Indeed it looked like one of them actually pulled the string on the bag top. I could just imagine the feeding frenzy that must have ensued while they stuffed themselves silly with the tasty grain. it remains to be seen if any of them keels over tomorrow from acute gastointestinal distres.

Having said this, I have to say that I was happy to find 4 dark brown eggs, i lighter peachy brown egg, and our first green egg! We received this batch of chicks on May 19, so I am quite happy to be finally receiving some eggs. Now, I can start coking lots of "eggy" dishes like quiches, frittatas, breakfst casseroles, lemon bars and meringue cookies, lemon curd, pavlova, maybe even egg drop soup and fried rice. Perhaps I will even try a spinach souffle.

Soon it will be time to begin the adopt-a chicken program where, for a monthly fee, you receive a profile of one of our rare and endangered species hens and the eggs they produce.


Raspberry Bushes-

I added four new raspberry bushes this year and did actually manage to harvest a couple of handfuls of nice berries this year. I plan to plant more next year on the other side of the property where we are free of Black Walnut trees . I suspect that their presence may be responsible for die off of the plants and lack of fruit. I also learned that it is best to control sucker growth to 6 inches apart and a row no wider than 12-18 inches to ensure the best, most productive bushes. The bushes will be pruned this week, removing the canes that bore fruit this year, In the spring, other canes will be cut back. Wish me luck - there is nothing better than fresh raspberries in a peach melba, sauce or salad dressing. I lust for the day when I would have enought berries for an entire pie!