Looooong time no see! We've grown!

It has been well over a year since I have posted in this blog!


And let me tell you, a lot has changed since then, and not to worry, you will be filled with plenty of news of the past, plus, plenty news from here on out of the present and future.

So first, let me say, last year we had quite some fun. The farm grew past "just chickens" so as a heads up I will now be posting plenty about our gardens, greenhouse, and foods we'll make from it as well. Second, let's go through what happened since my last post:

Last heard, I had a Yak named Djimon, a flock of assorted hens and a few roosters in a "Bachelor Pad," and it was mid winter. Well, since then, we ended up selling our sweet Djimon as it didn't look like he'd have any ladies for him anytime soon, so, we felt it would be best he go to a better farm. Also, most of the flock we had last year/previous year is now gone. We no longer have Wyandottes, hatchery-based Easter Eggers, only got one of our original McMurray Brahmas left, no more New Hampshire hen, no more Bachelor pad, sadly lost both of my Shamos, and now we've come a long way. Shortly after my post last January I hatched out some babies and continued hatching til fall. Many of those babies were the sons and daughters of my White Crested Black Polish, Wheaten Ameraucanas, and others. Well, those kids grew up and had their own kids just this year, so, some of my hens are now Grandmas! And I've got some Grandpas too, as well as a Great-Grandpa. (Soon to be Great-Great Grandpa)

Here's a Granddaughter of my smooth Tolbunt Polish "Bowie"

Another granddaughter of his, this here is a mottled Easter Egger. (crest and all)

During the time of the chicken and Yak changes we also had a very large (20' x 54') Greenhouse built, after the sad collapse and death of our last but rather flimsy one. Our new greenhouse was home to hundreds of tomatoes of all colors, shapes, sizes, flavors as well as hundreds of different peppers, handfuls of Squash, and even bigger handfuls of Melons and Watermelons. Yes, out here in the cool damp Pacific Northwest, I for the first time successfully grew and at my own Watermelons and Melons! And, these weren't your traditional bland store-bought seedless or Canteloupe types, they were rare Heirlooms of amazing color and flavor.

Orangeglo Watermelon. Rich, sweet flavor and a hint of tropical. We saved plenty seeds from this fella and are growing them now.

Big plate of the "catch of the day," Some various delicious tomatoes, a Corbaci pepper laid in the center, and some Melrose peppers on the outskirts.

Oh yeah, and I also grew some Banana trees and a Fig in the greenhouse. Sadly as winter came along it got much too cold for the Bananas, even with a little supplementary heat, and they died. The fig made it through just fine though, and actually produced that very year I purchased it! The figs came in late though, and never got to fully ripen.

So, that passed, and it is now the new year of 2012. What's happened in the last few months? Well, I "restarted" the greenhouse with new and more various Nightshades and Cukes, hatched out some more chickens, and so on. We still don't have any four-legged Livestock (forgot to mention, George the goat is also gone. He too was lonely) but still have lots of chickens, and have been on a mission to fill our property with food! Plant food, that is. We've purchased a TON of different trees, shrubs, etc, some that bear fruits and nuts you've likely never heard of, and never thought would grow out here. More on that later.

In the mean time, it's good to be bloggin' again.

The Flock and the Yak

So, this is about all that's been going on lately. It has been raining on and off, and we haven't had any sun since my last post. In the mean time I've been setting down and clearing out spaces for our new greenhouses to be built on as well as spaces for our future Orchard to be planted on. Other than that, I got a chance to take some photos of our flock of hens. Just a little note though - These photos show maybe half the population. Not shown are my Easter Eggers, Olive Eggers, Buff Ameraucanas, and a few others. . .

We first start with the beginning. Cloudy day, middle of winter, yet there's still always chickens foraging about out there. So, I decided to take a peek. . .



So, getting a little closer, I can see a New Hampshire, a Brahma, some Wyandottes, and a Black Copper Marans. (who's the only non-hatchery bird there, and sadly bigger than the Brahma)



So, I decide to throw some sunflower seeds out there, attract some more. . .







Now remember, this is the middle of winter. . . Normally what you're looking at is solid greenery of grasses, daisies, thistles, blackberries, etc.

So, after that little get together, I finally decide to let our Yak, Djimon, out to graze the pasture. . .





After a little run-around behind their coop, I led them downhill and out to where Djimon the Yak was.





The big ugly pile of wood in the back is what happens when you cut down some forest and have yet to burn, chip, or simply move away the left-over stumps and twigs.



And, they've gone as far as they prefer for the day.

Now, time to fight over food!



For those of you who are curious - The black and white spotted chickens are Silver Laced Wyandottes. The white one with the black neck and tail is a Light Brahma. The orange ones that pop in and out are a New Hampshire and her crossbred daughter. The really light solid creamy brown ones are Wheaten and Blue Wheaten Ameraucanas. The light creamy brown ones with big fluffy bodies and dark orange heads are Wheaten Marans. The black ones are Black Copper Marans. The gray ones are Blue Ameraucanas and Blue Jersey Giants. There's also a couple others who pop in and out, such as a splash Araucana (white, no tail, has black polka dots on her body) and the solid white looking one is a splash Jersey Giant.


And, way over on the other side of our whole property, are some other free ranging, umm, birds? Raptors? Cross between people and chickens? . . . This here is our Shamo named Godzilla, though we often like to call him Gojira. He really is a sweetie though! Follows you everywhere, always wants treats, and always chit-chats with you. His mate's eggs are currently in the incubator and will hatch next week! His own crossbred babies are also in the incubator and they too are due to hatch next Monday.