So last week was a busy one for us here on our little farm. Our pre-ordered Blue Slate heritage turkeys and Silver Laced Wyandotte hen babies arrived from the hatchery. We have raised our own bantam chickens before--the old fashioned way, under mama hen. This is our first foray into raising without a mama hen, in a box, under a heat lamp. A week in my vote goes to the old fashioned way. Turkeys aren't very bright and are far more challenging to care for than chickens. I keep hearing how friendly and charming turkeys are, but so far they are just loud and very environment sensitive. The plan for these little guys is for Thanksgiving feasting. I think we'll have about seven to sell, and four are already spoken for as of today. We are thinking about a few geese for our own Christmas dinners as well. More on that as it develops.
The chickens are another story altogether. They are like land-based pirahna the way they swarm over their food. They are attractive chicks, but really don't like me putting my hand in their box at all. They are a bit more hysterical than the turkeys, who don't care if I come in and replace feed and water. These are all hens and will be for our egg-laying flock.
Our friend Chicken Mary commented that this photo looked more like a swarm of bees than baby chicks. I agree with her. They act more like a swarm of bees, too.
Speaking of bees...My bee hive arrived yesterday. I am very excited about having bees. I pick up my 'nuc' (bee nucleus hive), an already established hive group with a working queen, on Monday night. I'm taking a bee class at Young Harris next weekend. More on that in a separate blog entry.
Our friend Chicken Mary commented that this photo looked more like a swarm of bees than baby chicks. I agree with her. They act more like a swarm of bees, too.
Speaking of bees...My bee hive arrived yesterday. I am very excited about having bees. I pick up my 'nuc' (bee nucleus hive), an already established hive group with a working queen, on Monday night. I'm taking a bee class at Young Harris next weekend. More on that in a separate blog entry.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI was just wandering around the internet and stumbled on your blog, I don't know either of you but liked what you wrote so I added myself as a follower. I thought it would be nice to follow something in another country and see a different view of life.
I like the pics of those little birds, seems strange to think you'll be eating them one day! I do love Turkey though!
Anyway I'm sitting here in London, England and I also have a blog. http://neilstringfellow.blogspot.com/
TAKE CARE and I'll pop in and read your blog from time to time! NEIL