I ventured outside today since it was so nice (sunny and nearly 60 degrees). We have had some bitter cold lately, so I was surprised to find so much green in the garden. A nice bunch of chickweed was growing on one of the compost heaps, and a chard in a protected place still had some green leaves, so the chickens got some vitamin-packed treats. The Yarrow is putting out some green shoots, (so have to divide it and re-pot 1/4 of it when Spring comes) anyone local want some red-flowering Yarrow? Brussels sprouts are growing, but the plants are still small. It will probably be Spring before they produce anything!
I finally put the compost bucket outdoors so I will stop keeping those scraps. Yes, I know compost still 'cooks' in the winter, but so slowly that I still have a lot of un-broken-down big stuff when I want the compost to spread on the garden.
The 'girls' stopped laying sometime in December. I had kept lights on them through November so I could get a few more eggs, but they need a break. I had them out of the coop this afternoon so they could get pedicures, and it seems Emilie ( what I ended up naming my new dog) is a little afraid of them. After all, when they get close-up-and personal they are as big as she is, and from her perspective those faces are a little weird looking. Much less intimidating when they are behind 'bars!'
Sorry for no photos. I'll try to do better next time.
Ooh, I'd love a start!
ReplyDeleteI read an article by a chicken vet that said research has shown no ill effects to chickens from having lights all year round, so now I keep them on for 14 hours/day. After all, if they lived on the equator, isn't that what they would get?
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