I got the strawberry rows finished a day or so ago. Still have to put mulch on the outside of the newly planted row (on the left of the picture above) but I want to wait about a week in which I'll till up the area two or three more times to convince the sod that I am not going to allow it to grow into the cultivated area.
Papa Pea reports that these mornings when he lets the poultry out the ducks and chickens zoom right past the food dishes he puts out. They all know there is food in the pond or pasture that is more desirable this time of year than the stuff we offer. Mmmm, bugs, tadpoles, grubs, worms, green grass! Yum!
When the sun hits this area at the edge of the copse of trees in the pasture, the chickens love to take dust baths in the area they've made into their own private spa.
I tried to get closer to show the hens all congregated farther back in, but Mr. Roo got a little nervous. He gave me a questioning eye saying, "Ummm, lady, can't you see we're trying to take baths here?"
24 comments:
Haven't seen any of your poultry in TOO LONG; I was beginning to think you didn't have them any more!
I'll bet the hens are so excited to get out in the sun. Just like we are. Today was the first of my Fridays off (May thru June) and it was supposed to clear up and also be nice tomorrow. Now they've postponed it to Sunday. Went to go out and it was drizzing. Checked the radar - whole county clear except for one spot right over our house! I did some transplanting anyway. Tomatoes got booted out of the basement to the cold frame into gallon pots. At least I don't have to worry about them getting sunburned.
Michelle - They've been kind of pouty not being able to be out and about all winter, but now they are much happier. Only problem is they do not want to go in at night! Don't know where the ducks were this morning when I went out to take pictures. None I could see on the pond. They must have been way down at the other end. And we do have one female sitting on a clutch of eggs in the poultry house. She's cranky even though it's nice weather now. ;o)
SmartAlex - Well, they do say that transplanting is best done on an overcast, drizzling day. Less shock to the plants, I guess. Sometimes the gardener ends up with pneumonia but . . . ;o]
I've heard that too, it's always better to plant when it's cloudy, less stress on the plants. Your chickens are very happy! Your rooster is gorgeous what breed is he? A wyandotte? Our two hens were dust bathing this morning too after a really heavy dowpour for most of yesterday afternoon with lots of thunder and lightning. They found a nice dry corner and had a little Spa time themselves! What kind of breeds are your hens? Thanks
Do not mess with Mr. Rooster!!!!
Spring has sprung! Gotta' got get another Header Pic!
Yes, I am a "Task Master," I know. -grinnnnnnn-
Rain here. Blahhhh. But leaves are popping, and just wait till the next couple of sunny days!!! Whoooooosh with the GREEN!!!!
"Tra la, it's May"
🌱🌸🌱😊🌱🌸🌱
Nancy - Our rooster shown is a Speckled Sussex. Pretty boy, isn't he? And several Speckled Sussex hens, too. The black ones shown are Black Australorps which I think are about the favorite variety we've ever had. We also have some Silver Dorkings we got as chicks from a hatchery, but we've always doubted they are really Silver Dorkings.
wisps of words - Alias the "Task Master!" Yes, the fact that I need a new blog header photo has been bugging me, too. Just have to take the time to change it. We're expecting rain tonight and into tomorrow, but that's okay as we still have dry conditions and, hence, always the threat of possible forest fire danger which is not something we want!
I have a Speckled Sussex rooster too! He is a really pleasant guy; totally submissive to the dogs and me, and mostly polite with his hens. I have two Speckled Sussex hens and then ten others of various breeds. My chickens also have no interest in chicken food, but want to run outside as fast as they can! Glad you have some warmer weather, and your strawberries look great!
Glad to see you are getting good weather. We will have one good day today, and then it turns cold here again.
Love your beautiful chickens! How do you keep your strawberries so neat? Mine are always sending runners out all over the place.
I need more too as I don't get enough to do anything with. I was thinking of getting one of those round layered beds with the screen over it. My mouth is watering just thinking of fresh strawberries. So good compared to those tough, tasteless ones in the store! Enjoy!
farm buddy - Our Speckled Sussex rooster is a totally good guy, too. It's wonderful to have a non-aggressive rooster as those guys can be truly dangerous. I think the poultry's fresh, natural food must taste like candy to them after the winter's food provided by us. We do feed out apples, cooked squash and other veggies to them over the winter that they gobble up, but it's just not the same of them being able to forage by themselves!
Kristina - As it goes in a typical spring, our temps dip and dive, too, but those nice days feel sooooo good!
Sam I Am - I have always cut off all runners on my berry plants. It's a chore to keep on top of but I'm convinced it keeps the mother plants producing more and longer that way. Also easier to pick and control the weeds. I dislike having to replant strawberries every two or three years as some info suggests one should do. I've found with my method I can keep plants going three times as long. Might not work for everyone, but it's how I do it.
Springtime=busyness for both of us.
Cockeyed Jo - Although fall seems very busy in it's own way, especially on a small homestead, spring time has an urgency about it. Throw in the cold, rainy days that are interspersed with those gorgeous ones and you sometimes can feel like you're taking two steps forward and one back! Ain't it grand?
You said a mouthful MP!
It has been a bit toasty in my mountain valley. Several days skimming the 80 degree mark with mid 50’s at night. Just getting ready to put my flannel sheets in hibernation and this morning a low of 48. No frost of course but breezy and cool. Shall we just toss a coin and forgo hearing the meteorologist report?
Looking good in your neighborhood 👍
This time of year is when I really miss the farm I grew up on--all things coming to life and letting the cattle out to the far pastures...the smell of the land after a fresh spring rain. Lucky you to have that bit of heaven there. xo Diana
Goatldi - Yes, such an unpredictable weather time of year. Papa Pea asked that I take the winter down comforter off the bed and replace it with the fleece blanket. First two nights I had to throw the comforter (I was wise enough not to pack it away just yet) over me on my side. Last night I was brave and went without it. We went into the 70s in the sun yesterday and, boy howdy, did it feel warm. Your 80s would have had me running for the pond!
NanaDiana - You're a born and bred farm girl! We heard the peepers start their spring chorus this past week. A sure sign of spring here! And the grass is turning greener by the day. Get out the lawn mower, honey!
Are the strawberries done til they produce? What a handsome Rooster! The weather here has been warm also. I'm afraid it will come in too hot. Stay safe!
linnellnickerson - Almost done. I could use some more mulch right up and under the plants so that when it rains the dirt doesn't have a chance of splashing up on the strawberries. (Hate muddy fruit!) But the mulch I'm using is "stringy" so it's difficult to get it just where I want it. We have a shredder that we're considering putting some of the mulch through and then I could use that. Or (and this is probably what we'll do) I can bag up the grass clippings from our first lawn mowing and use that.
After bragging about our warm(ish) weather, we've had just below freezing temps the past two nights. And forecast for tonight again. Happy Spring!
Love all your farmyard photos. We've had great weather in the UK . We live near the coast so get to do fabulous walks.
gramswisewords.blogspot.com
grams ramblings - Hello! I recently saw some pictures of what it looks like in the UK and it was beautiful. So green and lush. Enviable since we still don't have buds on our trees. A little green tint to the grass, but not a lot yet. I'll bet your walks along the coast are simply lovely.
HAPPY MOTHER"S DAY, MAMA PEA !! XO
linnellnickerson - Oh my goodness, you're really thinking ahead! Thank you. And the same to you I'm assuming? :o)
Your strawberry rows looks so healthy. Maybe you'll have a bumper crop, I hope! Phil
Phil - Oh, gosh, I'm certainly hoping for a bumper crop this year! Last year's was not and we've missed having enough as we wanted for smoothies, jam, and fruit leather. We don't have grandchildren of our own, but it's such a delight to have little ones come and pick (and mostly eat!) strawberries. They seem to get such joy from it so that's another reason I hope we have that bumper crop this year. Fingers crossed!
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