Colorado

[PirateGirl]

So going into 2018 let's talk about goals. Goals are better than resolutions because they aren't just something you vow to do more or less of, but something you genuinely want to accomplish and work towards. So what are your goals for your flock, your garden, your homestead, or anything else you want to share with us? Short term, long term, 2018?

I plan to re-visit my extremely challenging garden this year and make a go of it. I am slowly accepting that there are just things that don't flourish above 10,000 ft., the sun burns off the leaves, the frost will kill things in July, and the wind blows everything away, and the hail! but there have got to be some things I can grow. In a move to be more self sufficient, I think I'd like to attempt a garden plot to feed my flock. I've tried to grow things I like to eat, but I think the chickens are less picky and I hope I can successfully grow some things they would enjoy, even if just some grasses and herbs. Any input is certainly appreciated.

 

[Mtn Margie]

Root crops for you and your flock. Beets and beet greens, turnips and turnip greens, chard, kale, carrots and the tops to the chickens. Grain amaranth works but be aware that it can self seed easily and then you will have it forever.

Goals for the homestead..., grow out the sheep flock and market the wool/meat and hatch out some of my chicken flock eggs.

 

[lomine]

I have so many things I’d like to do/try this year. I’d like to try the hugelkultur method for planting some root crops. I’d like to build a pond for my ducks and incorporate into it the ideas of aquaponics to grow other vegetables. I’ve always been better at caring for animals than growing things but I also want to grow more of my own food.

I’d like to hatch more quail and chicken eggs. Maybe even duck eggs if I’m able to get Saxony ducklings. I hope this year I can get some of my Ameraucana eggs to hatch. I’ve been considering selling quail chicks and maybe chicken pullets if my hatches are good.

I’d also like to breed my goats in May. It will be my first kidding which is exciting and scary.

I’ve been thinking about getting a couple of castrated male lambs to help me keep the grass down and grow out for meat. But I’m not sure that will happen in 2018.

 

[Mtn Margie]

Happy New Year Colorado...! I think everyone is taking advantage of the nice weather to get stuff done. I know I have a list for sure.

 

[lomine]

One of these is not like the others. Can you spot it?

Gave everyone a little mealworm snack today and Cody decided he wanted to join in.

 

[Mtn Margie]

 

[lomine]

Some of my younger pullets are around 19 weeks and I see some combs and wattles starting to turn red. I'm excited for some eggs again. I haven't gotten any since a week before Christmas and before that I was only getting one a day for almost a month. I really thought my pullets who were hatched in April 2017 would have laid through the winter but they all seem to be molting. No duck eggs either. I have 30 girls and no eggs. Bunch of free loaders! Good thing they're so cute.

 

[PirateGirl]

@lomine mine from last April have just started laying for the first time. As of just yesterday I've now got 4 out of 5 laying (although not as much as I'd like). Hopefully you will get some eggs soon. I'm still waiting on one more freeloader myself, but the lengthening days and unseasonably warm weather are certainly helping!

 

[lomine]

Haha I don't mind too much. I'm just excited to see what egg colors I get from my new pullets. I've been working for a rainbow basket so hopefully this is the year. Except it looks like the one who is going to start laying first is the Meyer Meal-Maker, a Leghorn. They lay white eggs - boring!

I'm also excited to try dry incubating. After reading up on high altitude incubating, it may give me a better hatch rate. Maybe I'll finally be able to hatch some Ameraucana.

I'm so glad the days are getting longer again. It's no fun when it's dark before 5, even if the sunsets make for petty pictures.

 

[PirateGirl]

@lomine i hear ya. I actually got home from work before sunset the other day! That has been a rare occurance.

My suspected Ameraucana did just lay her first blue egg, which is pretty exciting. Especially when everyone online seems convinced there are no true Ameraucanas anymore. She was a bit of a surprise addition to my flock from a breeder.