What did you do in the garden today?

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Good morning all. Thanks for the photos @TropicalBabies, it's always nice to see green gardens this time of year. For natural weed whacking around here we have a farmer who rents out his herd of goats @allenk RVG. Try checking around your area for a similar service. This service comes with the additional benefit of free fertilizer. Yesterday was a bit chilly but it was nice to see the sun shining. I'm hoping the next few warmer days will give my little red molting hens a boost. The egg production has slowed down quite a bit here. I have three pullets that have been laying fairly regular, however we've had a thunderstorm, 2 Nor'easters, and a 3 day snowstorm in the past 3 weeks. There were days when I was only getting maybe one egg if I was lucky. I was short on my last egg delivery so I added some older eggs (around 2 weeks old) that I had put in my basement refrigerator then charged him less for the eggs. I still have plenty in my basement fridge, but I don't normally sell those. I save them for me. I roasted my largest butternut squash from my garden last night and made some awesome soup. I saved enough of the squash for my chickens. They're getting a little stir crazy because they're not liking the frosty grass so they have been "cooped up" for awhile. There's a bit more grass showing today so maybe they'll get a little adventurous. Do try to get a little rest @karenerwin. I know it's very stressful not knowing, but you need to slow down and pamper yourself. You deserve it. Take care everyone and have a great day.

 

[ValerieJ]

Last winter they laid well all the way through but in the summer heat my girls slowed. This year my older girls are all in some stage of a molt, so I'm cutting them some slack... BUT, my 2 yo BO's are acting like they are done being reliable layers. I guess I will find out in a bit. Will try a light in a few weeks if things don't improve.
30 hens and 5 roo's must be a blast. I'd love that!

I don't think your BOs are done, I think they are taking time off. One of my BOs is broody and I'm having to take an egg from her every day. She is also two. My other BO is taking the winter off. They just do what they do. Who can know the mind of a chicken?

 

[AllenK RGV]

That little Jack Russel turd ball!! He is a lucky dog you did not pluck a few of his feathers before tossing him back over the fence... like I would have. Those little terriers are relentless.
Everything is looking good Texas!
You must have good space for that Aloe. It goes crazy here so I keep some in nice pots where it does well. Love that plant. Also my chickens have taken to eating it but probably because they had finished off all of my other succulents and it is just naturally... NEXT. View attachment 1980531 View attachment 1980532
I then replanted pots with Bromeliads which has been safe so far, if anybody ever wonders about those things.

We have a cold front stalled to our north bringing us a little coolness and rain. I am baking cookies today and getting ready to mail off packages. Our big kids came by to pick out one of my live Norfolk pines for their xmas tree. They also picked some of my lettuce, their xmas packages up and cookies. It was nice, they got to visit with the two Americana's they gave me a few months back. I did feel a little bad that I had over sold my eggs and did not have any to share with them. Such a scrooge.

We are growing Norfolk or possibly Cook's Pines here as well. They are virtually indistinguishable from one another until they are 10+ years old(growth pattern of the trunks), and yes those are our Christmas trees as well. Also we will probably be reusing them for our easter egg trees in spring.

I imagine it is probably possible to get a DNA test run if I cared more about which I have. I might just have to send a sample to 23andme?

 

[karenerwin]

We are growing Norfolk or possibly Cook's Pines here as well. They are virtually indistinguishable from one another until they are 10+ years old(growth pattern of the trunks), and yes those are our Christmas trees as well. Also we will probably be reusing them for our easter egg trees in spring.

I imagine it is probably possible to get a DNA test run if I cared more about which I have. I might just have to send a sample to 23andme?

 

[karenerwin]

The alfalfa souffle chicken garland was a big hit with the chickens!! I ended up hanging them in the 2 coops last night after dark ( the smell of the alfalfa was giving hubby & I headaches). This morning when I went to let the chickens out the smaller coop (10 birds + 1 turkey hen)they had eaten every bit of their alfalfa souffle! All that was left was the yarn they were hung on!
The bigger coop (22 birds) had eaten almost all of theirs too. They had 2 pieces left that they couldn't reach and a small piece left of one of the ones they could reach. I also found a small chunk of another one in the coop so I threw it into the bachelor pad (2 birds) so that they at least got some of it!
Made another batch of fudge this morning. I will need to put it somewhere the dog can't find it or reach it!!
Later today I plan to make another batch of Christmas Jam. I may need to go buy some apples to make more of the apple pie jam. I had planned on gifting some of that too, but everybody has been buying it! I think I only have 3 jars left.
I rested the last 2 days and almost went stir crazy yesterday!!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Morning gardeners still wet here slow start today

 

[TropicalBabies]

I don't think your BOs are done, I think they are taking time off. One of my BOs is broody and I'm having to take an egg from her every day. She is also two. My other BO is taking the winter off. They just do what they do. Who can know the mind of a chicken?

Thanks @ValerieJ that is great to hear! I was really disappointed that, after the summer off, they still had low to no eggs and were possibly going to be just loud, bossy, hungry & pooping yard pets. With that said... 2 BO's made it into the boxes this morning!!! Yippity skippity! I hope they left me something.
K. Here is a photo(s) I took the other day. Not green but it was very warm.

 

[TropicalBabies]

The alfalfa souffle chicken garland was a big hit with the chickens!! I ended up hanging them in the 2 coops last night after dark ( the smell of the alfalfa was giving hubby & I headaches). This morning when I went to let the chickens out the smaller coop (10 birds + 1 turkey hen)they had eaten every bit of their alfalfa souffle! All that was left was the yarn they were hung on!
The bigger coop (22 birds) had eaten almost all of theirs too. They had 2 pieces left that they couldn't reach and a small piece left of one of the ones they could reach. I also found a small chunk of another one in the coop so I threw it into the bachelor pad (2 birds) so that they at least got some of it!
Made another batch of fudge this morning. I will need to put it somewhere the dog can't find it or reach it!!
Later today I plan to make another batch of Christmas Jam. I may need to go buy some apples to make more of the apple pie jam. I had planned on gifting some of that too, but everybody has been buying it! I think I only have 3 jars left.
I rested the last 2 days and almost went stir crazy yesterday!!

I'd love to see a photo and a recipe of the alfalfa souffle. If you can when you can.
How is today, you all good besides being a little stir crazy laying low? Hope you find a good book and a nice cup of tea.

 

[TropicalBabies]

We are growing Norfolk or possibly Cook's Pines here as well. They are virtually indistinguishable from one another until they are 10+ years old(growth pattern of the trunks), and yes those are our Christmas trees as well. Also we will probably be reusing them for our easter egg trees in spring.

I imagine it is probably possible to get a DNA test run if I cared more about which I have. I might just have to send a sample to 23andme?

Yes, true point. Cook vs Norfolk. Actually all were loosely considered Norfolk here because that was what was "brought to the islands" but, one of the Maui plantation owners brought Cook pines to Kapalua Maui... hmmm.
The seedlings I took from Koke'e...??? They have a big fat parent i should go take a good look at the next time I go up to harvest. Cook/Norfolk are my favorite xmas trees if you decorate them right. Though, I don't think I have decorated a nice looking tree in awhile... mine are more Charlie Brown-ish since my kids have left the home. No one to impress lol.

 

[AllenK RGV]

I'd love to see a photo and a recipe of the alfalfa souffle. If you can when you can.
How is today, you all good besides being a little stir crazy laying low? Hope you find a good book and a nice cup of tea.

X2 I would love to stretch my chickens eggs further for their nightly feeding.