What did you do in the garden today?

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

@Wee Farmer Sarah I knew they were hyping it up for nothing - looks like maybe some cold rain now. I'll be jealous if you get snow!

The only upside is that the snow doesn't run off, it sinks into the grounding thus a better watering. I do kind of like a little dusting here and there from Thanksgiving to Christmas just to live up to the scenic New England image.

 

[Sueby]

I just can't wait to see if my chickens will go out in the snow! From their run they have to use a 60ft long chicken tunnel to get to the big run. I have no idea if they'll use it or not in the snow (till it gets too deep anyway).

 

[Sueby]

@penny1960 or anyone else with Silkies - do you keep them with your other birds? Like you suggested, I'm seriously considering 2 in the spring to be able to add new chickens via a broody down the road but I'm wondering if my 3 red sex links with ever let them live in peace. Do they get bullied a lot because of their size? They will have plenty of room. I don't want to maintain separate coops forever, but will during integration.

& OMG they are so darn cute!

 

[Acre4Me]

Nice today and tomorrow (sunny/cool or cold), then temps become more winter-like.

girls laying ok. I’ve got heritage type so not heavy layers. Some are 6.5 months old, but I think only about 1/2 to 3/4 are laying. Of the older flock, all should be laying (no broodies right now), but think there is one that hasn’t laid since last Feb. she is looking more perky, but comb still not fully red, and she’s only 20 months old. Hoping she picks back up.

pumpkins: farm store near me getting rid of pie pumpkins for 50 cents a piece. Bought 20! Will go back for more. We chunk up and freeze. When thawed, they are softer, and chickens enjoy them. Thinking of also chopping them up and putting in compost, and/or garden to degrade over winter. Will this attract mice or other pests?

 

[pennyJo1960]

My silkie have their own coop Morning gardeners I know some of old birds would pick on them they are 1/2 the size but have three coops the one nothing could ever get in is the silkie have

 

[Sueby]

That's a great price for pumpkin!

Thank Penny, that's what I thought. I don't think silkies are going to be doable here. I'll probably end up with a couple full size birds that could go broody - maybe a BO & a GLW or something.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Good morning gardeners. The weather cooperated yesterday and I finished cleaning up the leaves in the backyard. I have 2 bags for later use. Fortunately the front yard doesn't get enough leaves in it to worry over. We only got a brief shower so was able to sit outside with the chickens while they dug through the grass. No signs of predators lately. Hopefully they have found a better place to dine. Like you @Sueby I'm curious if my crew will venture out into the snow. I would love to see pictures of yours marching through that long tunnel. I believe I have enough clearance between the retaining wall and my house to drive the snow blower through so I can clear the area for the chickens and me. After reading the posts on all the good deals on pumpkins I feel like I should check to see if there are any sales around here. I didn't get many butternut squash this season so I could find room for some pumpkins. I'm trying to lose some weight and I've been eating a lot of soup lately. Last night I made another batch of split pea soup. I think the next batch will be butternut squash soup. Perfect food for the cold weather moving in. I heard it's supposed to be bitter cold in the upper Midwest in a few days. Bundle up and stay warm. Have a great day everyone.

 

[karenerwin]

Some pictures of the chickens enjoying the pumpkins. The 2 pictures of the pumpkin field (2 different sections of the field) are after I already gathered what I could cart home!

 

[chickmom3941]

View attachment 1953044 View attachment 1953045 View attachment 1953046 View attachment 1953047 View attachment 1953048 View attachment 1953049 View attachment 1953050 View attachment 1953051 View attachment 1953052 Some pictures of the chickens enjoying the pumpkins. The 2 pictures of the pumpkin field (2 different sections of the field) are after I already gathered what I could cart home!

Nice haul! Looks like Christmas came early for your chickens this year - lol.

It's very cold and windy today, although the snow missed us, which I am thankful for. We've had way below normal temps for several weeks, and now it feels just like winter out there. I feel like we were cheated out of fall... Nothing much to do for the garden other than get more seeds and dream about next year's garden.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I need to dig potato's finish that for the year