Welcome Back Farm Girls and Boys!!!
This week has been full of new adventures on our little homestead. Here's this farmgirl's tale...
The Hen House...
There's been a little progress inside the new chicken coop... and though it's still a little rough, it is coming along.
The chickens were so curious to find out what was happening inside and making such a ruckus that they charged toward the door as I opened it. Lol.
The Beehive...
I checked my beehive today and gave the girls some sugar syrup. I was delighted to see lots of new baby girls inside.
I did not do a hive inspection because it is cold right now, but I was pleased with what I could see inside the hive.
There was no evidence of mold or condensation anywhere. I believe that the vent board Jerry made is keeping humidity low in spite of lots of rain and an insulation wrap...
I was happy to see lots of mature foragers with full pollen sacs coming in to the hive during a break in the rain.
The picture below shows the crudely constructed insulation wrap that I added to the hive in December after I lost a hive to a freeze.
Needless to say I have been watching this hive very closely since.
The vent board is supposed to draw air into the hive at the small bottom entrance and out through the back of the vent board via one small hole which I can plug up whenever I feel necessary.
The absence of any mold or condensation inside is a good sign in January. Those things lead to disease and hive collapse.
These bees have weathered several storms and a few weeks of night time temperatures dropping into the teens.
They appear to be thriving.
There are so many newborns. I am grateful for the queen in this hive. She started slow last May, but she proved to be the hardiest of all three 2012 queens.
Farm Chores and Planning...
With the birth of our first Nigerian Dwarf dairy goat my immediate plans have shifted a bit. After talking to a local game warden and two local dairy goat farmers I realized that the big predators I assumed were plentiful, ie: bears and mountain lions, are not really my big threat. They're rarely sighted here.
It's the stealthier, smaller bobcats, coyotes and grey foxes that are going to be my big wildlife threat. The other looming threat will be neighbor dogs as there are a few that roam freely here.
I spent lots of time this week measuring the existing fenceline to determine how much fencing I am going to need to add.
Our farm is fenced with railroad time posts and barbed wire cattle fencing. That kind of fencing will not keep out most predators.
I have settled upon a no climb horse fence for the perimeter and then I am going to construct a goat paddock using 6' chain link panels for walls and then roof the entire thing with wired chain link to keep out those high jumping bobcats.
Farm Fun...
Now that things are camping down around here I had an opportunity to spend a little time with our next door neighbors this week. They're shy and quiet, but I eventually coaxed one of them to the fenceline to nibble on a few baby carrots. He even licked my face. Maybe he thought I was food??? Have a GREAT weekend!
Farmgirls love anything to do with homesteading, keeping chicken's, embroidering, sewing, knitting, spinning, quilting, natural home remedies for health care and cleaning, horses, goats, cows, organic gardening and cooking, caring for their loved ones and friends and are community minded. Re-purposing and UP-cycling are high on their list of " fun things to do too! "FARM-BOYSlike to join in from time to time and we are glad to have'm.
Now, it's your turn to link up for your weekly dose of farmgirl soul food!
Here are the rules for the Farmgirl/guy Blog Hop!
4.) Enter up to three entries per hop!
DON'T BE SHY~
Have a great week and I'll see you on the hop!
Thanks to all who participate and welcome new linker- uppers!
If you haven't clicked that follow button yet, please join us and be sure to stop by our FACEBOOK page and like us there too! If this is your first visit, come on back and join the hop!
Thank you all for an amazing 2012 and for your continued participation in the coming year!
I do believe we'll have a hay-hoe time!
Love,
Deb, Dolly, and Heidi
This sign was a gift from friends. I smile every time I read it...
The Beehive...
I checked my beehive today and gave the girls some sugar syrup. I was delighted to see lots of new baby girls inside.
I did not do a hive inspection because it is cold right now, but I was pleased with what I could see inside the hive.
There was no evidence of mold or condensation anywhere. I believe that the vent board Jerry made is keeping humidity low in spite of lots of rain and an insulation wrap...
I was happy to see lots of mature foragers with full pollen sacs coming in to the hive during a break in the rain.
The picture below shows the crudely constructed insulation wrap that I added to the hive in December after I lost a hive to a freeze.
Needless to say I have been watching this hive very closely since.
The vent board is supposed to draw air into the hive at the small bottom entrance and out through the back of the vent board via one small hole which I can plug up whenever I feel necessary.
The absence of any mold or condensation inside is a good sign in January. Those things lead to disease and hive collapse.
These bees have weathered several storms and a few weeks of night time temperatures dropping into the teens.
They appear to be thriving. There are so many newborns. I am grateful for the queen in this hive. She started slow last May, but she proved to be the hardiest of all three 2012 queens.
Farm Chores and Planning...
With the birth of our first Nigerian Dwarf dairy goat my immediate plans have shifted a bit. After talking to a local game warden and two local dairy goat farmers I realized that the big predators I assumed were plentiful, ie: bears and mountain lions, are not really my big threat. They're rarely sighted here.
It's the stealthier, smaller bobcats, coyotes and grey foxes that are going to be my big wildlife threat. The other looming threat will be neighbor dogs as there are a few that roam freely here.
I spent lots of time this week measuring the existing fenceline to determine how much fencing I am going to need to add. Our farm is fenced with railroad time posts and barbed wire cattle fencing. That kind of fencing will not keep out most predators.
I have settled upon a no climb horse fence for the perimeter and then I am going to construct a goat paddock using 6' chain link panels for walls and then roof the entire thing with wired chain link to keep out those high jumping bobcats.
Farm Fun...
Now that things are camping down around here I had an opportunity to spend a little time with our next door neighbors this week. They're shy and quiet, but I eventually coaxed one of them to the fenceline to nibble on a few baby carrots. He even licked my face. Maybe he thought I was food??? Have a GREAT weekend!
Your Farmgirl Friday Hostesses are:
Dolly of Hibiscus House and me of course!
Farmgirls love anything to do with homesteading, keeping chicken's, embroidering, sewing, knitting, spinning, quilting, natural home remedies for health care and cleaning, horses, goats, cows, organic gardening and cooking, caring for their loved ones and friends and are community minded. Re-purposing and UP-cycling are high on their list of " fun things to do too! "FARM-BOYSlike to join in from time to time and we are glad to have'm.
Now, it's your turn to link up for your weekly dose of farmgirl soul food!
Here are the rules for the Farmgirl/guy Blog Hop!
1.) Write a post about your farmgirl lifestyle and brag a little about your farmgirl talents while your at it! Share what being a farmgirl means to you. Include lots of photos of your farm, crafts, animals, quilts, home decor projects and thrifty make overs, your backyard garden, chicken coop, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea!
2). Leave your entry in the Linky tools space to your Farmgirl Friday post.
3). Please include the Farmgirl Friday button ( or link back here ) in your post and remember to share this hop with all of your blogging friends!
4.) Enter up to three entries per hop!
DON'T BE SHY~
Be sure to leave a note if you're new to the hop!
We want to get to know you better! Have a great week and I'll see you on the hop!
Thanks to all who participate and welcome new linker- uppers!
If you haven't clicked that follow button yet, please join us and be sure to stop by our FACEBOOK page and like us there too! If this is your first visit, come on back and join the hop!
Thank you all for an amazing 2012 and for your continued participation in the coming year!
I do believe we'll have a hay-hoe time!
Love,
Deb, Dolly, and Heidi
I'm glad to hear things are going pretty smoothly. I love the chicken sign!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathy. Me too. That sign always makes me smile...
DeleteThe chickens take me back about 50 years. You can keep the bees and I'll just buy the honey from ya!!lol
ReplyDeleteI write and maintain a blog which I have entitled “Accordingtothebook” and I’d like to invite you to follow it. I’m your newest follower.
Thank you for stopping by and I am heading over to your blog to check it out just as soon as I finish replying to comments for this post tonight. Have a great weekend and I hope to see you here again soon.
DeleteHello dear Heidi!
ReplyDeleteWell, it looks like you are getting all the critters settled in nicely! Thank you for your kind words on my blog today... the feeling is mutual! I have enjoyed watching you grow just as much over the last year!!! You are one busy and inspiring farmgirl yourself and I'm honored to call you my friend!
much love,
sister Deb #1199
Thanks Deb! You are my farmgirl hero. Much love to you.
DeleteHeidi
Good to see and hear things are going well ! Love the little coop so cute ! Have a good day !
ReplyDeleteThank you Elaine for stopping by to say hello. I wish for you a wonderful weekend.
DeleteSo good to see you settling in! I love the chicken sign!
ReplyDeleteWe have bobcats, coyottes, and foxes as well, but we have been amazed at how two good guard dogs keep our animals protected (an Australian Sheperd and a Lab mix that has learned from our Aussie). Since they sleep out right beside the barn we haven't even had to close our chicken pen up at night (for over a year!). We think those two keep each other company and multiply their bravery. They seem to enjoy their job. When we hear them barking seriously at some unknown threat in the dark, we figure the threat is probably backing off at the prospect of tangling with those two. We are gradually working at upgrading our fences, as they certainly won't stop predators. Some people keep a donkey for that purpose as well.