It's really starting to feel like spring, even though it keeps frosting (or snowing) at night. Our Cornish Rocks are doing very well, we can't believe how fast they're growing! In addition to the feeder and waterer, we put in a saucer filled with either water or feed (they don't get to eat at night, so it's filled with water at night and feed during the day...Cornish Rocks can only eat for 12 hours a day or they suffer from fatal heart attacks...we lost three before we figured that out) because we had something of a runt who always got pushed out when he tried to eat. We weren't sure what the problem was, though we think he didn't figure out where the water was when we first put the new waterer in. I tried to dip all their beaks in water but I can't tell them apart. It was acting lethargic and kept falling asleep on his feet, wouldn't eat even if we separated him with feed. So I dipped his beak in water twice (to make it stick!) and he drank, then drank three or four times on his own. Now he's doing great, but as part of his recovery effort we put in that extra saucer so there would be plenty of room for all the chicks to be at a feeder. After he started eating and drinking, the problem became his little size. Every time he wanted a bite to eat, it would give the other chicks the idea that it was time to eat and he got forced out, as the other chicks are larger. So we keep the saucer in just in case.
This is our brooder, it's 9 feet square and we keep it out of drafty areas so it can be open like that. [Doesn't Mick do amazing work? I think the brooder looks outstanding! and he just whipped it together in an afternoon. -Sarah's edit] They're growing so fast I think I'm going to try to have the chicken tractor planned and built within two weeks.
Gerard finally started paying attention to the chicks.
Yes, that's really his paw IN the brooder...
We also changed some things around outside. We finally moved aside the landing thing, and are just using the stairs. It feels like it gives us more room, and we're using the landing as a sort of potting bench/gardening area.
Here are a few of the potted plants we have going.
From left to right, those are blueberries, the earthbox is spinach, broccoli, and celery seedlings, then two elvira grapes, and the flat has some peppers, tomatoes, more celery, and a few experimental onions.
On the East side of the trailer we have a bed of kale growing, and soon I think we'll be putting in some lettuce and other greens.
On the south side of the trailer we put in two cold frames, and we have some chard and radishes coming up. My uncle John says radishes and beer make an unexpected and delicious companionship, we'll soon find out.
And here is what might be Sarah's favourite part of spring, clotheslines!
Gerard has finally found an animal he might be able to catch someday...bumblebees.
Well, maybe someday.
I love how he licks his paw as if he was completely unconcerned about the bumblebee...such a cat, such a male.
ReplyDeleteWhile we were grilling chicken later that day for dinner he got after them again, except this time the poor fella got stung! He doesn't swat very well, you know, he just sort of pats at them and tries to hold them to the ground...not a good tactic with stinging insects. We were watching him and he all of a sudden jerks back and REALLY licks his paw, and between licks he raises it up and shakes it, as if something painful was clinging to it. Then he trotted off as if nothing had happened (so typically cat, at least...) but he couldn't stop licking his paw. He's all better now, though.
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