Yes, FORTY-SIX: 27 chickens, 14 ducks, three guinea fowl and two turkeys. I have no idea how that happened. And everyone wants to know when we're going to start eating them! (Never!) My male friends are the worst for that. I think three people have now suggested I name the turkeys "Christmas" and "Easter"!
No, we're not eating anybody. Just their eggs! And really, exactly how tasty do you think a five-year-old Charlotte would be?!
Instead, I am sprouting wheat for them all!
The farmer who gave me my Partridge Chantecler rooster Zydeco got me onto this. The chickens go bananas for the sprouts!
Day 1, you soak 1/2 cup of wheat kernels (I bought a huge bag from the feed mill) in a mason jar with holes punched in the lid.
Day 2, rinse and drain jar 1 , then put on side on windowsill. Start jar 2 (soak 1/2 cup kernels in water.)
Day 3, rinse and drain jar 1 rinse and drain jar 2, start jar 3.
Day 4, rinse and drain jars 1 - 3. Start another jar. Jar 1 is now ready to feed the chickens!
Keep repeating for happy hens. :)
Sprouts in progress!
The wheat before soaking.
Meanwhile, down in the barn...
Mr. Sexy, who we've named Carlton, tried to charm me!
Inari was less than impressed.
We named Carlton after a turkey my friend Amy used to have, and we named Inari after our friend's daughter who sometimes looks after our animals for us. She seems quite impressed to have a namesake turkey!
Yes Carlton, you are oh-so-sexy!
The duck seems dubious!
We had this one tantalizingly warm day on Tuesday. Everything was melting, the birds were all enjoying the great outdoors, then WHAM. Yesterday we got another 25 cm of snow and it was big huge mess!
But Tuesday was nice.
Warren was spreading his wings while the turkey strolled by.
He found himself a nice puddle to wash up in!
He's looking pretty good for an 8-year-old duck!
The girls came out to have baths too.
I am starting to think that spring may never arrive this year...
Beautiful birdies. My dad had two turkeys (Valerie's Papa) he called them Lunch and Dinner. The kids will never forget it. :)
ReplyDeletehahahaha oh dear!!!!
DeleteWatch that Carlton. He may just take a round out of you if he thinks you are a competitor.
ReplyDeleteI will! he's a big boy. But I must say, they are both very calm and gentle. They'll eat out of my and I can pick them up without much struggle!
DeleteLife's not bad for your brood, excepting the weather their big mama is putting up with. Same here, too, though no consolation.
ReplyDeletei would like to see some green soon! :)
DeleteThose sprouts look like what grows under the bird feeder because sparrows are little jerk who throw the seed all over the ground instead of eating it!
ReplyDeleteCome to think of it, I should just send the chickens to clean up under my birdfeeder!!
DeleteCarlton is such a handsome lad; those feathers are spectacular. (we're eating roast Turkey this weekend; I bought 2 at Christmas, and put one in the freezer)
ReplyDeleteI won't tell Carlton! :)
DeleteI would NEVER eat your poor birdies. I just make a few suggestions.:-) And by the way, is it not time to change your introduction on your blog?
ReplyDeleteit is, and really I need to re-do the whole header, too!
DeleteHang in there, Spring WILL arrive..
ReplyDeleteDuck names will be contentious round here. If I ever get any, Mike's suggestions so far are Crispy and Hoisin.
hahahaha! MEN!!
DeleteAnother 25cms of snow....wow......Im sure Spring will arrive eventually Natalie!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading about your feathered and four footed friends. Just wondering if the girls were having a warm bath or not......still a little on the chilly side.
Claire Xx
Bath was definitely not warm, poor things! but they don't seem to care. As long as the air temperature is a little bit above freezing, I let them have at it. Sometimes in winter they climb into their water buckets in the barn for a bath, freezing or not!
ReplyDeleteYour sprout pictures are interesting, but my very favorites are the two ladies sitting in their baths, looking out at their world.
ReplyDeleteThey do love a good bath!
Delete"27 chickens, 14 ducks, three guinea fowl and two turkeys..."
ReplyDelete... and a partridge in a pear tree...
OOo partridge! I should get one!
DeleteIt's either called "farming" or "hoarding", but either way it is certainly entertaining.
ReplyDeleteHahahah let's just say it's farming! ;)
DeleteThat last wallop of snow was painful after the beautiful Tuesday, wasn't it. I love all your birds. Like the last pic of the ducks in the feed dishes : )
ReplyDeleteLordy but I am ready for spring now!!
DeleteI love your stand on "just the eggs!" When you name them, how could you possible think of eating them...what are they thinking!! XOXO
ReplyDeleteWell EXACTLY!! :)
DeleteYou are quite the steward. The feathered, furry and buzzing ones are lucky they are in your care. Spring will be there soon and it will be glorious!
ReplyDeleteJanet
I think the animals are looking forward to spring as much as I am!
DeleteIf I am reincarnated as a chicken/duck/turkey/guinea fowl, I want to live at your house.
ReplyDeleteYou would be welcome here! And pig, don't forget the pig!
DeleteI just started a jar of sprouts for myself and it never occurred to me to do it for the chickens. Thanks for the tip. I'm afraid I don't find turkeys terribly attractive. Maybe that's because I never got to know one. Spring cannot be very far away. Certainly, we have suffered enough this year!
ReplyDeleteYou lead a charmed life.
ReplyDeleteNext, you'll have to open a bed & breakfast. It would be a bit like a dude ranch.
ReplyDelete