Introducing Thanksgiving Dinner
Meet the next generation of Turkey Dudes! We brought home six (yes 6) week-old white turkey chicks today. They're cute little things - friendly with very gentle, trusting eyes. They'd better get ugly before the holidays arrive. Past Turkey Dude...
Duckling’s First Dip
It was a stupendously beautiful day here - perfect for the new ducklings first swim. Here are Puddles and Gabby testing out the water in my rubber tote. This swimming thing takes a little getting used to. They weren't too sure about the whole...
Rockin the Pond
I was out of town on business the past two days. When I talked with Paul on the phone last night and asked about how he spent his day he said, "Sweetie, I rocked your world." I've heard that line before. Only this time he rocked my pond....
In My Garden Today
It was a busy day in the garden today. The sunshine and blooms brought out the butterfies, birds, and bees! Click thumbnail for larger view.
Cute in a Bucket (Squared)
Check out the little cuties who joined the farm today! We picked these little baby Pekin ducklings up from the local feed store today. We've eagerly awaited their arrival so we could give broody Dilly some babies - a reward for sitting on her...
Have you Hugged Your Duck Today?
Hannah has! Quackers is having a warm Epsom salt foot bath. Her waddle has turned into a limp as a result of an infected sore on her foot. It's been treated and she's spending a quite night in the garage. I think Hannah enjoyed the excuse to hang...
Pond Progress
We've been planning a duck pond for a while now. Earlier in the spring we cleared a spot. After starting excavation on May 20 the rain forced a hiatus. Last weekend, after things dried up a bit, Paul began excavation in earnest. He's put in about...
Chickens in the Road
We've had the girls for one year. So far they've spent their lives in the coop and run. Today, after attempts to make my garden chicken resistant, I let the Colonel and the Girls out of the run to free range. This executive decision was met with...
Total Cuteness
It was dark when Hannah closed the Banties in tonight. She panicked because she couldn't find the baby chicks - they are usually sitting in the corner tucked under Shadow. Hannah flashed her light inside the coop and saw mama on the roost. Then out...
Weekend Snapshots
It was a glorious weekend here. Sunny and seventies. It would have been perfection but for the black flies. Insidious little things. Did you know they have serrated teeth? My legs - a minefield of red swollen bites are proof. Lots of things...
Feeding Time
The Freedom Rangers just came out of the brooder last Saturday. I get such a kick out of watching Paul feed them - they get so excited to see him! http://youtu.be/ZfWs5vRJWHI
Flight of the Hummingbird
The hummingbirds returned on Friday. I put sugar-water out for them a few days before that, just to be ready in case they arrived early this year. But, like clockwork the hummingbirds returned on May 11 as they do every year. So on this Mother's...
Moving Day for the Freedom Rangers
Today was moving day for the Freedom Rangers. They've been with us for four weeks now and things in the brooder were getting a bit crowded. Now that they have feathers they can move outside to their new digs. Hannah moved the 50 chickens into the...
Under Water
This picture was taken during yesterday's torrential rain. The rain came down so hard that the duck's mortar box and play yard were under water. They were having a grand time frolicking in their new (albeit temporary) pond!
Kitty T.V.
We call this Kitty T.V. Cinder and Snape are watching Banty Chickens in the Front Yard. Clearly it's fascinating stuff.
A Little Garden Therapy
Instead of tackling my mile-long work "to do"? list I opted for a little garden therapy today. I don't often play hooky from my desk when there's work to be done, but sunny and sixty with a forecast of a rainy week ahead lured me outdoors. I did a...
Shadow’s Babies: Day Three
Shadow has turned out to be a good mama. Here she is with her babies on day three. http://youtu.be/RAu3CBv3lCM
Milling Our Own Lumber
"Assemble the Portable Sawmill" has been on Paul's to do list since parts for the mill were delivered seven years ago. The time and motivation were finally right for him to get this done?- we've got 50 Freedom Ranger meat chicks that are growing...
Baby Peeps and the Great Outdoors
The two-day-old peeps ventured into the great outdoors of the Banty B&B today. A bit soon for this type of adventure in my eyes. I suspect that they led their mama on a merry chase. Shadow seems to be a very conscientious mama, but when I...
Little Miracles
I've been on Shadow watch the last couple of days. When I poked my head in the banty coop tonight I saw an egg shell lying next to Shadow. Although I didn't hear any telltale peeps, I all but danced inside to get Paul and Hannah. We gathered up...
The Unsung Beast
It's been brought to my attention that there's one member of this family who has not had her moment in the blog limelight. Ginger is our 11 year-old Legal. That's a cross between a Lab and a Beagle. She has the lab fur mixed with the beagle...
Dilly the Broody Duck – Turkey Egg Update
Dilly's broodiness continues. She is defending her nest with more gusto lately, refusing to be chased off it when we want to collect the new duck eggs she's added to her clutch. She'll leave the nest for a dip and a nibble when she's good and ready...
Moving In
A curious sight caught my attention this evening. Our resident squirrel is building her nest and she's accessorized with this scrap of fabric from a long-forgotten scarecrow. Just a few weeks ago we saw her trying to pull this scrap from where it...
Night Sounds
The night is loud outside my window tonight. What do you suppose is making all this noise? https://www.downeastthunderfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Night_Sounds.mp3
Freedom Ranger Chick Update
We've had these little guys with us for nine days now. It's amazing how fast they grow. Look at the feathers coming out on their wings - and their tiny little tail feathers! They're too cute. I hope they get ugly soon - meat chickens need to be ugly.
