Paradise in Disguise Hobby Farm Blog

Finally, here's some photos of the new members of Paradise in Disguise Hobby Farm: 3 Narragansett Turkeys, which just so happen to be two toms & one hen. The other tom may be later traded for another hen, but we'll see if how things play out as they continue to grow. Now, on to the photos. The first few photos were blurry, as they can move quite fast and I was someone new. There was only one that the somewhat clear, taken the evening I brought them home - 7/10/15. Five days later, I let them out to "free range" in a large grass paddock that the chickens hadn't been in, so it was very overgrown. I knew they were good flyers, so I added extra netting & fencing, so there would be less of a chance for them to escape. Yes, that is a rabbit - who's been also "free-ranging" inside the grass paddocks and living off all the nice, green grass and weeds.  The turkeys mostly wandered around, looking things...

Once again, my blog posts have fallen behind, but that’s okay, since there’s more important things to be done around here than sitting at a computer and writing. But, I needed relax a little tonight after playing and trying to keep up with 4 young boys (not mine, a family we know). Finished the animal’s “feed prep” for Friday, got the eggs washed, and am waiting for supper, as Mom went to go find my brother Joel & hasn’t come back inside yet. Anyways, lots been going on here – the previous post I wrote about phasing out the rabbits. What I didn’t mention, though, was that I’ve added 3 Narragansett Turkey poults, who were about 7 weeks old. It’s another one of my experiments, and we’ll decide by fall if they’re for the freezer or if I’ll keep all or some of them over the winter. I don’t know yet if they’re toms or hens, but the lady I got them from is only about 15 minutes away & said I could trade if I got too many of one gender. They’re in a semi-quarantine, in that they we...

While I love the cuteness of the rabbits, they're just "one more thing" that I simply don't have time for, and therefore can't devote my full attention to.  I'm not totally giving up on them, simply with our current location (only 3/4 acre, including where the house sits) = lack of space. Plus, being the main person who takes care  of everything, it was getting to be too much. Plus, not everyone in the family was happy about picking out all the small rib cage bones, despite very carefully de-boning the meat after it was cooked. I still have 11 rabbits currently, with not much interest for the rest, but I did have 28, including the young kits.   I think the only way they'd "pay for themselves" is if I bred them either year-round or at least late winter to late fall, giving them a break in the coldest months. But, that would require a barn or greenhouse or some structure that would keep them warm enough that they'd want to breed in the...

 I brought home from Chickenstock two new bantam hens, who are known to go broody. The one is a pure Mille Fluer bantam Cochin, and the black one is a Silkie/Sizzle Cochin cross. They came from two different BYC'ers, but they've been in quarantine together.  They seem to be healthy and adjusting great, so the other day I moved them to one of the grass paddocks, where they're still separate but can start to transition to being with the rest of the flock. Of course, they used the hole the other chickens had dug to dust bathe, even though this grass paddock isn't supposed to have any holes!

The last batch of chicks to hatch (6/11-13) were a combined effort of incubator and two broody hens, "Ellie" and "Bluebonnet", who were sitting on 14 SFH hens. Thirteen SFH chicks hatched, though one died within a day. The other Catskill Homesteader and two Bielefelder pullets hatched in the incubator were given to "Ellie". "Bluebonnet" was given more SFH eggs that were in the incubator, as the broody hens are obviously much more successful! Ellie and her chicks have since been moved to a plastic pet crate in the PA coop where Lydia raised her chicks. They're not "exploring" the PA coop during the day, and once they're a little older, perhaps when they're a week old, they can go out with the rest of the flock. Ellie's a good mother, just like she was last year when she raised two broods of chicks.

The last doe to kindle was the doe I'd purchased last year.  She was being very obstinate this year, but obviously the buck was successful one time, as she only gave birth to three kits on May 22nd, 2015. Even though it's a small litter, they are growing very fast! Here's her little cuties: This little one is black with a white "star" on its forehead and a stripe down its nose. So cute, since the rest of it is all black. The third kit is all black:

Wanted to share a sampling of photos of the  chickens "enjoying the good life": Up first is a group of pullets who decided to eat the one and only set of leaves on this  poor little maple tree we tried to transplant when we moved last fall. The tree will probably be pulled out & chipped up for mulch. Another cute Catskill Homesteader pullet, I believe she's half Swedish Flower Hen. "Daniel" - he looks so much like "Micheal Jessie", and even though he's 2nd in command right now, he's a good sport about it! "Rainbow" and her chicks taking an afternoon nap - two of her chicks are Swedish Flower Hens, one of which was a surprise, as I thought only one of the eggs had hatched! The young pullets and cockerels enjoy roosting on the pallets surrounding the  compost pile, while usually preening or taking naps. A couple of the Bielefelder young cockerels resting after taking dus...

The chickens are enjoying their grass paddocks, which I rotate every 2 -3 days, and still they're in need of being mowed or eaten down by the rabbits (which we're currently experimenting with). "Daniel" - rooster in front (above photo) "Joshua" - standing tall and handsome "Rainbow" and her chicks exploring the outdoors after several weeks of being "cooped" up. The "PA" Coop and "Dad's Coop" groups sharing the grass paddock with the ducks. One of the pullets - I'd love to keep her, but she's going to a great home soon. The group of other pullets that are already pre-sold and waiting to be picked up.

Here's some photos of us at Chickenstock in Ava, NY: We were very busy that day, but it was quite enjoyable! There was a 60 % - 80% chance of severe thunderstorms, but it was actually hot and sunny! An answer to prayer, once again!