Odd egg

So I got an odd egg this morning.  Basically a runt.  I ate it.
Some pictures for size comparisons.

 The chickens seem to be slowing down in their egg production.  I was happy with 4 - 6 eggs a day but they are down to 3 -4 now.  Not sure why.  At least the white hen is consistent.  She always flaps here way out of the pen - goes to the bush in the front yard - and lays her egg almost everyday.  Then she comes back for me to pick her up and put her back with the others.  She amuses me and it isn't hurting anything to let her do her thing to be happy.

The garden had a visitor.  Lucky it didn't look like the turtle had done much damage.  Will see when the tomatoes start coming up.

The broccoli is prolific.  I hope it heads soon so I can harvest.

I got my nut trees in the mail and spent some time this afternoon planting them.  It started raining before I could finish so only half of them have chicken wire around them.

The mulberry are starting to come in.  My photography skills are lacking on the phone-camera but those green blobs are the fruit.

Pictures

Oh yeah. Forgot to post about the veteran award my dad got for the Lt. Governor of Missouri.  Mom nominated him but he really deserved it!  Congrats Dad!

And pictures of the new turkeys.

The garden is coming along.  I just planted the rest of the beds today but the colder weather stuff is coming up like the lettuce and spinach.

I didn't kill the grape vines!  (that is a leaf if you can't tell)

I have requests for eggs and chickens so I need to bite the bullet and order some more.  The big part is building a shelter for them that I can move easily.  The nice thing about the broilers is they don't need as much room so no need for more fencing like with the turkeys.

Shopping

Went shopping today and came home with a new female rabbit and five turkeys.  The new rabbit is a flemish giant x giant checker but she looks like a runt.  I am hoping she will produce some babies that can take her place.

The turkeys are all white, and ugly.  But that is the curse of being a turkey.  Maybe I can get a few eggs from the hens before thanksgiving and see about hatching some more.

I might trade Miss and Camo in on a new goat, I will have to talk to the guy about it.  I need a goat that will give me some milk and babies otherwise there is no point in having them.  (as amusing as they are)

Success!

Mom's surprise birthday party went off without much of a hitch.  Just a small rain shower in the middle of it.  Thank you to everyone who helped make it a special day!

The peas and other vegetables I planted are coming up nicely now.  Just today they survived a hail storm.  Hopefully there won't be many more of those.  I got the last two beds prepared for the warmer weather plants and I have my potato rows started with the deep bedding from the goats' winter quarters.

Dad helped me chop down some trees and then we mulched some of the smaller stuff so I have mulch to lay out as well.

I need to start building a new grow-out shelter for some meat birds and turkeys.  I hope to have them ordered soon.  I wouldn't mind some more laying hens too.

Still no pregnancy with Miss, but I think Camo is getting more experienced.  I hope to see her bred in the next couple of months, otherwise I may trade to a new goat.

I think Saturday I will try and get some female rabbits and try that breeding operation again.  Rob isn't fond of the meat but I think if it has barbecue sauce added to it and it is shredded he might like it.  I hope to find a market for that meat as well.  But I am betting my biggest production will be chickens.

Spring is stretching her muscles and wringing out the last of winter.  The world is waking with green moist eyes and the birds are singing.  I love this time of year.

Lost a Friend

We called him Terace, but his real name was Robert.  He lived in California and we only knew him by his voice and laugh.  The few pictures we saw of him on facebook did not measure up to his personality.  We played games over the internet, dicussed funny stories (most of which were his), some politics and religion.

We knew he had a heart condition, he made no secret about it.  He often boasted how he had lived well past the time the doctors had given him.  I am guessing it was his heart that gave out, giving all it could to the world.  Every moment with him was a blessing and we will miss him.

I like to think he went peacefully in his sleep.  I know he wasn't suffering for days on end like many people do in old age.  But he went away at far to young an age.  Too soon for us, but perhaps the right time for him.

Take care friend, may your rest be peaceful.

Holidays

Hope everyone has a good holiday(s).  Parents are in town and there is much work to be done.  Hopefully this will finally get the St. Louis house ready for renters.

Not much to report.  Chickens are laying well.  Getting between 4 - 6 eggs a day.  Goats have still not bred.  Garden is sprouting.  Need to buy female rabbits still.

End of the world

A blood moon will be out tonight.  But while some people may say that is the sign of the end of days.  I say: SNOW??!!! IN APRIL?!?!!