ATTACK.
We had our first attack on the chickens last night. Honestly, I can't believe that it hasn't happened before - as the ladies have grown fond of wandering through the woods during the day, scratching under leaves and dead trees for bugs. There have been several close calls, mostly with hawks, but last night was the first actual attack. We were listening to election results on the radio in our room, and there was a terrible squawking from outside. A possum had crawled up through the chicken wire on the bottom of the coop and had a tight hold of Ellen. Jesse was able to shove the possum out with a tobacco stick and then kill it. (Sorry for the violence, folks, but that's how this farming life goes. If we had let it live, it just would keep coming back for more....and we love our chickens.) After a midnight coop repairing session, we went back to sleep. Ellen was very battered and bloody, and I felt pretty certain he wouldn't make it through the night.I can truly say that I have never been so happy to be startled awake at dawn by Ellen's squeaky crow. He looks a little rough, but I think he will be just fine. I am so proud of him - he clearly jumped down from his perch to protect the other chickens. What a hero! Here's an old picture of the handsome man....although he has a little less feathers this morning after last nights adventure.-Hannah.
OVERDUE UPDATE.
WOW! That is probably the longest we have ever gone without a post, and I apologize. But truly...this is the first time we have been in the land of electricity and internet in about a week. It has been INCREDIBLY busy around here. In the last week we: decided on a basic plan for the cabin - a "salt box" house, with a lofted space in the back. 14 x 24, pretty small!
We scored a bunch of windows and doors from the Gallatin ReStore.
We took a trip to the lovely Hidden Springs Nursery to pick up some blueberry plants and fig trees. While we were there, we hiked up the hill to see some amazing waterfalls. Beautiful.
We planted the blueberries and began drying the popping sorghum from our old garden.
We've slowly been clearing the house site more and more...slowly because we have been basically using just a machete and the scythe. Once we finally finished cleaning it up, we dug holes for the concrete footers that will be the foundation for the cabin. We were originally going to sink cedar posts, but decided that the ground is just too wet and has too high a water table. So we are using concrete piers. THis was also a sloooow process - chopping through tree roots and unearthing all sorts of chunks of cement and cinder blocks from the old house. Later today, a mason is coming by to help us stack the piers, and then....everything will start happening pretty fast!
Like I said....busy! Busy, but good. It is an ultimate satisfaction to be sore and tired from the hard work, to snuggle into our little corner of the barn with a warm fire from the wood stove. We are happy farmers in this little corner of Bugtussle, and we will try to update again soon!- Hannah.
DINOSAURS.
I know Jesse has made very clear his feelings regarding turkeys...but taking care of these guys over the past week has me wanting some. I mean....they are insane looking. They make alien noises. They look like dinosaurs. I love them.- Hannah.
FIRST EGG.
Ira got his first egg from his chickens yesterday, and Opal found a place for him to keep it. I just really love this picture.- Hannah.