On Saturday we picked up our first two hens.  Two Wyandottes, one Silver Laced and one Gold Laced.  As we are not going to eat them I decided to name them - I'm told it's not a good idea to name anything you intend to pop in the pot!  Neither girl is perfect for showing but that makes them perfect for me.  What I want is to have beautiful birds that eventually will free-range on part of our property - with eggs as a great bonus.  There may even be some eggs to spare - some breeds lay more than others. 

Up to now the hens haven't ventured out of the coop into the run.  It will take a few days to get used to the new surroundings but they are eating, clucking and getting used to me bit by bit.  I encourage them with a little 'scratch' [a mix of whole grains] which is rather like candy to them.  I need to make friends with the hens - not only because it's fun but also because I need to handle them to check that they are well etc.
Sylvia and Adeline also don't seem keen on the perches but cuddle together in a corner at night - perhaps they prefer it that way - time will tell.  They are both big hens so perhaps it is more comfortable on the floor.

In a week or so I'm getting four more hens to join Sylvia and Adeline.  Two Light Sussex, one Buff Orpington and one true coloured Rhode Island Red - very dark unlike the commercial hens. 
This is all really exciting.  I'm looking forward to it all!

The spring weather here in the Pacific Northwest has been pleasant for a few days now and like all animals, the bees are ready to reproduce. We noticed some swarm cells in our beehive just over a week ago so we tried to pre-empt a swarm by removing the queen, some brood and stores to a new hive – trying to trick them into thinking they had swarmed.

This morning I thought I would check the new hive and saw another swarm cell – meaning that they had decided to swarm again. By the time I had walked to the barn to get the kit to make another artificial swarm they had done it for real! The bees were pouring out of the hive and forming a bee tornado all around me, but because they are fueled up with honey for the trip they don't sting.

They settled in a fir tree a few yards away and so I climbed a set of stepladders and shook the cluster into a large cardboard box – they were surprisingly heavy, probably 4 Kg in all.

Then we simply poured the bees into yet another new hive, we must have caught the queen as they stayed put.

So now we have three hives when a couple of weeks ago we had one! Whew!         Charles

This used to be a chicken house when the previous owners lived here but we've decided to use it as a chicken supplies shed - so we're moving it round to be beside the chicken run.

We had a spell of lovely weather at the end of March so we decided to get the job done.  We have a few minor tracks in the grass now but it's worth it as I can keep the metal feed container, first aid supplies and clean-up equipment etc right beside the predator proof safety run. 
We're getting closer to being ready for the hens - - - can't wait!
PS Forgot to say hat my last post "Seedling Puzzle" is on the old page if you want to see it.  :o)

My previous post is on the old blog page.  Just click on this title to go there. "Seedling Puzzle"
From now on I'll be posting farm news on this page.  It's just the beginning of the year so I'm looking forward to lots of 'happenings' to come  :o)