dontclipmywings Archives - A Country Girl's Heart -Beats that Matter

February 28, 2022February 25, 2022

What Chickens are Right for You?

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There are many factors to consider when choosing what breed or breeds of chickens are right for your flock. That sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Your Flock. Here are a few questions to ask yourself when deciding what chicken breeds are right for you. You will also find brief corresponding points to aid in making your decisions.

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What are your goals for chickens?

Will your birds be your pets? Some have chickens merely for the food they provide. others enjoy them as a pet.

Do you plan to produce your own food with your chickens? You might want to choose a breed for its egg laying ability. Do you plan to raise them for meat? If so, there are breeds available whose fast-growing heavy muscle patterns make them ideal for eating.

Perhaps you intend to own chickens for both meat and eggs. There are wonderful heritage and dual-purpose breeds who lay a decent number of eggs and are delicious to eat. For example, the Silver Gray Dorkings raised here at CG Heartbeats Farm.

Click this link to learn more: https://www.dontclipmywings.com/silver-gray-dorking/

Do you plan to raise chicks? If so, you might want to include a breed known to go broody in your flock. Will you be raising chicks to a breed standard, a backyard Heinz 57 mix, or a little of both? There is no wrong answer, only what you prefer.

Do the breeds you want play well with others?

Some breeds are known to be more aggressive compared to other breeds. If you choose to own more than one breed, you will want to purchase breeds that are able to get along with each other. There will always be a pecking order among chickens. One hen will rule the others. There will be one below her in the domination order. Each hen will have a place in the line down to the lowest.

Do you want more than one breed?

A flock of mixed breeds can be a beautiful thing. The beauty of a dozen different colored eggs may make the decision for you. Many find joy in seeing blue, green, different shades of brown eggs and even eggs with a pink tint. The diversity of backyard chicken breeds provide a wonderful way to enjoy owning birds.

Do you want more tips and fun group challenges? Join the Facebook group Hatching Eggs, Ideas, and Homesteading Practices

Should your birds be vaccinated?

To vaccinate or not vaccinate is a personal choice based on several different factors.

Desire to raise chickens completely natural
Comfort level with the risk of loosing some birds
Desire to have eggs and possibly meat from birds that were not vaccinated
Allowing for the survival of the fittest
Belief that vaccinating will stop disease from spreading (It has been proven to slow down the spread in the last century.)
Over all sustainability of the environment.
Loss of money due to loss of birds

Some breeders vaccinate all chicks, some do not, and others leave the choice up to the buyer. If you are purchasing older birds and have strong feelings one way or the other about vaccination, make sure to inquire before purchasing. That goes for any age bird, truthfully.

How many chickens do you want?

This decision will depend in part on how much land you have available. Other factors include the goals that you have decided on. If you are breeding chickens, chances are you will have more chickens than an average backyard flock. If you live on a lot in town, the number you can have will be limited to the size of the coop that fits in your space. In general, there should be 3 to 5 square feet per bird in a coop and 8 to 10 in a run. If chickens are kept in coop 24/7 the square footage would need to larger per bird.

Understand that this can vary depending on the size and breed of chicken. Still, this gives you an idea to base the number of chickens you want to own. Perhaps you live in the country and want to sell farm fresh eggs locally, you may want 50, 100 or even more.

Will your flock include a rooster?

Depending on where you live, roosters may not be allowed due to the loud crowing they are bound to exclaim as morning dawns. I personally enjoy hearing my roosters crow early in the morning.

A rooster is needed if you intend to hatch chicks to fertilize the eggs. A hen will lay eggs without a rooster, so if you certainly do not need one for a hen to lay eggs. Will your first

Do you plan to free range your flock?

Traits of a chicken that does well free ranging include high awareness of predators, ability to fly, and of course scratch and look for food. Some breeds are known to be better as a free-range bird then others.

Another factor that influences free ranging abilities is the environment in which they are raised. If you choose to free range your flock, expect to have some loss of life. The advantages and disadvantages are yours to weigh.

One more thought is that if you have close neighbors with dogs, or even not so close this seems to be another disadvantage to free ranging birds. Even if you choose to keep your chickens in a pen of some sort that does not entire reduce the risk of loss from a predator.

How many eggs do you consume on a daily or weekly basis?

Different breeds of chickens are known for how many eggs they produce a day. In recent years, chicken breeds have been developed that are known to be the best for laying eggs, (laying highest number of eggs in the shortest amount of time). These often lay best in the first year, but after that the number falls of drastically.

Heritage breeds of chickens tend to lay less eggs each year but have longevity to produce eggs for several years. Does the idea of supporting heritage breeds appeal to you? Or perhaps the desire for large numbers of eggs in a shorter amount of time works best for your goals.

In Conclusion

Know what your goals are. Use these questions to decide what chickens are right for you. Decide what is most important for you. Have fun and try new breeds. Maybe there is not a chicken breed that fits your requirements. If you are up to the challenge, you may decide to create your own breed. I have. See the post titled Introducing the Lemon Flower Chicken Breed. Click below

Introducing the Lemon Flower Chicken Breed

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February 22, 2022February 23, 2022

Put Your Chickens to Work on the Homestead

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Chickens offer two readily known assets to a homestead in producing eggs and meat. I have found a third use for chickens here on CG Heartbeats Farm. While I am likely not the first to do so, in this post I share how I have put chickens to work on the homestead.

Humble Beginnings

One of my frustrations early on in this journey was a desire to garden, but no good way to bust up the sod which has a fantastic root system. I wanted to turn parts of the yard into garden space as long as 2 or 3 years. I started looking for little ways to begin producing some of my own food and here is where that journey has taken me so far.

Originally, I used broken buckets to grow sweet potatoes and pots to grow peppers, and tomatoes. The first year I had the best success with the sweet potatoes and from that soil, created a small container garden. I also utilized a part of one the flower beds which for years, I hardly kept the grass at bay. My garlic journey began with 18 cloves of garlic in 2016 with 3 varieties. Fast forward 5 years later, I have around 600 cloves planted in 8 varieties. I no longer use the flower garden. Now I am able to use other areas, thanks to the work of chickens.

Looking Back

As a part of using what I had in the form of dog kennel panels, I set up first one 10 x 10 and an additional 5 x 5 off the side of the 10 x10 pen. These were covered in a netting that we had purchased in a roll and a part of that roll remains. These pens were placed in an area where I wanted to create garden space. In the fall of 2018, the chickens had sufficiently killed off the sod in the 5 x 5 pen.

How did I know this you might wonder? There was almost no visible grass or roots sticking up in this pen. A few stray root tops near the surface along a piece of wood was about all I could see from the surface. Simply put, it had a look of bare ground.

I moved the 3 panels to a different side of the 10 x 10 pen. In this new location, more sod could be removed by the chickens.

Back to the spot where the pen had been. My next step was to take a spade to this area and turn the dirt over. At this time, I also found and removed any remaining roots I could find. There were a few, but certainly not the number that would have been present had I randomly picked this spot in the yard and tried to start digging up the grass. I have done that before when planning grapes and black raspberries and it proved to be a bit difficult for my current physical state.

Sustainable Gardening Ideas

With the ground prepared, I used this area to plant the Music garlic variety and has a mild, sweet flavor that I find pleasing. It has been a bit of a trial for me being the first time I had planted garlic in this area of the farm. Knowing this spot also contained a sandy subsoil same as where I planted garlic before in a garden near the house, I felt confident planting one variety in this location. Adding hay chaff and eventually wood chips are a practice for garlic I am raising. Both could be considered a waste product, but not if I am looking for ways to be sustainable. Since I don’t like weeding and I love the benefits of chaff and woodchips as a method to cover the soil.

Early Spring 2019 the garlic garden in the flower bed

Early spring 2019 the Music variety of garlic is growing nicely in the new bed

Recalling the Spring of 2019

Spring of 2019 rolled around and proved it was indeed excellent for garlic. It is doing every bit as well as in the other location where it is planted on CG Heartbeats Farm.

Here the chicken pens are moved to a new location. The patch of dirt is where the pens were previously located.

In March I was itching for the 3^rd week of April to arrive for that was the week I planned to move all the current panels to a new nearby location. Here the chickens would have fresh ground and I would have another garden plot. I am finding I like the idea of having different plots around on the farm instead of one large garden area. I think it adds character, reduces wind and water erosion, and in time with some flowers mixed in, beauty. It may provide a way to rotate crops in different areas, a sustainable practice.

Julie is running the roto tiller. She has a growing flower business, Blooms on 800.

I had started heritage tomato seeds indoors and looked forward to planning them outside in this new garden space. My excitement helped energize me for the task. No sooner than the new pens set up we had 5 inches of rain in about a week’s time. That put a damper on the progress.

Help from a Friend

I learned to know Julie last year at while attending the markets. She has proved to be a continued encouragement to me. She had earlier offered to bring her tiller over and work the ground for me, saving me the work with a spade. This past Monday that day finally arrived.

Feeling excited to see the progress made, I proceeded to plant the tomatoes that day. What I cannot share in a picture or quite in words was the smell. I will only say that ground did NOT smell like roses. Julie, in her encouraging way, said, “You will have the biggest tomatoes around.” This in response to my comment about the bad smell.

Now that tomatoes are planted and covered due to the forecasted temps in the low thirties and I will continue to leave the cover on until the weather has warmed. These ‘covers’ are the tops of apple cider vinegar and milk jugs, an example of ways to re-propose materials otherwise considered trash. (#usewhatyouhave) This project has cost me little to nothing. Perhaps even saved me a small amount as it provided a natural food source for the chickens while they lived outside. I did, of course, feed them additional food.

Tomatoes planted with room for additional plants, perhaps corn and beans? Notice in this picture I have already added hay chaff to cover the ground. Wood chips will be added, also.

Continuing the Progress

Over the last 2.5 years I have continued putting the chickens to work on the homestead creating additional garden space. I am getting close to creating a garden entrance and fencing a portion of the garden.

Garlic and onions are currently planted in a 10 foot by 36-foot garden where chicken pens sat in 2020. Eventually a portion of this space will be home to an additional row of grape vines.

The garlic and onion garden for the 2022 harvest. Pictured here in the fall of 2021 shortly after
planting. This is one of several current garden spaces. Notice I had just started to put hay chaff on.

The vision of the gardens I am creating has developed slowly over the last few years. To be honest, it will likely continue to be modified as time goes by.

I am looking forward to adding flower bulbs against a fence line. Last fall I planted 2 Dwarf Alberta Spruce trees, one in each outside corner of where the fence will be. How are you using what you have?

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September 4, 2020December 15, 2022

Janoel 12 Incubator Review and Helpful Tips

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Read what I like and do not like about the Janoel 12 Incubator. I share a few tips I have used to help this incubator work for me.

While I have used different incubators, I have found the Janoel 12 to be my go to incubator right now. To be open here, I have used the Incuview (plastic), and the Little Giant Styrofoam incubator with the addition of a fan. I have listened to others experiences with different incubators. Of course, the price has influenced my personal incubator purchases.

My flock of 3 heritage breeds consists of breeding pens made up of 1 or 2 roosters with 1 to 6 hens. To clarify I do not put one hen with 2 roosters. Due to the smaller pen sizes and my desire to track what chicks hatch from each pen, I like the incubators that hatch a smaller number of eggs. I share this to provide a picture of where I am coming from with my current goals.

What I like about the Janoel 12 Incubator

1. Price

I find it hard to beat for the price of slightly over $50.00, based on what I see available on the market. This incubator has an auto turner, temperature settings can be modified and a display of real time temperature.

NOTE: This page or post contains affiliate links. When you click and make a purchase I earn a portion of the money you spend at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support.

Learn more by clicking the picture above.

2. Auto Turner

The auto turner provides room for 6 to 12 eggs. I say 6 because with larger eggs that is about all that fits on the turner. Given the fact I may only have 5 or 6 eggs from a specific breeding pair, this incubator serves an important purpose on CG Heartbeats Farm. I have found a way to place close to 30 eggs in the Janoel 12 incubator. See my Tips for the Janoel 12 Incubator in this post.

3. Bottom Half Cleans Easy

I love the how easy cleaning the bottom of this incubator is. To start I dump out the water and mess. I spray outside with a garden hose. Next, I put apple cider vinegar in the bottom and the amount varies based on how dirty it is. I fill almost to the top with water and allow it to soak for several hours. The mess simply does not stick to the sides or interior bottom. The tray takes a bit of scrubbing with a brush to get the stubborn stuff off. I wipe the legs of the hatching tray with a paper towel. I also wipe the bottom half inside and out to dry it.

4. I Hatch Chicks with the Janoel 12

Examples include a hatch that started with 14 eggs, 2 were not fertile, at lockdown there were 11 viable eggs and the end result was 9 chicks. In another (1 time) instance, all 10 eggs hatched. I generally have a decent hatch rate with this incubator. There are several factors that influence how well a hatch goes. I will share that the first couple times I used this incubator I was not successful. I needed to determine the right amount of water to add at lockdown and I share that later in this post.

5. 360 degree View

The sides provide a view all the way around the incubator.

6. Adjustable Spacing in the Janoel 12 Turner

The spacers in the turner allows the width of each row to be a custom fit.

A way to adjust turner spacing on the Janoel 12

7. Durable

The longer I use this incubator, the more I am impressed with its durability. I have hatched in my original incubator for 3 years, gaining multiple batches of chicks each year.

Purchase your own Janoel 12 Incubator by clicking the picture.

NOTE: This page or post contains affiliate links. When you click and make a purchase I earn a portion of the money you spend at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support.

What I do not like about the Janoel 12 Incubator

1. Cleaning Inside of the Top

Cleaning any part of the top requires a screw driver to remove parts. It is simple to take part and put together, but more time consuming due to needing to remove several screws. I do not clean the top every time.

2. Lack of Setting Options

While the temperature is displayed and can be changed, that is the only setting. This model does not provide other settings such as a count down to hatch day, or a setting based on current room temperatures. There is not a humidity reading or a way to automate humidity levels. I have experimented with how much water to add at lockdown, based on the climate here in northern Indiana.

3. Not made in America

I like to purchase products made in America. This incubator is not.

4. Harder to See

While there is a 360 view of the eggs, the durable plastic has a bit of smoky haze when looking through it or taking pictures. The view is not as clear compared to other incubators I have used or seen used. I have noticed after several hatches the plastic becomes scratched, clouding the view.

Tips for Using Janoel 12

How to fit 20 plus eggs in the Janoel 12 Incubator

If I remove the tray the turner sets on and place in the hatching tray, the Janoel 12 holds 20 to 25 eggs. The eggs need to be hand turned. I try for 6 times a day, but fall short some days. This starts a larger group of eggs. Often when I use this method, I know that it is likely not all eggs will be fertile. If the number of fertile eggs drop low enough after a week, I begin to use the turner. If not, I am committed to hand turning the eggs until lockdown. Either way, I end up with a higher number of chicks compared to only using the turner from day one.

Adding Water at Lockdown

I have found the best hatch results by adding ½ cup to ¾ cup of water at lockdown. The room humidly plays a part in my determination. To date, I use the dry hatch method. I may add a ¼ cup water on day 17 depending on the size of the air cells when I candle. If I do, I would only add ¼ cup to ½ cup more at lock down.

Note the incubator in the picture is not on a level surface. The water level is not equal but this is a general idea of what it looks like.

Maintaining a Hatch

The eggs often become bunched when using the auto turner. Maybe I do not have the spaces set correctly? I am not sure if that is the cause. I check the eggs once a day when they are on the turner and place them in a better spot.

“I like this incubator so well I have three.”
Maria Graber

NOTE: This page or post contains affiliate links. When you click and make a purchase I earn a portion of the money you spend at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support.

In Conclusion

The Janoel 12 has been my go to incubator this year. I even purchased a second one in April, to hatch out different batches in. As I said, knowing the chicks correct parentage ranks high for me and the Janoel 12 helps me meet this goal. Is it a perfect incubator? No, but when I consider the small amount I invested in each one and all the ways it serves my purposes. I am excited to use the Janoel 12. I would love to hear your experience with the Janoel 12. Please reach out using the form below to send me an email with your questions or leave a comment at the bottom of this post.

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April 17, 2020April 17, 2020

Hatching Baby Chicks

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Do you know what you need to hatch your own baby chicks? If not, read on. If items you will need may be obvious, may I encourage you to give thought to a few details when preparing to incubate chicken eggs.

4 Items to Hatch Baby Chicks

Hatching Eggs
Egg Candler
Incubator
Brooder (for chicks after they hatch)

Hatching Eggs

Yes, to hatch chicks you need hatching eggs. I am sure you all are aware. Let’s consider, for a minute, where you will get chicken eggs.

4 Places to Obtain Fertile Hatching Eggs

Hatcheries
Private Breeders
Local Private Breeders
From your own Chickens

Hatcheries

Commercial operations often offer many different breeds to choose from, both hatching eggs and chicks. If you are looking for a variety to hatch, here is where you often get the most choices. Sometimes the quality of the breed may not be top notch as hatcheries often go for quantity over quality. If you are not planning to show your birds, or breed your birds to a breed standard and want a pretty back yard flock, consider this option.

Private Breeders

Private breeders offer a smaller selection of breeds., but there may be several to choose from. Another option is ordering from different smaller breeders. This can be coordinated so that the hatching eggs arrive at the same time.

Local Private Breeders

If you find a local private breeder producing the breed of chicken you are looking for, you will not have to have your eggs shipped. This should potentially should increase the number of chicks hatched. Shipping hatching eggs can reduce the viability. The local breeder hopefully will package the eggs similar to if they were shipping them. Even a car ride can cause the eggs to be shaken up a bit.

From your own chickens

If you have a rooster, most likely you will have fertile eggs, needed to hatch chicken eggs. It is possible for a rooster to be infertile, but if so, you have the option to find a different rooster. The way to find if your rooster is fertilizing eggs is incubate them.

If you would like to learn more about hatching chicken eggs amd other homesteading practices consider joining the Facebook group, Hatching Eggs, Ideas, and Homesteading Practices.

NOTE: This page or post contains affiliate links. When you click and make a purchase I earn a portion of the money you spend at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support.

Incubator

Incubators imitate a broody hen to the best of technologies ability. There are many to choose from in today’s market. Some are produced in the USA and others are imported. Incubators come with different prices tags and corresponding functions. Often the more automated the process the higher the price. Particular brands carry a higher price, but with that comes an expectation of superior performance.

If you are interested in hatching a large number of eggs at one time as in hundreds, investing in a cabinet incubator may be the route you choose to go.

Features of Incubators: Air quality, humidity, and turning the eggs are all critical for proper incubation.

Fans

Forced air meaning an incubator has a fan moving the air around in the incubator. This feature promotes incubator air to be a consistent temperature throughout. It also pulls in air from any available air vents.

Humidity

The humidity levels are controlled by adding water. Tools are available to automate that process. Or another feature may be a exterior port to add water so the incubator does not need to be opened when adding water. A hen will generally get off her next one time per day so I am not convinced that opening a lid to add water is a terrible detriment to hatching success. In fact, there is a newer incubator on the market that can be programmed to intentionally cool the eggs one time a day.

Turners

A tray attached to a motor will turn eggs for you. If an incubator does not have an automatic turner you are responsible for turning the eggs approximately 6 times a day. Many incubators can be fitted with a turner. However, a draw back is the number of eggs that can be fit into the incubator at one time. As an example, one of the incubators I use is set to turn around 9 eggs, but I can fit around 25 eggs with out the turner

Egg Candler

From setting the eggs to trouble shooting a hatch once it has ended, an egg candler with be most useful. When I started I used a bright small flashlight and went to a light marketed for the sole purpose of candling eggs. I am all about using what you have and when I started a small bright flashlight was what I had. A candler plugs into an outlet instead of using batteries as a small flashlight would. I now use a small bright flashlight once again. I have at times used the light on my phone. If you are interested in saving money, use what you have on hand.

Brooder with Food and Water

Once a chick hatches and dries, they will need to move into a brooder. Brooders come in different forms, material and shapes. On a homestead they often are a product of using what one has available and develop out of creativity. There are commercial brooders that can be purchased at stores. They all serve the same purpose, to provide dry shelter, heat, food, water, and protection from predators.

Newly hatched chicks need to be provided with a heat source of 95 degrees in a shelter safe from predators. Dry clean bedding, clean fresh water, and chick starter should be in place near the heat source. The temperature in the room needs to be a match for the heat source. A pen that meets the above criteria will qualify as a brooder. What creative ideas have you seen, thought of and possibly used for a brooder? Leave a comment below.

Purchase now and receive the E-book, Plan Your Hatch as a bonus.

The course content is already available with additional videos, resources, and printables to be added soon. Begin today!

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April 13, 2020April 13, 2020

10 Reasons to Hatch Baby Chicks

baby chicks are one option when choosing your first chickens

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Is hatching baby chicks right for you? Do you want to find a project for your kids to do at home during the coronavirus quarantine? Check out these 10 reasons to incubate chicken eggs and hatch your own baby chicks as an indoor activity for kids.

1. Teach Kids Biology or Science

The process of hatching chicken eggs introduces children to the reproduction process.

2. Teach Responsibility

The steps taken to care for eggs as they incubate teaches children responsibility. If the child will be carring for the chicks after they hatch the lessons in responsibility continue after the hatch ends.

3. Teach How to Deal with Disappointment

A hatch does not always end with every egg producing a chick. This provides an opportunity to speak to a child about how to deal with disappointment.

4. Learn about Candling Eggs

I compare candling eggs to a human ultrasound. Candling offers a look at the different stages of a chicks development as it grow inside the egg.

5. Entertainment

Baby chick antics bring old fashioned entertainment into a home simply by watching them. Holding a baby chick puts a smile on child’s face.

6. Provide Emotional Support

Baby chicks as a pet give a child an animal to cuddle and feel connected with in our current world crisis.

7. Connect with a Child and Instill Confidence

Sharing the process of hatching chicken eggs with a child brings about an occasion to talk with a child, explaining the process and anticipate the end result. You will be doing a project with them. I suggest involving them in the work as much as they are able. They will develop a sense of confideance.

8. Save Money on Baby Chick Prices

Did you plan to purchase baby chicks anyway? Hatching eggs offer a cheaper option to adding a rare breed to your flock.

The idea that hatching your own chicks will save you money depends on the price you would pay for chicks, the price of the hatching eggs, and how many chicks you hatch. I share additional details in the course Chick Hatching Practices. If you are new to chick hatching, consider checking out this course that offers guidance for chicken egg hatching.

Purchase now and receive the E-book, Plan Your Hatch as a bonus.

The course content is already available with additional videos, resources, and printables to be added soon. Begin today!

9. Give Expectation and Excitement during new Stay at Home Routine.

Children face a disruption of their routines as have their parents. Waiting for the chicks to hatch, candling the eggs to watch the chicks development brings a new sense of excitement. Looking forward to chicks hatching affords a distraction from all that is not happening right now. This works on adults too, or it certainly does for me.

10. Income

Sell the chicks if you are not able to keep them. If you live in a place where chickens are not allowed, connect with a homesteader or farm who would be interested in adding the chicks to their flock. You may be able to keep them for a few weeks before selling them.

You may be able to earn back part or all of the expense incurred to hatch the chicks. Either way tracking expenses and income brings another teaching option in math. A hands on lesson sticks with a person beyond book learning.

Bonus:

Teach patience.

Once you set the eggs in an incubator it takes 21 days for a chick to develop and hatch. The process happens and we all must wait for it to do so. No instant gratification to incubating chicken eggs.

Fluffy and Cute

The ways to enjoy the cute chicks abound from watching them interact with each other to holding them in your lap or perch one on your arm.

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January 13, 2020January 10, 2020

A Homestead Vision for 2020

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Honestly, I intended to write this post last week. It did not happen; in that regard I am getting a slow start to my 2020 planning. I do have quite a few ideas bouncing around in my head and heart. In this post I am going to combine looking back at 2019 and what progresses were made her at CG Heartbeats Farm to build on goals for 2020

On the Website

Hatching Course

The idea to teach others how to hatch chicken eggs came to me as early as 3 or more years ago. I have always had a passion for baby animals. I wrote about that in blog series titled ‘New Life’. I actually put pen to paper or rather started typing on my computer in early 2018. I am committed to finishing this in the coming weeks.

The Practice of Hatching Chicken eggs is just that practice. I will continue to add to the course titled ‘Chick Hatching Practices’ sharing new information as I learn it.

Garlic Purchase

I am in the process of setting up product pages for garlic that I raise to make it available to those who are not local. Garlic ships and keeps well. Here at home, I use the previous years garlic well into the March and sometimes even April or longer.

Order and Pay for Hatching Eggs, Chicks and Birds

Hatching egg purchases, chicks and birds paid for through the website is in the works. I always encourage anyone with questions to reach out via email using maria@dontclipmywings.com. I do my best to respond to each question or comment as soon as I possibly can. Planning ahead helps everyone get the best results.

Stories of Farm Life

I shared the first story from the homestead titled Beats that Matter. My goal is to share this type of story every Friday. These will be heartwarming and heart wrenching stories. Important to life, the little moments that touch us deep down.

There are joys and sorrows in life, no more than on the farm caring for animals. I am excited to encourage others to use the hashtag #beatsthatmatter on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Each week I will share some of the moments or the #beatsthatmatter captured on film.

In Addition

I am working on ideas to bring FREE information, checklists and printable forms relevant to homesteading. One goal of the website is to encourage others to produce their own food where they are, using what they have.

On The Homestead

Chicken Pens

Last year I went from 2 outdoor pens to 6. I desire to increase that number this year. All of the current outdoor pens are portable to kill off sod, creating garden space. My goal for this year is to create 2 permanent outside pens complete with runs.

Gardening Space

I have already increased the gardening space, but with the chicken pens moved to a new location this past fall I will be adding another 10’by 20’ space in time for planting. The pens will be moved again in the spring increasing the space again this fall. I planted 350 bulbs of garlic nearly tripling last years crop and the plan for this year is to triple that number again.

I have 10 seed packages from Baker Creek Seeds to try out this coming season. One of them is Kentucky peanuts. I am excited to try these and to grow sorghum and flax. These last 2 may help me raise my own chicken feed in the future. That is a big expense here, purchasing feed. The more I can grow myself the better for the birds and the pocket book in my mind. To be tested out in the future.

Breeding Programs

Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiner

The Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiners continue to challenge me when it comes to producing chicks. The hens are 3 years old. The current roosters Cisco and Clinch show promise. I did produce a group of chicks from the hens late last summer using a Swedish Flower Hen rooster. That was largely to prove to me that the hens could in fact produce a chick. Now I wait for the hens to start laying again. I lost 2 hens from this group in December. The are getting older and hope to hatch replacements or purchase more this year. I am not ready to give up on them yet.

Swedish Flower Hen

The fertility in the Swedish Flower Hens has not been an issue at all and are rather easy to add to the flock. I often use incubators, but have raised chicks with broody hens as well. My goals for this breed vary a bit by pen. Cherokee has been chosen to add size to his flock, while other pens are grouped for different reasons.

These 2 beauties are a part of Shoshone’s Pen or Pen # 5

Silver Gray Dorking

This year the Silver Gray Dorkings also lack good fertility, although that has not been the case in the past. The parent stock are just over 3 years old and I wonder if the roosters are falling off in their fertility as they age. I will be switching out roosters with a younger one to see if that improves fertility. I will be looking to add additional Silver Gray Dorkings from another farm.

Container Gardens

I used buckets last year to grow sweet potatoes. I will do the same this year and plan to grow other vegetables in containers as well.

A Cow

I have been casually looking for a cow for that last 3 years. A big goal this year is to actually purchase one. I have changed my mind from a Scottish Highland to a Jersey with the intent to breed for a mini Jersey.

Livestock Guard Dog

While predator loss has been minimal, I also would like to add a livestock guard dog to the homestead. The coyotes seem to be rather brave and I would feel better with a LGD on the loose. Champ, the heeler is gaining in age almost 10 and he will be needing assistance in doing the great job he has so far.

Additional Fencing

I have supplies accumulated to improve current fencing and add more. What I have lacked is energy to complete the project. I know I felt better over all in 2019 compared to 2018 so thinking positive, I have fencing on my list again for 2020. I intend to not only improve existing fence, but construct new fence lines creating additional pasture space.

Barn Renovations

The one barn here either needs to come down or be renovated. I prefer the latter, but the more time that passes the harder time I have seeing that a worth while venture.

Tidy the Property and House

In my focus on other areas last year, I look around and see many places that I have not kept up on when it comes to de-cluttering, organization, and clean up. This applies to house, barn and yard. I want to focus on that in 2020, as well. There are projects started that need to be finished. It seems that a few goals from 2019 carry forward to 2020. That is ok. Progress was made last year with out a doubt and I will celebrate that.

Farmer’s Markets

I took a break from attending markets in the last quarter of 2019. I believe I need to focus on working on the homestead itself in at least the first quarter of 2020. At that point I will evaluate where I am at. I truly enjoy the markets, but currently have little prepared to take. My time needs to be focused on the above-mentioned tasks for the first quarter at least. What are your plans for the coming year to shift to living more of a homestead lifestyle? Producing your own food? I would be excited to share in your goals, dreams and progress.

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January 1, 2020January 1, 2020

Fall 2019 ~Looking Back

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I am good at coming up with ideas, as many are. I simply do not accomplish everything I think up. Nor would it be wise to pursue every idea. I admit I struggle at times knowing which one is the best to pursue. Looking back at the last 3 months, the first thing that comes to mind is all I did not get done.

If I think a little harder, I realize I spent hours learning. Learning about how to improve this website and create a unique homestead.

One day, stands out as I spent time with my Dad working outside. With his help, several tasks were accomplished. In recent weeks I spent time connecting with family who are in the area for 5 weeks. Never wasted time in my opinion.

While composing this post I looked back at Fall 2019 where I shared my goals for the upcoming season. I found myself surprised at all I did complete and feeling good about it.

Completed Fall Projects

Moved 4 Chicken Pens

The chickens have proved faithful in dulling sod growth and killing it off to create garden space. If I get a bit creative, I might be able to use the horses for that purpose, too, for a larger area of ground.

This fall I moved the 4 outdoor chicken pens constructed of dog kennel panels and netting with odds and ends as entertainment and shelter in the pens.

Planted Blackberries

I am excited to now grow black berries here at CG Heartbeats Farm. They were a gift of sorts. I dug them up at a friends house who is moving.

When not pruned they mulitlply quickly. Oh, how I know this as I neglected to prune the black raspberries I have until this past spring.

Planted Red Raspberries

While I had a few red raspberries last summer, I went from 3 plants to planting almost 20 this fall. Actually, my Dad helped me greatly that day. He dug the holes and we both filled the dirt in around the Raspberries plants. I added compost from the pile to the hole, serving 2 purposes. The compost soil provides nutrients.

I did not work the ground before planting the berry plants, the compost added a fluffier soil for the roots to take hold in. I have read there are benefits for garden dirt be turned over and to opposite that the soil becomes disrupted when turned over.

To be honest, I did not work that ground before planting for the simple reason of time and energy. I suppose come spring I will know for sure how the berry plant roots did over the winter.

Planted 350 Garlic Cloves of 5 Varieties

I found hard neck garlic does well here when planted in high well drained ground. German, Montana, Music, Spanish Rojo, and, new this year, Elephant. I look forward to offering garlic here on www.dontclipmywings.com for purchase. Garlic ships well and will be ready in September on a yearly basis.

I have started hauling hay chaff from the barns to the garlic beds. I cleaned up where the wind had blown hay over time outside of the paddock where the horses eat. I find the need to become creative in finding cover for the garlic beds as they are larger this year.

Planted Egyptian Onions

In October I planted Egyptian onions for a first on CG Heartbeats Farm. I wanted to plant these for over a year. I feel excited to have obtained starts this year from Heirloom Solutions.

Hatched Chicks

Two batches of Swedish Flower Hen chicks arrived in December. Both 6 in number for a total of 12 chicks. I used the Janoel 12 incubator to hatch chicks from Cherokee and his ladies.

The first chicks from their pen arrived the end of September. I tried hatching Silver Gray Dorking eggs from the pair, with no fertility showing up. Most of fall, the older hens were in a molt. I only recently started incubating SGD eggs from pen # 1.

Chicken Pens

I cleaned the 3 of the 5 brooder tanks and all 3 are currently in use. I will continue to work on cleaning indoor pens. Cleaning the floor and walkways of the chicken barn is an ongoing project.

December 26, 2019 the temps were around 60 degrees. My heart full from a beautiful time with family on Christmas, I woke up ready to get to work. Brian and I worked together to replace the leaking water hydrant by the chicken barn.

I reconstructed the Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiner outdoor pen. Days like this are on my top ten list of favorites.

Plant Flowers

The flower bulbs I ordered became unavailable. I found a sale at our local Tractor Supply Company. I plan to plant them this week. The ground still unfrozen allows for planting bulbs. What did I pick out? Daffodils, Anemone, and Crocus.

Carryover Projects:

Grapevine Post

One Concord Grape plant has grown large enough to begin training it to a wire. In this area I am going to train one vine upward (perpendicular) on several wires. In the future, side branches will be trained along the wires paryell to the ground. For now, the next step, putting in posts. Stringing the wire happens after the posts set. At a different place on the property I hope to one day have an arbor to walk through under grape leaves.

Fence Construction

I have material and plans to improve existing fence lines and install new ones. In the past I did most fence work in the fall. Zero fence work was completed in Fall of 2019. I keep reminding myself this homestead is a marathon, not a sprint.

Sassafras

I mentioned I wanted to dig up Sassafras trees to use the roots to make tea. That did not happen, yet! The trees are still out there. I intend to have sassafras tea in my future.

Clean up Around Barns

We started this project by cutting down the unwanted trees that popped up. The remainder will wait or perhaps the weather will provide a day or two in the next couple months to sneak a bit of ‘warm weather’ work in. The temps were near 60 degrees on December 26^th.

A prickly bush needs to be removed, the container garden area project near the chicken barn seems ongoing.

Moving Cement Blocks

I started a container garden 3 years ago by dumping the sweet potato buckets into it as I harvested.

With the amount of dirt I dumped this year, the raised bed is ready for an additional row of blocks.

Barn Roof

One barn roof, long overdue for repairs did not receive the required attention this year. I feel disappointed and want to see that barn addressed this year.

Fall Harvest

I completely enjoyed the beauty of Fall 2019. The day I harvested sweet potatoes, onions, and carrots I watched our first snow fall of the season. I became chilled, but pressed on taking time to snap picture of the pretty scenes.

That day was not the only day I enjoyed fall but I think it was the most memorable. All of my senses came alive. I smelled wet soil as I dumped buckets harvesting the sweet potatoes. I intentionally breathed deeply inhaling the odor only onions produce. I felt the dirt dry my hands and stick under my nails. I looked around at the display of color enhanced by the white of falling snow. I created a bit of art as I hung the onions to dry before taking them inside. I heard roosters crow and hens cackle as I worked. I listened to the quiet that encompassed my work as the rain that turned to snow softly fell. I did not actually taste any of the food I harvested, but imagined I did. I felt blessed as I worked.

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November 6, 2019November 6, 2019

Homestead And A Blog

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In this post I share why I choose to homestead and blog. I talk about who encouraged and helped me along in the blogging journey.

My first blogging experience took place as a part of the 2015 TCA Thoroughbred Makeover where I posted 140 times sharing the story of preparing Navajo Bo for the event held at the Kentucky Horse Park. I realized I loved to write.

Homestead and Blog

I knew I needed to step away from the horses for at least a season. A seed of desire planted when we had purchased this property, began to grow as 2016 rolled around. How could I use what I had in front of me to grow my own food? create an income? I needed a place to work within the boundary of my current limitations brought about by my health struggles. One of my ideas: Blog about my journey.

NOTE: This page or post contains affiliate links. When you click and make a purchase I earn a portion of the money you spend at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support.

Dr. Caroline Leaf’s book Think and Eat Yourself Smart

I have learned and been encouraged for years by what Dr Caroline Leaf teaches about the brain, and thought life. I happily participated in her book launch Think and Eat Yourself Smart. In reading this book, I found affirmation to the ideas bouncing around in my head.

This dream of mine did indeed meet a need in our land. I wanted to share with others how easy it is to produce your own food. The following describes the original idea put into words in October of 2019.

Our Vision
A world in which preserving and cooking from naturally raised foods became a norm instead of a rarity. Where both men and women would understand their ability to raise much of their own food instead of relying on handouts  
Our Mission
To provide information to others on best sustainable farming practices with little start up costs by using the resources available. Encourage those interested in returning to local foods no matter if they are grown themselves or purchased from local farms

2016 A Start with Chickens

On our property sat a 60’ X 30’ chicken barn. It had been partially insulated and used for storing hay and anything else we needed a place for. In looking around at what I had, I decided I wanted to get chickens. The blog post Why Pick Swedish Flower Hens tells that story.

In May of 2016 I drove 3 hours one way to pick up Swedish Flower Hen chicks. I destinctly recall the anticipation of endless possibility and prayfully telling the Lord I was giving this chicken project to Him.

I joined Swagbucks in 2017. I earned $250.00 that year. A part of the total was earned when I signed up for Blue Host to host WordPress.org through Swagbucks.

2017 Website: A Country Girl’s Heart ~ Beats that Matter

The desire to blog continued to grow in me as I learned about chickens, and continued to care for horses. Knowing my interest in blogging, my sister forwarded an email to me sharing about an inexpensive course to learn about starting a blog.

Cyrstal Paine who sold the course, had won my attention as the author of Choose Gratitude: Blessings Journal.

I jumped on the opportunity to learn for the tiny investment of $7. I learned enough from that short course to keep me working toward my goal.

Crystal encourages and teaches at Your Blogging University and through Your Blogging Mastermind.

I launched my blog in the summer of 2017. I sat in the Irma downtown Cody, Wyoming working on this new venture and feeling the excitement of all the possibilities.

Crystal Paine’s Your Blogging University continued to provide me with course content helping me along the way. Each new course she launched I purchased at her introductory price. Learning and growing with each new basic blogging course.

2019 Blogging Mastermind Opportunity

When the email came announcing her mastermind group, I felt excited and believed I wanted to be a part. None the less, I prayed over the idea, and gave it time. I think I waited until the last minute to sign up. I wanted to be sure that I did not throw money after an emotional desire. Looking back the value exceeds the cost.

What is the Mastermind?

The basic format consists of :

2 live trainings every month
an online forum
an annual meet up
Office Hours: (new in November of 2019) live question and answer session 2 times a month.

The online forum provides a place to connect, network, view past trainings, ask questions of other bloggers and Crystal while inspiring each other to keep moving forward.

“The blogging world often felt lonely to me as no one in my immediate circle worked in this niche. I knew connecting with other bloggers would benefit me.” ~ Maria Graber

The live trainings provide inspiration to me to try new avenues. One example, Instagram, motivated me to become serious about growing an Instagram account. I admit I continue to learn the best ways to use this platform, but I went from no Instagram to a following of about 170. If you are on Instagram and like homesteading, chickens, and growing your own food, be sure to follow CG Heartbeats Farm.

We are given monthly assignment that correlate with the monthly live trainings. New members may view all the past trainings.

Mastermind Meet Up

The first meet up took place in Franklin, TN. I felt for the first time that this blogging journey is the real deal. Listening to others share their dreams, where they blog at and how they earn money from their website.

We split into smaller groups and created a 6-month goal for our blogging business. As we brainstormed for each other and formed new relationships, I knew I wanted to continue this path.

Listening to a conversation on a subject beyond my current level, served to inspire me to keep working. I not only set a 6 month goal, I gained a picture of what the future might look like as the business grew. These are the ideas that marinate in my mind.

I left feeling motivated, believing I too am capable of owning a successful blog. Connecting with other bloggers and seeing what worked for them gave me ideas of what might work for me. The fun thing about blogging is the unique way each writer brings their topic to the online world.

A local blogger opened her house to me and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her and her family. She blogs at www.l eslieslittlecorner.com . Check her website out.

Leslie sets up new blogs for a great price.

My favorite part of the mastermind? The in person meet up, hands down, gets me feeling excited every time I think about going, both the past and future events. I am certain the value of meeting, connecting, learning, and encouraging goes way beyond the monthly price to be a part of Your Blogging Mastermind.
~ Maria Graber

Do you think Your Blogging Mastermind is for you? Enrollment is open for a limited time.

Your Blogging Mastermind: Additional Value for Me

In addition to the forum, weekly trainings and bi-annual in person meet up, Crystal gave us a unique opportunity. Her most recent course Monetize your Blog launched the end of September. Pre-launch, she gave anyone in the mastermind who wanted it, the entire course. In exchange for writing a review of the course, we could participate in her month-long coaching group of the course. I felt happy to review and share my thoughts of the course. I had no idea how the month of coaching would move me forward in my blogging journey.

All I accomplished as a part of Crystal’s Monetize Your Blog Coaching group: In the month of October, I applied and re-applied to be part of affiliate programs. I wrote my blogging why, ideal audience, and privacy policy. I had been procrastinating about these last 3. When I started blogging, I felt like I had no idea and after 2 years I have a better picture of who I serve. I learned more about affiliate marketing and sponsored posts including a guideline for pricing. I created my first media kit. I wrote an affiliate post and mock sponsored post. I have a clearer picture of what a monetized blog can look like. I am finishing up the assignments as I write this post. I will be brainstorming ideas of other income ventures and going over a disclosure policy to make sure all the legal stuff is in place.

Crystal does not promise these extra bonuses, but looks for ways to add value to our mastermind experience. The afore mentioned opportunity added value for me. I wonder what else she has in store?

Right now you have the chance to try it FREE for one week.

Do NOT miss this week’s training if you have a blog up and running.

What does a Blog have to do with a Homestead?

For where I am in my health journey, sitting down to rest is a part of my every day life. In the spring of 2014 when I became unable to work using physical labor, even at home, I would sit and watch movies or TV. It felt unfulfilling and like I was wasting my time. I occupied myself, but had nothing to show for it.

I would at times write out my struggles, but that produced no income. Fast forward through spiritual, emotional and physical healing, blogging as a business gives me a chance to work toward earning money. Have I earned much via my writing? Not yet. I am beginning to see a small amount. I trust that as I continue to learn and apply, the result will be money additional money earned.

A Country Girl’s Heart ~ Beats that Matter has been and continues to be a great way to showcase the 3 heritage chicken breeds I am raising. We all know how undependable social media selling has become. One has to tip toe around on Facebook to promote anything related to animal sales. A website provides a place online that you own no matter what a social media platform’s current trend may be.

I need these times to rest my body and still use my mind. Most days I need to be up moving, caring for animals and working combined with the times of resting and writing. Blogging about the homestead life gives me a way to do both.

For you, a homesteader, a website provides a place to share your knowledge, promote crafts created, animals raised and share your story with the world.

If you do not have your blog set up yet, check out these courses at Your Blogging University

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September 23, 2019January 1, 2020

Seasons ~ Fall 2019

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The calendar says fall begins on Sept 23^rd and ends on December 20^th. Our northern Indiana weather apparently did not get that memo. Often the coldest temps do not arrive until after Christmas, but certain it is common to have snow in long before then. When I think about fall, I think September, October and maybe if we are lucky into November. I certainly remember snow in October living only an hour or so north of here in southern Michigan. I always feel like it is a race against the weather to get fall projects wrapped up.

Move outdoor chicken pens

I have found the chickens to be great sod killers. Except for the most frigid of temperatures I house some groups of chickens in temporary outdoor pens. Here they contribute to the homestead by not only getting rid of the majority of the grass, but adding fertilizer to the soil. To date I move the pens twice a year in the spring and the fall. I also added a couple pens in the last year. I have a Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiner pen, 4 pens of Swedish Flower Hens and a temporary turnout pen for when I am cleaning an inside pen or want a group of birds to get outside. I plan to move all of these this fall and begin working the soil.

All pens and netting pictured here will go to a new location.
New location for chickens to kill sod, preping for future garden space.

Plant garlic and onions

I intend to plant 4 varieties of garlic: German, Montana, Music, Spanish Rojo this year along with a new variety, Elephant. I plan to try a homestead onion. This onion begins growing a bulb on top of the stalk, the weight of it falls over. Once it hits the soil it grows its own roots and thus these onions replenish themselves. A down side to them is that they do not store as well or get as big as some other varieties.

Garden Prep

At the growing season winds down, I will be removing garden plants. Work needs to be done in beds near house. Trees seem to pop up around here on a whim and unwanted trees need to be removed.

Fall Harvest

There are Sweet Potatoes, red potatoes, white and yellow onions, carrots, Jacob Cattle beans, butternut squash, and Glass Gem Popcorn to be harvested. Of course, the tomatoes will likely produce until a killing frost.

Sweet Potatoes
Red Potatoes

Work in container garden area

Last spring I started working on an old slab of cement to convert it into a container garden area. I hope to continue working on that project this fall. I will be setting up either a new container garden of deepening the existing one. As I dump the buckets of potatoes I add to or create container gardens. This is going to include some clean up of dead grasses and organization of boards I have stored there.

Transplant fruits: Blackberries, Red raspberries and Black raspberries

A friend and myself plan to transplant Blackberries and red and black raspberries from her current location to her new residence. In exchange for helping, I will be brining home a portion of what we removed from where she is currently living.

Grape Plants

I am feeling motivated to get a support structure in place for the grape plants largely due to the growth on one of the plants. It is definitely ready for guided growth. I want to prune its vines and start new plants from those to be planted next spring.

Chicken pens

Cleaning chicken pens is a job that doesn’t end, but I especially want to go into winter with all the pens clean. Winter cleaning is difficult and depending on the weather, near impossible. I also will be setting up winter pens. The weather determines when I bring in my chickens that live outside.

Hatch chicks

I intend to hatch some chicks this fall. Cisco and Clinch will be joining the Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiner hens around the first of November. As I right this, those hens are molting and not laying eggs. They may or may not lay well this winter. If they do lay eggs, well, those are marked for the incubator.

Clinch on the left and Cisco on the right
Clinch on the left and Cisco on the right.

As I started this post today, I set Silver Gray Dorking eggs and Swedish Flower Hen eggs from the Trio pen.

Janoel 12 Incubator ready to start incubating these Swedish Flower Hen and Silver Gray Dorking eggs

Preserve food

The heirloom tomatoes produced well for me. For the first time ever, I canned tomato juice. First time I have canned in 20 years, too. I hope to make and can ketchup and perhaps more tomato juice

Plant flowers

I ordered a new to me flower that blooms in the spring. In my minds eye, it will look pretty with the pink and purple tulips. I am reminded that with Sage no longer with me. I want plant flowers in the center of the circle drive.

Dreaming

Here I share the goals that seem a bit impossible this fall or out of reach. I long to purchase a cow, put up fence, and dig up sassafras roots for tea. I miss playing the fiddle and hope I make time to pick it up again in the coming seasons.

I have plenty to keep me busy here on the farm. I plan to attend indoor farmer and craft markets although that schedule is to be decided. Of course, all of this needs to be balanced with caring for my health that at times requires extra rest. This happens randomly where I simply have to stop and rest.

What are your fall projects? Leave me a comment below.

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August 8, 2019August 15, 2019

Homestead Diary ~ Week 1

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Although I have been around animals my entire life, I feel like a newbie many times in this homesteading journey. New lessons with new species, raising animals in a new way, new goals aside from living an equestrian lifestyle, learning what it means to have an online business are all changes I have chosen for this season of my life. Thus, getting real about what a month of the journey really looks like feels scary and vulnerable. Here goes as I diving in head first.

Thursday, August 1, 2019

Yes! I love a new month and a new morning! AM chores completed I headed into town to work online. I was excited for the work I wanted to do on the hatching course. I ended up with a bad low sugar level. I ate and waited until it was safe for me to drive. During this time, I focused the best I could on the online work I wanted to get done. Once home, I took a long nap, before heading out for evening chores. I hate these disruptions to my day, but I am learning to be thankful for all the good. It seems a lesson that, while I can see progress, is a mental battle I continue to fight.

Friday, August 2, 2019

I awoke feeling terrible. As I lay in bed I thought, “I am do not have to do much today. I am staying right here! Oh wait! I have a meeting planned to send pullets to a new home. I need to stay consistent with my social media posts. I need a box or two for the pullets to travel in. I need to go to town.” I groaned inwardly. Slowly, I began my day. When the above mentioned was completed and chores attended to. I rested the remainder of the day. On this day I felt blessed and thankful that while I needed to attend to certain items of business, I could rest with out feeling any quilt. Rest I did.

Saturday, August 3, 2019

Normally, I attend the Culver Farmer’s Market, but I still not feeling good, choose to stay home. To be completely honest, I want to share I also felt a bit overwhelmed with what I have not been getting done around here and online. I squash thoughts tempting me to waste energy wishing I felt better. I know the best thing for me today is rest. After the daily quiet time of writing what I am thankful for and reading a chapter in a book by Kathy Lee Gifford titled, The Rock, The Road, and the Rabbi, with a cup of coffee, I headed outside to feed the horses, cats and share an IG story and post. My first stop was checking if the Swedish Flower Hen of Pair # 2 was indeed broody. YES! She was. I decided since I was moving slow anyway to put out the broody hen and her chicks, the 5- 4/5-week old chicks and the 4 from pen #7. I began the work of watering and feeding chicken pens. In the mix I watered the potted cherry tomato plants and some of the sweet potatoes. At some point I added 7 eggs to the 4 or 5 the broody hen had already laid. I have been saving her eggs and leaving a few in with her, hoping she would go broody a second time this year. Feeling so blessed that she did, especially given the fact the coons had eaten her chicks.

Brian and I grabbed a bite to eat and then I was back outside feeding chickens. This process stretched on into the afternoon. I say I was moving slow….I started this at 10 am and it was now 4 pm. I spent an hour working on a blog post I am putting together. Then back outside to find Kit Kat was shadowing me and meowing intensely. ‘Now what does she want,’ I wondered. I looked closer at her, feeling under her belly. I now suspected she was close to having kittens. She likes to show me where she is having her kittens. I spent the next several minutes with her coming and going in the underbrush next to the house. Yes, this is one of those areas that need work here. Anyway, she settled down in a corner. I will keep checking on her this evening, but I am certain she is having kittens. I tamed her when she was feral and it took me 8 weeks to even touch her. Unfortunately, I did not get her fixed and now our cat population has taken off. Several cats have been fixed here and she is one of the next ones on the list. It feels like slow progress. But it is progress. I gathered eggs which I do through out the day. Relationships with animals bring joy to my heart and to be honest at times pain. I wrote a bit more and headed back outside until dark. Chores consisted of bringing in the chicks and grow outs I had put in cages outside earlier in the day, feeding horses, and watering the garden near the chickens. I finally transplanted the cherry tomato plants where one of the garlic gardens had been near the house.

3 sister garden plot, behind is the heritage tomato plants
out of site are the yellow and white onions and carrots

I found myself remembering the joying of riding bareback on a horse at a walk. For the first time in years I longed to ride. One of my goals for this year was to start riding again. I do not believe I have been on a horse since 2017, 2 years ago. That year I only rode two times, once in WY at Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch and another time in Alberta, Canada. I determined I would ride Navajo Bo. If I get into the reasons why I could write an entire post telling the story of each horse I was not riding. I found Bo’s bridle. Oh dear, that was a mess. I decided to put a halter together with reins that had snaps on them. That is how I learned to ride a horse, bareback with a halter and 2 lead ropes snapped to the halter. Yep, why not start over the same way. If you want to read more about the time, I spent with Bo last night, check out her FB page where I posted a bit about it.

When I went to feed the dogs, I called softly to Kit Kat and shortly she appeared with a messy rear end. Yep, she had birthed kittens. Her belly still felt hard in one spot. Perhaps she wasn’t quite done. I gave her food and water. She hung out with me for a while before returning to her babies. I heard them fussing a couple times. I felt good, peaceful and happy with the enjoyment of my day.

Sunday, August 4, 2019

One of my goals in the last few years is to make Sunday a day of rest. It does not always look quite the same. I did not do much other then care for animals, write, and hang out at home. The broody hen was still on her eggs.

Monday, August 5, 2019

The temps were forecasted to be in the high 80’s. In the mornings after my quiet time or devotions, I started making a schedule for my day. On Mondays this takes a bit longer as I also brain dump of what I want to get done for the week. AM chores include feeding chickens, gathering eggs, horses, cats and dogs, checking gardens and potted plants. I found a few beans (Jacob Cattle Beans) ready to harvest. This morning I took a look at the wild grapes and even ate a few that looked sort of ripe. I hope the tart taste diminishes as they ripen more. If not, I will still eat them, and I am going to be looking for a way to use them. I dove into a daydream imagining where I would keep a cow. I think I forgot to mention I have been in conversation concerning a Jersey cow, bred to a mini Jersey. While I feel drawn to Scottish Highlands and American Milking Devon, at this time the Jersey/Mini Jersey seems like a better fit for the immediate time frame. In all it doesn’t sound like all that takes much time, but 3 hours flew by. The afternoon was spent working on the computer. Brian decided to address the slow water flow and needed my help so after starting house chores, I helped him. One or two more tasks before I was done for the might.

I cleaned the music variety of garlic I want to sell and kept back what I will plant for next years crop and my own use. Not only do I use for cooking, I also put cloves in the chicken water from time to time to boost their immune system. PM chores took close to an hour. It is 10 PM as I write this and I will be going back out to finish up a few things. I felt refreshed today after a day of rest.

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

I desperately needed to work on laundry. First thing I did was get a load started. AM chores went faster today and I found time to wash a quart sized water container for Cisco. When I first brought them home, I had given him a little plastic container and I found myself filling repeatedly through out the day. I felt good knowing this 5 min act would be saving me time in the coming weeks. A lunch time I continued to work on laundry. I usually enjoy laundry, but I have found a way to look forward to it. I pile up a few loads that are ready to be folded then listen to one or two podcasts while I fold. The times flies by fast, I have learned something new and the laundry is folded and put away. I spent 20 min writing out the content for a video I want to add to the course I am working on. Out to wash eggs and load the car for the Culver’s Farmer’s Market. I had this, last minute, idea to stop a local Dollar store on the way. I wanted to get brown paper bags and blank stickers to write on and stick on the bags when I sold garlic. I found regular plain brown lunch bags and shipping labels. I was hoping for a fancier bag and a cute cut to the stickers, but I spent $2.14 on them, so who am I to be picky. Down the road I intend to pay to have printed stickers with the info I want to share. I did the math sitting at the market later in the evening: I cut one shipping label in 4 strips for the egg carton labels. 18 labels cost $1 so each label cost around .05 cents. Divided by 4 (4 strips) that is around 1 cent per shipping label. The quote I currently have for pre-printed egg labels is around 34 cents a label. Of course, they would look much prettier. For now, I will use these, but future goals include pre-printed labels. As for the garlic bags, I will continue to use the shipping labels, but as I sat here writing I remembered I have several sets of ‘fancy’ cut scissors in my craft box. Now that would make for some fancier looking labels. I intend to get them out for today market in Bremen, Indiana.

Leaving the dollar store, I began feeling anxious. At first, I chalked it up to worrying about being late to market, but no amount of self-talk made it go away. I realized my sugar levels must be dropping. I started eating the snack foods I had purchased at the Dollar store. I took a different route since I had gone into town on my way. In my path ahead I seen a traffic backed up for a train. Oh, not now! As I sat there waiting on a train that was NOT moving, eating cause my sugar, I am not sure how much time had gone by. I looked at my phone to check the time and to my dismay it was after 5 pm. I wanted to go home and be done for the night! Instead I text a couple different friends that were at the market to get directions how to get around the train. I did eventually get to the market. I want to give a big shout out to my friend Julie and Blooms on 800. She helped me get unloaded and set up. The market proved slow and my sales were $0. But I decided to look at it from the perspective that, as I sat there, I worked on my egg labels and spent time with my friend. I enjoyed the cool breezes coming off of Lake Maxinkuckee. We chatted as I helped her load her van. Driving home, I fought off negative thoughts of my evening. Even this morning I needed to chase them away. I made progress yesterday even if no sales. Julie shared helpful ideas how to give my market table a new look. It is August and I have been sporting the spring look. I am overdue for a change. Chores went well and all the animals looked good, giving a good feeling. I was tired, but looking forward to feeling rested in the morning.

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Bremen Farmer’s Market takes place from 4 pm to 7 pm on Wednesdays. I spent around 4 hours going through my morning routine: devotional and quiet time, am chores, and checking the plants. Next off to town looking for what I needed to change the display at the markets. I admit I found pleasure in shopping at a local dollar store. Ideas of what the table could look like as I browsed through items. The final look came together when I arrived at the market. I picked flowers, and grabbed garlic that was still drying, cleaned a coffee cup tree that I have not been using. Off to the Bremen Farmer’s Market and another evening of visiting with patrons and friends. The small crowd produced a few sales for me. Check out the slide show of the new display below.

At home I unloaded the car, rested 20 minutes before heading out to complete PM chores. Unfortunately, Prince Charming (the cat) snuck out the door and it was well past midnight before I located him to bring him in. He seemed to think he was on a grand adventure. I was reminded of how the Jesus shared the parable of the shepherd who would leave the fold and go look for the one lost sheep. I thought, ‘I know how overjoyed I will feel when I have Prince Charming safe in my arms and back in the house. Imagine how overjoyed the Lord is when a lost soul returns to Him. No greater love…..’

This completes the first 7 days of August. Did any parts of my last week stand out to you? Send me an email telling me about it. Send your email to maria@dontclipmywings.com or click here

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FREE!!! Decide on a Breed of ChickenWorksheet!

What are your goals for chickens?

Do the breeds you want play well with others?

Do you want more than one breed?

Should your birds be vaccinated?

How many chickens do you want?

Will your flock include a rooster?

FREE!!! Decide on a Breed of ChickenWorksheet!

Do you plan to free range your flock?

How many eggs do you consume on a daily or weekly basis?

In Conclusion

Humble Beginnings

Looking Back

Sustainable Gardening Ideas

Recalling the Spring of 2019

Help from a Friend

Continuing the Progress

What I like about the Janoel 12 Incubator

1. Price

2. Auto Turner

3. Bottom Half Cleans Easy

4. I Hatch Chicks with the Janoel 12

5. 360 degree View

6. Adjustable Spacing in the Janoel 12 Turner

7. Durable

What I do not like about the Janoel 12 Incubator

1. Cleaning Inside of the Top

2. Lack of Setting Options

3. Not made in America

4. Harder to See

Tips for Using Janoel 12

How to fit 20 plus eggs in the Janoel 12 Incubator

Adding Water at Lockdown

Maintaining a Hatch

In Conclusion

Hatching Eggs

4 Places to Obtain Fertile Hatching Eggs

Hatcheries

Private Breeders

Local Private Breeders

From your own chickens

Incubator

Fans

Humidity

Turners

Egg Candler

Brooder with Food and Water

On the Website

On The Homestead

FREE!!!
Decide on a Breed of Chicken
Worksheet!

FREE!!!
Decide on a Breed of Chicken
Worksheet!