tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42857490393032647162024-03-05T17:10:40.574-05:00Chandlers Grove FarmLife on a hobby farm in Coastal North Carolinakdmbennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01984004413399564985noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-79896296770836304722011-08-15T18:13:00.000-04:002011-08-15T18:13:06.229-04:00Slow Cooker Pot Roast<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRZeuLS0m8IYaE5jTXhy5g6HCJ62x3synEw5XiAhKiNFKsGxWgtr0g2_i5ycRJnp0eQMdlTHkXNEPs-ZqWHmx6qvb9TgeRPRP1A8ErzK076Xyt8Hb8uyinBQY1q5u7gHz5xxnzzJQs00/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRZeuLS0m8IYaE5jTXhy5g6HCJ62x3synEw5XiAhKiNFKsGxWgtr0g2_i5ycRJnp0eQMdlTHkXNEPs-ZqWHmx6qvb9TgeRPRP1A8ErzK076Xyt8Hb8uyinBQY1q5u7gHz5xxnzzJQs00/s320/022.JPG" width="240" /></a><u>Ingredients</u><br />
2 cans Cream of Mushroom Soup (10.5 oz each)<br />
1 package French Onion Soup mix<br />
2 1/2 cups water<br />
1 tbsp. garlic salt<br />
2 tsp black pepper<br />
3 1/2 - 5 lb roast <br />
6 medium potatoes, large dice<br />
4 carrots, large slices<br />
4 stalks celery, large slices<br />
1 onion, large dice<br />
<br />
<u>Directions</u><br />
Mix canned soup, soup mix, water, garlic salt and black pepper in your slow cooker. Add roast and cover with veggies. Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours.kdmbennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01984004413399564985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-8015246810020086162011-06-16T19:31:00.000-04:002011-06-16T19:31:01.566-04:00Recipe Ideas Needed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLTz0GNLbigo0COBD_AvhXhI4Tw-lg4X8a0WwZOkUZrNCPG41C2eQ7UqSdFYulA2PJNLwaQh8Y7-An4q9S7iTb5jdlGI3IuKHqSP1b6g_h-ur6EU4HxIrJZ7muwuWOB8CYYgg5YoTlEo/s1600/258292_2145124031388_1344874068_2555720_3350994_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLTz0GNLbigo0COBD_AvhXhI4Tw-lg4X8a0WwZOkUZrNCPG41C2eQ7UqSdFYulA2PJNLwaQh8Y7-An4q9S7iTb5jdlGI3IuKHqSP1b6g_h-ur6EU4HxIrJZ7muwuWOB8CYYgg5YoTlEo/s320/258292_2145124031388_1344874068_2555720_3350994_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>It looks like we may have planted too many yellow squash plants this year. We are already drowning in them and they just started coming off. What do you do with yours other than frying, stewing, grilling or adding to spaghetti? Any casserole or bread ideas?<br />
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We also have a lot of banana peppers. I am planning to pickle them but have misplaced my Ball book. I'm hoping to put up a batch of pickled peppers (perhaps a peck of pickled peppers) this weekend but I was wondering what else you would use these for.kdmbennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01984004413399564985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-77139378824040390082011-05-22T12:40:00.000-04:002011-05-22T12:40:37.772-04:00Sausage Gravy<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8C7DkUhOmJE5pYeVxXgz_hOURmOntQ3JXOLQaVsxIphUSk2CebS1AXhJ-f5hswfG4GN6sjGd4xXQlVVLDdZ7vgSsxgaHNhkKJRTaDBeTKxiUgkhiOS_5nxL87mswwQr4awoBNEAr8hA/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8C7DkUhOmJE5pYeVxXgz_hOURmOntQ3JXOLQaVsxIphUSk2CebS1AXhJ-f5hswfG4GN6sjGd4xXQlVVLDdZ7vgSsxgaHNhkKJRTaDBeTKxiUgkhiOS_5nxL87mswwQr4awoBNEAr8hA/s320/002.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Adapted from a recipe we found on <a href="http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/showthread.php?t=241858&highlight=sausage+gravy">Homesteading Today</a><br />
<br />
<b>Sausage Gravy </b><br />
<br />
<u>Ingredients</u><br />
1 pound sausage<br />
1/3 cup flour<br />
4 cups milk<br />
Salt and Pepper to taste<br />
<br />
<u>Instructions</u><br />
Fry <span class="highlight">sausage. Remove sausage and leave</span> drippings in skillet. Add flour to the drippings in the pan and let flour brown. Add milk and spices. Stir constantly until thick. Return sausage to pan and heat through. Serve over biscuits (I use <a href="http://chandlerskitchen.wordpress.com/2008/06/19/cheese-biscuits/">this recipe</a> without adding the cheese).<br />
<br />
<u>Comments </u><br />
We use Jimmy Dean Sage sausage and I add a couple dashes of crushed red pepper because Matthew likes the extra sage and I like my sausage hot. The sausage we use doesn't really make enough drippings to coat the flour so I added a couple tablespoons of butter to the pan after I removed the sausage and before I put in the flour.kdmbennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01984004413399564985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-40443717185881650962011-05-14T08:47:00.001-04:002011-05-14T13:17:26.180-04:00Yogurt Parfait<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/003-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/003-1.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yogurt Parfait</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I got this idea from watching <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/lemon-yogurt-berry-swirl-with-homemade-granola-recipe/index.html">Tyler's Ultimate</a> this morning.<br />
<br />
<b>Yogurt Parfait</b><br />
<br />
<u>Ingredients</u><br />
2 cups plain nonfat yogurt<br />
1/4 cup sugar<br />
1 tsp. vanilla<br />
Zest of 1 lime<br />
1/2 cup granola<br />
1 cup fruit<br />
<br />
<u>Directions</u><br />
Mix the yogurt, sugar, vanilla and lime zest in a bowl. Between two tall glasses, layer 1/3 of the granola, with 1/2 of the yogurt and 1/2 of the fruit. Layer ingredients again in the same order and top with remaining granola. Serves two.<br />
<br />
<u>Comments</u><br />
I used fresh strawberries from the garden that had been covered with a tablespoon of Splenda just to get some juice. I also juiced the lime that I zested into the berries. In the yogurt mixture, I used Splenda instead of sugar.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #d9ead3; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.hypersmash.com/">Hypersmash</a> </span>kdmbennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01984004413399564985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-18633603403419597282011-05-07T09:10:00.000-04:002011-05-07T09:10:52.904-04:00Seed SelectionI think starting your own seeds is a very important part of gardening. There is, by far, a greater variety of seeds available than plants that have already been started. Between all the seed companies online, you are sure to find that one special variety you have been itching to test out in your garden. The most important thing is the greater availability of heirlooms seeds.<br />
<br />
Most seed companies sell their special hybrid seeds, which is good for you because they can combine the best characteristics of two different strains of the same vegetable in hopes of a superior product. It is good for them too because if you want that same hybrid once the seed packet is empty you have to buy more from them, which is in turn bad for you. If you sprout seed from a hybrid fruit you aren't guaranteed to get the exact same plant as the original. There is often even variation in separate plants grown from seeds of the same hybrid. It is the nature of genetics.<br />
<br />
If you grow plants from heirloom seeds, save them, and then sprout them the next year you will get an identical plant. That means you don't have to buy more seed, you just grow them.<br />
<br />
As always, there is some 'fine print'. Some plants are a pain to let go to seed. I never plan to harvest seed from lettuce because they are just so small I don't think I have the patience. Also, we like growing a Mesclun mix of leaf lettuce, but to grow our own seed mix we would have to collect seeds from each type of plant.<br />
<br />
Be wary of cross pollination. If you plant two types of heirloom tomatoes side by side and the wind blows just right (or a bee goes from one plant to the other) they will cross pollinate and then boom, you have your very own hybrid. That is not necessarily a bad thing, it is just unpredictable.<br />
<br />
I don't want this to come across as a rant against commercial hybrids. I use them, most of the seeds and plants I am using this year are just that. They have their place. I am using them this year because I got off to a late start and didn't have time to sprout my own. I specifically went after the disease and heat tolerant hybrids since I have had a problem with each in the past.<br />
<br />
I also save hybrid seeds to see what kind of plant the second generation is; not as a main crop that I depend on for food but as an experimental one. At my heart, I have a scientific nature and a good portion of my garden is experiments in progress. I suggest you do the same, carve out at least some space in a garden devoted to experiments. Try a new hybrid to see how it performs. Try a new growing method such as growing melons on a trellis or potatoes in a box of hay. Or, just sprout some seeds from your favorite hybrids from the last harvest. You won't necessarily get the exact same kind of plant, but you may end up with a superior one. If the experiment fails, you still have the rest of the garden full of reliable plants. If it succeeds, well then you have a new trick to add to your gardening know-how checklist and you have more tasty food to eat.<br />
<br />
I buy heirlooms, when possible, because I like to have the option of saving seeds and like having a pretty good idea what I can expect from the plants grown from those seeds. I also prefer heirlooms because they are the old and tried-and-true strains that have been productive for generations.<br />
<br />
A big part of homesteading for me is to carry on traditional practices that people used time and time again in the past but seems to have been mostly forgotten by the last two or three generations. Another big part is sustainability. Saving heirlooms seeds fulfills both of those. Saving your own seeds has one more important advantage because you can save seeds from your healthiest and most productive plants. By productive, I don't mean focus solely on the plant that made the most fruit but the one that produced the most of the fruit you wanted. If you buy a couple beefsteak heirlooms plants (like I did), even though they are the same strain, each plant won't have the exact same tomatoes. If one plant has mostly 1 lb. tomatoes but the one beside it produced smaller fruit that had a better taste, you have to make a conscious decision whether you want to help natural selection along with the goal of larger tomatoes or better tasting tomatoes. When saving seeds it is important to pick out your best fruit or vegetable from the healthiest plant to increase the chances for a successful harvest next year. If you continue to do that for a couple years you will have a strain that, through natural selection, has the best characteristics for your own little micro-climate, your own perfect strain, for free.<br />
<br />
This started out as a post on how to make seed starting boxes but, as is a habit of mine, I just sort of hopped up on my soapbox and rambled away. <br />
<br />
The box instructions will be in the next post...I hope...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="240" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20Pics%2004-2011/005-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seed-starting Boxes</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
And because I feel guilty when I have a post without pictures of my dogs, here are some failed attempts of getting a nice picture of all three sitting together.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="240" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20Pics%2004-2011/052.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Murphy says, "Don't mind me. I'm just passing through."</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="240" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20Pics%2004-2011/051.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, we won't look at the camera no matter how many times you ask</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="240" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20Pics%2004-2011/054.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stick is calling to me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="320" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20Pics%2004-2011/018.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*sniff sniff* You smell that?! Someone just put hotdogs on the grill 2.37 miles that way!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Fenrirwulfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09960128580941057084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-51596280690502637352011-04-30T21:58:00.000-04:002011-04-30T21:58:31.094-04:00Margarita CakeThis is a take on my <a href="http://chandlersgrovefarm.blogspot.com/2009/05/family-dinner-may-2009-taste-of.html">Taste of Summertime Cake</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Margarita Cake</b></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXz-SuX875ix3E65huV3Os5vDFAnbHd_NoBi_pImeqFLGFOHxxgMygOWDXUw2IsD31mATDHTfMHeQGmZ8IcGpwkcjAas4n7eOWDlUoxHmP7Ixvgxvc7QoDuwPKhVFlPepjrqsiTe5IGw/s1600/204642_10150572133435167_696805166_17941771_4490974_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXz-SuX875ix3E65huV3Os5vDFAnbHd_NoBi_pImeqFLGFOHxxgMygOWDXUw2IsD31mATDHTfMHeQGmZ8IcGpwkcjAas4n7eOWDlUoxHmP7Ixvgxvc7QoDuwPKhVFlPepjrqsiTe5IGw/s200/204642_10150572133435167_696805166_17941771_4490974_o.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Margarita cake with strawberries</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
<u>Ingredients</u><br />
3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted<br />
1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
Zest of 2 limes<br />
5 large eggs<br />
3 cups granulated sugar<br />
1 ½ cups butter</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">1 cup <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jarritos">Jarritos</a> lime soda<br />
2 teaspoons triple sec<br />
2 teaspoons tequila<br />
<br />
<u>Instructions</u><br />
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 12-cup tube pan. Combine flour, salt and zest in a bowl. With a mixer, cream butter and sugar at high speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Reduce speed to low; add dry ingredients and soda, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Add the liquors and mix until just combined. Spoon evenly into prepared pan and bake 1 1/2 hours or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 15 minutes. Invert onto wire rack, remove pan and cool completely. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Margarita Glaze</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><u>Ingredients</u><br />
<span style="text-decoration: none;">2 cups confectioners' sugar</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">Juice of 2 limes</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">1 tablespoon triple sec</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">1 tablespoon tequila</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">½ teaspoon salt</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><u>Instructions</u></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">Combine ingredients and beat until smooth. Add lime zest. Drizzle over cooled cake.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div>kdmbennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01984004413399564985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-15797373609049080412011-04-27T21:42:00.001-04:002011-05-07T08:52:24.553-04:00Pallet ProjectsI don't know if it is because I have been building little things out of wood since I was young or if it is just a quirk of homesteading, but it seems like there is always some small something or 'nother that needs to be built. Luckily, I work in a warehouse with a good supply of pallets.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20Pics%2004-2011/043.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></center><br /><br />There are some downsides to re-using pallets. The wood is not the highest quality and breaking down the pallet is time consuming. I usually could build my current project from new wood in less time than it takes me to reclaim what I need from a pallet and time is a precious resource. But, so is money and the pallets are free so, I am really just trading my time to save money.<br /><br />There are as many, if not more, advantages; the largest being that every bit of wood and nail I reuse is something saved from a landfill. I started by taking only the double-length and odd sized pallets that would have gone to the dumpster but, as I think of more things to do with reclaimed pallet wood, the more I start eyeballing the nicer pallets that would mostly likely be reused by someone else. <br /><br />The pallet wood has character. Most of the time it is rough cut, often with knots, bows, splits, and breaks. Even on the same pallet, most of the slats aren't the same thickness since many have been repaired at a couple points in their lifetime. They are darkened by age, stained, and covered in the insidious 'warehouse dust'. That character gives the finished product a rustic feel that fits right in with rest of the homestead. The challenge is to take this ragged wood and put it to the best use.<br /><br />I have built a few things already from this retired wood:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20Pics%2004-2011/035.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" height="240" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 6-hen nest box</td></tr></tbody></table><center></center><br /><br /><br /><center></center><center></center><center></center><center></center><center></center><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20Pics%2004-2011/031.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" height="240" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hopper feeder for one of our rooster pens that holds 5 gallons of feed. You add feed from the top and it drops down into the trough as the chickens eat it.</td></tr></tbody></table><center></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20Pics%2004-2011/027.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" height="240" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cold frame</td></tr></tbody></table><center></center><br /><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20Pics%2004-2011/028.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" height="240" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A seedling box</td></tr></tbody></table><center></center><br /><br />The seedling box is 12”x24”. An upcoming post will be directions on how to build one, but the example will be a 12”x12”. You can put soil directly into them or, of course, use small pots like I did in the picture.<br /><br /><br /><br /><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20Pics%2004-2011/008.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" height="240" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Framing raised beds in the garden using two slats nailed together for stability</td></tr></tbody></table><center></center><br /><br /><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20Pics%2004-2011/038.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" height="240" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bed is framed using the 2x4 runners from the double-length skids</td></tr></tbody></table><center></center><br /><br />Unfortunately, every time I finish one pallet wood project I think up at least 2 more. <br /><br />Some things I hope to build in the near future:<br /><ul><li>Chicken Tractor</li><li>Greenhouse Foundation</li><li>Potting Table</li><li>Shade Shelters for the Chickens</li><li>Garden Bench/Chairs</li></ul><br />I am sure there will be more before that list is complete. Good news is that there are more pallets for the taking than I have time to break apart.Fenrirwulfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09960128580941057084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-62269218520930590982011-04-25T21:52:00.003-04:002011-04-25T21:57:08.880-04:00Spring 2011 updateSo, I finally had some time to make an update. Now that it is actually spring and we are doing farm time things, I have something to write about.<br />
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We finished fencing in the garden finally. Sorry the pic is a little blurry, was taking pics quickly while there was light.<br />
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It is 48'x20'.<br />
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We got it tilled, which was absolutely no fun. Established centipede sod has some mighty deep roots to dig though.<br />
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Garden before tilling<br />
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In process of tilling<br />
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We found an old foundation in one corner of the garden.<br />
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The blocks were about 4-6 inches below the ground and made of solid concrete in a partial rectangular panel. The tiller wasn't too happy since I kept running into them once I thought I had dug the last one out. It was quite a surprise since Krystal's grandparents had the land since the early 50's and no one remembered a building being there.<br />
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After tilling<br />
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For the first tilling, we rented a front tine for the weekend. Of course 2 weeks later the grass was making a strong comeback. Luckily, which is not something I say in regards to myself often, we found a used tiller for sale online just a couple miles from our place. It works great and cost about 1/3 the price of a new one.<br />
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Last weekend we bought some tomato and pepper plants from the local farm store and got them planted. The spring kinda sneaked up on me and I never got around to starting my own plants so we bought some local ones.<br />
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We have just gotten started, we still have to lay down a frame around most of the beds, get the beds leveled out and soil amendments added.Fenrirwulfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09960128580941057084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-41079972476300337002010-07-13T20:13:00.000-04:002010-07-13T20:13:59.959-04:00Farm Picture of the Day: Stormy WeatherWe may not have had a lot of rain but we've either had some wind or the limbs on the pear tree are getting too stressed. I did thin the pears but apparently they are still weighing the tree down too much.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK10HvTOFcPhnVOE2bayeqpA0thTjPmNOus_-hPgqUZBhatCh6dZaXZgykcVBjmXib_Nj1m-E9IYcJS2vg-WvldYvWxW2yp9vSXxMGMOv3_BiPU53GWeV3nTV3NpS0q5lsJf086YezbO4/s1600/IMG_0357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK10HvTOFcPhnVOE2bayeqpA0thTjPmNOus_-hPgqUZBhatCh6dZaXZgykcVBjmXib_Nj1m-E9IYcJS2vg-WvldYvWxW2yp9vSXxMGMOv3_BiPU53GWeV3nTV3NpS0q5lsJf086YezbO4/s320/IMG_0357.jpg" /></a></div>kdmbennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01984004413399564985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-58613660182225792882010-07-11T00:29:00.000-04:002010-07-11T00:29:37.832-04:00Farm Picture of the Day: Rainbow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0ozy43BeH63Xst3LrPbLSYvXi5LtJDJO8u5qg7-K-2z0v65Io6Cm_wydIMGzWCCLVym5_GznPiwXBwuKEf1JcELdLyIlhLhoP3dQEnNcyQ0EdlL-n_liZY1Vf6U08dHdR0iG7_qc5Qc/s1600/IMG_0325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0ozy43BeH63Xst3LrPbLSYvXi5LtJDJO8u5qg7-K-2z0v65Io6Cm_wydIMGzWCCLVym5_GznPiwXBwuKEf1JcELdLyIlhLhoP3dQEnNcyQ0EdlL-n_liZY1Vf6U08dHdR0iG7_qc5Qc/s640/IMG_0325.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>kdmbennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01984004413399564985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-88619699330876026912010-07-10T18:17:00.000-04:002010-07-10T18:17:43.371-04:00Farm Picture of the Day: Raining!Our yard looks so brown because we have not had much rain this summer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvV48Ofq9DLIQG8eG2bVqFIIIYp26xc9RIxArPDHlI5vvJVs8Y4O9YJNgTy387TD7ZbOD55vLt3m6NA-guj0PTCuprk9scj1VCIxwPDkdXaDk3YZksYC42tGwTx5n7AtA87gNyDFVBvg/s1600/brown+yard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvV48Ofq9DLIQG8eG2bVqFIIIYp26xc9RIxArPDHlI5vvJVs8Y4O9YJNgTy387TD7ZbOD55vLt3m6NA-guj0PTCuprk9scj1VCIxwPDkdXaDk3YZksYC42tGwTx5n7AtA87gNyDFVBvg/s400/brown+yard.jpg" width="397" /></a></div><br />
Luckily, we are finally getting a little bit of rain this afternoon.kdmbennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01984004413399564985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-72796766016721496162010-07-09T20:06:00.002-04:002010-07-09T20:06:48.691-04:00Farm Picture of the Day: Chicken Yard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVhTNHh0DlA9nvpB3IZp5LbeqH9GuWTZwV2Srb_L88cPKqjNc1E_KA7iSqPyew-LxdNzfomJs7PZLMo5__plesTDAmBV15G1Yz90y34RDsbeBNRhWvqEgqtIO5waTNUkaTWsOErj76E0/s1600/IMG_0225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVhTNHh0DlA9nvpB3IZp5LbeqH9GuWTZwV2Srb_L88cPKqjNc1E_KA7iSqPyew-LxdNzfomJs7PZLMo5__plesTDAmBV15G1Yz90y34RDsbeBNRhWvqEgqtIO5waTNUkaTWsOErj76E0/s400/IMG_0225.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>kdmbennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01984004413399564985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-64199664255193672152010-07-08T21:10:00.001-04:002010-07-09T19:11:21.612-04:00Farm Picture of the Day:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A year ago, we had our first hatching.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEKhJaVepXldMzAQiLHnu-DxoSXskdYsyCD1Mh5OGu6OMDkrLLBxKn2iKmZbcXlmvSj-6W51IqoT8g9ysk6ddGgC_LTehT8xyEgyw980zS_F8keDJ2qStMEAE19gLlO8TSi_90SPm9BQ/s1600/PICT0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEKhJaVepXldMzAQiLHnu-DxoSXskdYsyCD1Mh5OGu6OMDkrLLBxKn2iKmZbcXlmvSj-6W51IqoT8g9ysk6ddGgC_LTehT8xyEgyw980zS_F8keDJ2qStMEAE19gLlO8TSi_90SPm9BQ/s400/PICT0030.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>kdmbennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01984004413399564985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-58426572356544017812010-07-07T21:48:00.000-04:002010-07-07T21:48:20.983-04:00Picture of the Day: Mr. Sneaky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53qcdHtEm8gNePkciPQgTW5e09aO6PQecx2roFj4FPZvHBM72Imw9ZDQWzeSnm6qhlOyJl8_d8ItxAfDJ80uteuibeZCBOkirkXA3KKEFyjuxG2muNytt4rHf5kJtL4ypsJCvVP6ppbQ/s1600/PICT0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53qcdHtEm8gNePkciPQgTW5e09aO6PQecx2roFj4FPZvHBM72Imw9ZDQWzeSnm6qhlOyJl8_d8ItxAfDJ80uteuibeZCBOkirkXA3KKEFyjuxG2muNytt4rHf5kJtL4ypsJCvVP6ppbQ/s400/PICT0014.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
One day this quail just showed up and started hanging out with our chickens. At the request of a friend, we named him Mr. Sneaky.kdmbennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01984004413399564985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-75707455337902481692010-07-06T20:06:00.000-04:002010-07-06T20:06:02.468-04:00Farm Picture of the Day: EggsThe results of today's egg gathering.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lHOaRxNNb2x-mkmDQo6Fher2qBfhGJ_bX_pbMtSflZeSXCCDo7LRaXqlfdhdAq8gZEVNeINY3c9KM1ZXkWomH0Uc6VW40_3Tvft6d2wyBBIELdLHAT_WqqXMWpOD8p0NzTvZsOy5Xbk/s1600/IMG_0277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lHOaRxNNb2x-mkmDQo6Fher2qBfhGJ_bX_pbMtSflZeSXCCDo7LRaXqlfdhdAq8gZEVNeINY3c9KM1ZXkWomH0Uc6VW40_3Tvft6d2wyBBIELdLHAT_WqqXMWpOD8p0NzTvZsOy5Xbk/s400/IMG_0277.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>kdmbennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01984004413399564985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-14289433177134731762010-07-05T20:01:00.000-04:002010-07-05T20:01:21.217-04:00Farm Picture of the Day: Herding and ChickensTwo pictures today.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6niDvFGSMehnm-KMNpJIEcM87M0foPKryMA-W29rJX3Gfe6eujoNGB6n3MPc7mqOenElrdjegyyndCp2jmGUXeu2nt2Qy8fhzKKc0OtLtzk0qe6pI0wcoFNYxR22whGdy-VVnQFBQ_E/s1600/IMG_0256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6niDvFGSMehnm-KMNpJIEcM87M0foPKryMA-W29rJX3Gfe6eujoNGB6n3MPc7mqOenElrdjegyyndCp2jmGUXeu2nt2Qy8fhzKKc0OtLtzk0qe6pI0wcoFNYxR22whGdy-VVnQFBQ_E/s400/IMG_0256.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beavis crowing</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6Ob2n0TfFnLD5R9Ik9kGFkS9jERNbMPXeIbH6R-olnkxKZYo_wvkhP5zpTVHqUcnsjE3BrpI1ZoK10Q9AKdjplxB3UBIqVcD8xqncBEGXhaRbgNUiTNDoeuTNwWlp6WEvf1LmFaeN64/s1600/IMG_0259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6Ob2n0TfFnLD5R9Ik9kGFkS9jERNbMPXeIbH6R-olnkxKZYo_wvkhP5zpTVHqUcnsjE3BrpI1ZoK10Q9AKdjplxB3UBIqVcD8xqncBEGXhaRbgNUiTNDoeuTNwWlp6WEvf1LmFaeN64/s320/IMG_0259.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The rut that Brogan has made around the chicken coop from his "herding."</div>kdmbennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01984004413399564985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-83987521159057410322010-07-04T21:45:00.000-04:002010-07-04T21:46:19.067-04:00Farm Picture of the Day: Pears<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhQhQAQIxLKm_rj09FGAgRANB3qY-ATmmov_WMUfE5o2Ln41NrKaJKEV1ebPvPakVrEA9K9mrhTjiz6Xmoxo1NnkMycrzEjr8uP7_44SLRUZmtn5VhLHvzvlFz7YMG5UwjoL8GW1bBsA/s1600/IMG_0231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhQhQAQIxLKm_rj09FGAgRANB3qY-ATmmov_WMUfE5o2Ln41NrKaJKEV1ebPvPakVrEA9K9mrhTjiz6Xmoxo1NnkMycrzEjr8uP7_44SLRUZmtn5VhLHvzvlFz7YMG5UwjoL8GW1bBsA/s320/IMG_0231.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our pear crop is looking good this year, so far. We pruned the trees in late winter and thinned the pears once they started growing a little bit to give them some room to grow. They should be ready to pick at the end of August. I'm thinking pear preserves may be in my future.</div>kdmbennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01984004413399564985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-8555959742413502142010-07-04T21:42:00.000-04:002010-07-04T21:42:04.081-04:00An Update of SortsWe haven't posted here much this spring and summer because we haven't really been doing much around the farm. We started fencing off our garden area early in the spring. We had all the posts put in and 1 1/2 sides fenced in with wire.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTz-Fmf0XqzqD8__N7dip1C8oI71IBowdhnQabkz8RA1fs211CJlCLkBisdHOcYW3tvSO6yidFTszZjlzo76Vrpif2PJEGMq-Qf7i22Y2rBtCo8sKJjPbq6fP1xaF-c9_kuwCjq-erhQ/s1600/IMG_0226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTz-Fmf0XqzqD8__N7dip1C8oI71IBowdhnQabkz8RA1fs211CJlCLkBisdHOcYW3tvSO6yidFTszZjlzo76Vrpif2PJEGMq-Qf7i22Y2rBtCo8sKJjPbq6fP1xaF-c9_kuwCjq-erhQ/s320/IMG_0226.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Matthew ended up getting sick with a lingering infection that we finally got cleared up within the last month and, now, we noticed the 2" x 4" welded wire we used is too loose because the posts are so far apart. So, we have undone the worst of the fencing and have started to reposition the posts so they are closer together.<br />
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We got 2 of the 5 posts in today but with the heat and the lack of rain making the ground so hard, that was as far as we got. Hopefully, we will get the other 3 posts done this week and will be able to get the ground tilled soon so that we can have a late summer/fall garden.kdmbennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01984004413399564985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-84035686971994256322010-03-10T06:18:00.000-05:002010-03-10T06:26:58.411-05:00Krystal's Italian Tomato Soup<span style="font-weight: bold;">Ingredients</span><br />3 cloves garlic, minced<br />1 medium onion, minced<br />1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper<br />3 15-oz. cans crushed tomatoes<br />1 tbsp. <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/pot-roast-recipe/index.html">Paula Deen's House Seasoning</a> (recipe towards the bottom of the page)<br />1 tbsp. Italian Seasoning (I buy mine already blended)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Directions</span><br />Mince garlic and onion. Saute in a dutch oven with crushed red pepper until the onion is translucent. Add crushed tomatoes, water, house seasoning and Italian seasoning and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 30-45 minutes or until thickened the way you want it. Yields about 10 cups.kdmbennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01984004413399564985noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-84434999160304437282009-11-08T18:27:00.000-05:002009-11-08T18:40:20.902-05:00Pumpkin Pie Bread<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqI6zisQfSK7KCYPCieSznWQrXsHCo4a_2AbDhi3ZZU6_d6w7c2X_BpKuUrYBs0xMKVDADgUl1-NTYuCuzW77kGIE1Yu6-t_aq8wAunOvGQvZk5ZELcfSkIw9GoMMwtCsfEQXt_pzQBto/s1600-h/PICT0003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqI6zisQfSK7KCYPCieSznWQrXsHCo4a_2AbDhi3ZZU6_d6w7c2X_BpKuUrYBs0xMKVDADgUl1-NTYuCuzW77kGIE1Yu6-t_aq8wAunOvGQvZk5ZELcfSkIw9GoMMwtCsfEQXt_pzQBto/s320/PICT0003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401881605802919250" border="0" /></a>I have been craving both pumpkin and gingerbread for the last two weeks so, today, I combined them and created pumpkin pie bread.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ingredients</span><br />2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour<br />1/2 cup brown sugar<br />1/2 cup molasses<br />3/4 cup water<br />1 cup pureed pumpkin<br />1 large egg<br />1/2 teaspoon salt<br />1 teaspoon baking soda<br />1 teaspoon ground ginger<br />1 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />1/4 tsp nutmeg<br />Dash ground cloves<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Instructions</span><br />Grease and flour a 9-inch pan. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir until combined (should be the consistency of muffin batter). Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.kdmbennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01984004413399564985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-61948750865358206912009-07-21T20:55:00.000-04:002009-07-21T21:04:13.905-04:00Chick PicturesThe chicks are now 2 weeks old. They grow really fast and don't stay in the <a href="http://chandlersgrovefarm.blogspot.com/2009/07/chicks.html">cute fluffy chick stage</a> for long.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroBIv4tP60wOb0syVpXHEMYG6nkJWc1FALOOndso4GXYzMXt1ijGbEnqYAhiSjwMjSYM8P73deZmVnwX7pNVizy6xXdbyNPaiG9dsLqJc52UeZMw-FVfJoqWtnyFs2Y8_YZRr3UeM8pg/s1600-h/PICT0002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroBIv4tP60wOb0syVpXHEMYG6nkJWc1FALOOndso4GXYzMXt1ijGbEnqYAhiSjwMjSYM8P73deZmVnwX7pNVizy6xXdbyNPaiG9dsLqJc52UeZMw-FVfJoqWtnyFs2Y8_YZRr3UeM8pg/s320/PICT0002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361083222673700610" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The chicks are scared because I took the top off their box to change their water.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNgsEIUJ-aSbhQoaaLfgzYqPiiflptw-WDOeCehMOUppVmhHyDLQ6_KsTL0asW5o9FaORs3d34DlaHGjH8i7L4KsWLoe5oZFjP35dryW6bHcMHxzPFa4mJAabwJMK3dgWMiuUAa-7_No/s1600-h/PICT0004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNgsEIUJ-aSbhQoaaLfgzYqPiiflptw-WDOeCehMOUppVmhHyDLQ6_KsTL0asW5o9FaORs3d34DlaHGjH8i7L4KsWLoe5oZFjP35dryW6bHcMHxzPFa4mJAabwJMK3dgWMiuUAa-7_No/s320/PICT0004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361083212541274354" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">You can really see the feathers starting to come in on the chicks. The one in the front has a comb growing in and starting to turn red. I think this one may be a roo but time will tell.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cvGfddSiuPEMdzsm5OhJThyphenhyphenQFW8fDi0WtXKJyKmtujgLmVvGcluKwvmn8qwPul735pxDe5IfGwQM_Oi7N8D9fdiqjfBro71zZLtZj5JirBojXO3-muECOj4Sdg2Wr2pwZxH4R29pl8g/s1600-h/PICT0007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cvGfddSiuPEMdzsm5OhJThyphenhyphenQFW8fDi0WtXKJyKmtujgLmVvGcluKwvmn8qwPul735pxDe5IfGwQM_Oi7N8D9fdiqjfBro71zZLtZj5JirBojXO3-muECOj4Sdg2Wr2pwZxH4R29pl8g/s320/PICT0007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361083213613175698" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The "roo" playing it up for the camera.</div><br /><br />-Krystalkdmbennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01984004413399564985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-72707642970350701502009-07-14T20:11:00.000-04:002009-07-14T21:45:30.730-04:00Garden and Chicken Pictures<center><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20pics%20071409/?action=view&current=PICT0024.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20pics%20071409/PICT0024.jpg" border="0" height="240" width="320" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br />Watermelon growing on a trellis</center><center><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20pics%20071409/?action=view&current=PICT0027.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20pics%20071409/PICT0027.jpg" border="0" height="240" width="320" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br />Jalapeños!</center><center><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20pics%20071409/?action=view&current=PICT0028.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20pics%20071409/PICT0028.jpg" border="0" height="240" width="320" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br />Yellow Squash<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20pics%20071409/?action=view&current=PICT0030.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20pics%20071409/PICT0030.jpg" border="0" height="240" width="320" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br />Tomatoes<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20pics%20071409/?action=view&current=PICT0031.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20pics%20071409/PICT0031.jpg" border="0" height="240" width="320" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br />Something is going on with our tomato plants and they seem to be dying.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20pics%20071409/?action=view&current=PICT0032.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20pics%20071409/PICT0032.jpg" border="0" height="240" width="320" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br />Purple-hull Peas<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20pics%20071409/?action=view&current=PICT0033.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20pics%20071409/PICT0033.jpg" border="0" height="240" width="320" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br />Okra<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20pics%20071409/?action=view&current=PICT0034.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20pics%20071409/PICT0034.jpg" border="0" height="240" width="320" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br />The chicks are one week old today (well, five of them today and five yesterday)<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20pics%20071409/?action=view&current=PICT0036.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20pics%20071409/PICT0036.jpg" border="0" height="240" width="320" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br />We're starting to see a lot of wing and tailfeathers growing in, now.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20pics%20071409/?action=view&current=PICT0038.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Farm%20pics%20071409/PICT0038.jpg" border="0" height="240" width="320" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br />Chicks</center><center><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">-Krystal<br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">4yj3xawhdt</span></span></span></center>kdmbennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01984004413399564985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-46250129839653999032009-07-09T21:23:00.000-04:002009-07-10T07:03:10.340-04:00SproutsNot only do we garden outside, we do a bit inside. Our main inside garden is a tasty little gem called sprouts. We grow a variety, mung bean, alfalfa, radish, adzuki bean, lentils, clover, and some others I can't remember at the moment.<br /><br />Growing sprouts is very easy. We use the jar method most of the time. The equipment is minimal. You need a wide mouth quart jar, a screen lid, some seeds or beans, a place to drain the jar, and a towel to cover it.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/?action=view&current=PICT0017.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/PICT0017.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" width="320" height="240"></a></center><div><br /></div>These are three different kinds of lids we currently use.<br /><br />I strongly suggest buying a metal screen lid which is the first in the pic, we got ours from the local health food store for only $1.99. I plan to buy more and switch to using those exclusively.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/?action=view&current=PICT0010-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/PICT0010-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" width="320" height="240"></a></center><br />I don't suggest the <a href="http://www.handypantry.com/product/SL-5">all plastic lid</a> unless you have no other alternative. I have never used them but I think you are better off with making your own from screen fabric and duct tape. The all plastic ones look like they may limit the air flow a bit much and are very expensive.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/?action=view&current=PICT0007-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/PICT0007-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" width="320" height="240"></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/?action=view&current=PICT0008-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/PICT0008-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" width="320" height="240"></a></center><br />If you can't find the a metal screen lid locally, you can make your own. I have yet to find any online for a reasonable price. To make your own, just get some window screen fabric (from a hardware store like Lowes) and cut squares that are about 3/4 inch larger than the ring lid on each side. Center the screen over the top of the jar and screw the top down slowly. The screen will make it a little difficult to screw on the lid but don't force it too much or you will cut the screen. Once the lid is on securely, tape the excess that sticks out around the edge up on the ring lid. Don't be stingy with the tape, it has to support a jar full of wet sprouts when you turn it upside down to drain it. I suggest using duct tape since the lid will be in water often. The green duct tape is something that Krystal bought for <a href="http://chandlersgrove.blogspot.com/2008/12/duct-tape-christmas.html">another project</a> and I used it because I was too lazy to run out to the workshop and get the proper grey kind.<br /><br />An alternative but less secure method is to take the lid from the wide mouthed jar and cut the screen just a bit larger than the lid. Place the screen on the inside of the ring and screw it down. I tried taping a piece of screen to the top but the water draining out of the jar weakened the tape and the screen popped off, spilling the bean sprouts into the sink when I went to rinse them. <div><br /></div><div>I prefer the first method because the screen is supported by the lid when screwed on and by the tape when it is not. With the second method, the screen falls out when you unscrew the top. I have only used the second method once and cannot guarantee that the screen won't pop out from the weight of the wet sprouts like when I just had it taped to the top. </div><div><br /></div><div>The drawback of the window screen is the mesh in what we used was bigger than some of the smaller seeds such as alfalfa and broccoli. If you can find some tight metal screen that would be better. The only way we could find some quality fine mesh metal screen was in an expensive sieve so it just wasn't practical. The ones we got from the health food store work much better.</div><div> <center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/?action=view&current=PICT0011-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/PICT0011-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" width="320" height="240"></a></center><br />An <a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_2320851_wide-mouth-sprouting-lids.html">alternative</a> I found on the web suggested using plastic available in the craft section of Walmart. It works, but I am not very happy with the results and leave it as a last resort. There is thin plastic filling most of the holes. I usually have to take the top off to fill the jar with water when I go to rinse it, and once again, it limits the airflow to the sprouts. I took a toothpick and tried to poke through most of the holes but grew quickly bored and only noticed a slight difference when draining. I even tried to heat plastic enough to melt the stuff covering the cells but I mostly just burnt all of it. I rank this about equal to the plastic ones from <a href="http://www.handypantry.com/">Handy Pantry</a> only because the homemade ones most likely don't work as well but are a lot cheaper.<br /><br />Now to the actual instructions.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/?action=view&current=PICT0018.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/PICT0018.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" width="320" height="240"></a></center><br />First start with some seeds or beans. We buy our beans locally, and order the greens' seeds from <a href="http://www.handypantry.com/">Handy Pantry</a>. Usually only a tablespoon or two of seeds will fill a quart jar. Fill the jar with 4 parts water for each part of seeds and let them soak for about 8 hours.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/?action=view&current=PICT0020.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/PICT0020.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" width="320" height="240"></a></center><br />After soaking, drain the water from the seeds and give them another rinse. Spread the seeds as much as possible along the side of the jar and invert it to allow the excess water to drain. I use a plastic bin with a wooden grate I made. A cereal bowl or dish drain works well also.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/?action=view&current=PICT0021.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/PICT0021.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" width="320" height="240"></a></center><br />Cover the jar with a towel or keep it in dark in some other manner. After a couple days, allow the green sprouts access to sunlight for a few hours so that they 'green up.' You can see 3 jars doing just that in the background of the above pic. </div><div><br /></div><div>To go a bit off-topic, we never get a chance to eat at the table because there is always some project going on there. Currently you can see our sprouts and Krystal's inside herb garden taking up the majority of the space.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/?action=view&current=PICT0013.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/PICT0013.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" width="320" height="240"></a></center><div><br /></div>More green spouts enjoying the sunshine.<br /><br />Bean sprouts are usually kept in the dark during the whole growing process; that is how you get those white sprouts you see in grocery stores. We usually don't set them in the sun like we do with the green sprouts but ours always end up with a few green leaves but, they taste just as good. For thicker crunchier bean spouts, place a weight on the sprouts to stress them a bit.<br /><br />Rinse the seeds/sprouts until the water you are dumping out runs clear 2-3 times a day, each time inverting the jar to drain. Try to break up any clumps forming by swishing it around in the water. In just 3-5 days depending on the seeds used, you will have a wonderful jar full of nutritious, tasty sprouts.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/?action=view&current=PICT0001-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/PICT0001-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" width="320" height="240"></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/?action=view&current=PICT0004-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/Sprouts%20070909/PICT0004-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" width="320" height="240"></a></center><div><br /></div>This is the results of 1 tablespoon of clover sprouts, 3 days of rinsing, and a couple hours of sunlight.<br /><br />Dump the sprouts out in a large bowl of water and swish them around with your hand to break up the clumps. This shows the importance of the large mouth jar because it would be much more difficult to get the sprouts that have filled the jar out of a narrower opening. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now for the worst part, dehulling. I am not sure why we need to dehull but it has always been suggested. One reason to dehull was that the seed hull holds a lot of moisture and shortens the shelf life. I do it because I don't think they look very appertizing and the chickens love them. Once the clumps have been broken most of the hulls will either float to the top or sink to the bottom. I use a slotted spoon to skim the hulls floating on the top. When scooping the sprouts out of the water, I am careful to not scrape the bottom of the bowl and disturb the hulls on the bottom. The good thing about alfalfa is that the hulls are so small that they flow right through my colander which makes it easy.<br /><br />For storage, if I plan to use them soon, I place a paper towel in the bottom of a plastic container. Otherwise, I omit the towel. The paper towel helps draw the moisture away from the sprout to stop molding. If you plan to keep the sprouts more than a couple days, it is better to just rinse and drain them every day or so to keep them fresh. Obviously having a paper towel on the bottom when you try to rinse them would not be a good idea. You can even leave them in the sun for a couple hours to freshen them up if they start looking a little unappetizing.<br /><br />This is an inexpensive and easy way to grow your own nutritious food all year long.</div><div><br /></div><div>-Matthew</div>Fenrirwulfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09960128580941057084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-35695679461858340212009-07-07T21:14:00.000-04:002009-07-08T22:35:14.094-04:00The adventures of a sick chickenAbout three weeks ago, shortly after I posted about how healthy all the chickens were, I found a hen all but dead on the coop floor when I went out to water them. We were going out of town that day so I really didn't have much time to do anything with her. Just as damage control, I put her in the big brooder pen I have in the workshop. If she had something contagious, I didn't want to give her more time to infect the rest of the flock. I also didn't want the other chickens picking on her in her weakened state. She looked so bad, I probably would have put her out of her misery had we not been traveling that day.<br /><br />When we got back that night, she looked a little better, which was encouraging so, we left her alone in the brooder for a while seeing if she would continue to get better. In time, she slowly improved. It is amazing how healing intense rest can be. I began taking her out each morning and putting her in a temporary pen during the day to let her get some fresh air, sun, and grass. At night we would put her back in the brooder for protection. I was hoping she would put on some weight since she was amazingly thin when we moved her out of the normal chicken run.<br /><br />After a couple weeks of that routine she was strong enough to go back in with the other chickens...or so I thought. As soon as I put her back in the big pen, she was immediately attacked by the alpha hen and her cronies. They were vicious, the lead hen, Henrietta (no, not a very original name), would grab her by her comb and drag her all around the pen. The other hens picked on her so bad that she couldn't move, she would just go and stick her head out of the pen so that the hens couldn't peck at it. I thought that was quite dangerous because I could imagine some neighborhood dog (or other critter) coming by and chomping off this head sticking about 3 inches out of the fence so, I grabbed her and put her back in the brooder until I could figure out a next step.<br /><br />I searched on the 'net for information regarding reintroducing a hen to a flock and, from the plethora of available advice, it seemed to be a common problem. The simplest solution was to remove the alpha hen, Henrietta, and put the sick hen back with the flock. There was a bit of tussling once we did that from the other hens close to the top of the pecking order but no where near as violent a beating as the sick hen was getting before. After a bit of pecking and the reintroduced hen running away, everything seemed to have been worked out.<br /><br />I was putting Henrietta in the big brooder box during the night and in the temporary pen during the day. The only problem was that she was flying out of the five foot fencing of the temporary pen and trying to get back in the chicken run. I left her in the brooder box for a couple days since I wasn't ready to put her back with the other chickens.<br /><br />Her attacks on the sick chicken wasn't the only reason I wanted to separate her. Why she has a name when the other hens do not is that she is easily identifiable by her huge comb, as big as the roosters. I was reading <span style="font-style: italic;">Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks</span> by Dave Holderrad and he mentioned that large female ducks that showed some drake characteristics were usually androgynous.<span id="btAsinTitle" style=""> I began to wonder if that was the case with her and I was wasting food on a non-laying hen. She never laid in the brooder box, but I could chalk that up to a combination of stress and lack of light. The sick chick never laid an egg either, but they typically do not when sick. </span><div><br /></div><div><span id="btAsinTitle" style="">Yesterday, we moved the mother hen back in with the rest of the flock and moved Henrietta to the small pen she was in. Henrietta has a week to lay an egg or else I think she will have to go to freezer camp.<br /><br />Interestingly enough there was a bit of fighting when we put the mother hen back in with the flock but she did a good job of standing up for herself. Once again things seemed to have been smoothed over.<br /><br />Speaking of naming chickens, I finally gave the sick hen a name, Penny. I was calling her henny, but changed it to Penny because of already having a Henrietta. I had dealt with her so much I can recognize her comb, but it also helps that when I go in the run she is constantly underfoot trying to get me to pick her up. She is the only chicken that lets me pick her up.<br /><br />I intially gave the name of Big Mama to Henrietta, but Krystal vetoed it and went with Henrietta. Our roosters have also been named, as has been shown in pictures in a </span><span id="btAsinTitle"><a href="http://chandlersgrovefarm.blogspot.com/2009/06/garden-and-chicken-pictures.html">previous post</a></span><span id="btAsinTitle" style="">. The white rooster is named Butthead since he likes to attack people. The darker rooster is named Beavis to go along with Butthead. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span id="btAsinTitle" style="">I am planning to replace Butthead in the near future. I am thinking about getting a different breed in hopes of having a bit of hybrid vigor in the offspring since we plan to continue hatching eggs from our own flock for meat birds. Right now I can't decide between getting a Buff Orpington, Cuckoo Maran, or a Colored Broiler from <a href="http://www.jmhatchery.com/free-range-broiler/colored-range-chicks/prod_5.html">JM Hatchery</a>. I would like to find a mature but young BO or Maran rooster so I don't have to wait for a chick to mature before I replaced Butthead. The Colored Broiler is a possibility because I would like to order a batch from JM to see how growth rate and feed conversion compare to our BR chickens. The problem is that I would prefer to order just 25, but that makes them $2.00 a piece. There are price drops when you order 50+ or 100+. It breaks down to where 25 chicks is $60, but for $30 I can double my order, and for another $30 I can get 100 chicks! That is a pretty good deal, but I would able but pressed to find room for 50 chicks, but no way have room for 100. So if someone in the Jacksonville area wants 50 colored broilers I would love to split an order. >.><br /><br />Since I really don't have any pictures to go along with the post, here are some random doggy/chick pics.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/?action=view&current=PICT0002-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/PICT0002-2.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" width="320" height="240" /></a></center><br />The laziest border collie in the world.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/?action=view&current=PICT0004-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/PICT0004-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" width="320" height="240" /></a></center><br />Another chick pic, notice the addition of shavings.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/?action=view&current=PICT0005-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/PICT0005-2.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" width="320" height="240" /></a></center><br />Brogan watching the chicks...again.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/?action=view&current=PICT0006-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/PICT0006-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" width="320" height="240" /></a></center><br />One of the chicks in Brogan's bowl.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/?action=view&current=PICT0007.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/geekgirlie/PICT0009-2.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" width="320" height="240" /></a></center><br />Brogan seeing how close he can get to the chick before he gets yelled at.<br /><br />-Matthew<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div>Fenrirwulfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09960128580941057084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285749039303264716.post-91797050431001111362009-07-07T12:24:00.000-04:002009-07-07T22:09:06.043-04:00Chick updateWe had another 5 chicks hatch on Monday, bringing the total to 11. Unfortunately, we had one not make it, which is sad but also something you have to expect.<br /><br />As for bedding in the brooder, I had a lot of conflicting information. One book said newspaper for the first few days. Another book said to never use newspaper because it is too slippery and causes splayed legs. That book suggested wire. Another book said never use wire and offered a number of suggesting, saying they used fine pine shavings (Never cedar shavings since they can be poisonous). Of course one of the other books said to never use shavings because the chicks can eat it and get stopped up. All very confusing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3D4VZwQmUS1rzSHusg5fyNDQrRkQGy2d6bUAlFXMYqrJgmMmRyYBFuDo-OwlybWC2n7rqa01GWs9REvswvSKHCbd5uckFSpxkJbLxGbLwPzGktiXJHlKIkw-WhZi0dY2wdhGzhH_z_Bw/s1600-h/PICT0005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3D4VZwQmUS1rzSHusg5fyNDQrRkQGy2d6bUAlFXMYqrJgmMmRyYBFuDo-OwlybWC2n7rqa01GWs9REvswvSKHCbd5uckFSpxkJbLxGbLwPzGktiXJHlKIkw-WhZi0dY2wdhGzhH_z_Bw/s320/PICT0005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355902771074702882" border="0" /></a><br />Since I am a pessimist, I didn't think the eggs would hatch. It seemed to me she wasn't moving them around very much. I also didn't want to believe anything would be as simple as grabbing eggs, shoving them under a broody hen, and waiting 21 days. I was therefore unprepared when Krystal went out and checked on the hen on Sunday and yelled across the yard, "We have chicks!" I first filled the brooder box with wheat straw since that is what I had on hand. It was not a good choice, but I didn't have many other alternatives. The only wood shavings we had were dumped into the big brooder box once I moved the sick chicken into it (more on the sick chicken tomorrow), so it wouldn't really be a good idea to scrape 'em back out of there to use for the chicks. The Sunday bunch seemed to move about fine in the straw, but there were two from Monday that were too weak to stand up very well. One actually kept flipping over on its back and having trouble getting back upright. So the straw had to go.<br /><br />We had some newspapers that we got from Krystal's grandmother to cover the table while I was lettering the egg sign. <div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifkGssk_UDdc1EmOPusD8zAUSlNsLe5mVV68tc95Jb7zp_LdgUD1jibFm-Lhiwux0e6rx2CEqWNKR83Ww0jym8o543feoaT05HwB1J5gWNuvkY5QE7hWpB3kSFoqvxV3_tTWNc-FUvd5g/s1600-h/PICT0010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifkGssk_UDdc1EmOPusD8zAUSlNsLe5mVV68tc95Jb7zp_LdgUD1jibFm-Lhiwux0e6rx2CEqWNKR83Ww0jym8o543feoaT05HwB1J5gWNuvkY5QE7hWpB3kSFoqvxV3_tTWNc-FUvd5g/s320/PICT0010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355904146624138738" border="0" /></a></div><div>We still had a bit left over, so I layered the bottom of the box a couple sheets thick of newspaper and covered that with two layers of paper towel. The newspaper is to absorb the mess, the paper towel is to give them traction. I just add paper towels once the ones in the brooder get too messy. </div><div><br /></div><div>I plan to switch to shavings in a couple days, or maybe I will just chop the straw up and save myself a trip out. I am going to switch because they seem pretty bored on the paper towel. The can't scratch in it, and they ones that could handle it seemed to have more fun climbing over and in the straw. Also with the paper towels the droppings show up so I have a problem with the chicks pecking at them. I assume one of the chickens that had trouble walking is the one that passed away. The other, the one that kept flipping over, is getting around much better now that it has the stable surface of the papertowels as support. Once that chick is up and running around I will switch out the newspaper and papertowels for something more interesting.<br /><br />Now to change the subject, and to show that Krystal isn't the only one that knows how to cook from scratch, here is what I had for lunch today:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gQ8J7ApdoeTSGpwmlv-tNYnN8N6aAhMFtNahqhFqu58tPkiIquyTgIpt2EuGfigH6kh8feJUtKbLnEtUrBgHDg8QRii0v7KtqxccQjijicfGKQbyvbfqJH85sxUs2_9vpNJ8rGk-y0Y/s1600-h/PICT0003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gQ8J7ApdoeTSGpwmlv-tNYnN8N6aAhMFtNahqhFqu58tPkiIquyTgIpt2EuGfigH6kh8feJUtKbLnEtUrBgHDg8QRii0v7KtqxccQjijicfGKQbyvbfqJH85sxUs2_9vpNJ8rGk-y0Y/s320/PICT0003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355903110375390434" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtb1FKsZMnlqv115etSaW8enrDL1H_UWkedn4xXXvLUfXHI69sQRlaQKowLnMGO7Uv4wwywdLw70ue1H7yovleH0YeGtY7ZOhRd9P0xdetbuRwq8icT6sVIyq6GgnwzJ38A25_HZcEyo/s1600-h/PICT0002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtb1FKsZMnlqv115etSaW8enrDL1H_UWkedn4xXXvLUfXHI69sQRlaQKowLnMGO7Uv4wwywdLw70ue1H7yovleH0YeGtY7ZOhRd9P0xdetbuRwq8icT6sVIyq6GgnwzJ38A25_HZcEyo/s320/PICT0002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355903109597788514" border="0" /></a>Pepperoni and Mushroom pizza on homemade dough<br /><br />We also finished off the batch of pita she made on Sunday so I made another batch so we could have our last bit of greek leftovers tonight.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOiXgur6wLgw-gGbqtuELj6aOX9PCsggwiAruL2j36BWCsWBqRSTbOHc6VeJHjAgFztnjSv34UtPQl1WQ34AHZZETduRcGYcCD5ztk-URFQNUEMUb1nigBIdZKrfub94IkR8v6HAz4jw/s1600-h/PICT0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOiXgur6wLgw-gGbqtuELj6aOX9PCsggwiAruL2j36BWCsWBqRSTbOHc6VeJHjAgFztnjSv34UtPQl1WQ34AHZZETduRcGYcCD5ztk-URFQNUEMUb1nigBIdZKrfub94IkR8v6HAz4jw/s320/PICT0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355903392459545442" border="0" /></a><br />Making pita is definitely a PiTA, but hummus and pita chips are such an awesome solution to the 3pm blahs that I put myself through it. I will most likely have to make another batch tomorrow since we ate half of today's batch for dinner.</div><div><br /></div><div>-Matthew<br /><br /></div>Fenrirwulfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09960128580941057084noreply@blogger.com0