Angry Chickens and an Angry Mama

Today I was about to lose my cool with the child (which I will not name) that is in charge of taking care of the chickens. It has been one too many times that we have gone to check on the girls and either there is no food, or the eggs are not being collected, the water is completely gone, or the muck bucket is over flowing under my sink. When I approach "this child" who has been doing this job since he (oops now that you know it is a "he", you can narrow it down to 2 of my kids) As I was saying, he has been doing this job for YEARS. And he somehow can "forget" that he needs to give them water?!?!?

So, instead of yelling, pleading, screaming, or pulling my hair out. I made a reminder card for him.

This way, he CAN'T forget, because it's right there on the laminated card! Brilliant, huh?!?! Well, we will see tomorrow when we use it. Also instead of checking off on his job chart that it is done with no accountability, he will have to report to me so I can give him his "chicken token". Each chicken token will be worth a certain amount of money and can be redeemed at some point, neither of which I have decided on yet. But, here are the chicken tokens as well. Feel free to copy and print your own, maybe we can all have happy chickens!

~marisa

Seed Starting With a Rain Gutter

Over the years we have shown you several methods for starting seeds. Jennifer built a great seed starting rack with lights to start her seeds. 

 

Cousin Allen did something similar using a prebuilt rack and fluorescent lights.

 

We planted ours in used plastic cups, yogurt cups, and peat pots and put them in the window.

This year we tried something different. We put all of our seeds in a rain gutter in our windows. It worked great and turned out to be an easy way to bottom water all of the plants at once. Check out the video below to see what it looks like.

What are some of the methods you have used to successfully start your seeds indoors?

~Michael~

Chicken Madness Winner

It has been a long and grueling process for the chickens that have competed in our chicken contest the last month. Dreams have been made and broken. It is important to note that all of the chickens showed great composure and hard work. They all are winners in their own way. Unfortunately, there can be only one champion. Our followers have voted and Annie the chick is the winner. I expect great things from this chick in the future.

Thanks to Candace for submitting this photo. Email your address to backyardfarmingblog@gmail.com and we will send you the grand prize "Your Farm in the City" by Lisa Taylor.

Doctrine & Covenants 43:24

O, ye nations of the earth, how often would I have gathered you together as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not! 

My Job is Feedin' a Nation

by Uncle Dale

As a Farm Management Specialist at the University of Maryland, I spend about 25% of my time working with dairy farmers to help them analyze and improve the profitability of their farm businesses. I love this part of my work because dairy farmers are the salt of the earth. They are some of the best, most hard working people I know. The following video says is tall.

Chicken Madness: Final

It seems like our followers like the chicks as both of our finalists just barely left the safety of their eggs. It just goes to show you what a chicken can accomplish with hard work, determination, and a little luck. Vote for your favorite at the bottom of the post. The winner will receive the book "Your Farm in the City" by Lisa Taylor.

Chicken A

 Here's a picture of our newest chickens for your contest.  They don't have names yet, the kids are still working on that. They are gold stars, and I have a whole post about them on my blog - http://deannh.wordpress.com/2013/03/02/round-3/

Chicken B

I have so many pictures i had a hard time choosing, but this one is a New Hampshire Red named Annie. :) 

My blog is: www.mercyisnew.com

Chicken Madness: Round 2

These are the last three chickens before we go to the final. Vote for your favorite at the bottom of the blog post.

Chicken A

 Here's a picture of our newest chickens for your contest.  They don't have names yet, the kids are still working on that. They are gold stars, and I have a whole post about them on my blog - http://deannh.wordpress.com/2013/03/02/round-3/

Chicken B

Without further adieu, here's Cruella.  She's wearing her pinless peepers because, true to her name, she likes to pluck other people's feathers.

You can see more chicken fun at Cranky Puppy Farm at crankypuppy.blogspot.com.

Chicken C

This chick was named Legos by my two year old son. Go to www.joyfullybecca.com to see the other awesome names he chose for the five other chicks.

Becca