Chickens

We moved our first batch of broiler chickens out of the chicken coop and into their movable chicken tractors last week.  They do really well outside.

Chicken tractors in our orchard.

No predator problems here.

 This is the fourth summer that we'll be using this type of pen for the broiler chicks.  We haven't had a predator problem yet.  We don't think this kitty will ever be a chicken hunter anyway.  She's way to innocent for that!  She's one of those cats that lets the kids pick her up and drag her all around the yard.

Newest Chicken Tractor

 This is the new chicken tractor that we built this spring.  It is larger than the rest (10ft x 10ft instead of 8x8).  It's the nicest looking one and Josh says that it moves the easiest.  This is the fifth pen we've built.  We've made improvements on every one and are very happy with the design.

Potato

Johnny pointing at the same potato

 The first potatoes we planted are starting to come up.  Josh weeded this garden this week.  Leafy spurge is the main weed in this garden.  It is usually only a problem weed in non-tilled ground, since it is a biennial that spreads by seed.  We're hoping that keeping it weeded will reduce the problem.  It already seems like we have fewer than we did last year.

Josh and Cedar (our dog) weeding the potato garden.

 We are never alone when weeding.  Our Cedar seems to think it's terribly interesting to watch us weed.  She stands at the closest edge of the garden and watches us pull weeds.  We put the weeds into a 5 gallon bucket and then bring them to the laying hens.  They eat the greens, some of the roots and all the bugs and worms that come along for the ride.

Broiler chicks eating feed in the chicken tractors.

2nd batch of broiler chicks

 We got our second and last batch of broiler chicks last week.  I was the only one home with them for the first few hours (a very critical time).  Even with my lack of experience (Josh usually cares for them then), we only lost a few...thanks to the nice weather.  Broiler chicks are a lot more sensitive than laying hen chicks.  I have heard that 10 percent loss is pretty common.

Baby chicks

Chicks

Chicks lining up at the feed trough.

herbs and garlic

lettuce (left) and radishes (right) under the row cover

These are the first lettuce and radishes we planted.  They are growing well under the row cover.  The row cover has definitely been a blessing this year.  It has protected these little guys from heavy rain, snow, and cold temps.

radishes (front) and spinach (back) under the row cover