Welcome.

So here we are.  I thought I'd throw together a quick new blog for the farm. (of course, there is nothing quick about it, perhaps if I were someone for whom a simple template would suffice.  Having not created a blog in 4 years, it's something I'll have to (obviously) continue to work on until I get it how I want it.  But for now... words, pictures.  Those are the most important part of a blog, aren't they?)

Regardless, I would really like to get a Thistle Dew Farm-only blog up, perhaps even have some lovely farm sponsors over there in the sidebar (it looks kind of empty right now, doesn't it?).  I'm not sure if the best way is to have a "followers" section, or just keep track of the stats to see if/when readership grows.  But you're here now, and I wanted to tell you I'm glad.

Recent Farm Updates:

It is a new year but the chickens and alpacas don't seem to notice.  Other than the snow we got (and have kept) right around Christmas and the last week of down-right freezing temperatures, nothing much is different.  The alpacas are keeping warm with their lovely fiber and extra bedding in the shed (which they have taken upon themselves to start pooping in).  The chickens just keep laying eggs, which is wonderful.  Normally, as the days shorten, so does the egg supply.  We have a heat lamp in the coop, so perhaps that is helping to stimulate the daily-laying.  Whatever it is, I'm not complaining!  I have a much higher demand than supply of eggs.  We also have lovely Christmas lights on our coop which I figured out serve a dual purpose.  Not only do they look pretty, but if I lean way out on my tippy toes in my bathroom I can see the lights from inside.  And if they are on, that means the heat-lamp is on.  (Twice this winter, it has been off without me knowing.  So it's a good warning system so the chickys don't freeze their tail feathers off!)

We have 6 hens.  One is a pullet (baby) and isn't laying yet, but should start as spring rolls around.  Here is Gwinny, the baby.  Love her feathered beard.   She is an Easter Egger, and we can't wait to see what color eggs she will lay!  I hope they will be green or pink.  But they could be blue or brown.  Whatever color she decides to lay, that will be the color she lays forever.  Too bad they don't change daily!

 

And here she is with (adopted) mama, Lu.  She has grown so much!

 

Little Banty Hen, "Star" or "Della Rovere" (depending on whom you ask), has also given us eggs this winter.  See how little and cute they are.  Interestingly, the yolk is the same size, just about half of the white is there.

banty (mini) egg vs other farm eggs

My husband would hate to hear it, but soon thoughts will turn to spring.  To gardens, to more chicks (and bigger coops?), to bunnies...? Enjoy your snowy season for now, thanks for stopping by our new blog!