Spring Cleaning for Eggs?

No, I'm not proposing trading fresh organic farm eggs for someone to come spring clean my home (unless you're offering???). But, I do try to pass along good information for those trying to skew a little or a lot off the grid when I come across it. 

Recently, I noticed that my egg production was dropping off. This was interesting, as I've been adding new hens, so it should go UP. So, still learning, I decided to read about a zillion blogs, books, talk to chicken farmers, and consult the stars on what to do. The best tip - Happy chickens lay more eggs. Simple, huh? But it's true.

Ruling out the canine I busted visiting as being disruptive (I put a STOP to that immediately), I decided that I was happiest in a clean home and I"m sure my chickadees would be as well. So I started to work. Smelly, dirty, dusty work... 

I fluffed and filled the nesting boxes, dusted all the cobwebs, scraped the poo and decided to rig a poo catcher. My hoarder husband had some old window screens stored and I thought they'd be perfect to catch the poo under the roosting bars. They're easily and quickly rinsed down with a hose. 

Recycled Window Screens Make Great Poo Catchers

Buffy and Fluffy (Buff Orpingtons)were very nosy and somewhat obsessed with the broom.. I finally gave them some treats and they retreated to a corner with one of the Ameracaunas to watch me work (or were they supervising?).

Did I Just Hear Someone Cluck That I Missed a Spot?

So with a clean coop, what else do chickens needs to be happy? They are already free range, a big plus. Even the young Tetra Tints are venturing outside for some foraging and sunshine.

Tweet Munches on Apple Leftovers In The Yard

Speaking of the little girls, I finally solved the mystery of what breed they are! Tetra Tints are a Rhode Island Red/White Leghorn hybrid bred only for TSC. They lay cream colored eggs and given their heritage ought to be hardy, champion layers.

So, back to creating a happy chickatat. Clean house, room to run, and... food & water? Scratch should never be in such quantity that the hens aren't getting enough of their laying feed. It can actually cause vitamin and mineral depletion if they're fed too many leftovers. Salty foods, greasy foods, processed foods, or foods which may contain mold should never be fed to chickens. Good table scraps to pass on include fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and oatmeal.

Now that the days are longer, lighting in the coop is less necessary, however, the warmth also makes hydration and shade more important. I added another water feeder to their home, as I noticed it getting low a few times. A thirsty chicken will not lay eggs. And shade? We have lots of nice shrubs, trees, and wooded area that the girls enjoy!

Goldy and Comet (Gold Comets) and Kawalski (Silky roo) Enjoy a Shady Spot

So that's it! All that and lots of love and our eggs are already increasing. What are you doing to make your chickens a bit happier or increase egg production? Has anyone tried any chicken toys? I'm curious. Happy girls lay yummy eggs!

PS We have 3 very healthy Tetra Tints ready to go! They will begin laying this summer. $3/hen.

Greening Our Weekend

 

"Chitting Potatoes"

 We have a few neat projects planned for this weekend! First, we're going to an auction with our friends who just bought a farm... I wonder what treasures we will find!

Next we are going to "chit" potatoes. All that means is that we're going to sit them in egg cartons with a little soil and dampness in order to promote a few sprouts.

In just a couple of weeks, we'll try our hand at potatoes in a container garden. We are using Organic Yellow potatoes. We will be sure to choose terra cotta or recycled containers which have really good holes in the bottom for draining, so that the potatoes will not rot. I will post pictures of the progress. We should be able to harvest these potatoes in June.

"Starting Seeds in Organic Egg Shells"

Also, it's time to seed Egglplant indoors, so it's the perfect time to try out some recycled/organic eggshell containers. I have a feeling these are going to work REALLY REALLY well.

Our lettuce and tomatoes are up, so it's time to get them all under a light. A few varieties did not sprout, so I may try again with the red lettuce & red stripey tomatoes..

SURPRISE PROJECT: We're going to reclaim an old sandbox that the kids have outgrown... Stay tuned and see how we recycle and reuse it in our garden! It promises to be a fun project.

Sounds like a fun weekend, huh? I will continue to mulch, compost, and clean up. I will post pictures of how our garden is coming along in a day or so... And introduce you to the newest member of Maple Valley Farm.

Aflac and Spunky are growing so fast! They love playing in the creek on warm days, but have to settle for the bathtub when the temperature drops below 70...

HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND!!!

Where Did Eden Go?

Going off the grid doesn't have to be a BIG step. In fact, every little step counts. Whether you made your own laundry soap, shopped local produce, recycled plastic, or used recycled shopping bags, you took a little back. You took back a little control of your life, your home, your country, your planet. Isn't that beautiful?

So, for our inaugural blog, I'd like to know what small steps you're taking in your lives, homes, offices, and dreams to take control? How are you giving Mother Earth a little break or honoring God by being thoughtful to His creations? Can't wait to see the comments!

My goals? My goal for March 2012 is to 1) get our non recyclable trash down to a Walmart bag per week through upcycle, recycle, burning, and recycling and 2) to work on our garden, prepping it for the planting which is very near future! Today, in fact, I'm finishing up soil amendment via mulching and spreading the last round of chicken poop.

Did you know chicken poop is touted a THE best fertilizer ever? Lucky us, as I have TONS. Lots of natural much too. Let me know if you need either!

Thanks for stopping by! I am excited about this blog, which will chronicle how the kiddos and I are restoring Maple Valley Farm and honoring God, Mother Earth, and ourselves by keeping it simple. WWJD? I like to ask myself every day in every decision I make. I have a feeling he wouldn't be living on the grid:)

"The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till and keep it," Genesis 2:15