In 2021, we needed to start a new laying flock. Living off-grid with only a small amount of solar power, we needed to learn how to brood chicks with very little- or preferably zero- electricity. We saw kerosene set-ups to provide heat. In pondering over it though, for one thing, Krystal is highly sensitive to [...]
On March 20, 2021, a batch of new chicks arrived on the ranch! Being that we have yet to find a breed that fits what we’re looking for in a sustainable homestead flock, we decided to try two new heritage breeds: Delaware and Australorp (the blue variety.) We are also using some techniques to brood [...]
We love, Love, Love fresh eggs. Scrambled, fried, soufflé-ed. Any way you fix ‘em, we’ll eat ‘em. One of our favorite ways is in a frittata, which is a kind of oven-baked omelet along with all sorts of goodies. And it’s a great way to use them when the hens are in full production and [...]
The new flock of Brahma chickens is doing marvelous. We really, really, really (did I say really?) like the breed!!! So far we are quite impressed. They started laying the end of January, albeit only one hen to begin with, but it’s still earlier than the other breeds. One month later they are laying [...]
There is another voice on the ranch adding to the usual cacophony… Ducks! An adult flock of rare Ancona ducks is the generous contribution of a sweet Lady who has to move off of her farm. Thank You Sherri!!! Ducks are a completely new species to us, so it’s quite interesting and entertaining to watch [...]
