New Baby Chicks

The baby chicks have arrived. They made it all the way from Ohio to Waltham Massachusetts in one day. The regional facility in Waltham called me to come get them there because my local post office was already closed for the day. They've done this before and it really speeds the chicks along. They're in the new brooder in the cellar for now, but will soon be moved out to the brooder house (aka garage) depending on weather and how soon they start to smell.

Baby chicks - araucanas, buff orpingtons, gold laces wyandottes, and barred rocks




Araucana chick

Amaryllis Time

I enjoy taking pictures of flowers but about the only thing that blooms now are my indoor amaryillis bulbs that I save from year to year. The red one is the last one that will bloom for the season. The pink one was impressive and is even interesting (to me) in its decay. Now I'll need to wait for the crocus and daffodil bulbs which were poking up, but are under snow once again. Last year I couldn't wait and needed to visit Wellesley College greenhouses.

To Everything There is a Season

We are now in the season of mud

Lace your boots tightly or the mud will suck them right off your feet.

Boston Area - Backyard Chicken Class

Some of the eggs recently produced by the chickens at Codman Farm

Today I just want to let people in the Boston area know that Codman Community Farm in Lincoln Massachusetts will be running a class this spring on raising backyard chickens. This will be a great opportunity for people who want to raise their own chickens or just find out what's involved. I've included a description of the class here. Probably most people will be interested in raising laying hens, but it will also include raising broilers.

Please pass the info on to anyone who may be interested.

• Backyard Chickens Class - at Codman Community Farm
  
  This class covers the basics of keeping a small flock of laying hens or broilers in your back yard. Topics include nutrition, housing, regulations, health and behavior. We will also discuss the various breeds of poultry available and observe some of them here at the farm. You will leave the class with a good sense of what is involved in successfully raising either layer or broiler chickens. For those who wish to attend, there will also be an optional 4th meeting in September where the instructors will demonstrate the butchering and dressing of poultry.
  
  Class members will have the opportunity to participate in a group purchase of chicks from the Murray McMurray Hatchery.
  
  Location:
  Codman Community Farm, 58 Codman Road, Lincoln MA 01773
  Dates/Times:
  Saturday, April 7th 1:00-2:30 pm
  Saturday, May 12th 1:00-2:30 pm
  Saturday, June 2nd 1:00-2:30 pm
  Saturday, September 22nd 9:00-11:00 (optional)
  Instructors:
  Heidi Tafel, Farm Manager, Codman Farm
  Joan Teebagy, Volunteer, Codman Farm
  Cost:
  $60 Codman Community Farm Members
  $80 Non-Members
  Registration:
  Mail registration and check to Codman Community Farms, 58 Codman Road, Lincoln, MA 01773. Questions? Call 781-259-0456 or email codmanfarm@comcast.net.
  
  Name: _______________________________________________
  Address: _____________________________________________
  
  Phone: ________________ Email: _________________________
  

Three Dogs

Here you see, from left to right Cocoa, Bogie and Kahlil. Cocoa and Kahlil are my dogs and Bogie in the middle is my daughter and son-in-law's dog who was visiting for the day. I thought I'd practice sit-stay with three at a time. It actually went better than I thought it would.

In case you can't tell, Bogie and Kahlil are brothers. The are also son's of Kia who lives here

Cocoa's job is to be lovable, retrieve something to bring every guest who visits, eat all crumbs left on the floor and to find varmints like opposoms and mice. Cocoa enjoys watching people eat. including neighbors who are having cook-outs. She will ask to go out of she smells cooking outside Cocoa loves water and wishes she could jump into the bathtub when humans take a bath. Cocoa has an excellent nose. She is 13 years old

Kahlil's job is to be lovable, guard the humans, the house and the chickens, and announce and greet each guest. Kahlil enjoys watching neighborhood children playing and often asks to go outside when kids are playing in the next yard. He does not like landscapers entering the neighbor's yard. Kahlil is suspicious of water and worries when any human takes a bath. Kahlil has an excellent memory. He is 2 years old.

Cocoa and Kahlil are both great dogs and I've very happy to have them in my life. I also know Bogie is much appreciated by my daughter and son-in-law.

For more weekend dog blogging head over to Sweetnicks tonight.