So, the henhouse has been quiet....Housing the wife and daughters Holland Lop bunnies while the weather was at it's coldest. But now the weather has warmed up sufficiently so that the water bottles aren't freezing in moments, so the rabbits are back in their hutch.
And it's time to start thinking about chickens again. And boy did I have some grand plans! I drew up plans for a brand new chicken coop that would sit inside an enclosed run that would measure 10 feet wide by 27 feet long! Wow, I could have a mess 'o birds in this setup. With that in mind, I set out to order my chicks. I ordered 2 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Rhode Island Reds, 2 Barred Rocks, 2 Black Austalorps, and 2 White Rocks.
All was well in my little dreamland. Then for some reason, I checked the City Regulations. I had done this prior to getting chickens the first time. Don't ask why I bothered this time, but I found in the past year the city has new chicken regs! Some of the highlights, are they have to be in the backyard! Drat! My fancy new coop and run were slated for my side yard. This means I am stuck with my old coop.
Now don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with the old coop, but compared to the new coop drawings, it just isn't new! Not that the chickens will mind, but I can't see that many chicks in the coop. So I called the hatchery back and halved the order.
They will be coming mail order, my first time by this method, but I am told it's very reliable and safe for the chicks. So now I have to do a thorough clean up job on the coop, as I plan to brood the chicks in the coop. I have a heat lamp set up in there, and can block off an area to use while they are small, and can expand the area into pullet stage, and finally open it all up when they are full grown.
Really, I can't wait. These past few months without chickens has been lonely. I really miss the clucking and cooing. Also not having Chicken TV has been boring. Real TV can't compare.
And yes this post is about chickens, but as for a quick Veg update....I am going to get a bit of a late start this year, as I fear a freak frost is coming, so I don't want to start things at the normal time. I will be starting much of what I grow in the Greenhouse. Rather than heating the whole greenhouse with a portable heater, I am investing in Heat mats, and will heat them from below. I figure that during the day, the temp in the greenhouse is in the 60's, but drops into the 40's at night. But if the plants feet are warm at night they should be okay.
It's getting close folks. I can't wait to get dirt under my nails again. Spring is right around the corner and coming up fast! Get out and plant something!
