I wanted to update our progress on the homestead. We have decided to hold off on our guinea flock in favor of chickens, we have started our bamboo groves, we have our garden on the way and we have seen several interesting guests around the farm lately.
Since the primary reason for getting guineas was for pest control and most of our pests will begin their winter rest soon, we have decided to wait until the spring for the guineas. Instead we will be getting dominique chickens as soon as we can get a home ready for them. The chickens will offer many of the same pest controls as the guineas would. The chickens should offer a good match to the minimal amount of pests that will remain through the fall and winter.
We were drawn to the dominiques for a number of reasons. For one, we found the barred, black-and-white feathers to be an attractive look. In addition to the stylish, good looks dominiques are a very docile, friendly breed of chicken. Some owners even relate stories of dominique roosters that are so friendly they will roll over to have their bellies rubbed. Dominiques are among the oldest breeds of chickens in the United States having arrived with early, colonial settlers of New England. These early-American origins obviously appeal to my interest in history. Of course the most enticing thing about these chickens is the 3 eggs per week laid by each hen.
We haven't figured out exactly how many chickens we are going to get but it will be at least a dozen. If it's been a while since you took algebra, that's at least 36 eggs a week. Hopefully by the end of the year we'll be eating and distributing eggs so start placing your orders. Our chickens will be true free range, meaning they'll be getting much of their food from insects and greens that are found naturally on our homestead. They'll also be eating a certified 100% organic feed to supplement their live food. This means their eggs will be more nutritious than most grocery store brands and much tastier as well. If the demand is high enough (and we hope it will be
), we may increase our flock in the following months.
Another new enterprise we've begun is our bamboo. We've found that there are a number of things that can be produced from bamboo. We have plans for bamboo fences, fishing poles, yard ornaments, wind chimes, instruments and a number of other unique crafts. I planted the bamboo on September 17th and we should be producing enough to harvest in a year or two. I have planted Dendrocalamus strictus and Phyllostachys bambusoides; both are very solid and straight types of bamboo.
Our fall garden is coming along very quickly as well. The brussells sprouts, cabbage, carrots and cauliflower have been started in a seed starter greenhouse. Most of them have already begun to grow and will probably be ready for transplant next week. I have fully tilled our 500 square foot plot and I've mixed in 800lbs of organic compost to provide the nutrients the soil needed. With a bit of luck we'll have a nice harvest in a few months.
The most interesting developments lately have come from mother nature. The downed limbs left by the remnants of Ike and Gustav provided for plenty of work. They luckily didn't damage any of our structures and they provided a nice bonfire. We have also had some wild visitors lately.
As Sarah was working out one day she called for me and pointed out the window. Outside, there were a doe and a fawn grazing along our fence line. When we went outside to observe them more closely, we noticed that one of our fields was almost fully grazed. The doe seems to have found a spot in the woods between Sarahs parents house and our house to raise her fawn. After not seeing them for a while, Claire noticed eyes glinting in the woods last night as we sat around the bonfire. Upon investigation I found that the deer were still hanging out in the woods. Though I'm sure they have no idea of their good fortune, the deer have picked a wonderful place to stay since this is one of the only wooded areas nearby where we can virtually guarantee they will not be hunted. Our other wild visitor, however, may not be extended this same guarantee.
As I mowed earlier this week I saw what I thought was a dog walk out of the woods (not a completely unusual sight out here). Looking a little closer I noticed a bushy tail, erect ears and no collar. Although the coloring was a little atypical, I suspect it was a coyote. Sarah says they haven't really been seen out here in a decade or more, but there are also more luxury SUVs out here and fewer farm trucks than before so it's conceivable that they aren't being "controlled" to the same extent they have been in the past. Whether it was or wasn't a coyote, a small guage shotgun or a .22 rifle will certainly be added to our list of required items for raising chickens.
You can see our homestead is slowly but surely taking shape. Everyone has an open invitation to come out; I'd love to give you the grand tour. We have discussed having a get together for everyone at some point. We'll let you know if we decide on a time. In the mean time, please let me know if you'd like to schedule a time to come out.
The chickens arrived on Wednesday through the mail. We received 19 chicks though we only ordered 18. We suspect that the shippers may have included an extra in anticipation of losses. Through Friday we have yet to have any losses.
