hippychick's adventure to sustainable happiness

dark days weeks 5

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:48:53 PST

oh my i am posting late late late!
i missed the sunday date date date!

i made a soup of carrot and mushroom, leek, onion and giblets and chicken parts.
i have not taken a photo
i know this is a no no

carrots from the garden
onion from the garden
leek from the garden

mushrooms from kitchen pride mushrooms a central texas fungiii grower

giblets and parts raised here

most of the stuffs raised just outside the door door door

i promise next week...
the entry will be noted on time time time
photos will follow

i must admit
fingers might be crossed behind my back
but i'll try

xoxo dark day folk!

cheery holly-days to all

walkin' the talk

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 11:14:08 PST

holly-day wee victory chickens

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 09:43:47 PST

wee victory chickens happily growing
at the hippychick homestead

the a.m. wander

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:36:52 PST

up early

play with kitten
catch a cup of coffee

head out to the chickeny universe
water and feed all chickens
collect eggs
check in on wabbits

wander the garden
wander the yard
feed opera kitty and give him a few hearty scratches behind the ears and on his bummy bum bum
chat with chickens
catch up on the morning's goings ons

meat sauce

set a pot on the stove
crack open two quarts of stewed maters
crack open one pint of mater sauce
pull out one cup of sun dried maters
grind the sun dried maters down in the coffee grinder
place the one pound of grass fed ground beef in the pot
add herbs, spices, a slosh of olive oil and three chopped green peppers
brown slowly
once half browned add in maters stewed, sauced and dried
mix it up good
swap heat to low, cover the top of the pot, slow cook several hours
keep your fingers and spoon out of the pot

collect mail
books arrived
handmade home by amanda blake soule
sewing green by betz white
hive and the honey bee by l.l. langstroth

look through old clothes for possible fabric options
cut buttons off
save in a jar

play with kitten
coffee two
share time with family on the phone
wander the garden while with family
family, creatures, home, nature
those most important to me

birthday coming up
42 this month
aging feels natural
creeks and cricks added this year
soul more full than ever
home shaping in a way most beautiful
family closer than ever
friendships blooming
bits of earth, bits of sweetness enter each and every day
happy honestly happy

mind wanders
time for stirring the sauce and maybe a small taste

been making gifts for family
no photos yet - not until the gift has been given
sweet soft things for tender hearts
opening a creative side unpracticed

homemade goods run roots deep
homegrown and homeraised too

dark days week 4 - fresh pasta hippychick style

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 10:47:48 PST

dark days week four

* * * * * * *
i think it's time for a personal favorite
fresh home crafted pasta a'la chickeny chica eggs from out back

let's head back to a time when everyone made their own pasta
fresh
with fresh eggs
made to be eaten the day you make it
feel your ancestors calling...

ingredients

eggs from the ladies out back
semolina flour or white or whole wheat flour
salt and pepper

*i'm adding in some ground home grown and dried ancho pepper for color and flavor

here we've got the pasta dough well rested and cut into two pieces, ready for rolling. i roll each piece with a pin to a 4" x 12" sized piece at about 1/4" thick before the first feed into the pasta machine.

here we've got the pasta dough making it's way slowly toward the proper thickness for pappardelle. i wish you could smell the fragrance of the dough. it's lovely, sunny and fresh as can be. the dough is slowly rolled from setting to setting until one's desired thickness is achieved. once thickness is achieved, the shape of cut can be made. *note- this is all possible by hand too. do not let anything hold you back from giving fresh pasta a go.

beautiful pasta makes it's way through the cutter. i slowly catch the pasta as passes through. then off to my homemade pasta dryer which consists of a cardboard tube hung with sisal string. this is a great re-use of your christmas wrapping tubes.

hangin' out
the pasta hangs in waiting for it's destiny of a salty hot water bath and a sauce. that which is not cooked today will hang a bit longer to dry before being stored in a sealed and refrigerated container.

here it is!
fresh egg pasta paired with garden greens

i thought that i would whip up a meat sauce today but that's not really possible when the grass fed ground beef is still rock hard solid in the freezer. oh well - not a problem. i ended up going with a simple but equally tasty mix of olive oil, butter, garlic and black pepper.

the greens are fresh from the garden. i made a dressing of home grown lemon juice, olive oil, mustard, vinegar and varied spices.

yummy!
and
there's plenty left for a proper meat sauce later in the week
pasta and greens
equals
happy me

* make some pasta for a happy you *

hippychick’s smokedy chipotle aged cheese

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:56:08 PST

hippychick’s

smokedy
chipotle
aged
cheese

rich, smokey flavor

russet in color

a homestead recipe of my own

ingredients

1 1/2 gallons of raw milk (if available)
ta61 thermophilic starter – 1/8 teaspoon
organic vegetable rennet - just short of a 1/4 teaspoon (diluted in 1/8 cup chlorine free water)
lipase - just short of 1/4 teaspoon (diluted in 1/8 cup chlorine free water)
home grown, smoked and dried chipotle peppers - ground to a fine powder
smoked sea salt

process

in a clean cup mix 1/4 cup of chlorine free water with 1/4 teaspoon of lipase - mix and set aside. lipase takes a good 15-20 minutes to dissolve in water
in a clean cup mix 1/4 cup of chlorine free water with 4 drops liquid rennet or 1/2 tablet of rennet - mix and set aside
in a container larger enough to hold your pressed cheese, add 1 cup of smoked sea salt to 2 cups of water. stir until salt is fully dissolved and set aside. this is your finishing salt bath.
line a colander with high quality cheese cloth (note store bought cheese cloth is too loose a weave).
place the colander over a larger sized pot or a large sized bowl. the bowl will catch the whey when straining the curds. a good note is to use a bowl or container that can catch as much liquid as you use milk - 1 gallon, 2 gallon, etc.
prepare a hot water bath set up – set a smaller pot (*1 gallon sized) in a larger pot (*2 gallon sized) – place water in the large pot – place milk in the small pot.

*use pots sized to those that you have on hand

heat milk to 90˚f - use a cheese or candy thermometer to measure
turn heat off and remove pot from heat
add 1/8 teaspoon of ta61 thermophilic starter
stir in starter for 2 minutes using a non-reactive spoon
cover and let set for 30 minutes
stir in lipase/water solution for 1 minute
cover and let set for 5 minutes
stir in rennet for 3 minutes (If using store bought milk you need stir only 2 minutes)
stir in 1 tablespoon of fine ground *chipotle pepper - modify amount for your own taste.

*i grow, smoke and dry my own. you can purchase dried chipotle peppers at a local market and grind them down in a coffee grinder. Remove the stem and seeds from the dried peppers. Break the peppers up into penny sized pieces. Set your coffee grinder to the espresso/fine setting, then grind them up.

ps. i am saving my seeds for next year's peppers

cover and let set for 35 - 45 minutes or until the curd gives a clean break
with a clean knife, cut the curd to 1/4 inch sized cubes.
heat the curds to 100˚f slowly increasing the temperature by 2˚ every 5 minutes. slowly stir your curds throughout this process. this is a good time to think or to relax quietly or ponder something deep.
when the curds reach 100˚f, remove from heat but keep stirring for another 30 minutes to maintain temperature and to keep curds from matting.
set the curds aside for 15 minutes to rest.
drain curds from whey
once the curds are fully drained gently mix in the pepper bits to the curds - gently gently
line a cheese press with fresh cloth and load curds into press
press curds at 10lbs pressure for 10 minutes
remove cheese from press, flip it over, reload cloth and cheese into press
press curds at 10lbs pressure for 10 minutes
remove cheese from press, flip it over, reload cloth and cheese into press
press curds at 40lbs pressure for 12 hours
remove cheese from the mold
remove cheese cloth
place cheese into smoke sea salt bath and set aside for 24 hours - flip the cheese every 4 hours or flip the sealed container every four hours - whichever works for your set up
remove cheese from sea salt bath and set aside to air dry for 3-5 days flipping the cheese each day.*

*wrap loosely in a cloth if you have kiddos, pets or counter investigating creatures about. best to place cheese on a wood cutting board. the wood absorbs moisture.

once the cheese has formed a rind, wax cheese
allow the cheese to age for 3-6 months
enjoy

waterbath set up - note the large post hosting the smaller pot - the larger pot is filled with enough water so as to surround the smaller pot but not so much as to over flow. the smaller post hosts the milk.

cut curds now floating in whey - notice the pepper bits mixed into the curds - i am a fan of the golden whey

drained curds now ready for the press

the humble cheese press
the big finish
cotswald on the left and the smokedly chipotle cheese on the right

up next
cotswald herb-ed cheese!

it's not about you

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:17:40 PST

anyone who has ever birthed, cared for, or raised another a creature or the land - be that creature human, in tree form or otherwise knows ever so well that there will be a day, if not many, where the day, week, year, years are not about you. it's about those in your care. it's a choice we make when we take on the responsibility of another.

there is joy
there is sacrifice
there is hard work
there is thoughtfulness
there is constant effort
and there is love

yesterday was a hippychick day for creatures
the cold chill is here and though i believe the weather may quickly warm up for the week i also have a deep feeling that we have some serious cold on the way. i don't ignore these intuitive senses. they may not be right on. they may not time out as thought but they are important reminders of the tasks necessary to get all creatures through the winter months.

so i prepared & completed the following tasks

wrap bee hives with double layer of tyvec - leaving the hive entry free and clear
insulated the new meatie brooder with layers of burlap and old sheets
insulated and blocked cool air from entering in and under the garagebarn door
insulated the east side of the crazy coop caper from blowing wind with further stacked bails of hay
set out a 8" layer of fresh dry leaves in the outer run
set out a 8" layer of hay in the inner roosting area
set up a cozier sleeping space for opera in the garagebarn - a spot he willingly slept comforted away from last night's chilly 24˚ temp
covered the gardens with a thermal layer of rowcover for some, heavy plastic for others
set out scratch for the chickeny creatures so they might eat, enjoy and warm up their insides
fluffed up the hay in the wabbity homes for burrowing

and

mixed up a very big batch of fresh suet for birds and creatures which i just set out and about this cool morning
made a batch of spicy chicken soup with okra and green peppers for the humans

it was a good day

i want to do more for the wabbits. i'm thinking wool bedding in their sleeping quarters. if you raise sheep, have a small pillowcase full of raw wool available and are in smalltown bastrop or near smalltown bastrop throw me a line. i'm looking for you.

cheers!

sweet girly geek farming dreams

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 07:44:44 PST

tonight presents another round of freezing temps.

we are at the cusp of winter time conditions here in smalltowntexas.

freezing temps may be no big news for some folk in the upper part the of the states but around here, it's news. some folk love the news of an oncoming chill like myself and others of which i believe there are more others in these parts than the like me folk, prefer the milder, no need for snow, ice, sleet or any related frozen condition thank you very much kind of days. these no thank you folk often freak out when there is or even could be a chance of snow or ice.

i look at it as a chance to wear a favored winter sweater or to pull out the winter running gear. i head out in the morning, steaming coffee in hand to set watch over the heaping compost piles, steaming as well - farm geek that i am. damn proud farm geek too. this morning, upon the looking into the steam, i recalled...

i had a dream last night.

i was walking about another house recently purchased outright - i think from an estate auction which meant that anything on the land was also included in the purchase price. odd though, i remember that i was not able to look around the entire place until after the auction was over.

when looking about i learned that i was the new owner of a creamy milk paint white old style tractor with pale pink and pale blue curly line work and little flowers - borage and forget me nots painted on her nose. oh my gosh! i cried, she's beautiful! i was beside myself happy. i loved the pink, blue and milky white colors (boy am i proving more girly as the days go by).

i woke before having a chance to fire her up but the gift of a tractor surely put a smile on my face. she had an old open style seat that sat high enough for short girl farmer to see over the top. the wheels were hard, the frame sturdy and the axles clean not rusted.

of course upon waking, i learned the she tractor exists only inside the universe of hippychick dreamland but she exists and she is beautiful and she is girly and useful and just the right size. the old style pick up has not yet shown herself but i do believe that once she does, she may need a paint job just like the tractor.

and that is one decision solved. i have always wondered what color, if ever i did invest in an old style pick up, what color she would be - now i know. thank you dreamy land.

at present, we have no need for a tractor on our wee little 1/4 acre but maybe someday our beloved 1/4 acre will grow to a 5 or 10 acre universe... the good news is that i know where to find her. visiting hours always open in dreamy dreamland space and what a nice space to visit.

dark days 3 around the hippychick homestead

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 11:52:56 PST

i was up early this morning. i just woke up. the day was yet indeed dark. there was rain pattering upon the roof above. i checked on the thawing cornish bird in the sink - she was ready for the roast pan. first to the garden, i put a sweater on over my pj top, slipped on my rubber boots and set out to remove the row covers from the garden beds around the place. i wanted to make sure the gardens were open to the refreshing rain.

upon the unveiling of the beds i noted those plants taken in the oddly timed hard freeze we experienced earlier this week. the tomatoes, peppers, basil and eggplant were all hit. rowcovers are helpful but they are not able to solve all.

i made effort to harvest the green peppers - a full 1/2 bushel of the beauties. i collected the green maters - enough for a quart jar pickled. the basils were inspected in hopes of digging a few up to grow inside through the winter - we'll see. the morning's eggs were then collected and bunnies visited with gifts of greens for happy munching.

as i worked i pondered...

it is yet again that month where funds go as far as they are able to but inevitably fall short of the whole of the month. it is never a surprise. i can see when a month may run longer than the funds. regardless of the outlook, i make a habit of paying out all bills first, i then purchase the month's worth of kitty, chicken and rabbit feed and any necessary creature goods. that way if cash runs short i know it's simply a matter of scrimping through the rest of the month. i also know that scrimping does not equal unhappiness or a lack of quality lifestyle for the put up garden goods, butchered birds and basic staple stores here at the hippychick universe are good and fine. and scrimping often leads to creative solutions one might not have considered given a different situation.

where did the cash money all go? i imagine it goes different places for varied folk as varied folk live varied lives. for this folk, this month required a renewal of car insurance which was paid in full so as to be done with it. then there are funds reserved for traveling and hollyday visiting of family folk as well as hollydays gifts and treats. there are other bits too but long story short, we at the hippychick universe are at that place of dry funds.
we're not worried - i think we'll be more than fine - in fact i'm sure we'll be fine

maybe you're thinking?
charge it!
or
maybe you're thinking like me, like many
not a chance!

i have vowed to myself not to charge anything unless in absolute dire straits. the plan in these parts is to pay off and we are sticking to it, making it habit and feeling good about it. the motivation to continue such a habit arrives each month when the sum due grows slimmer and slimmer.

once back in from the garden, from the morning chores, i got busy with the preparation of sunday's dinner. the goods are 99% organic homegrown with the other 1% from outside sources - water, olive oil, salt and pepper.

funny how good it feels to know you were a growing part of nearly every bit of the dinner.

- on the menu -
home raised dark cornish chicken seasoned with garlic, salt, pepper and garden grown herbs, rosemary, thyme and sage finished with a peach, mint glaze (put up earlier this summer)
-- sides of turban squash and home grown sweet taters --

i layered the sweet taters and squash directly beneath the chicken. there they gather flavor from the roasted juices of the herb crusted bird. i set the pan in the oven while i prepped up a batch of whole wheat biscuits.

hours later - walaaa!
a fine meal of homegrown goods
nothing better.

sound like thanksgiving?
well maybe but considering i did not cook a thanksgiving dinner at home this year, i figured it was fine.

what have you got in your freezer?
what is there fresh about your place?
take a look around - think creatively - think on a simple comfort level - make something up - most of all, enjoy that which you have. seek the positive.

hippychick is officially at market

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 08:32:00 PST

hippychick's super-d-lovely eggs are now officially at market.
- crowd goes wild -

it is true, it is true

you can now pick up your own super-d-lovelies
at
the bastrop producers market
any
tuesday through friday 11:ooam - 6:oopm
saturday 9:ooam - 6:oopm
sunday 1:oopm - 6:oopm

the bastrop producer's market
is located at

977 highway 71 / bastrop, texas
between fm 2o and highway 21
512.3o8.9989

hippychick’s super-d-lovely eggs

hippychick's gardens is a small quarter acre urban homestead located in historic bastrop, texas. from this lovely urban garden, we sell seasonal specialty greens, fresh kombucha, kombucha mothers and hippychick's super-d-lovely eggs.

we at the hippychick universe practice natural, sustainable gardening and small scale farming methods. we do not use chemicals, pesticides or insecticides on our produce.

hippychick keeps a small flock of naturally raised organically fed laying chickens, many of heritage and rare breeds which provide a beautiful array of colored and tinted eggs. our chickens enjoy fresh grown garden greens, organic feed and any yummy protein rich creatures they can scratch up.

find out more about hippychick’s gardens at local harvest or follow hippychick’s blog at well... right here!

hippychick gardens is a hand to hand sustainable ad-venture.

chickenybabies first snow on the way

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:44:16 PST

70 percent chance for friday snow

woooohooooooo!

this is very exciting for a chicago transplant who thought she would never see the day!
and and and
it will prove to be chickenybabes first snow
truly special
i wonder...
will they need
eeny weeeny snow shoes
or
eeny weeeny galoshes?

the wee ones are now in the metal shed which is loaded with three heat lamps that will keep them cozy and warm. if we experience a power outage, i will head out and move the creatures back into a brooder pen located in the house.

most all of the garden is tucked in - that which needs it

other bits may prove to do just fine
i will be setting leaves and hay around the goods later today for a bit of protection

the bunnies were gifted with a good bit of hay for burrowing

the outside side of the north side of the crazy coop is protected by stacked and covered bails of hay along with an outdoor curtain cover to protect from blowing wind.

the inside of the north side of the coop is protected by canvas covers.
the area above the roost is also covered with thick canvas protection.
i hung two heat lamps for the cool 20˚ nights we are soon to experience - i do not want the girls to freeze their little combs off. they help prevent frostbite.

the canvas protection wraps around the interior coop with a special moving blanket hung in the south doorway. they have full protection from nasty blowing air and from wet which is most important. i have hay stacked on the east side but have left this side without cover to allow healthy ventilation.

this is the south side of the interior coop. you can see the hay stacked on the right - this is the east side of the coop. the moving blanket in the door is secured only at the top and partially down one side so that chicken keeper me can easily enter the space. it's nice and cozy in there now. the pale canvas allows for light to bleed through so it feels like a cool kid fort.

the run is not insulated. this gives the girls the opportunity for hunkering down or playing about.

tucking the garden in for a bit of a chill

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:44:25 PST

yeah yeah i can hear you now

a bit of a chill?
in central texas?*(&*$@!
oh boo hoo for you

hey i'm not talking about me, i'm talking about the planting creatures. my veggies, my eats for the winter months, the garden beds all around the place.

those of most concern in the east garden include

peppers
maters
eggyplants
other tender babes that might not appreciate the chill so very much

these kiddos are now snug as a bug under a heavy weight row cover - got that set out this morning so no more worries when it comes to the east side beds.

then there are the

papaya trees
maters in the other garden
wee grapefruit tree
herbie babes
tender plants and flowers about the place

a freeze is a freeze north or south and it's a sorry gardener that does not plan ahead. tomorrow's protection plan includes caring for the trees and outlying garden areas.

i plan to wrap the papaya tree stalk with newspaper then slip some egg cartons around and finish with a burlap wrap. that should keep the kiddos quite cozy.

i will build a hoop house over the maters in the other garden then give them a wrap of plastic sheets and tuffbell rowcover for protection.

the wee grapefruit tree, along with various tender plants and flowers will probably get a feed sack over the top with a wrap of burlap at their base and a good piling of leaves for soil protection. it's a good thing recycling the paper feed sacks. they are usually two-layers of heavy duty paper with a plastic sheet in between which makes them hearty for dry and wet. sometimes i'll place a paper feed sack over the plant first and then place a second poly sack over the top for extra extra extra care.

just remember - if and when the temperatures rise- that you must remove the covers and or lift them off to keep plants from overheating. yeah it might mean some work on your part but hey the pay off is home grown goods and besides it's good exercise.

texas folk - there is a possible freeze - a - coming - don't say i didn't warn ya! and it's a rainy one forecast, so take extra care - a wet frozen sheet - not so good - you might want to pull out some plastic.

cheers!

a homesteading truth - try as one might...

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:43:24 PST

homesteading truth

be you a good farmer, a kind keeper, careful and attentive to your creatures needs and wants, there will be days when one's efforts fall short of nature's cycle.

little girl appenzellar spitzhauben passed in the night. sweet little girl now free. she will rest beneath a live oak tree near enough to her sisters as to never be lonely.

dear sweet little girl you are and always will be loved. our hearts ache...

*the vet has confirmed that little miss little girl passed from wet pox

hippychick's victory chicken chat parts 7-8-9

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:34:45 PST

wow folks - thank you for taping the event! just a bit more about feed, predators, training for indoor and outdoor living, brooders and winterizing your coop.

dark days week 2 in the hippychick universe

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 11:33:01 PST

it is sunday and the sky is turning from clear to overcast as the clouds thin and wispy slowly move in. there is moisture in the air. i have covered the hay. i have covered the chicken run. i have collected the morning's eggs, harvested greens, basil and garden grown edibles.
the birds are chattering brightly, possibly making plans for cover from the big rain forecast to fall later this afternoon and evening. fingers crossed it falls.

i walk about with cushy cozy socks and slip on shoes. i am wearing the comfortable jeans and a shirt i don't much mind staining while busy at work in the kitchen. there was much to clean and put up this morning and i'm not good about keeping the splashing and cleaning in the sink at all times. one could say i get into my work and i do.

so what's all this about dark days?
ok ok i'll tell ya!

the dark days challenge is the soul child of laura at (not so) urban hennery in an effort to encourage folks to eat one local meal per week. it's a good challenge and one i fully support. for me, local eating is now close to second nature, for others it may be a new path yet to be discovered. i hope with the blogging of all of us folk taking part that you too might be inspired to make a local meal a part of your weekly meal planning.

if you are interested in taking part in the 3rd annual dark days challenge, stop by and visit laura at (not so) urban hennery. the specifics about the challenge can be found here.

we are also thinking on the level of foods that come from sustainable sources, are organically grown, can be sourced from local farm folk and were raised with ethical standards.

now back to our regularly blog-ed hippychick universe...

this morning has been a scent and textured filled one. the homegrown lemons, now juiced fill me with delight. i froze a good deal of the juice in iced cube trays over night. the little cubes of goodness are now that much easier to portion out. i need only to thaw that which i need. the storage is simple and they are a joy just to look at.

this morning's basil harvest has transcended mere leafdom and moved to the higher bliss filled place of pesto. the mix included - homegrown basil, homegrown lemony juice, homegrown garlic, real italian pecorno cheese and olive oil. yummy! i could not help but to dip a few leafs of greens into the mix. the pesto bowl is a bowl i prefer to clean out on my own with fingers and all. it would be a shame to waste any of that more than good flavor.

never have i been so careful with the munching of cheese as i have with my own. this above is 1/2 of the very first home crafted sharp cheddar cheese. it tastes divine. i do not think i have thought deeply about the true flavors of cheese before setting out to make my own. now i slowly chew each bite while i search to identify the flavors within. i enjoy feeling out the texture and grain. this cheese is not for squandering.

tonight's dinner greens will include

beet greens
borage
comfrey
red greens
leafy greens
kale
oakleaf
coriander
kohlrabi
soft boiled eggs
locally processed bacon

all topped with a homemade dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper and vinegar. i can hardly wait

i am making efforts to and cycle through eat those items frozen and/or stored in the past year. being a huge lover of homemade soups, i will often make a bigger batch of a soup than i could possibly eat in a week. i then put up and/or freeze the remaining half in two or three serving sized batches. it's a great way to use, save and enjoy fresh grown goods all year long and when thawed, they are none the worse for the ware.

lunch was just that, a spring chicken soup made from my own home raised meat chickens and home made broth along with homegrown veggies - carrots, wee squash, tomatoes, peppers and onion. also in the mix, home grown red amaranth grain. there is enough left yet for a dinner sized portion tonight. i don't mind eating the same thing twice in one day, not when it tastes this good.

back outside i go. time to check the chicken waterers, feeders and creature comforts. there are bags of leaves down the road to collect for future chickeny bedding. best to pick them up before the rain.

out of door season at the hippychick universe

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:43:03 PST

hard to believe a week has passed already. time moves forward, suns rise, moons rise. tasks are completed while others move up in rank. thanksgiving here now past and we are off and running toward the fall/winter holiday season.

i could not be happier.

the victory chicken chat went off without a hitch outside of my faulty pronunciation of "appenzeller spitzhauben" and my hole in the head inability to remember the words "chain link". amazing how the simple things go when up before a crowd working scriptless off the top of the brain. all in all i am thankful that the few clinks were so few indeed.

the attending folks were amazing - conscientious - excellent listeners - asking good questions and knowledgeable in places where my depth of experience fell short. it was a true collaboration of folk, an event i feel fortunate to have been a part of. i learned as much as i shared - one cannot ask for more.

the days are now mild, the sun sheds light from a lower stance in the sky but the rays are as welcome as ever. the world of central texas is greening. it is browning too. we have been blessed with nourishing rains of late and there is the possibility of a future shower tomorrow.

twenty-seven victory chickens were delivered to an austin farm just yesterday - egg layers - to a haven where they will live most happily. it is a pleasure knowing the hand that will feed and care for the girls as they grow to maturity. it is a pleasure to see the grounds they will wander upon and the shelter they will roost in at night. the keepers of chickens i have met have to date been not only interesting but beyond any expectation of kind i might have ever wished for. chicken keepers - smaller time chicken keepers - we are a loving bunch.

all twenty-seven had formerly been living in the metal shed. three now remain - an ancona rooster and two ancona females. a breeding trio possibly. i have winterized the run built off the metal shed. i have placed a heavy plastic cover over an outdoor roosting and feeding area. the sides in this location are protected from wind and wet and i have shut the screen door to the metal shed separating the inner shed and the outer run as the inner shed will currently play the roll of brooder for the next generation of victory chickens. the ancona trio will do just fine out of doors for a while and the weather down here is not yet so bad as to worry for their comfort. the ancona trio is fully feathered out and i have set in a good 5" layer of cushy leaves in the run for snuggling and nestling at night. i have also set up several roosts if they should decide to sleep above. i do plan to once again open the door to the shed once the baby chicks are of a little larger size. then the trio can mix with the babes and each will then be able to share the inner shelter and the outdoor run. the wee victory chickens are yet too young for outdoor living so for now they view each other through the screen door, neighbors they be for a while.

the pecan trees have dropped most of their leaves. i usually mow over to mix and mulch the leaves into the ground. this year, no. i will allow them to breakdown on their own and serve as a protective mulch for those trees and bushes that i rake them around and under.

the bees are still flying each and everyday. both hives are looking strong. they collect pollen yellow and some looking more white, daily. one hive tends to fly east to forage, the other choosing a westerly path. i enjoy a good set in front of a hive. i observe and watch and sometimes count the number of bees in and out per minute. one minute i count those flying in another i count those flying out. i doubt my count correct on either end.

wee ailing chicken girl is showing signs of improvement. she is still in what i would call rough shape but the pox are drying up and falling off which is exactly what we need to happen. today a large enough pox fell off so as to allow her to fully open an eye that has been partially shut for weeks. once open the eye looked healthy and bright like the ole' girl i remember. she is eating more exuberantly on her own. she still sleeps much of the day, head beneath her wing, but that's what we folk do too when we are ailing. i visit with her at least twice a day and she, i believe is becoming fond of her daily attentions. she and i will share a special bond once through all this i am sure. i remain hopeful. she is a tough sweet gentle girl.

i wonder if i might plant some peas tomorrow. a neighbor gifted me with seeds. she said as she handed them to me "i don't like peas, i have never liked peas, i gave my mother hell when she tried to serve me peas, there is nothing that would ever make me like peas". i wonder how she came upon the seeds. i would imagine that she did not purchase them herself. tis' the season for planting peas in central texas so why not. in my book, peas are fresh and sweet and beautiful. i love the tender shape of the flowers and shoots and the delicate tendrils that reach out.

it might be time to plant up the eggplants, peppers and basils in pots that can travel inside when nights are too cool for their taste. frosts may soon be on their way. so far all plants survive. i'm thinking it might be time for another round of pesto, possibly the last round for the outdoor garden. i have yet to overwinter plants down here. the die hard gardeners i know have and many with great success. the basil this year has been plenty, the pesto stores are good. i do go through the stuff, i must admit like water. i use it on most everything. pesto and horseradish a favorite combo of mine. the horseradish i must buy as this climate is not friendly to horseradish - too hot too soon - too humid for too long - it is a root i must cherish from afar. i have tried three years now to grow horseradish and rhubarb to no avail. one cannot have it all. and so when enjoying either - they are all the more special.

there is a breeze today, as i sit out of doors typing, wandering in thought. the sun sits just about 50˚ above the horizon, the brightness is soft. i am comforted by the sound of rustling leaves and the clarity and freshness of the air. several roses - pale pink - catch my eye, pansies of yellow and violet, okra red still fruiting and greens of varied shade. butterflies and birds and squirrels move about and bees whizz by like clockwork. today is a bit of natural perfection - autumn - my season of choice.

to dinner i now go - with friends just down the way. i am blessed in this small town, in this neighborhood with these fine neighboring folks, surrounded by natural creatures. life, i can honestly say, is good.

*photo credit for this entry to cary j. tetrick*
thank you cary!

hippychick's victory chicken chat in 6 parts

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:13:18 PST

fantastic chicken care site!

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:28:37 PST

doctor peter brown - dr.peter brown chicken doctor of the universe shares his knowledge and offers expert chicken care advise on his site - first state veterinary supply

he has several areas specific to chickens and poultry

the below is from doctor brown's site - it's exactly what i've been looking for FOR DAYS for my ailing girls.

thank you doctor brown. we chicken folk very much appreciate your generosity in the sharing of information. note for folks you can purchase most goods at his online vet supply store open 24 hours, 7 days a week. EGGCELLENT!

* * * * * * * *

Directions for treating sinusitis with swollen eyes
nasal flush using Tylan 50 or la-200

* * * * * * * * *

I would Nasal Flush the bird using Oxine or Tylan 50 with sterile water. I would then apply either eye drops or eye ointment to the eye several times daily.

using 12 cc’s of sterile water add 2 cc of Tylan 50 or 1 cc of la-200 and then flush each nostril( using a syringe with the needle removed ) with 3 to 4 cc’s twice per day for 5 to 7 days. The birds head should be held down so as not to swallow to much of theTylan solution.

Follow the flushing with vet-rx squirted liberally into each nostril. Do this after each flushing.

Using the eye ointments is a critical part of getting the swelling to go down. Use the eye ointment every 2 to 3 hours during the day if at all possible.

You should use it at least twice per day. Start in one corner of the eye and lay down a small strip of the eye ointment from one corner of the eye to the other corner of the eye.

It may also be helpful to flush the eye once per day with an over the counter human eye wash that is boric acid based and then proceed with the nasal flushing as described above.

The eye washes are readily available in all drug stores.

It may be necessary to use more powerful antibiotics to cure this swollen eye problem if you are not making progress

Tylan 50 or la-200 - 2 to 3 drops directly into the eye twice a day followed by the eye ointment twice per day for 5 to 7 days

Ciloxan eye drops given at the rate of 2 to 3 drops in the affected eye 2 to 3 times a day for 5 to 7 days

Ciprofloxacin Eye drops or Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment available in the online store on this site.

chickenmama's homesteading creature care

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:28:56 PST

on sundays when all feed supply stores and vets are closed one must buck up and rise to the occasion of caring for one's own homesteading creatures. for me, it's two ailing apenzellar spitzhauben girls and once brown speckled sussex girl. they are suffering watering eyes and stuffy beaks due to the effects of foul pox gone too close to their seeing and smelling places.

the spitzhaubens are much worse off than the sussex as i believe i caught the sussex early early. the spitshaubens each had one eye crusty and closed completely for a good 24 hours. their nasal passage was also crusty - the babies were looking rough and had difficulty finding their way back into their house at night. the sussex, she has a single eye watering and should recover in a matter of days.

i must admit - i was feeling on edge yesterday. i was not the coolest cucumber. i spent a good while researching like crazy. i knew instinctively it was a result of the foul pox the flock had been going through. these girls just took it harder than the rest, a whole lot harder. i knew i had limited time to act. luckily i had some good goods in the chicken first aide kit. so i turned to self and said to self...

if you were all crusty and stuffed up, what would you do? sounds simple doesn't it? well maybe so but when one is worried for her loved ones, one does not always turn to simple at the start. once i got there - to the simple - the cool cucumber self kicked in and chickenmama docta got to work.

here's what i've been doing to help my girls

i prepped a steamy inhalant of eucalyptus oil in hot water - this loosened up their nasal passages. i gently dobbed away the gook with a q-tip as it drained. this has worked well for the ladies. i do this every evening and morning.
i found a saline eye spray prepared for children. it emits a fine saline spray. i use this to cleanse the area before and after the compress.
next is a warm compress of water with eucalyptus oil - i hold this over the crusty eye area *make sure it's not too hot* - this has been a miracle worker - their eyes are now open and no longer crusted shut - they are still watery but i keep an eye on them and if necessary place a compress in the eye area several to three four times a day. the compress has also been helpful in the removal of pox - they have started to fall off on their own.
iodine - using a q-tip i place itty daubs of iodine on the pox - this helps to dry them up
vet rx for poultry - this is a natural oil based treatment for poultry - i drip this over the beaks of the birds and place a few drops under each wing. the mix includes menthol and helps keep nasal passages open.
neosporin (do not use the neosporin with pain relief on birds - just plain old neosporin) - i daubbed a bit of neosporin around the eye area and under the chin. anywhere i saw any pox action.
cod liver oil - 1ml for each girl - more is not better - too much can harm the bird
b12 liquid - 1 ml for each girl - more is not better - too much can harm the bird
spoon feeding of crushed blueberries in natural no sugar added applesauce - they gobble this up quite well once their nasal passages are cleared up.

the girls know what's going on. they know i'm doing all of this to help and do not fuss or squack or meddle. they are excellent patients, each and every one. chickenmama could not ask for more.

this process seems to be working. i am going to check in at the feed store to see if there is any other process or comfort i can offer. the recovery is slow and the getting there requires a good deal of my attentions but i love my girls so i will do whatever it takes. it looks as if they'll pull through, each day is a little bit better. fingers are crossed. i've got a couple a three trooper girls - love my chickenygirls xoxoxoxoxoxox

baby picture above of the girls at just 5 -6 weeks old - ahhhhhhh

the following is an exerpt from a most excellent site
- the easy chicken -

The Easy Chicken Medicine Chest

* A good online board for when you need help fast….like the EASY CHICKEN for instance, haha!!
* Alcohol
* Apple Cider Vinegar
* Auromycin/terramycin-tetracycline type antibiotics-follow label directions. Use if the whole flock might have the sniffles.
* Baby shampoo- for chicks, when they get wet on the bottom and get that sticky chick start gunk underneath. Just be sure to hold their little heads above the water.
* Bag Balm - for leg mites, also use on comb and wattles to aid in frostbite prevention.
* Ball Pickling Lime-for wounds. It dries it up and deters infection and flies.
* Betadine Solution-for cuts and scrapes
* Bleach-use for cleaning every thing, including visitors
* Blood Stop Powder (Quick Stop),Sugar, (it also helps in fighting infection.),Styptic Powder or flour to stop blood flow.
* Boots, coveralls, or coats that you do NOT wear anywhere but to the coop. Sanitize the boots with Lysol (or other disinfectant virucide) once a week.
* Camphophenique- topical antiseptic
* Cat Food-Dry, 30-40% Protein, used to increase protein to ward off feather eating & cannibalism. Usually protein problem, use only a couple of times a week when necessary. Dry cat food can also be used during molt to up protein levels to aid in new feather production.
* Cat Claw nail clippers for trimming toe nails
* Cayenne pepper-natural wormer-also used as feed top dress when birds are sneezing or turkeys present with sulphur yellow poop indicating blackhead or similar bug.
* Colloidal Silver-added to water to help fight off infections.
* Corona (small yellow and black can) for any cuts, bruises, or other injuries.
* Cotton balls, Cotton swabs and/or Q-Tips
* Diabetic syringes-used for giving injections. Can also be used without needle to administer oral medications.
* Digital Camera
* DE Diatomaceous Earth
* Dubbing shears-sharp (1 pr each, curved and straight)
* Epsom Salt - flush for botulism
* Eyedropper
* Eye ointment with saline solution
* First Aid Tape
* Fish oil gel caps-for general good health. Squirt it on feed. Can also use tuna as a healthy treat.
* Fishzole - for blackhead (turkeys & pea fowl)
* Gallamycin injectable- A 1/2cc dose will cure a sick bird over night, cool stuff!
* Garlic-feed additive
* Gun powder/for attitude, camp ax/for too much attitude
* Hydrolyzed garden lime in powder form for treating runs & surrounding areas if blackhead is prevalent in your area. This changes the PH & helps remove risk of blackhead.
* Iodine stuff w/tea tree oil in it. Good stuff for wounds
* Ivomec Eprinex Cattle Pour-On-1/4 cc for bantam and 1/2 cc for large sized fowl. Use a syringe with needle removed and administer directly to the chickens skin (not feathers) at the back of the neck, right behind the head.
*Levamisole- (tetramisole) treats Capillary worms, Gape worms, Wide variety of nematodes-10 ml per gallon of water-1 day only. Affects the nervous system of the parasite, paralyzing the worm.
* Molasses - flush for botulism
* Neosporin-cuts
* Oxine for treating birds & coops in event of any nasty outbreak. Also use it to clean the brooders & incubator.
* Oyster shell-crushed, available free choice for added calcium
* Pam cooking spray or some other spray on oil, olive oil for leg mites and scale problems
*Panacur - general wormer-follow label directions
* Pedialyte-used to restore electrolytes and hydration to dehydrated chickens
* Penicillin - injectable
* Pipe stem cleaners - for making shoes for chicks with curled toes caused by incubation problem & for treating splay leg.
* Razorblades
* Red Cell-small bottle (*Red Cell should be available at any feed store that sells stuff for horses and cows. Red Cell is a blood fortifier and should be used very sparingly as too much is bad, but for an injured animal it really gives a boost.) .
* Rifle with a long distance scope for sneaky dogs and raccoons!
* SAND play sand, very important for them to dust and help keep down the buggies! Chickens need to dust bathe to get rid of “stickies” on their feathers.
* Sevin Dust 5% - over Bag Balm when treating for leg mites. 5% Sevin is also 'lightly' added to sand for dusting & after coops & nestboxes are cleaned before new shavings. Sevin dust is an effective parasite control.
* Sewing needle & cotton quilting thread, for administering stitches
*Sulmet - coccidiostat to treat coccidiosis-use exactly according to label directions. (various brands:Albon, Corid, Corid Amprovine, Di-Methox, Sulfaquinoxoline, Sulmet Oblet, Bovatec Premix, & Deccox) –Only treat for Cocci if fecal exam warrants. Coccidostats are very hard on the chickens system.
* Surgical gloves - makes cleanup easy
* Sweet PDZ - this helps in runs & under raised cages. Neutralizes ammonia smell fast. It's bio-degradable & non caustic unlike lime.
* Terramycin eye ointment
* Tweezers
* Tylan - powder form very effective
* Tylan 50-injectable- reserved for pets only when all else has failed & culling the next step
* Vaccinate for Coryza and ILT if you exhibit your birds at shows
* Vet Rx-for colds, sniffles, congestions, general respiratory aid
* Vetwrap
* Virucidal cleaner-Use for cleaning every thing, including visitors
*Vitamins & Electrolytes powder (or Gatorade)
* Vitamin K tablets- tablets are given 1/2 hour before dubbing to minimize blood loss, and K and Colloidal Silver (a great antibiotic for people and animals, both internal and external) is available at health food stores or vitamin shops.
* Wazine 17 (piperazine) - wormer for Round worms-follow label directions
* WD 40-spray the coop with it for buggies.
* Wonder Dust – Antibiotic dust-the first thing I grab for injuries, usually nothing else needed once I use this and I've treated some very nasty injuries.

In addition to the helpful list of items to keep on hand, here are some general words of wisdom from The Easy Chicken Folks.

*There are some things on the list I wouldn’t bother keeping on hand for the small poultry farm. For example Tylan 50, its very expensive, expires, must be refrigerated, and is an injection in most cases. If you were too need it you could buy it, or improvise with a different product.

*Back up food and water! Most people forget about this! I keep a weeks supply of food in the garage, also don’t forget to keep swapping it for fresh feed so it will not go bad. I also have 50 gal drums that are already filled with water serving another purpose, but if I ever need to get water I would have plenty.

*Add a little vinegar to waters to keep algae and other critters from growing in the water-1 Tablespoon per gallon. It also helps with the digestion and calcium intake.

*Also sprinkle garlic powder over food and use colloidal silver in water to help fight off infections.

*I use apple cider vinegar with 'mother' in it. Besides cutting down on algae, 1 Tablespoon per gallon helps the chickens absorb nutrients, like calcium, easier.

*I do add both cayenne & garlic to my feed along with Red Cell for horses (selenium) 2 Tablespoon each per 50lbs. Be careful using the Red Cell. Too much can build up toxicity in the birds.

*Meds should be stored in a cool, dark, dry spot. (basement) When opened some things have a very short shelf life. Most of the powder forms V&E will last around 7-10 days once the pkg is opened. I no longer use these, I've switched to pedialyte

*I keep track of who is treated for what, how, why, length of treatment and any reoccurrences. If a bird has recurring problems then I will cull it and I don't mean cull as in sell to someone else. If you hatch eggs even for entertainment then you are in essence breeders and have responsibilities. You do not want a sick bird procreating chicks for you. No matter how pretty, it does not belong in your gene pool to be passed on to neighbors & customers when you sell extra chicks & birds. If you have a favorite that has problems then do not allow it to breed.

*New birds are quarantined for a minimum of 1 month and that is not a guarantee you won't have problems. But it does help.

compostin'

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:16:58 PST

pre-turning

check in tomorrow for as the compost piles turn

we will be flipping the fall piles
hey!
don't touch that dial

a big ole' chickeny smooch for ya!

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:49:53 PST

thanks to all the folks who stopped by the minifarmstead today. it was a lovely time from my side of the haystack. i hope it was nice for you too. the chickeny girls miss you already.

company comin' to the hippychickenfarmer universe

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:29:29 PST

the big day is here!

today, hippychick, she being me, shares a bit about her experiences with raising chickens, raising bees, living with creatures and urban homesteading. i can't say i know much but i do know some and i'm willing to share at least that much. good morning to all you austin backyard chicken folk - i'm looking forward to your visit.

it's been raining in these parts for a good two plus days which makes me happy and proves quite positive for the health of the garden. the condition under feet is mushy so i plan to head out real soon and lay another 10 or 20 barrows of wood chips around.

recent news from around and about

a local tree trimming company dropped off a good 10-12 yards of chipped trimmings - for free! i am now on their map when working in and around town. they trim another's trees, they check in with me and if i've got space they drop off the trimmings for no charge, it's great! *warning - make sure you are working with a certified and recognized arborist - you do not want chippings from diseased trees in your pile. and even if they are certified and recognized, ask the question. if you do not - you might yourself harm your own micro-environment.
the meaties have arrived - 26 in total (the extra 1 was a bonus!) and are now happily nested in a cozy brooder located in the garage barn right next to the victory chicken baby chickens in their own cozy cozy brooder.
the chicken coops have been decorated with seasonal lights - the garage barn coop is cheered with glowing red lights and the original crazy coop caper coop is decorated with multi-colored l.e.d. energy saving lights. the coops look festive yet lovely.
i am treating three little chickeny girls with bothersome eye infections. i noticed their eyes watering a week back and kept a daily watch on the girls. *this is a good reason to look your chickeny chickens in the eye when declaring your early morning salutations. The weeping eyes continued and i then noticed the development of sleepy eye crust about the edge of the eyes. so i thought it best to take action. i have treated their eyes with neosporin once a day (morning) for three days now and their eyes are showing great results. one of the three is fully recovered. one is a day away from recovery and the third might have one or two more days of treatment before i feel comfortable claiming full recovery. all three have displayed a liking of the daily love and cuddling.
how did the eye infections start? i am not sure but i suspect that it might have been triggered by the round of foul pox traveling through the flock. foul pox is transmitted by mosquitoes and it's been a bad mosquito season down here - part of the reason for my mulching efforts which helps to control mosquito populations by removing open water areas and by supporting microorganisms and insects that eat mosquitoes and mosquito larvae. foul pox once in a flock transfers quickly from chicken to chicken by contact. it moves through the flock in a matter of a few weeks. most chickens survive quite well as the virus rests primarily on the exterior parts of the chicken. one will notice dark wart like lesions on combs and wattles. the virus can kill a chicken if the virus travels inside the chickens' mouth and/or throat and lungs. your chicken will show signs of asthma type wheezing and slow lethargic movements. it is hard to bring a chicken back when this ill. i keep b12 on hand and at the earliest sign treat all water the chickens are drinking with b12. i have not lost a chicken to the virus and the good news is that once the chickens make it through the virus they gain immunity to the virus. so hang tight but pay close attention and do not hesitate to seek the advise of a professional veterinarian if you feel it best to do so. your flock should be clear of the pox in a matter of a few weeks, if you see the foul pox lingering, you should seek the advice of a specialist.

Dry pox starts as small whitish foci that develop into wart-like nodules. The nodules eventually are sloughed and scab formation precedes final healing. Lesions are most commonly seen on the featherless parts of the body (comb, wattles, ear lobes, eyes, and sometimes the feet).
Wet pox is associated with the oral cavity and the upper respiratory tract, particularly the larynx and trachea. The lesions are diphtheritic in character and involve the mucous membranes to such a degree that when removed, an ulcerated or eroded area is left.

what are the effects of foul pox? there are several and they vary. foul pox may slow down egg production as the infected girls are using their body energy to recover. foul pox may send some girls into molt which in turn will slow down egg production. foul pox may not effect egg production at all for others. foul pox, if the wet version may cause your girls and boys to fall ill which in turn will require quick response on the part of the chicken keeper.

in other news

the eggs are selling. it has become common for the doorbell to ring in the evening when i am at home and i have learned, when i am not at home. some folk left a note asking about the eggs but did not include a return phone number or email or any way for making return contact. i will begin delivering eggs to a local market next week which is very exciting. there are new egg cartons on the way - as soon as they arrive, we will be in the market business. the egg cartons are nothing schmancy, recycled pulp cartons of which i will place my own designed hippychickenfarmer stickers on and a sticker claiming that the eggs are ungraded and of varied sizes.

time to get things together for this afternoon - looks like a mornings work in the rain as it has yet to clear out. i'm not complaining. it would be nice to have sun this afternoon - fingers are crossed.

victory chickens - last chance for 2oo9

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:10:23 PST

The following are my newest and last group of hippychick victory chickens for the year of 2oo9. The wee pullets will be available for pick up six weeks from hatch date.

Black Minorca - developed in Spain, Single Comb Clean Legged, white skin. The Minorca is an excellent hot weather bird, early maturing, is a layer of large white eggs. Largest Mediterranean, extra large eggs. (3 available)

Silver Laced Wyandotte - Silver Laced Wyandottes are a wonderful example of American breeding. They are beautiful, productive, and a favorite amongst backyard flock owners for their dependable egg laying, easy going nature and cold hardiness. Each feather is silver edged in beetle blacks. The hens look as if they're decked out for a night on the town! Wyandottes have a heavy body and small rose comb which makes this breed perfect for cold climates because they are not prone to frostbite. The hens are hardy, energetic and faithful layers. (1 available)

Easter Eggers - are not a breed per se, but a variety of chicken that does not conform to any breed standard but lays large to extra large eggs that vary in shade from blue to green to olive to aqua and sometimes even pinkish. Easter Eggers vary widely in color and conformation, and are exceptionally friendly and hardy. Since they are usually quite friendly to children and humans in general, they are a great choice for a family flock. (2 available)

Production Red - The Production Red is the best of the brown egg layers. This hybrid bird is a cross between Rhode Island Reds, Leghorn and New Hampshire. (5 available)

Australorp - Australorps are the Australian take on the Orpington breed. They are calm and friendly, and excellent layers of light brown eggs. The Australorp's exceptionally soft, shiny black plumage has hints of green and purple in the sunlight. Peaceful and dignified, Australorps are an absolutely delightful bird which we highly recommend to anyone who wants a pet chicken that lays dependably. (4 available)

Hatch date for all but the Australorps november o7 2oo9
- pick up date december 19 2009

Hatch date for the Australorps november 14 2oo9
- pick up date december 26 2009
(exact date dependent upon hippychick's holiday travel)

$15 per bird
all sales cash only
limited numbers available - claim your babies now
$5 deposit required to reserve your girls
please email your breed preference to hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com

the art of the garden path

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:47:05 PST

the art of the garden path

no longer are garden paths simply a way between rows
be they muddy, be they slim or be they full of weeds and grass seeds

the art of the garden path is now a further expression of natural beauty that i wish to explore

garden paths will prove a focus for hippychick this winter

brick-lined, wood chipped, logs for setting upon, logs for marking edges, logs for creatures to forage in and about and paths that assist with mosquito control.

at present,

i have prepared verdant paths of clover planted for bees

paths of acorn for squirrels

paths of thick and cushy chipped wood easy for kneeling

nice for wormie populations and beneficial buggies deep below

how to?
the goal is to purchase nothing - to use only found objects

winter is the time for successful foraging of necessary goods around these parts of central texas. trees are trimmed, some are felled, leaves are raked and bagged and folks - some folks - set them out for collecting by folk like me - i make efforts to beat the garbage folk to them. this requires daily runs and/or walks about the neighborhood which prove not only fruitful but as peaceful bits of time spent out of doors.

i am the countryside dumpster diver - though my dumpster generally comprises of goods set along the side of the road. the key is to keep the back of the outback as empty as possible through this season because you never know what you'll find or where you might spot it.

in order to succeed
one must be
- always at the ready - always at the ready -

i am ready

anatomy of a homegrown breakfast

hippychickenfarmer@gmail.com (shellywoman) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:07:19 PST