New Chickens and Tennis!

      Last Saturday was very hectic day! I have discovered chicken swaps!!! The new love of Tractor Supply on Saturdays!! My husband decided to go with me since it was an hour away and he wanted some white leghorns. We got up Saturday morning at 6am and I packed our little some snacks and breakfast and we headed out.
      When we got there everyone was just setting up. We found exactly what my hubby was looking for and then grabbed some feed and headed home. The chickens he purchased have a great personality and are really sweet and by that evening had laid eggs! Normally they get a little stressed and take a couple days to become accustomed.
        Here is where the hectic part of Saturday came in...... Miss J had tennis! Her first day and she was so excited! She is only 3 (almost 4 in a couple weeks) but she played at a street fest one day and fell in love with it! It started at 10:30 that morning. We got back home at 9:30 and I had to drop the hubby off and get her dressed at light speed and then load her back up and head 30 minutes away:) We made it and the kiddo had a ball and can't wait to go back this coming Saturday. I love the fact my kids will tell me things they want to do so we can make sure that they get the opportunities that will make them happy! Who knows in this house at the moment we have a musician, a 4-her and a tennis player, when they grow up we could have a composer, a veterinarian, and a coach!!!
 

Homesteading Adventure

     With our lives as stressful as they are managing the girls allergies I decided it was time to add to our flock of 6 hens. So in January I decided to jump and order a bunch of chicks from a hatchery. Yes a hatchery, I wanted them laying by summer so this was why I acquired them before most farmers would have chicks. So I did a lot of research (hours of internet reading on backyardchickens.com and tons of homsteading books!) to figure out which breeds I wanted to expand to and which hatchery to use! I went with Rhode Island Reds (we always have these), Anaconas, Cornish Rocks, and a brown egg layer special. They all arrived January 31.
     I loved them! Now came the hard part.... my coop only is built for 6! We knew when I ordered the chicks I would need a new coop, but this winter was a rough one with snow every other day. Finally in March we began with the coop and finished it within two weeks. All of my "teenagers" are in that coop at the moment because they are still a bit small to introduce my hens to.

       Then a new issue was discovered....remember the homesteading books I mentioned?....... Well they caused me to draw up plans for my hubby! I decided I wanted pigs and goats!! With the girls allergies I am hoping the more homemade (or home grown) food will help with the managing and its FUN!! So being the wonderful husband that he is he has agreed to build the pens. At the moment our goat pen is about to begin construction. I will keep you updated as we go. To me this is the most helpful thing that has come of the allergies. More education about food and being on top of what goes into our bodies!

Happy Homesteading!!