Urban Farming

The cube is in its groove, winter ready - the roof is sealed and the siding is up. The cube is uninsulated and fitted with a heat lamp for any cooler weather we may have.

Chickens 3,4,5 and 6 arrived, with two eggs layed en route. There was a big kafuffle for the first 48 hours and now the pecking order is firmly entrenched. The two barred rock chicks stick pretty close together, while the four highlanders are independent roamers.

Our youngest farmer has taken to collecting eggs each day - 4 pretty much guaranteed. We are eagerly anticipating the first eggs from our "chicks". The eggs are rich in colour and flavour - we are enjoying and sharing our special treats!

The birds are all enjoying our early fall warmth, happily following whoever around, particularly if you happen to be digging in the garden where a fresh worm might just pop up!

The flock evolves

The days of summer are quickly passing. Our tiny flock is growing daily - enjoying the rhythms of their people feeding them treats diverted from the compost. No sign of eggs yet, but our cloaked hen is proudly testing his vocal range. It would seem that his days are, indeed, numbered.

We have decided to put a timeframe on his stay. We will be picking up four additional hens next Saturday, in an effort to sustain our egg production capacity through the winter and, truth be told, with an eye toward halting the trepidation we have toward losing yet another bird.....and what if our two should somehow become one.

So, his days are numbered. The week ahead promises to be joyful. The lavishing on one who is headed for the dining room table.....

The cube is evolving - a detachable run contains the flock nicely. The run can be shifted around the yard, something we hope to do during the fall and winter, particularly in warmer, sunnier weather since their cube is largely in the shade.