So. We decided to get some family pets after our most recent conversation with the children where Isaac decided it was best if dad died so we could get a dog...(if you're lost, scroll down a few posts and read the dog entry). We went with chickens. Oh and some bees too. Although we absolutely love our farm scenery, we are not trying to become farmers. Instead, we thought we'd get our own chickens to produce eggs, instead of robbing Brother Jones of all his eggs every week. Brown eggs are great! They are brighter yolk color and taste more rich. I hear they are better for you, but then I've also heard they are the same. I must admit that little baby chicks are super cute, and even a little fun to hold. Although extremely germy. Once the feathers start growing in place of the fuzz, not so cute. Kind of gross. I'm looking forward to full feathers. For some reason that doesn't gross me out nearly as much.
Here are some pics of the chicks, and the coop that Andy built. I do love having a craftsman at my disposal.
The only thing left to do on the coop is add an arch window (no glass) and a window box under the arch for flowers, and one under the plexiglass window. So far, it's been great having the chicks. The kids love them and are more than happy to go check on them, refill their water, fill their feed, and open the door to let them roam on the grassy part. It's kind of funny when you do open the door, they just look at it for a few minutes. Then one will be brave and take a step or two down the ramp, and then run back up. They get nervous! Soon, they'll love it when we open the door and let them run out.
Now the bees....I know it sounds totally crazy that we intentionally put thousands of bees in our backyard, but let me explain. Not sure where or when Andy got the first idea to raise bees, but after a lot of research and visiting some beehives and watching a live beehive inspection, I guess it really got Andy's attention. It's quite fascinating to watch them do their thing...when it looks like all they're doing is climbing all over each other. Andy has bad allergies and consuming local honey is suppose to help improve them. We decided to try it out, and if at any point we're not liking it, we'll just get rid of them. We've had the bees for 24 hours and they are already building honeycomb. Kind of exciting. I could see the sacks full of pollen on several bees' legs. Little creepy, but quite cool at the same time. When I was taking these pics of the bees, all I could think of was the movie Candyman! Remember the swarms of bees coming out of the guys' mouth?!??! Gross!! And for those wondering about the bees stinging the kids...we have read several places that they won't unless you're stealing the honey or you knock over the hive. If left alone, they do their work. So we'll see how it goes.
3 comments:
For real, you guys are awesome, I would love to have my own eggs and honey but you know my thing with birds and then we have someone down the road with bees so we buy honey from them. Kudos to you, trying both at the same time, can't wait to hear how it goes.
Awesome.
That is awesome. I've considered getting chickens because we go through eggs like crazy. My sister has them and says that it is cheaper to buy eggs than the feed for chickens. But I still think it would be cool to have. I bought some local honey that didn't go through whatever the store puts it through and it is the best! I would love to hear follow up on this!!
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