Talking Turkey

Turkeys aren't the first thing people want to add to the barnyard as pets. I mean, let's face it, the toms have beautiful plumage, but have downright ugly facial features. The females are a little more pleasant to look at, but only a little. They have a reputation for being stupid, stinky creatures.

Today the hubby and I picked up the remainder of our last order of Americauna chicks. On the way home, we decided it would be best to stop by Tractor Supply and get the items we needed to add another brooder to the barn. We were worried that the older chicks, who are now three weeks old, would bully and possibly kill the new babies. These little munchkins are only two days old.

I thought it might be a good idea, once the new fuzzy butts were settled into their new home, to introduce one of the turkeys into the mix. By adding one of the bigger kids, it should help the little ones to not be so intimidated by their bigger size, and not be so nervous when we ship them off to kindergarten.

The turkey wasn't thrilled at first to be pulled away from his new little family. He squeaked and called them for about five minutes. This upset the babies, so THEY started screeching and crying. Once the turkey realized he wasn't alone, he started mothering the chicks! It was one the sweetest things I've ever seen.  All the babies would crawl under him and cuddle. He sat there like he was the king. When they would wander around the brooder, he would scoop them under his body, and settle down for a nap. Absolutely precious.

The honey bees are a buzzing! They've started chewing the wax in the hives, which means we could possibly have honey this fall. I would elaborate more on the so on and so forths about the bees, but it's not my thing. I'm perfectly happy letting the hubby handle them. I am however, quite excited that we will have a few hundred pounds of honey...right out of our own backyard. I should invite him as a guest blogger. :)

It's been quite a busy gardening week here on our little farm. We added another garden plot, about 100x50, and planted about 150 corn seeds. Next week we'll add squash, zucchini, and beans. We also planted a row about 200 feet long, with 150 sunflowers, 40 pumpkin plants, 16 cantalope, 20 watermelon, and 16 honey dew melon plants. Late summer picnic anyone?

The winter garden is coming into full fruition. I harvested about 14 quarts of broccoli from half of a 4x8 bed. I pulled the majority of the plants out yesterday, and the remaining ones will flower and provide our seeds for the fall.
Our 18 cabbage plants have softball sized heads. The leaves are so big they look fake! The lettuce are all the size of basketballs, and the pea pods are filling out nicely. The potatoes are flowering and the strawberries are fruiting. And though it's taken a lot of work...and I say this quite proudly...we've grown all of our veggies pesticide and chemical free. We did have a few lettuce casualties, (may they rest in peace), but everything has grown big and healthy and strong. The only thing I've used as a pesticide is a garlic spray.
Here's how you do it:
Fill a spray bottle with water and add about 6 teaspoons of minced garlic.
Add a squirt of non-bleach dish liquid
Add about a teaspoon of olive oil
Shake well, let sit overnight and then strain

Well, I think that's about it this go round. I'm tired and think I've earned a nap! Good night all!