The baby chicks are old enough and have enough feathers to be outside now. They are happy in their outdoor locations. One, upstairs in the brooder area and the others, in the back coop. They don't care about the snowstorm. The younger of the two batches still has use of a heat lamp, should they feel a chill in the air. The older ones, just don't seem to notice. Francois, our large dew-lap Toulouse goose, escaped from his winter digs, in the barn, the other day, when I left not only the gate, but the barn door open while I fed the gang. He saw daylight and made a break for it! As fast as an old goose can waddle, anyways. All winter he was content in the barn. Food, water and warmth. That's all he needed. Now the wonder and pull of spring has him out wandering the barn yard. I always wonder what they think of the snow?
I was fortunate enough to be able to visit my friend in Sturgeon Bay, who is an urban chicken farmer. She is a wonderful chef/baker, an amazing carpenter and above all, adores her chickens. Her set up is sweet for any girl who lays eggs. They were out in her yard today, scratching up the piles of leaves, looking for a hint of green grass and better yet, bugs. A mutual friend has decided she, too, will be an urban farmer. We discussed coop options, feeders, bedding and feed. We poured over the catalog discussing breeds while sipping tea. Beth would like a nice, friendly, docile hen. Something her young daughter can pick up and perhaps, bond with. Maybe even show them at the Door County Fair in the summer when she is old enough. Very exciting.
I have some planting and transplanting to do tomorrow. More vegetables and lots of flowers. The seedlings look great. I am running out of lighting/rack space for me seedlings. We went to Green Bay to buy more seed trays and pots. The feel of earth as you dig is amazing. Fills my soul. The smell of the tomato plants is almost too much. Funny that in the summer when I pick tomatos and prune the plants, I will be covered with a green substance that smells just like the tomato plant. I am sure it won't have the same effect on me then. I love how different times, places and people have such an effect on perspective.
