Tillie's Update

 

Mean Millie, Rosie, Miss Tillie & Little Reba. Oh yeah, mustn't forget Rocky Rooster. That's the extent of my little flock this summer. 

 

Here's a little more of Tillie's motherhood story. 

 

Little black Tillie is a hybrid Sex Link I got from my neighbor. One morning I found her in the nest; oh, how cute, I thought, she's laying an egg. Come evening, she was still on the nest. A happy thought pierced my surprise. Maybe she's broody!! It's been years since I've had a hen who wanted to be a mama. Next morning, sure enough, there she was again. Joy!! 

 

I excitedly numbered six eggs (she's a small hen) with a marker and ever so gently put them under Tillie. She grumped a little, adjusted her feathers to cover all eggs, then settled in for the three-week sojourn to motherhood.

 

 

Here's an example of numbering eggs--these are not Tillie's clutch--she was only big enough to cover 6.

 

I moved food and water closer to the clutch of nests. Hens get off their "mother nest" very little, and Tillie proved a dedicated mom. She rarely got off her nest to eat or drink. In fact, she's the most dedicated hen I've ever had. Her feathers dulled, her comb paled, but she remained diligent.

 

I daily checked her eggs and removed any eggs the other hens had laid in Tillie's nest. Ignoring the multiple empty nests, they daily chose to hop in with Tillie and contribute to the baby cause. Having been through this process many times, I had marked Tillie's eggs so I could tell Tillie's eggs from the others. If you do not remove the renegade eggs, come day 21, you will have some eggs in different stages of development, and that's not a happy situation. 

 

The days roll by...15, 16, 17...by day 18, Tillie is looking pretty ragged. I'm growing concerned. She stays glued to that nest, committed to motherhood. Day 19, 20. At last, day 21. I go out early. Maybe I will find tiny little holes in the eggs--LIFE!--where the chick has begun its journey to life on the farm.

 

Tillie's cranky hen voice doesn't like my inspection. No holes in the eggs. No sign of life.

 

Day 22, no change.

 

Day 23, still no sign of baby chicks. Poor bedraggled Tillie. She looks like she's been walking in the desert for three weeks. I'm so disappointed. She's disappointed. I can't stand that look in her eye.

 

I jump in the car and race to the farm store in our town; it's about 25 miles round trip. As I enter the store, I hear the familiar peep-peep of little feathered babies. I choose four: two Rhode Island Reds and two Welsummers. I've never had Welsummers, so thought I'd give it a go.

 

I waited until dark, then removed the unhatched eggs and replaced them with the four live chicks. As I left the chicken house, Tillie clucked her mama voice. I knew all would be well.

 

Occasionally, a hen will not accept "store-bought" chicks, but before dawn the next morning, I went to move Tillie and company to the special section of the hen complex I use for new chicks or convalescing chickens. She was talking mother-talk to her new babies, and they were responding with those tiny peep-sounds that only new chicks can make. Not quite a full peep. Little noises Tillie recognized and accepted. The orphan corporate chicks had a home.

 

I was sad for a moment thinking of how new chicks recognize their mother from hearing her in the days before they hatch. These chicks had not had that opportunity, but they were devoted to their new mommie anyway. 

 

I settled the little family in their new home, and when I came back after daylight to check on them, it was the cutest thing. Little yellow heads peeking out from black mama feathers. Beautiful!!

 

As days flew by, Tillie began looking like her old self: rich red comb, shiny feathers, confident stride. The chicks were loving farm life. However, farm life has its perils. Now there is only one chick left. She's gloriously red, so I call her Little Reba. 

 

 

I moved food and water closer to the clutch of nests. Hens get off their "mother nest" very little, and Tillie proved a dedicated mom. She rarely got off her nest to eat or drink. In fact, she's the most dedicated hen I've ever had. Her feathers dulled, her comb paled, but she remained diligent.

 

I daily checked her eggs and removed any eggs the other hens had laid in Tillie's nest. Ignoring the multiple empty nests, they daily chose to hop in with Tillie and contribute to the baby cause. Having been through this process many times, I had marked Tillie's eggs so I could tell Tillie's eggs from the others. If you do not remove the renegade eggs, come day 21, you will have some eggs in different stages of development, and that's not a happy situation. 

 

The days roll by...15, 16, 17...by day 18, Tillie is looking pretty ragged. I'm growing concerned. She stays glued to that nest, committed to motherhood. Day 19, 20. At last, day 21. I go out early. Maybe I will find tiny little holes in the eggs--LIFE!--where the chick has begun its journey to life on the farm.

 

Tillie's cranky hen voice doesn't like my inspection. No holes in the eggs. No sign of life.

 

Day 22, no change.

 

Day 23, still no sign of baby chicks. Poor bedraggled Tillie. She looks like she's been walking in the desert for three weeks. I'm so disappointed. She's disappointed. I can't stand that look in her eye.

 

I jump in the car and race to the farm store in our town; it's about 25 miles round trip. As I enter the store, I hear the familiar peep-peep of little feathered babies. I choose four: two Rhode Island Reds and two Welsummers. I've never had Welsummers, so thought I'd give it a go.

 

I waited until dark, then removed the unhatched eggs and replaced them with the four live chicks. As I left the chicken house, Tillie clucked her mama voice. I knew all would be well.

 

Occasionally, a hen will not accept "store-bought" chicks, but before dawn the next morning, I went to move Tillie and company to the special section of the hen complex I use for new chicks or convalescing chickens. She was talking mother-talk to her new babies, and they were responding with those tiny peep-sounds that only new chicks can make. Not quite a full peep. Little noises Tillie recognized and accepted. The orphan corporate chicks had a home.

 

I was sad for a moment thinking of how new chicks recognize their mother from hearing her in the days before they hatch. These chicks had not had that opportunity, but they were devoted to their new mommie anyway. 

 

I settled the little family in their new home, and when I came back after daylight to check on them, it was the cutest thing. Little yellow heads peeking out from black mama feathers. Beautiful!!

 

As days flew by, Tillie began looking like her old self: rich red comb, shiny feathers, confident stride. The chicks were loving farm life. However, farm life has its perils. Now there is only one chick left. She's gloriously red, so I call her Little Reba. 

 

Tillie was more than ready to join the flock and was determined to sleep in the chicken house. I wasn't sure Little Reba would fly up on the roost, so when night settled on the farm, I took my flashlight and peeked in. Sure enough, Little Miss Reba was sitting right beside her mom on the roost like a big girl.

 

Rocky Rooster showing by crowing who's boss. 

He flies in and out of the chicken yard at will. 

Tillie was happy.

 

Little Reba was happy. 

 

Farmgirl was happy. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miss Tillie & Little Reba

looking for bugs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My little flock grazing under Alice, the willow.

Mean Millie, Rosie, Miss Tillie, Little Reba & Rocky.

 

New Kids On The Block

 We haven't had a broody hen for ages. So, when Tillie decided she wanted to be a mom, I was thrilled. I gathered up some eggs, marked the date on them, and put them under Tillie. It was 2 or 3 days before I added the eggs to her nest, so she sat longer than the typical 3-week hatching range. She faithfully sat on the eggs, morning, noon, and evening. Day after day. Hot or cold. Little food. Little water. 

The other hens would weasel their way into her nest and lay their egg, and come evening, I would sort it out and remove it from Tillie's clutch of eggs. 

Finally, the long-awaited day came...Day 21. Hatching day. Baby day. New Mama day.

Nothing. Nada. No little beaks sawing its way around the eggshell. No little peeps. No wet little chick fur.

And, Tillie, just wouldn't give up. I gave the eggs some extra time, just to be sure there would be no chicks forthcoming. Nothing.

How could I look into those sad little Tillie eyes? She had sacrificed time, exercise, nourishment, and sunshine for nearly a month. And now she had nothing.

So, Tractor Supply to the rescue. I bought her 4 chicks: 2 Rhode Island Reds with good egg-laying abilities (200 to 300 eggs per year) and 2  Wellsummers. I've never had Wellsummer hens before. They are dark brown with a golden-brown neck and a deep mahogany face and are pretty good layers (200 year). Their eggs sound gorgeous. They're supposed to be a terracotta red. I can't wait to see them in 4-5 months; I see deviled eggs for Thanksgiving. Apparently they are very noisy--good thing I'm on a farm. 

Both breeds are excellent foragers, which is good because our chickens free-range most of the day--day in and day out--rain, sleet, or snow. Well, actually, they have the choice whether to stay in or go out. Wellsummers are supposed to love the snow.

Today is day three for Tillie and her little family. Farmer Gary completely remodeled the brooder coop, making it 'coon proof, 'possum proof, and yes, even snake proof. So they are getting acquainted with one another and the new digs. Farmer Gary also added a "Chicky cam" which provides safety and entertainment.

 

 

  

DANDELION SEASON!!

 

 

 

Dandelion Vinegar

Harvest dandelions in the morning after dew has risen and before the hottest part of the day.

Clean well.  Can use root, leaf, and flower.  Fill a quart jar about ¾ full.  Add raw apple cider vinegar—fill to rim, leaving about ½ inch head space.  Place in a cool dark area for 4-6 weeks.  Strain.  Use in dressings and cooking.

Can also be used as a tonic by adding a little honey to water.  The usual dose is about a tablespoon full daily.  This is also traditionally called “Elixir of Long Life”!

Contact me for more recipes!!!

 

Living Fertilizer

 There are several "living fertilizers" I use that are all great, but this one is a little different.

Begin with WOOD ASH. If you have a fireplace, wood stove, or fire pit, you have a potent fertilizer in the making and a valiant pest deterrent. 

Wood ash will RAISE the pH so do not use it on alkaline soil or acid-loving plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, or blueberries. Overuse can lead to excessively high soil pH, which can hinder the uptake of certain nutrients. However, fermenting the wood ash reduces its acidity.

Wood ash provides an easily assimilated source of potassium, phosphorus, and other micro-nutrients that strengthen cell walls and roots, and promote strong roots, vibrant foliage, and abundant flowering and fruiting. It contributes to overall plant health and increases disease resistance. Wood ash also helps improve soil structure and make it more porous while improving drainage.

Hardwood (oak, maple, beech) has a higher nutrient content and is preferred over softwood (pine, fir). 

Do not use ash from treated lumber such as creosote, arsenic or copper, painted wood, plywood, charcoal briquettes, or wood burned with accelerants.

Do not apply to germinating seeds, and do not mix with any nitrogen fertilizer. 

There is a big difference in just spreading wood ash and FERMENTING wood ash. Fermenting breaks down nutrients for better plant absorption and creates a living fertilizer that continues to imbue the soil with life and health. 

Use caution when handling, as ash is caustic and can irritate skin, eyes, and the respiratory system. When ingested can cause gastrointestinal disruptions. 

Begin with 1 part water:4 parts ash. Use rainwater or let chlorinated water sit in the open air for 24 hours.

 Put the slurry in a bucket with a lid, then add a tablespoon or two of molasses. This is not a precise recipe; it's not going to fail if your molasses ratio isn't perfect. I use a 5-gallon bucket, adding 1 part ash &4 parts water until the bucket is nearly full. ,Then I add about 2 T molasses. Easy peasy.

Put on the lid and let it steep for 2 to 4 weeks. The hotter it is, the shorter you let it steep. So, if making this in the cooler Spring, let it steep the full 4 weeks. In July or August, 2 weeks will be plenty.

Stir the bucket of slurry every two or three days.

To strain or not to strain: If the ash is very fine, it's ok not to strain, otherwise strain through a cloth into another bucket. 

Dilute 1 part wood ash slurry to 10 parts rain water or de-chlorinated tap water and apply every 2 to 4 weeks. Keep an eye on your plants...don't over fertilize! Store your fertilizer in a cool dark place.

 

 

 

WOW!!

 WOW - Diet by Divine Design - a life-changing book on God's plan for nourishing and growing our bodies. I'm pretty excited about this project and am going to include recipes. So, if you have a healthy recipe you love, and want to share it, send it to me. You will get full credit in the book. 

If you have a recipe you love, but it isn't so healthy, let's collaborate on how to make it healthier! How to convert your not-so-healthy-but-delicious-and well-loved recipes into healthy ones will also be in the book.

Just take a snapshot of your recipe and text it to me, or email it. Comment here, and I'll message you with my number and email address.