Posted by Miranda on May-26-2009
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I made it through the weekend! It was nice to visit with all of the family that I usually only see once or twice a year. We all got to see how each other’s kids have grown and get updated pictures. Unfortunately Little Maiden came home with a stomach bug. She’s resting on the couch now with a bucket at the ready…
My chicks also made it through the weekend! Willhi checked on them to make sure they were doing alright. She said they had filled their waterer completely with shavings so she cleaned that out. Otherwise, they did fine.
The gardens also came through okay. They weren’t withered or torn up. Something did dig in the spinach last night, though. I think I’m going to have to fence it all in.
The sun is out today and there isn’t a cloud in the sky. The breeze is very light and I’m guessing it’s in the 70’s. I put the chicken brooder outside on the porch so the chicks could enjoy the sun and fresh air. I put bird netting over the top to keep them in and the hawks out.
Posted by Miranda on May-22-2009
I’m a little nervous about this weekend. We’re traveling 150 miles to visit my family in Northern Maine for Memorial Day weekend. We’re leaving the chicks home by themselves. I’ve decided that with the self-feeder and waterer that they should be okay for a couple of days. Willhi has promised to stop in to check on them. I’m glad because I’m afraid the temperature might fluctuate too much. The temp outside has been in the 90’s for the last two days. Very unseasonable for Maine. (I love global warming!) Anyway, the house has gotten very warm so I’ve been leaving the chick’s light off so they don’t get too hot. If it cools down this weekend while I’m away, I don’t want them to get too cold if I leave the light off. On the flip side, I don’t want to leave their light on and cook them.
It makes me feel better that Willhi will check on the chicks. I guess it will depend on the temperature in the morning whether I leave the light on. I’m using a 100watt bulb and the brooder is too small for the chicks to really get out of the heat if they need to. I’m almost as nervous as I might be if I were leaving my kids alone for a three day weekend. I hope they’re all still alive when I get back home. I’m sure they will look different. The chicks are developing so fast.
Willhi has said she would water my garden while we’re away too. I’d hate to lose my garden as much as I’d hate to lose my chickens. I’ve already been contending with some mysterious animal who only comes out at night and likes to dig holes in the gardens and eat up all my lettuce. I’d hat to lose all of it to a drought. I’m going to water them thoroughly before we leave in the morning.
I’m just a bundle of nerves. Let’s not even mention staying a whole weekend with family…
