Just wanted to share my latest happy news.
This group came to me in very dire straights. I honestly didn't think a few of them would survive past the first few days. They were emaciated, dehydrated, dirty, and shut down.
The smallest one couldn't walk due to malnutrition and the rest were so shy they stayed in the coop for a week before they even attempted to venture out onto the grass.
I'm happy to say they all survived and with vitamin and electrolyte supplements, and an enriched all-they-can-eat diet this group is on the mend and almost ready for their new home.
It's so fun watching them lounge in the grass and delight in their daily baths.
When you buy my eggs and plant starts, the money goes right back into buying food, medicines and bedding for birds like these so thank you!
Heartbeat inside an egg.
Here's a hopeful tale... one that I try to not get too attached to but how can you not.
The weekend before last I went out to greet my turkey girls only to discover one had been attacked and killed by a predator. I was and am still very sad. The turkeys were an unplanned visitor on our property but they fit in and stayed (despite being able to leave any time they want).
The turkey that was killed left a nest behind with 3 eggs in it. She laid 2 of those eggs after a brief encounter with a Tom turkey. They were cold and rained on and in the mud ... and I thought there was no chance in hell but I just had to try. My wee hen sat on them for a week while I found an incubator (thanks school resource library!)
Today I candled the eggs to discover 2 of the 3 eggs have wee little heart beats.
There are still 2.5 weeks to go and a lot can happen so I am trying to not get too excited but there is hope!
Chicken laying egg
Doesn't matter how many nest boxes I give them, they always cram into the one occupied one. 🙄
Forest Fowl
(Farm) Bird Song
I don't want to jinx it but it feels like Spring is on it's way! The chickens agree and have been laying up a storm. If anyone wants some eggs, NOW is the time!
The Odd Bird Farmstand Flock
The term "free range" is used a lot. For factory farming it means a bird has some access to outside but it's usually a crowded dirt pen a certain number of days of the year. Our birds get a lot of space to roam including lots of grassy and forested areas for foraging and the ducks have several bodies of water to swim in. When you buy our eggs, you help support high-welfare practices and very tasty eggs from all the nutrient dense foraging.
One Reason Why I Love Roosters
I love Roosters. They get such a bad rap sometimes and certainly the short end of the stick. Most will never make it past being a chick...
Our resident roosters are brave, selfless, smart and gentle with the flock and the humans on the property. Can't imagine keeping a flock without them.
🤎🐓🤎
Broody Svart Hona guarding eggs
I swear they sense the increasing day light and suddenly go into baby hatching mode. I caught my Svart Hona hen, Sweet Girl hoarding 7 eggs today (none of them hers) and she was quite offended when I took them. Sorry Sweetie but these are for breakfast... plus with how cold this winter has been, ain't nobody want January chicks running around in the snow and ice. Let's wait until Spring before Spring fever hits shall we? 😅
Thank you to everyone has reached out today for Eggs! I will go down the list fulfilling orders as I am able. Sold out for now but should have more very soon. The girls are busy!
Nat
The Odd Bird Farm Stand
I tried a Tiktok!
To keep the birds safe, we keep them copped up in the run during snow. They get a bit frustrated not being able to forage so we make sure they have a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables.
This also makes for tastier, nutritious eggs! 👌🏼
Eloise the Welsh Harlequin
Eloise is one of our resident disabled ducks. She has a deformed beak and we take the time to hand feed her treats as she does have some difficulty and the other birds are quick at snapping up all the tasty things. Eloise was lovingly raised by a young boy whose family moved to Alberta and they didn't know if she would survive the journey. I'm glad we were able to offer her a forever home. 🤎 She's a real sweety and a bit sassy.