I took this a few days ago after our blizzard, got busy and forgot to post. 😳 I know chickens don’t “need “ a heat lamp but when it goes into the single digits or below, I like to offer a corner of warmth, if they want it. ( Yes, I understand the fire risk so no need to remind me 😀) They don’t have to use it but I have noticed the ladies whose combs got frostbite last year, have used it several nights. I follow at lady in FB who has a large flock and she always offers a corner heat lamp as she believes her sick and older birds can benefit/ heal with a little extra warmth. They have the choice to use it or not. We will continue to have ridiculous cold for at least the next week in KC. The lamp will be removed as soon as the night temps move out of the teens. #grasshopperurbanfarm #urbanchickens #blizzard
If there was ever a video to convince you to grow native plants and leave them through the winter; lookey here!! 👀 😊 We had an infrequent blizzard hit the KC yesterday, leaving 10+ inches of snow in the region. Those of you north of here are laughing but for us- this is huge! We woke up to 6 degrees and a hellish below 0 windchill. 😳❄️😳Anyway- back to the video: two of my favorites, okay 3!!, are featured. The plant providing seeds/ fuel is a fall aster. I’ve mentioned this one before as a super important fall bloomer providing nectar for the traveling Monarchs and other pollinators. Now it’s providing seeds for winter dining. The cute little birds getting their morning fuel are the Dark Eyed Juncos. They can’t get under the snow for food so these plants are very important. These tuxedo colored guys come down from Alaska and Canada to hang out for the winter. Their late fall arrival and early spring departure are some of my most important signs of seasonal change. At the end, another one of my favs pops in: the resident Carolina Wren. He wants to remind everyone this is his turf. A gregarious little bird with caramel colored feathers and distinctive eye liner, flints about with a up-tilted tail and sings at the top of his lungs. What’s not to love?! 💕 Plant natives, my friends! #grasshopperurbanfarm #wintermusings #midwestblizzard #fallasters #juncos #carolinawren #plantnative
Big changes coming to GUF!! #grasshopperurbanfarm #bigchanges #buildingafarm
It’s been a rough season but there’s plenty to be thankful for! Let’s look at the loofah crop! This is just half of what is growing. 😀👩🏻🌾#grasshopperurbanfarm #organicloofah #2024growingseason #supportlocal #supportlocalurbanfarmskc #iwanttobeyourfarmer
As you know, I love observing nature. Here’s something I’ve never seen! Two species of butterflies interacting!! Mating?? They continued this behavior for several more minutes before parting ways. I must share I have seen a significantly lower population of butterflies and grasshoppers this year. Were these two so desperate to mate they were willing to cross their normal boundaries? Regardless, interesting behavior.
