Spring is here!

It is with great excitement that we share pictures of our first spring chicks. There is something about chicks hatching that means Spring is here!

In November the farmer turned off his incubator for it's long winter nap. The hens settled down and gave us an occasional egg here or there just to keep us guessing on who had laid that day. Then in late January with a couple of nice sunny days, the hens decided they would start giving us a couple more eggs, and then a couple more and some more and well you get the point. So the farmer decided it was time to start the big incubator up again. The eggs were carefully gathered. The egg consumption for the family and some of our loyal winter customers was stopped. All were entered (and continue to be entered) into the incubator.

On Friday, March 4th, the farmer started hearing some peeping and then through the weekend, the hatching began. It was a little slow this time. We are not sure if it was just because we had a big order for our first hatch or if we were just out of practice but finally there were chicks.

Our youngest son was just as excited as the farmer. He has "patiently" waited for these chicks to hatch checking on them everyday for any activity. (It helps that the incubator has a clear door for him to see.)

So we are back in the chick business. We will continue to have chicks hatching from now until...well until the hens decided that would like a break. Next to hatch is some of the first turkey eggs. Then the farmer will be very happy.

Rubber Boots

One must never underestimate the importance of a pair of good rubber boots. Here at Whipowill Hill Farm everyone owns at least one pair. At one point we probably should have invested in some stock for the ones the farmer was buying as it always seems his would spring a leak and we were off to buy another pair. We have since invested in a more hard core pair that seem to be holding up much better.
The kids all have their boots as well. The two older boys have the plain old black ones but our younger two always seem to find cool ones that have a little bit of style to them. They have had lady bugs, and firetrucks, pink ones and bright blue ones. The farmer's wife even has a pretty pair of green ones with flowers all over them.
With last night's rain the need for the boots has come again. All of us were finding them when our youngest pointed out that his had a hole in them. This was very devastating to our three year old and we ensured him we would be on the lookout for a new pair as soon as we can get to town. Our daughter just got a brand new pair of boots for Christmas and after sloshing around in the water looking for salamanders last night, she has now informed me she needs a new pair too. It seems her's have split on the side.
Once again, I stress the importance of a good pair of rubber boots. Ones that will hold up with active kids, dogs that chew and pigs that step on your toes. I guess this weekend will involve shopping for rubber boots. A task the farmer's wife doesn't mind at all....