“A day in the country is worth a month in town”Christina Rossetti

Monday, July 23, 2012

Hen Productivity

We have had hens since the first Fall we were here in 2003. We started with four.
They roost every night in this side of the barn, and this is where they lay their eggs - most of the time. They do have a very nicely decorated home don't they?

For all I know, one of our current eight hens is still from the original four, but we have lost one hen here and there to heat, cold, and a hawk strike one January. 
Every couple of Septembers, we made the trip to Myersdale to get a few more hens to replace and expand the flock.
Carlene and Truffles at two days old in 2005
We also raised a couple day old chicks, and we still have Truffles who must be seven years old now. Pullets start laying at 20 weeks old. Hens best production is during their first two years and then they taper off. Hence the reason to replace them as they age.
What is impressive is that just a few days ago, during all this awful heat, all eight hens gave us an egg. And they are huge.
Not large.
Not Jumbo.
HUGE!

I'm betting it has a lot to do with being free range, pastured hens with about the best life ever.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Derry Fair 2012 - 4-H Goats

 Recognize these two buff boys?
How about now?
 And here at days old with their triplet sister on the left.
Yes! Its the former Bingo and Boris, now winners Geo and Cash, at the Derry Ag Fair with their 4-H owners Elizabeth and John Clark.
Congratulations!
I am so impressed with how these goats look!
 Elizabeth and "Cash" won first in showmanship.
No wonder why. 
Enthusiasm alone!
 We still can't agree who looks better in the hat.
 Tough call.
And why are small dogs in the goat pens?
I had to wonder.
Then I moved to take another photo and realized that these are 4 month old Angora goats. 
I think I have a new love!

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Mt. Washington Hotel, Bretton Woods, NH









I hope these pictures say "elegance", "relaxed", "beautiful" to you, because that is what this place said to me.
Enjoy!