The chicks arrived on Saturday

The chicks arrived on Saturday, we had one runt that was a bit shaky but it looks like she's going to pull through ok. They're all eating and skittering around in their brooder box. We need to keep them at 95 degrees for a week using a 250 watt heat lamp, we drop the temp by 5 degrees a week until they are feathered out.

I think I can hear my electric meter spinning???

We had to keep raising the lamp this weekend as it reached almost 90 outside on Saturday and it was in the 80's today.

Receding Snow

Last of the snow is melting out in the front yard.

Lots to do...

Rose and I finished the electric fence in the field today, we changed the layout and replaced most of the posts and all the wire. I thought I'd straighten out one of the frost heaved wooden gate post only to break it clean off at ground level, that stunt cost us a couple of hours between digging new holes, concreting to post in and drilling for new gate hinges. The wire we are using now is 1/2" tape, more visible to spooked animals. It looks great now, the winters here take their toll on both the posts and wire.

Willow and Lacy enjoyed their first day out in the main field.

Tractor problems, sidewall cracks have crippled my tractor, and Jarrod's tractor starter is shot.

James and Jason were a big help today bringing in the groceries too.

Lawn is starting to green up so we have to scramble at this point just to keep up.

Chicks arrive in two weeks, we have the waterers, and feeder now we just need to get their pens setup.

Vet arrives next Tuesday to finish off Willow's shots for the season.

Almost Spring in NH

We're getting there... The cleanup after a pretty bad winter begins, Ugh.

Looks like flurries and rain today. We noticed the Crocus's are getting ready to bloom with the snow retreating 6 feet away. The garden beds are a mess this year, as they always are this early in the spring, with all the debris from the fall laying on the beds. The tough part is getting the debris out without sacrificing the flowers of spring.

We're Mobile!

James and Jason have taken to the tricycles with no problem other than total lack of fear!

The SPRING of 2009 has arrived!

SPRING around here, Finally!


Well it's finally officially SPRING in New Boston!

This weekend we took the twins out for a hike, and a picnic, we picked the first of the 2009 Pussy Willows down at Lake Chloe. Much thinner than last year, not sure why.

We saw two Mallards fly into the pond last week.

Today March 24th I saw a pair of duck butts (You do know what a duck butt is right?) in the pond on my way home.

Then while eating dinner Rose noted all of the Robins that were now picking their way across the field, in the bare areas looking for worms.

Then I heard the commotion "DEER, DEER" "Out by the burn pile!" "See 'em" Look at them, "Oh look there's two of them".

Rose thinks it's the mother and skipper from last year. Both looked good.

We've never had deer this early out in the fields, usually they don't show until around fathers day.

Maybe there's too much snow out in the woods. There are still several areas in the field with over a foot of snow I found that out Saturday while trying to get the electric fence back in order so I could put the horse and goat out.

-Don

The new chicks have been ordered.

Chicks are on order, we have a small order of a dozen "Silver Laced Wyandottes" arriving next month.  This brown egg laying breed shrugs off the cold laying right through the winter, the rate this winter is going it's a good thing.  We'll need to start getting the barn ready for chicks. Have to find a good brooding box. 

Puddle Jumping

James and Jason checking out the recent puddles from all the snow melting in the 55 degree weather this past weekend. It's not spring yet... Monday we had another 7+" os heavy wet snow fall and more is scheduled for Wednesday.

The Teenager Audio Test - Can you hear this sound?

The Teenager Audio Test - Can you hear this sound?

02_11_2009.jpg (JPEG Image, 900x600 pixels)

02_11_2009.jpg (JPEG Image, 900x600 pixels): "http://dooce.com/dailychuck/2009/02/02_11_2009.jpg"

Comics - Explosm.net

Comics - Explosm.net: "<a href='http://www.explosm.net/comics/1551/'><img alt='Cyanide and Happiness, a daily webcomic' src='http://www.flashasylum.com/db/files/Comics/Dave/comicbatteriescamera.png' border=0></a><br />Cyanide & Happiness @ <a href='http://www.explosm.net'>Explosm.net</a>"

Magic Sprained his leg...

Magic sprained his leg yesterday, Rose took him to the vet and had xrays taken, turns out it's only a bad sprain, he'll have to wear the cast/splint for a couple of weeks.  He is getting around much better now with the cast on his leg.  I have to laugh every time I hear the thud..., thud..., thud..., peg leg coming up the hall though.