Meet The Hens

Ok so obviously I'm not gonna post pics of all the girls individually, but for those of you that we're looking for an update here's some of our new girls. 

This one is my "food hog" unless I'm bringing in food she wants nothing to do with me (yes even if their dishes are full she still comes running if I have a food dish).

The one is one of my "buddies" as soon as I come to the door she runs to me and wanders by my side as I collect eggs, fill up food dishes, and water etc. She's still not sure about my steal toed boots though, shakes her head anytime she tries pecking them lol.

Love spending time with these girls, and they LOVE the weather since that means I can open their window :)

~ Niki

Cool Chicken Coop Plans

I'm always on the look out for new and different ways to construct thing. If it can be made with recycled material well then if definitely is up my alley and grabs my attention right away! I came across a fantastic post tonight on a hoop style coop. Perfect for a couple turkeys or other birds especially over the spring and summer months! Here it is for you to check out yourself. This just might make it onto an upcoming project post yet!!!!

http://www.communitychickens.com/2012/11/stories-from-neighboring-coops.html#.U2mzD_ldU1I

Check it out and let me know what you think!!!

~ Niki

Quick Check In.

The last couple days have been pretty busy around here, but it's been so nice to really start getting things checked off the honey do list (mainly mine lol). We got the coops electrical all inspected and bulbs replaced, got the anti theft fixed on my expedition, got some electrical done in the garage, got the trees marked in the new garden are, fixed the chainsaw, knocked down all the trees, got the majority of the coop cleaned out, gazebo set up, etc etc. I feel like I haven't stopped!

I have to admit it's a great feeling to finall see the end nearing on a couple of projects that have been on my list for months. I'm forced to take a bit of a breather right now and rest my back, but plan on getting my butt outside again soon. Hopefully the weather stays good so I can get a bunch of other stuff sold off this week, and finally get to the end of the downsizing we started in September of last year. It's a great feeling to let go of stuff that really doesn't fit you're life anymore.

I'll post more pics once I finish the work on the coop and get the other side cleaned out. I'm so excited to get it all done, and bring some beautiful birds home!

~ Niki

New Pressure Tank!

Today we change out the pressure tank. Woo hoo. Ok it might not sound like a big deal to you, but when you loose water pressure at random times, and because the old tank is well old you end up with plugged lines followed by chunks of iron flowing through your lines for a few days after you clear the blockage, yes a new tank is something to celebrate!

Really some days it's just the little things. I plan on celebrating with a nice hot shower once it's all done! 😄

Easter Babies!

So excited to share with everyone the newests members of the Gurney homestead! We got 2 Cooper babies (2 weeks old) and 2 Gibsons babies (also 2 weeks old) from a wonderful lady and friend Kara at Three Mile Ventures who breeds these beautiful birds. (Make sure you check out her page on facebook!!!)

The Gibsons will lay pretty green eggs, and the Coopers will lay a dark brown egg! We are so excited to watch them grow and mature, and even more excited to try their first eggs. 

Kids are still working on names for them, but so far we have "Bare Bum" and "Morgan" lol

~ Niki

Busy Easter weekend.

Today has been a crazy busy weekend in our home. Not only was hubby home, but it was Easter weekend. Normally I do the big full on meal, but this year I cut it down and spent the extra time helping hubby, cleaning, and planning.

We did a bit of transplanting, and I got even more of that done today along with starting my herbs etc. I love having my hubby home. That being said I love him working too lol. This current job seems to fit nicely schedule wise. He works 3-5 days during the week and is home on the weekends. It's only a temp gig as he's doing it to help get a friends business rolling in a new to them field. Plus it helps put some cash in the bank since he has been laid off since Valentines Day.

He left again early this morning and will be back sometime Friday. We have really awesome family and friends that are letting him crash in their spare rooms as he's a bit of a nomad right now bouncing from one place to the other. It's nice for him that he's able to catch up with everyone too.

Well this girl needs to get back to purging and listing stuff for sale if I'm ever going to get this homestead going lol will post again tonight if I get a chance!

Compost bin from pallets

Ta Da!

So while I know this probably isn't all that exciting for some, it is for me! I am working really hard on growing our own produce this year. My goal is to one day be fully self sufficient on our own homestead. All this takes trail and error, practise and experience. 

As always if I can recycle I will, and if I can do it and be as cheap as possible then I'm ABSOLUTELY gonna do it! So compost done, next pallet project is the greenhouse. Woo hoo! Ok maybe I'm just a tad too excited haha

~ Niki