I know when spring has sprung, because we start hearing peeping noises from the incubator.
OK, that makes it sound like a surprise, but I had put the duck eggs in a month prior, and our chicken eggs in 3 weeks ago. But now they are hatching! And we know it's time to get off of our winter duffs and start working.
We cleaned the main area of the barn on Saturday, and put the brooder back together. This week, we will get bunches of wood chips to fill the brooders. We checked the heat bulbs and the thermostats. We got the little feeders and waterers and tubs upstairs for the chicks and ducklings that get to stay upstairs for their first few days.
And then the eggs started to pip. We have, as of this morning, 5 Rhode Island Red chicks and 25 Welsh Harlequin ducklings! Starting later this week, the ducklings will get bathtime, like these silly ones from last year.
Later this week, our first batch of meat birds will arrive. 150 Cornish X Crosses that will get processed at the end of May. And so bird season has begun on the farm!
If you are looking to add some extra birds to your flocks, we are selling the Rhode Island Red chicks and the Welsh Harlequin ducklings. Check our prices tab (at the bottom) for the prices on each bird.
And of course, if you plan on coming to visit the farm, ask about seeing the baby birds! Their room is pretty tight, so we can't fit a crowd, but you are welcome to come in and see them!