Frost, Fall, and Fluffy Chicks
The cool breeze of fall edged its way onto the farm this week. While the days have been almost excruciatingly hot here this week, with no rain, and hardly a cloudy day in sight, the nights have been exactly the opposite. Bitterly cold, so cold in fact that our potatoes planted outside in raised beds froze (for about the 4th time this summer), and we even experienced some frost damage to some of the leaves on the summer squash and cucumbers on the edge beds in the hoop house. Lately, the mornings hold onto the cold from the night until the morning sun burns it off, but I have to say I love the feeling of the cold morning air returning this time of year. I just love the feeling of the changing seasons. As fall creeps in, the angle of the sun makes the light touching the landscape warmer and just the slightest hint of cooler weather is brought in on the slight breeze that rolls through the farm.
Fall is one of my most favorite times of the year, and I am eagerly awaiting its full arrival. As the days begin to shorten, so do our long summer farm days. Instead of putting the chickens in at 9:30 each night they go to bed a little bit earlier, meaning we are enjoying extended moments of peace each night. Amongst the many daily chores and attending to our birds and lambs, we are beginning to plan fall harvests and canning our summer bounty. I can’t wait to can our first batch of tomato sauce with our first tomatoes grown at the farm. It will feel so rewarding to pop a jar of tomato sauce on cold days this winter, and instantly be transported back to summer.
Last Friday, we welcomed nearly 50 chicks to the farm and were surprised by an additional two that were hatched just yesterday morning by one of our own hens. It is rare for us to have a successful hatch from one of our older hens, and we have never had a hen stay with her chicks like the one we have currently. Below is a picture of the hen, and if you look closely you can see a chick under her body. She is a great mama and taking care of her chicks really well. It is VERY cool to witness.
Mama hen with one of her chicks.
As the farm work in the garden begins to stall for just a moment (fall plantings will need to happen in the next few weeks) we are trying to get as much done before fall as possible. This lull between seasons is a great chance for us to catch our breath before the craziness of fall hits us head-on, and I welcome the slowing down.
I hope you, your family, and friends are well. May we take care of one another and embrace the beginning of the change in seasons.
Until next time,
Farmer Kinzie