Yesterday it was raining so we moved to building the Turkey House. I call it the turkey house but really it is for the chicks as they transition to the pasture. Some of the chicks will be turkeys we hope. Today I will call and see where our turkey eggs are.
Much to John’s relief Federico is proficient in building as well and the first stage should be finished by tomorrow he thinks, then we can move these broiler chicks out of their nursery and into a larger space. This will be our brooders space now that it is warmer. 
Tima and Tane just lay about looking smug all day. Though for much of the day he wanders off and leaves her asleep. Sometimes I think she is fat, sometimes I think she is pregnant. Time will have to tell us!
Because of the rain I spent more time on housework than usual. I am always grateful when I have done it, not so grateful to BE doing it. But the spring really does encourage de-cluttering.
The freezers are starting to look quite empty. We are into the last few bays of meat and all the tomato and vegetables are gone. We never have enough tomato, no matter how much I bottle or freeze.
There are still a few nice fat tasty chickens left though – we had one last night with fresh egg salad and fresh broccoli. Almost all food from the farm.
Good morning. Things are gentle now. John, Federico and I are getting the summer in order. Getting the brooder space (Turkey House) finally built is a blessing. The gardens are coming together and the animals are quiet. I hope this lasts a little longer – it is very nice. We walked in the evening and the air was alive with the sounds of frogs. Last year there were hardly any but this year they are back in force. What a relief – they are a very important part of our local ecosystem.
Lady Astor is milking nicely once a day, I take the calf away about lunchtime, then milk in the evenings. Yesterday to my horror I say Aunty Del having a drink. So she is now separated from Lady Astor. They will have to lie together with a fence between. This is a very boring development, though not uncommon. She can hang out with the calf in the afternoons.
I hope you have a lovely day.
Your friend on the farm.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
38 responses to “The Turkey House”
I’m sure it will be a turkey palace. That cat is lucky all the branches didn’t snap and Auntie Del is very sneaky 😉
those two piggie -winkles are un-endingly gorgeous… I suppose I’m biased because they’re kiwi pigs !!
Everything ticking over just lovely.
Have a super day C.
🙂 Mandy xo
Cheeky Aunty Del. Laura
How lovely to read that you’re getting some breathing space. Thank goodness for your multitalented Wonderful WWOOFer. And as for those naughty kune kunes, they just go to show what a very hard life a piggy has on the Farmy.
Aunty Del made me burst out laughing!
Tima looks so happy laying there in her enclosure, sleeping contentedly. Nice to see everyone out for a walk in the evening. Aunty Del just wanted to see if dutch belted milk tastes as good as her breed does, perhaps hoping for chocolate. 🙂 Glad things are so calm on the farmy. Good to have help. Have a good day C.
Opportunistic cows…..can’t turn your back….made me laugh too 🙂 A good “off to bed ” giggle.
Naughty Aunty Del. Great that Federico is handy with building – to have some help must be a huge relief for you. I look forward to kune kune babies playing and turkeys gobble gobbling around and maybe the odd baby peacock.
Enjoy the pause while you can,
love,
ViV
I’m glad things are going so well your meal sounded wonderful.
I wonder if the cat and bird were having a conversation, or if the bird was merely laughing and waiting for the fall…
Personally I think the bird was laughing!?.. c
I am sure this is a stupid question…but what is your process for cooking your chicken in a cast iron pan? I would like to try it.
I cut the chicken in half, and place the cavity of each half over half an onion and handfuls of thyme in the cast iron pan, squeeze the juice of a lemon over the chicken and roast it basting every now and then. Sometimes I push butter up under the skin for extra yumminess.
You have some pretty large and colorful catbirds in your neck of the woods. When you mentioned that Tima was loosing the hair on her back and sides, I wondered then if they might be mating. Hopefully yes because cute little piglet pictures will be greatly enjoyed. Maybe, if need be in the future, you know that Lady Astor will nurse other calves than her own.
Yes .. it was interesting that she even let Aunty drink.. useful information.. c
I love that last image. Look at the muted colors of that beautiful prairie sky, the flatness of the land. This makes me homesick.
Tima and Tane look like the perfect couple! What a chancer Aunty Del is? But thenwhen you have fresh milk on tap, who can blame her! It will be difficult to let Federico go at the end of his stint with you, but then he may want to return, just as you did many years ago.;) Fingers crossed that he will want to return again.