Construction request from the hens

It seems that the girls want a few more nest boxes than the 8 they presently have. Today three laid their eggs in the far corner under the roosts in a new nest they have constructed. We have also had two eaten eggs this week and a lot of fighting over boxes. Sometimes three try to get into the same box all at once. Esmeralda still lays her egg on top of one of the Buffs in the same box each day. The Buff then protects the egg until we get it. I wish I had the camera with me when it looked like the Buff had two heads, one coming through in the middle of the Buff's body. Quite strange. The little ones are adjusting to their new digs, and though they come from two different batches and are not quite the same age, they get along very well. Their conversations in the garage seem to have scared off the squirrel that was living there. No sign of him since their arrival.

The vegetable gardens are becoming part of the Coop now, with the two new raised beds finished, and some planting done. Asparagus is starting to emerge, though still small. Carrots, peas, beets, onions, garlic, lettuce, strawberries, chard, all are showing their little selves. Jeanne has been harvesting lettuce for a month. We are eating some Kale that came up from last year. The new kale is emerging also, and finally there are some recipes to use it with. Wendy has some seeds in, Jeanne is adding flowers to the garden and has peas planted everywhere, Frank is waiting for Oryana plants to come in, and Jennie and Peg will work on a three sisters corner when it warms up a bit more. We have added two pear trees, three peaches (all decent sizes), and 15 rather small Black Walnuts to the land. The trillium is stunning this year and we are keeping the tent worms under control so far. First rhubarb harvested. Now if we could only find time to finish the juvenile coop and the other two pens. The girls are thrilled to be out roaming around in the woods so much lately, gobbling up bugs. They are behaving very well and come in like good kids just in time for Boots (the dog) to have a good run after a day at the office with Wendy.

Peggy, Happy Homesteader