It was a gorgeous day today to be working outside doing many things.  The high temp was 82 degrees!  LOVE the south!  We have been doing some cleaning around the farm, having fun with the animals, who seem to watch every step we make.  The baby goats are getting big and strong, loving this weather too, running and acting silly all day.  It definitely  keeps you smiling throughout the day!

Finally received our new laying chicks this morning!  They were shipped from Meyer Hatchery in Ohio on Tuesday, and showed up at the P.O. early this morning.  We combined an order with our friend, Dawn.  We have Gold Sex-Links and Leg Horns.  These two breeds are true laying machines!  Hopefully with these new girls, Katie will be able to fill some of her egg orders she has on her waiting list.     

"Inside animals" always curious when "outside animals" are in the house.  The cats love sitting on that warm brooder box!  The chicks will get to stay in for about a week before they move out to a little larger crate.  I admit, I just love hearing the sound of those happy little cheeps!     

I got this recipe from a neat website I have been visiting lately, Chickens in the Road.  Well actually,  it's a combination of a recipe and new baking technique.  It is a no-knead bread and instead of using a standard loaf pan or making rolls, I used a straight-sided casserole dish (with the lid on!)  The loaf came out very artisan bakery-like!  If you are interested in giving it a try, check out our website's Cooking Page. 

Could not be any happier...out pullin' weeds from our vegetable beds getting them ready to plant some seeds.  Putting in some carrot, radish, spinach, lettuces, brussel sprouts, peas, beets and potatoes!  Our vegetable garden is wedged between the horse pasture and the chicken coop.  It was a wonderfully warm day today with a breeze.  There are definitely moments that work isn't at all "work-like".

Katie felt so proud holding her beautiful "Mr. Champ" who just won Jr. Show Champion American!  I guess his name really does fit him!  She has worked so hard to take care and grow these birds correctly, that we were so happy to see her rewarded for her hard work.  She also had a wonderful Black Wyandotte Pullet who won Reserve Variety and Reserve Breed!  She can't wait to get chicks from these two!  She has renamed this girl, "Mrs. Champ"!  Katie brought along a Golden Laced Wyandotte Pullet who also won Best Variety!  What a great experience she had exhibiting her birds!  

This is, by no doubt, my favorite bird of the show!  I am completely fascinated by this exquisite goose.  It's a Brown Egyptian and it has the most intricate penciling on it's feathers.  I hope you can catch it in this picture.  I always search this bird out at the poultry show.

Yes, is the answer to your question.  There are shows for chickens!  We dropped off our 2 roos and 4 hens in Newnan, GA  at the Chattahoochee Poulty Show today.  Katie showed a couple of birds last year, which was her first experience showing poultry, and won a couple of blue ribbons!  It is so interesting to see all the different varieties of birds.  I have always appreciated the effort that people put into raising quality "anything".  People that aren't familiar with showing agriculture, and even horticulture, need to open their minds to understanding how important it is for people to raise quality beef, poulty, even vegetables.  Keeping a variety of genetically sound animals and plants is so important for our food supply.  The commercial producers focus primarily on one or two breeds that give them the most bang for their buck, which means, if they develop a disease or genetic weakness, it usually effects them all, thus, possibly compromising our food supply.  These plants and animals are typically treated chemically, which can change the way certain diseases and germs act, overcoming and adapting to the chemicals that are used to combat them.  So, next time you here of someone going to a "Chicken Show", or exhibiting their vegetables at a fair, think about the contribution that they are making to us all, knowing or unknowingly, working to preserve a safe and sound food supply! 

So happy to see those Daffodil's reaching for the sun!  The forecast for the next 10 days; High 60's and no freezing night temp's!  I took the heated water buckets out and stored them away until next winter...a sure sign of better days ahead! We had a great day yesterday...finally finished butchering the remainder of our rogue roosters!  Last 5 went into the fridge, and will be turning them into soup this week.  We have definitely gotten quite proficient with "processing" these guys.  Even though we are able to hatch our own, we went ahead and ordered about 30 more chicks.  Thirteen layers from a hatchery, and from a breeder, additional Wyandottes to boost up our breeding flock.  With the longer days, the horses and goats are really starting to shed their coats, and they are loving rolling around to itch.  Of course, they are such muddy boys!  Also, going through my seed packets.  Want to get carrots, beets and salad greens in the ground this week.  I saw some potatoes at the feed store last week.  Definitely want to get them planted in the "potato can" and see how that goes.  We have a poulty show this weekend and goat shows just 8 weeks away!  The resting days of winter are officially behind us!