So far (thank goodness) we seem to have avoided any bird flu, and the ladies are thriving, and laying well. The first broody hen has long since moved back into the regular coop, leaving her three teenagers to fend for themselves in their little “private shed”. They are getting pretty big, and I have started …
Author Archives: rpgreen61
Harvesting Honey
Although a couple of hives did decide to make swarm prep in June, and July, for the most part the bees are now satisfied to stay put, and are focusing on making honey. It looks to be a good honey year so far, and I am busy collecting the bounty of their work. With the …
Baby goats!
After anticipating their arrival since early June, the kids are here. It has been a bit of a rocky start, including: Today, having weathered the rough patch, the kids are thriving (and are acting like typical baby goat “jumping beans”), Mama goat is slowly getting back to normal, and I expect to be able to …
Madly multiplying bees
What a spring the bees have been having. After an exceptional winter, with 100% overwinter survival, the honey bees at Green Acres Farm continue to exceed expectations. Or maybe I should say that they have completely disregarded the bee instruction manual. My normal spring routine is to split strong hives in early May, as swarm …
Broody chicken mistakes
It all started a couple of weeks ago, when one of my hens decided she wanted to be a mother. When a hen’s mothering instinct kicks in, she “goes broody”. A broody chicken wants to sit on eggs, and once she has decided to do so, she can be pretty determined! She leaves the nest …
Swarm season
As we pass through these last crazy days of yo-yoing temperatures, I have been taking advantage of the warm days to assess my beehives. I love being back with the bees. And it is wonderful to find that this year I beat the odds. My honey bees had a great winter. Of my twenty hives, …
What to do about bird flu
I was so excited to be adding ducks this year….. but I have put that plan on hold. You may have heard that a very pathologic strain of bird flu is circulating this year. It is in Michigan, and has been detected in wild birds and in kept flocks, both commercial and backyard. What does …
Please excuse my bees
Boy, am I glad that the silver maple trees decided to start flowering today. Yesterday the temperature hit 65 for the first time this year and the honey bees were out in force, looking for food. It was great to see the bees healthy and vigorous after the winter. Unfortunately, while the bees were out …
Maple Syrup March
Isn’t it funny how certain childhood memories stick with you? Laura Ingalls Wilder’s description of maple sugaring in Little House in the Big Woods has stuck with me since my third grade teacher read the book to my class. I particularly remember the part about cooking the sap down far enough to be able to …
Goat Milking Hugs
Izzie is nearing the end of her first milking cycle. At her peak she was giving us a gallon of milk a day, but that is now down to a quart, and I expect it to continue to decline. Even if she is still producing, in 2 months I will stop taking milk and let …