Spring Is On Its Way

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Good morning, Chics! Are you ready for spring? I am! We're working hard at home to prepare things for the upcoming planting season. Let's talk about what we've been up to. 

Over the last few days, we started two big projects: a new chicken coop, and tilling garden spaces. The weather was glorious and I've got a tan to prove it. My favorite time of year is the day I get my first little sunburn. That means that the cold weather is about to go away. Yay! There are also plenty of sore muscles around here. Ouch!

Remember back in January when we got those cute baby chicks? Well, they are getting big and it's almost time to move them outside. Chickens are funny creatures that require a little special handling when integrating new members into the flock. Last year whenever we needed to integrate new chickens we simply locked the newcomers in the coop for a week and the older chickens were locked in the run at night. This gave the babies time to learn that the coop was their new home, where they would return for safety.

This early in the year, however, it's still too cold to keep chickens out of the coop at night so the babies will move into a brand-new coop. The coops are separated by a chain link fence so the chickens will get to know one another during the day and when the babies are big enough we'll integrate the two flocks.

The best thing about the new coop is that we don't have to host baby chicks in the house from this point forward. The new coop will be a brooder/housing for new chickens until they are ready to join the old flock. I'm also planning to plant a chicken garden this year so if you have thoughts on what I should plant, please comment below. Also, leave ideas for how to keep the chickens from tearing up the plants. I'm thinking about using chicken wire for protection but would love to hear how you have succeeded in protecting your plants until time to feed your chickens.



While the guys were busy building the coop, my daughter and I were tilling gardens. Some people do not believe in tilling and they have some valid reasons. I grew up watching my dad till and plant very successful gardens every year so I till. What are your thoughts? Are you pro-till or no-till? Leave a comment below telling us why you do or do not till your gardens. 



Last year we had two pretty good-sized gardens. This year we will expand those and add at least three more; including the chicken garden and a medicine wheel garden (more on that in an upcoming blog). We plan to grow corn and sunflowers for the chickens because both of those items have become very expensive over the last few months. We'll plant potatoes, okra, squash, peppers, tomatoes, and lots more in the other gardens. 

The chicken coop should be ready for occupants by Saturday and that is just in time for my nieces to arrive for spring break. Let me know what color you think we should paint the coop. See you next time, Chics!

P.S. Check out our YouTube channel to see the upcoming videos of the coop build and the new chicks' move-in day.

https://www.youtube.com/@chicnacks

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