The year 2016 flew past and is quickly coming to an end. Over the course of the year the farm has seen a few changes and additions. I am going to take a moment to look back on that year that was.
The spring started with our first attempts in adding animals to the farm from animals already on the farm. We took advantage of our chickens going broody. They were able to rear three broods of ducklings. The flock was up to 15 ducks strong at its peak. Due to losses, mostly from an undetermined predator, we are ending the year with 10 ducks.
We lost two chickens during the year one during the hottest and one during the coldest days. We have 6 chickens all will be 2 years old this spring. We will need to keep a close eye on production and make plans for adding some young blood to the hen house.
Kennedy received 2 mini rex rabbits for her birthday. Unfortunately we lost one. We have one friendly black rabbit. He is a big hit with the cousins when they come to visit.
The garden was almost a complete lost this last summer. We started with a very wet spring that was followed by an very dry and hot summer. I would love to blame the failure of the garden on the weather, but I can’t. I have been pretty ambitious with the size and scope of the garden. I will probably need to scale back to put more focus on establishing it.
This fall we added a new human to the farm. We welcomed McKinley Joy to the world on Nov. 22nd. She is doing great and already growing like a weed. She spends most days eating and sleeping, while be doted on by her two proud big sisters.
We hope you are all enjoying the holiday season as the year winds down. We are looking forward to what 2017 has in hold.
