I harvested these beets last night and washed them while watching “Nim’s Island.” It’s a cute movie though it lost my attention 3/4 of the way through. These beets turned out alot better than my last harvest - I think because of the ladybugs doing bad bug control. Only some of the leaves had been eaten and only a bit of those - so I washed them all and gave the slightly holey ones to the chickens. They loved them.
Speaking of chickens…
I named this one Wynn. She is my favorite and the only one I’ve named so far. My bro-in-law wants to name them “extra crispy,” “original recipe” and so on - GRRRRR. DH fixed the coop up more - he turned an old broken desk from his work into a nesting box area - the draws are the actual nesting boxes. It was pretty innovative - it never ceases to amaze me what that man can do with a skill saw and an electric screwdriver. We also hung the feed and water up from the top of the dog cage turned chicken coop - and he made a perch using a 2×4. I really want to let them free range but am feeling nervous - will they hop on the fence (just barely within reach) and get away? Will the neighbors dog smell them and somehow know they are out?
I can’t stand keeping them in their cage much longer but am feeling pretty protective of the girls.
Here is one of the hummingbirds perch - the tall skyscraper sunflower growing outside my window. 2 nights ago I went out and there were about 10-15 of these guys (girls?) swooping about - playing and darting close to my cat who looked like she was about to pounce. It was awesome - they got really close to me - less than a foot. It was amazing.
Any idea where they go for the winter? Do they like anything besides sugar water? And how do I tell the girls apart from the boys?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Your chicken is cute. I totally feel your pain. you want them to roam free, but you don’t want them to be eaten or abused or run away. If you’re nice to them and treat them well, I don’t see what’s wrong with keeping them cooped up. It shouldn’t be too stressful (I hope not), but I’ve never raised chickens in such a small space before. I love the name too. So cute!
Your beets look delicious. I’ve never grown beets before. How will you plan to cook them? I love pickled beets.
Nice Beets, and they look just the right size too. The bigger they get the more flavour they lose. Yours look perfect.
Hummingbirds?
I think they may migrate to the Southern Mexico/Northern Panama regions. A long way for those little wings to flap , innit?
DP - the eggs are sposed to taste better too if the chickens are free range - but they do seem pretty happy in their coop. I love pickled beets too - and that’s probably what I’ll do with them.
Mick - that’s been my experience - that they get tough and less flavorful the bigger they get. sounds about right - i’ll miss those hummingbirds…
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