tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69739537823689123742024-03-05T11:23:47.941-08:00The Urban ChickenBJ's process: raising chickens in a Brooklyn garden.BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-20745257049057299482011-05-23T18:48:00.000-07:002011-05-23T19:00:48.680-07:00That must have hurt!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLdSbejbm-wtBAW-SXcRGNcGe5NdyYUvSsq00hHJEXAb_OahaCFK-rpRLXeMeRa_W3nBbXuk5uV9qp0ZHGfl2ImWr3JdoR4xMQuug37dRk0_Ou9vmtJyi9mQRF3r9StlBhBupf20Rq-0/s1600/DSCN1386.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLdSbejbm-wtBAW-SXcRGNcGe5NdyYUvSsq00hHJEXAb_OahaCFK-rpRLXeMeRa_W3nBbXuk5uV9qp0ZHGfl2ImWr3JdoR4xMQuug37dRk0_Ou9vmtJyi9mQRF3r9StlBhBupf20Rq-0/s320/DSCN1386.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610096142937430722" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2N19Y5kZPg_rLu-eNqDRP27sQweFR9TX5N0qTKX83ZHPExdKyZzyj7zp_Uq6BUuDqrA-ACv1TMFJnNQimraiQDdnMj8uXJ-S3Ilq1dMI1ENXDl59tTbME0Tz1kdTkRTopWgeSb0nN8xE/s1600/DSCN1384.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2N19Y5kZPg_rLu-eNqDRP27sQweFR9TX5N0qTKX83ZHPExdKyZzyj7zp_Uq6BUuDqrA-ACv1TMFJnNQimraiQDdnMj8uXJ-S3Ilq1dMI1ENXDl59tTbME0Tz1kdTkRTopWgeSb0nN8xE/s320/DSCN1384.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610095577905815362" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsi5ePio2uGaLhY_3-wqL63HRoIfJ7tRtRoVU_0WebUxUSFAyI5gXUkQ0Wjt4jl6CFYh5Cx9bZO5rz-rQ5I34sHpIMsK6lzR2nEsmzLd4OPkP7I5yXPYBTzvs3bUKmjM0PbuFgwDqBpg/s1600/image.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsi5ePio2uGaLhY_3-wqL63HRoIfJ7tRtRoVU_0WebUxUSFAyI5gXUkQ0Wjt4jl6CFYh5Cx9bZO5rz-rQ5I34sHpIMsK6lzR2nEsmzLd4OPkP7I5yXPYBTzvs3bUKmjM0PbuFgwDqBpg/s320/image.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610095074174355970" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvbCS_75XRKVZAZO1el0mT6FQ2ocfI_o3BsKhNA7VxH5YqKENM1hf2aNpjXepKoBZVedbGnf0Eqsoh3U1Av_zxfUuE9OTBe9R_IZyBqpcbZz5rXLxrLWCnQbKBp2WqY52-EX_n_K-r3E/s1600/IMG_0175.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvbCS_75XRKVZAZO1el0mT6FQ2ocfI_o3BsKhNA7VxH5YqKENM1hf2aNpjXepKoBZVedbGnf0Eqsoh3U1Av_zxfUuE9OTBe9R_IZyBqpcbZz5rXLxrLWCnQbKBp2WqY52-EX_n_K-r3E/s320/IMG_0175.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610094564630283426" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZc1f6b69-A6mK9GSdgb4EPfmEZJd26ZBx1kalOhw1f6zj5dTf5-kV4NWyPX04xy8aypBm0fmi6N3mHpxsnG0pCFEQ7ArgU70Pb5hj1iaTBaXTUHsoxpAcv8NC4xTNjDwLLBAean9D140/s1600/IMG_0171.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZc1f6b69-A6mK9GSdgb4EPfmEZJd26ZBx1kalOhw1f6zj5dTf5-kV4NWyPX04xy8aypBm0fmi6N3mHpxsnG0pCFEQ7ArgU70Pb5hj1iaTBaXTUHsoxpAcv8NC4xTNjDwLLBAean9D140/s320/IMG_0171.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610094172282583362" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:16.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The chickens are doing well. Occasionally USPS puts out a VERY large egg, which literally splits at the seams. My latest concern with the girls is that every now and again USPS delivers an egg without a shell. I will increase the amount of oyster shell grit which supplies vital calcium to their diet. This should solve this problem. The end of May I will be getting two new baby chicks; a Barred Plymouth Rock and a Blue Andalusian. The chicks are going to be cared for by a neighbor and fellow chicken lover until they are old enough to join the big girls on </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Wyckoff</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> St.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:16.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This was another rough winter for the bees which did not survive the extreme cold for long periods of time. My teacher lost 80% of his NYC hives. They are Italians after all and not accustomed to the cold weather. I have installed two new packages of bees which I had to order from California due to the high demand and lack of availability through my club. Imagine the UPS driver walking down the street with two buzzing boxes filled with 20,000 bees total. One idea I have to address the cold weather and its effect on the bees is to install a new queen in the fall from stronger stock; perhaps Russian, although they can be quite aggressive and prone to swarm in the warmer weather. I was able to process one-and-a-half pounds of bees wax which I hope to make into candles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I hope that this summer I will have a chance to spend more time in the garden. Last fall I planted lettuce that has thrived this spring. After ten years it was time to rebuild a couple of raised beds in the "back forty". The new hen house, which is a palace, provided a good opportunity to redesign the center bed in a hexagonal design; think honey comb!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Happy Spring!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-62359917333446473572010-10-25T08:11:00.000-07:002010-10-25T09:16:09.824-07:00Fit for TWO Queens<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4joM8cWplckcjakh7p6oC7q_8eWD7Q3IL81u-WHJlqudiHhVqO60IUaujh-jrUOY90MoLP_ovjY0E4ipFni-xgU_26a7wBsoCSVAQFkqV8q7XnLnzXnbS_XgSTHcJCiR7AaxxOSpksA/s1600/DSCN1188.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4joM8cWplckcjakh7p6oC7q_8eWD7Q3IL81u-WHJlqudiHhVqO60IUaujh-jrUOY90MoLP_ovjY0E4ipFni-xgU_26a7wBsoCSVAQFkqV8q7XnLnzXnbS_XgSTHcJCiR7AaxxOSpksA/s320/DSCN1188.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532012989749547234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5se3H4IEX1ncd1H0MUW0QViv8RYGvmLFyNYwuiMBbt4XeZlVIQyPo14-kwSBHhZDvyemClSftLiaHzeThXj6fX29JiJYx_W_ChICyoCu-MVcI4b7nTXrjF14fXmeheZWOgXeaBcVU3iI/s1600/DSCN1192.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5se3H4IEX1ncd1H0MUW0QViv8RYGvmLFyNYwuiMBbt4XeZlVIQyPo14-kwSBHhZDvyemClSftLiaHzeThXj6fX29JiJYx_W_ChICyoCu-MVcI4b7nTXrjF14fXmeheZWOgXeaBcVU3iI/s320/DSCN1192.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532012531637186946" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGZlHfCNAyaBR-PVDMcJJwtbNsuy8ijO_xductmC3A4DAk05ZV6Ag0xH7Eznm0-6qaZQrB7Is591Eqpz_Td0qkPGOaWFj1nGXHSKzNjH4ytz_Yv9mPIS3HbAwP0wmwHhA7tlp2rbaR5w/s1600/DSCN1199.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGZlHfCNAyaBR-PVDMcJJwtbNsuy8ijO_xductmC3A4DAk05ZV6Ag0xH7Eznm0-6qaZQrB7Is591Eqpz_Td0qkPGOaWFj1nGXHSKzNjH4ytz_Yv9mPIS3HbAwP0wmwHhA7tlp2rbaR5w/s320/DSCN1199.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532012018406692530" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3O91CQoJR3jClKsW7O-A9td9HKSh39woVM4CvQRuM5D29ZjrDKEjp4o-yZCP8Mu7Z8E6bSKitmna3IFshpVaxV-chfI5wquk3gNlnU9EdBOWtSfY8CE4_5w5ubGMPm3TpvWHDzYHbPM/s1600/099crop.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3O91CQoJR3jClKsW7O-A9td9HKSh39woVM4CvQRuM5D29ZjrDKEjp4o-yZCP8Mu7Z8E6bSKitmna3IFshpVaxV-chfI5wquk3gNlnU9EdBOWtSfY8CE4_5w5ubGMPm3TpvWHDzYHbPM/s320/099crop.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532009451749382466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1pytjsvBuDRgYTm0phsaKRBjnvYt7Zqxzg8VOrN-6rWiWH1JrxhSS4UkAiWN-t1BUGCe5T0pDDNV6HjG_mT8HaCG-txt6pLkkRPfKB3_Rt7ORU2fG2u1dHzeoo50RlR_VdHVXHUPY9I/s1600/IMG_0132.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1pytjsvBuDRgYTm0phsaKRBjnvYt7Zqxzg8VOrN-6rWiWH1JrxhSS4UkAiWN-t1BUGCe5T0pDDNV6HjG_mT8HaCG-txt6pLkkRPfKB3_Rt7ORU2fG2u1dHzeoo50RlR_VdHVXHUPY9I/s320/IMG_0132.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532009204305376194" /></a><br />The girls knew something was up when they were allowed free range in the garden AND their hen house started being dismantled. What was most exciting was the unearthing of creeping and crawling things for them. Then the real fun began. I had decided earlier in the spring that it was time to replace the old hen house and run with something more suited to their place in our life. I finally bit the bullet and purchased a "mini coop kit" from <a href="http://www.horizonstructures.com/coop_landing.asp">Horizon Structures</a>. The kit arrived earlier in the week and I arranged with my friend Mike to put it together. With Mike's know-how it only took him three-and-a-half hours to assemble. I was nothing more than the gofer. I guess the description "mini" could be applied if the structure was on a larger "farm" than we have, but to us it looks gigantic. I plan on reworking the raised beds in the center of our "back 40" (feet, that is) to give more visual space. The beds are now more than 10 yrs old and the wood is starting to rot at the joints. It provides the perfect opportunity to redesign things. Call it a face lift for the garden. And who knows, there's lots of room for more hens . . .<div>Meanwhile, the bees with my help are getting ready for colder weather. They are being fed a thick sugar syrup with Honey-B-Healthy and Fumagilin-B to ward off Nosema. Also, soon I will place grease patties with wintergreen oil and trace mineral salts inside the hive to help them even further, through the colder months. It was a modest honey harvest, but sales were fast and furious for what there was. </div><div>I was able to enjoy bit of nature in the back yard after many weeks away. Every August we are visited by hummingbirds. Also, the monarchs are on their 3,000 mile trek to South America. This one met with an untimely death at the jaws of a preying mantis on our Bodelea. I look forward to more time in the garden next year. </div>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-81463584248314555002010-07-13T05:43:00.000-07:002010-07-13T06:12:13.312-07:00Good Eats<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7awuhjAxecrEGjNoYNX4HWnLryuQR3ViIFFBLw72EKoOn8HIhAbUmK00N7XAVwhBA8vtk76_QjvavloRBj_ZRTePf_WyKiUa3dtCwZ-wO5KCXBux5OBZ-KgqPPV3dsOPhmRt3T7ZKkc/s1600/IMG_0168.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7awuhjAxecrEGjNoYNX4HWnLryuQR3ViIFFBLw72EKoOn8HIhAbUmK00N7XAVwhBA8vtk76_QjvavloRBj_ZRTePf_WyKiUa3dtCwZ-wO5KCXBux5OBZ-KgqPPV3dsOPhmRt3T7ZKkc/s320/IMG_0168.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493375829707731474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTLBtVo4dDhhWntWOaq6rhSzI7o8tKMDilJgR8R_YzfgvdIb6Q8Eqm-aAbvt-W4e2o7l06oMvOTMp7cr3uLbc-EFgc1NVnogFhBJrRahunnl0iZ2rwnoVDUPvW386kjynkXVTAEpuIP8/s1600/DSCN0922.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTLBtVo4dDhhWntWOaq6rhSzI7o8tKMDilJgR8R_YzfgvdIb6Q8Eqm-aAbvt-W4e2o7l06oMvOTMp7cr3uLbc-EFgc1NVnogFhBJrRahunnl0iZ2rwnoVDUPvW386kjynkXVTAEpuIP8/s320/DSCN0922.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493375221861260818" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">On July 11th our dogs Buddy and Ellie were cited in a <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/lifestyle/pets/doggone_gourmet_xRsFuKameHc93c5LsAa4CN">New York Post article</a> by Jennifer Senator called "Doggone Gourmet." It's pretty close to how we feed our dogs daily. I owe the inspiration to Wende's cousin Tim, who introduced us to the BARF diet (bones and raw foods) with his labrador retriever ten years ago. <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/lifestyle/pets/doggone_gourmet_xRsFuKameHc93c5LsAa4CN">Read the article</a></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">I am currently on my twice-a-year "liver cleanse" - three weeks of mostly fruits and vegetables. Our garden and the local greenmarkets are providing for us all. Just remember: you are what you eat. </div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></div></div>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-24202730779983163992010-06-20T15:21:00.000-07:002010-06-20T16:16:05.811-07:00We've moved!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18kGkJuAgjLnjQnIk8YoZhvzu_hbsjIr2Mv-BRqrlc29FFumkf5_wJSBiVGl-DfO78Hvyol6Buth6TyGCaPAPPsi_QrCIerM-BxGdlNB-w-q9Wkz_vGZgPV_jk395tA27JeZnmYrrLiU/s1600/DSCN0771.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18kGkJuAgjLnjQnIk8YoZhvzu_hbsjIr2Mv-BRqrlc29FFumkf5_wJSBiVGl-DfO78Hvyol6Buth6TyGCaPAPPsi_QrCIerM-BxGdlNB-w-q9Wkz_vGZgPV_jk395tA27JeZnmYrrLiU/s320/DSCN0771.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484997810486435394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qdxrTt1q-NNb9q1kipwCdgWpjiZysmzuI1hq041xs9_78PV0i9PHQCud-X1gYuCg95RISZpw7YuJezvmw4B2I7wpPcxTPMWZ-rjtZ661YfzvO-PVlXjQ3nYvJYzt4dx-g8tQ0Fs5qao/s1600/P6022649.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qdxrTt1q-NNb9q1kipwCdgWpjiZysmzuI1hq041xs9_78PV0i9PHQCud-X1gYuCg95RISZpw7YuJezvmw4B2I7wpPcxTPMWZ-rjtZ661YfzvO-PVlXjQ3nYvJYzt4dx-g8tQ0Fs5qao/s320/P6022649.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484997279954821842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUtB5lYCXR6Tm9XAu-0OjxIb4G25HJm5mI62cocK2L5aF9yEnzRPXzIiRLLWmn8HBnVEf3BVIi7MfVYzQAoHX7_gW7P1oBvbwR7oVgPFaaIY41NBS8FdnZp1lCPiOiQc3zLy21ZOUA84/s1600/DSCN0800.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUtB5lYCXR6Tm9XAu-0OjxIb4G25HJm5mI62cocK2L5aF9yEnzRPXzIiRLLWmn8HBnVEf3BVIi7MfVYzQAoHX7_gW7P1oBvbwR7oVgPFaaIY41NBS8FdnZp1lCPiOiQc3zLy21ZOUA84/s320/DSCN0800.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484996710553618754" /></a><br />As you all realize by now I am not one to post a new blog entry every time the girls lay an egg. On the contrary, I'm lucky if I get around to a new post every six dozen. The biggest news is that after the winter's tragedy and loss of the bees on the roof, I have two new hives which are now located in our garden and a neighbor's garden three doors down. No longer do I have to make the climb up a vertical wrought iron ladder carrying deeps, mediums, frames, smoker and everything else needed to maintain a hive. The loss of the girlz over the winter was profound, but the two new colonies are thriving. I always wanted two hives to compare and contrast and they are living up to my expectations. The hive in our neighbor Jennifer's garden is growing quickly already well into the first medium. The hive in our garden is slower to draw out comb and I have only just put on the first medium. It could be that "Queen Jennifer" is more aggressive, but it could also be that that hive gets sun sooner in the morning. That said, it has not stopped the girlz in our garden from stinging the beekeeper. I now cover up completely even in the hot weather and wear latex gloves which is where they've been getting me. My acupuncturist, Adrienne (affectionately referred to as "the witch doctor") has been treating me for allergies to all things hive related, so I have not swelled up as in the past. The stings on the tips of fingers hurt like crazy, but the swelling doesn't travel past the first knuckle.<div>I am woefully behind with gardening, but the plants don't seem to mind. We are having the largest first crop of raspberries we've ever had. I've got to think it's the bees. I was also inspired by an article about a farmer in Maine whose tomatoes are planted like little soldiers no more that 8 inches apart with little-to-no foliage except at the top of the plants, but laden with fruit from the soil up. So far so good; lots of fruit with lots of trimming off of leaves and suckers and lots of support. The garlic has started to come in, all of which I planted last October. I'm trying something I saw in a gardening catalogue called potato bags which promise lots of potatoes in a small space. That's perfect for our "back forty" (feet, that is).</div>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-51884123489538660882010-03-11T05:41:00.000-08:002010-03-11T06:22:57.058-08:00It was a winter of extremes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGeFTDFOO9Ho5EcHQ0QX592INLMBhjAcci4gOUBqKtIF2tJTE4RpTK8OSti1p1K0ax_2RD4t_QflRK9jOklP9QlxCwicW5dBO0BH4J0HAXsi2qYdtIY_XoCUW7MrspDAHguxSTQFAElI/s1600-h/DSCN0678.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGeFTDFOO9Ho5EcHQ0QX592INLMBhjAcci4gOUBqKtIF2tJTE4RpTK8OSti1p1K0ax_2RD4t_QflRK9jOklP9QlxCwicW5dBO0BH4J0HAXsi2qYdtIY_XoCUW7MrspDAHguxSTQFAElI/s320/DSCN0678.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447381453308907714" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KSl44OfbPYspYa4t0gc2_AxpFegxQ3I8px0hJo7RNSAEpmXDA_k26xSkb391FDKZwWhpgcxrZ5sQvc6pXxnSzcaqmYIrmtscwlzSLVf_3lVnQfJ8w9tpqmwpxnNXRnuelUVAjpoQY5U/s1600-h/DSCN0694.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KSl44OfbPYspYa4t0gc2_AxpFegxQ3I8px0hJo7RNSAEpmXDA_k26xSkb391FDKZwWhpgcxrZ5sQvc6pXxnSzcaqmYIrmtscwlzSLVf_3lVnQfJ8w9tpqmwpxnNXRnuelUVAjpoQY5U/s320/DSCN0694.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447380850912562562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhpgl9QCDowYYKgrimyoKXL643lc1Yw8j3eiY1pyDZrIv7vhXIMvQO8_BSZ1Bmqijh4VL5l0DxGacV0ilgVpe1_pjlm5vuy9a9lh-xFk347fzCK15YSe4nz8IaUawo-iJXqB5eh1Ocz4/s1600-h/DSCN0698.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhpgl9QCDowYYKgrimyoKXL643lc1Yw8j3eiY1pyDZrIv7vhXIMvQO8_BSZ1Bmqijh4VL5l0DxGacV0ilgVpe1_pjlm5vuy9a9lh-xFk347fzCK15YSe4nz8IaUawo-iJXqB5eh1Ocz4/s320/DSCN0698.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447380410053085026" /></a><br /><br />The bad news is: my girlz, the bees, did not survive the winter. On a recent sunny, warm, pre-spring day I opened the hive to check on their condition. There was a small cluster of bees around one of the top bars, all dead. After looking further I found another small cluster in another part of the hive, also dead and random bees throughout the hive, all dead. I had feared this having gone up to the roof earlier in the month on a warm day and seeing no activity outside the hive opening. It's hard to express how I felt. After all, they're just bees, but I felt as if I had let the girlz down. I spoke to my beekeeping teacher and he said it sounded as if the bees had broken cluster on a warm day and couldn't regroup to cluster when the temperatures dropped. There was nothing I could have done, but I knew what I had to do now. I got all the necessary tools including my IPod and began to disassemble the hive. I was listening to the Bach "St. Matthew Passion" as I took out frame by frame and brushed off the dead bees. The top "super" was filled unused honey. I set those frames aside to take downstairs later. The two "deeps" were picture perfect; honey in the corners of the frames and pollen too, unused. There was no indication of foul play; no disease and no intruders. There was some wax moth on the bottom board, but that's normal, and there was none on the frames.<div>The good news is: because the frames were in great shape I can use them for a new colony as is. The frames are already drawn out and come with honey and pollen to give the new girlz a great start when they're hived. Also, I will be able to extract all the honey that was not touched in the top "super" to the tune of some 30 lbs. Now that's what I call an early harvest! I have ordered two new boxes o' bees with the idea of starting another hive to be placed in the garden. The climate on the roof is so extreme I'm thinking a hive on the ground might have an easier time of it. In a week or two we should find out whether our efforts to legalize beekeeping in NYC succeeded. This would be a big step towards making our city and lives greener. </div>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-18439367301720536462009-11-10T13:48:00.000-08:002009-11-10T14:34:44.038-08:00Is it fall already?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ke7TjoN_PeKOjWGRbzlM4tq8veeNmCr-lZV1Px0E8hpMkqsTUDKUQ-wjpYemhfyNSwrR0FUlL3t89ijGGMmHP6TcCPE7Vr3cOJy-EfxBs_JbmjcwARtM2c3AgL7fcfcVhJTb82Ysf3Q/s1600-h/DSCN0504.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ke7TjoN_PeKOjWGRbzlM4tq8veeNmCr-lZV1Px0E8hpMkqsTUDKUQ-wjpYemhfyNSwrR0FUlL3t89ijGGMmHP6TcCPE7Vr3cOJy-EfxBs_JbmjcwARtM2c3AgL7fcfcVhJTb82Ysf3Q/s320/DSCN0504.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402606311326312482" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjtS-GTzOuoC7uGOAGE8-ePTwr8MwWTKLL1RHDb7ZdAXvGt8fSaV3PWS2BiQiRkTjOMfsoQ8W0IHaYXgRQ7eQR-4rVo34ZqMYvuL4wzLxv5-Jal_Xx0p-GoiFXZCXZwkoIW5-zvibioU/s1600-h/DSCN0567.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjtS-GTzOuoC7uGOAGE8-ePTwr8MwWTKLL1RHDb7ZdAXvGt8fSaV3PWS2BiQiRkTjOMfsoQ8W0IHaYXgRQ7eQR-4rVo34ZqMYvuL4wzLxv5-Jal_Xx0p-GoiFXZCXZwkoIW5-zvibioU/s320/DSCN0567.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402605597865330722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-0l0CMx9q5IIvqJnMwYUKI8029YiU2sSqM12nSQqexaXmdHJJa3-spWmJ-eJrLgCtXcPCl7xS7jKK1mRZqfa61odsrWjHFihh6n0Mbec2JdnjUJhyphenhyphenKV6TIy5_p-yrhMTI6dC2HuonWo/s1600-h/DSCN0568.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-0l0CMx9q5IIvqJnMwYUKI8029YiU2sSqM12nSQqexaXmdHJJa3-spWmJ-eJrLgCtXcPCl7xS7jKK1mRZqfa61odsrWjHFihh6n0Mbec2JdnjUJhyphenhyphenKV6TIy5_p-yrhMTI6dC2HuonWo/s320/DSCN0568.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402605120300569554" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsEImVcrjb-aoMdk6vDbwXqlYh9oUwMjLEDcANg07nZnwqdVk3aOCus4SFwtE5Y8qr6tjbNXINWHIL2zZN07xFKCntE5JpVy7pR5X9r_H3SaxsHfcGpgu5lnveTMgV4am9Tq6wwmBxR4/s1600-h/DSCN0563.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsEImVcrjb-aoMdk6vDbwXqlYh9oUwMjLEDcANg07nZnwqdVk3aOCus4SFwtE5Y8qr6tjbNXINWHIL2zZN07xFKCntE5JpVy7pR5X9r_H3SaxsHfcGpgu5lnveTMgV4am9Tq6wwmBxR4/s320/DSCN0563.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402604347504700962" /></a><br />The new beekeeper, or should I say "newbie keeper", has so many experiences the first year of the hive's operation. From the thrill of installing the bees, to the glee of the first harvest, to the fear of the oncoming cold and closing up the hive for the winter. We've been quite lucky with the weather so far with warm temperatures, so I delayed truly closing up the hive until today. I have been feeding the girlz; first with medicated sugar syrup to ward off nosema, a kind of disentery, but in bees, and then with something called Honey-B-Healthy, which promotes a healthy immune system. I've also made "grease patties" including crisco, LOTS of sugar, honey, trace mineral salts and wintergreen oil to prevent tracheal mites which can devastate a hive. I've wrapped the hive in tar paper to maximize heat absorption and retention, and loaded the top of the inner cover with sugar should they need extra stores during the cold months. There's adequate ventilation so that moisture will not accumulate, and so now it's up to them. For those who have had the pleasure of their honey, my girlz do a great job and I feel quite protective of them.<div>The garden continues to bear tomatoes, just some cherries at this point, but I've planted fall greens of bok choi, kale, chinese cabbage, spinach and lettuce. This is all done in a cold frame setup and should take us through the spring with fresh greens. This past week we've had a visit from a large praying mantis which seems to enjoy sunning itself on the east wall in the back. They are very good for gardens and I consider them good luck. Now, if only the cat would stop thinking of it as a toy!</div>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-48894110548527748982009-09-12T16:24:00.000-07:002009-09-12T16:57:29.306-07:00A harvest like no other<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRLKAalpqrpj_0Tb0BsVXAwp24p1_udnvYXnd35ZrBZfiDp4SuT6YdOsuhhigVYYnFbUinB6YqxJFxeh9SVmBXlVaWHeVZd5F8xl25GlR-Z19PX-9Og2ciLWeGvdeXapOjTTmkyhyphenhyphen62I/s1600-h/DSCN0379.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRLKAalpqrpj_0Tb0BsVXAwp24p1_udnvYXnd35ZrBZfiDp4SuT6YdOsuhhigVYYnFbUinB6YqxJFxeh9SVmBXlVaWHeVZd5F8xl25GlR-Z19PX-9Og2ciLWeGvdeXapOjTTmkyhyphenhyphen62I/s320/DSCN0379.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380731496534866418" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgofJ-RtpIM8jyrxnfNqjlALEUi7dpdwuFzD6yZGWxVCdYU35JL19Kp9ZCO4TsPHE3qO5VKGrScvzofURVuHZ0MJyY0TsyJRyQJHAJiB0DIyU9SN_Wg6TwsSMb8TLJip_3unshIgnRtk/s1600-h/DSCN0379.JPG"><br /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zSmEENiHvicXSvOVz2CxHJok6ittvKtLLNJUKiOpWf6YF9Eq2osZoMxZ6ychzcbfoij1bgPx6x8ophow481dQmpadJiSSAgsCWsevftAAnWmfXNTbJ_3t_baUm6dWOqlKCuRgEwo0so/s1600-h/IMG_1230.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zSmEENiHvicXSvOVz2CxHJok6ittvKtLLNJUKiOpWf6YF9Eq2osZoMxZ6ychzcbfoij1bgPx6x8ophow481dQmpadJiSSAgsCWsevftAAnWmfXNTbJ_3t_baUm6dWOqlKCuRgEwo0so/s320/IMG_1230.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380729743071162562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1uUhEKeuE3Xl7-1uRfi6C7OGOvjOkWynKy3pGqgVY9bZk99X-cztoxDVsdNI1f5lOr0FKihcMCSU3Tnres_CSzZAujFs4AqDHA9fN8gNEBr5c3WJM6pyLq1-2gYAlDairH3Iinf_-S4/s1600-h/IMG_1219_1.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1uUhEKeuE3Xl7-1uRfi6C7OGOvjOkWynKy3pGqgVY9bZk99X-cztoxDVsdNI1f5lOr0FKihcMCSU3Tnres_CSzZAujFs4AqDHA9fN8gNEBr5c3WJM6pyLq1-2gYAlDairH3Iinf_-S4/s320/IMG_1219_1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380729550525455314" /></a><br />I was away most of the summer "up the river" at the Bard Music Festival.<div>First I sang in Meyerbeer's opera "Les Huguenots" </div><div>after which the </div><div><br /></div><div>Bard Music Festival was all about "Wagner and his World". In between weeks with four inch stiletto heels as a Catholic noblewoman I came home to check on the garden and the menagerie. Wende held down the fort very well; feeding and watering as instructed. Around about the end of July I harvested 30lbs of honey from the hive on my roof. Given the fact that the hive was started the day after Easter, this is miraculous. There's no guarantee that there will be a harvest the first year of a hive and there needs to be enough honey for the girlz to hold them through the winter. All in all I'm exceedingly pleased, and look forward to next year and more honey and learning about bees.</div>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-37215428086392031032009-07-20T19:27:00.000-07:002011-05-23T18:47:06.973-07:00How sweet it is . . .<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYWjLU1GMcCnGFztBNXXLhoZcFSSr_xFj_l3csPMNU4_BFFOv9bVF8nGiRnH7esOR0ietTcEBEwtBgK-KcGGpFCrSBJknO28FQSBBuoX_tz5e8qm7uEE8JmMzTUMfYELbEacYXvb3Erk/s1600-h/IMG_0115.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYWjLU1GMcCnGFztBNXXLhoZcFSSr_xFj_l3csPMNU4_BFFOv9bVF8nGiRnH7esOR0ietTcEBEwtBgK-KcGGpFCrSBJknO28FQSBBuoX_tz5e8qm7uEE8JmMzTUMfYELbEacYXvb3Erk/s320/IMG_0115.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360747717518232034"></a><br /><div><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#0000EE"><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000000"><br /></font></font></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77ylVGRhzdxmGcsjVHHAw3XxUb18bOD9pGBe8nr0QpguyKwl5mWJUyvpBt6154GUH5KgndX9_kK2RyhKd3rI64QO2aIV7YoXjdNIzjTuz755UqH-ccetheS7G_NsL6GrkmhkEa7Z1sJ4/s1600-h/IMG_0123.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77ylVGRhzdxmGcsjVHHAw3XxUb18bOD9pGBe8nr0QpguyKwl5mWJUyvpBt6154GUH5KgndX9_kK2RyhKd3rI64QO2aIV7YoXjdNIzjTuz755UqH-ccetheS7G_NsL6GrkmhkEa7Z1sJ4/s320/IMG_0123.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360745247268069058"></a><div style="text-align: right;">L<span><span></span></span>ately I've been very busy preparing Meyerbeer's opera "Les Huguenots" at the <a href="http://fishercenter.bard.edu/calendar/event.php?eid=106382">Bard SummerScape</a> festival. I'm gone most of the week parading in 4" stiletto pumps on stage, but come home on Sundays and Mondays to tend to the menagerie and the garden. While I'm away things are in good hands with second in command, Wende. The other day she said, "You know, it's like going shopping in the backyard. I stop to pick a bunch of raspberries on my way to collect Uno's egg and on the way back to the house I pick some Sungold tomatoes and a couple of cucumbers." That was one of the nicest compliments I could get. The garden is looking beautiful and bearing just enough produce for the two of us. Yesterday I unearthed several dozen heads of garlic. It won't last long given my style of cooking, but it's a start. Today we had an even sweeter reward. After only three-and-a-half months of beekeeping I removed approximately 60 lbs of honey from my hive. The girlz were very cooperative and no one got hurt in the process. The whole experience so far has been incredibly rewarding and I am grateful to Andrew Cote and the <a href="http://www.nyc-bees.org/">New York City Beekeepers Association</a> for the guidance and support. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-89628603480106236562009-06-29T04:40:00.000-07:002009-06-29T05:31:05.379-07:00We're waiting for "USPS" to deliver<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSaU50OF5LR2JjrNGiWzV3GGHSGZvPYb53GHUhFv8M7tLYGR4tEuCYj4WqWF6gDLbKQ-3287myqwMcRkpLthk6nJs1ACAPVKALN8beoPrdX6yk6scRrHbdlSYFxuAOlbEoLWymnf46x8/s1600-h/DSCN0310.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSaU50OF5LR2JjrNGiWzV3GGHSGZvPYb53GHUhFv8M7tLYGR4tEuCYj4WqWF6gDLbKQ-3287myqwMcRkpLthk6nJs1ACAPVKALN8beoPrdX6yk6scRrHbdlSYFxuAOlbEoLWymnf46x8/s320/DSCN0310.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352723027499598242" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbZvNb37qwCz3Es53NmNwPMcL3IjLNqrA5SeeR4W6auXJ5v77hMbZ2U_r-QIWBo46cmuxjLfRP6GNu_nkj3jihALb-Uk2G1VOYyYIRzoF3Q0SO_K9pChwdNdDpoK6TFXt2V3Kqr4yDEg/s1600-h/DSCN0332.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbZvNb37qwCz3Es53NmNwPMcL3IjLNqrA5SeeR4W6auXJ5v77hMbZ2U_r-QIWBo46cmuxjLfRP6GNu_nkj3jihALb-Uk2G1VOYyYIRzoF3Q0SO_K9pChwdNdDpoK6TFXt2V3Kqr4yDEg/s320/DSCN0332.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352721901382864242" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtACxnAsxTu31tQW1Of7p7pPXq4BJ1y4-7mMhiVHIkWQ_CPh6DW7dfA7Eohn-w-7pCcP41VqK4tORYUou5xc4gde0X2s0pqYltycJUGF6zUICl5CI0x0hGXgodA6_3oPN7uesxefStx8/s1600-h/IMG_0919.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtACxnAsxTu31tQW1Of7p7pPXq4BJ1y4-7mMhiVHIkWQ_CPh6DW7dfA7Eohn-w-7pCcP41VqK4tORYUou5xc4gde0X2s0pqYltycJUGF6zUICl5CI0x0hGXgodA6_3oPN7uesxefStx8/s320/IMG_0919.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352720567941350002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUAXT5ls1xPuZVWv4qxxXrqrXJkWMmxUJrlp4rxuVV07ti-x7ZnSH-kPfVSVK-j4FljMCza-R05h5Cp1UEYd0kg6JJZcBiSjsKhyphenhyphenBRsEhzdpcxNQIK-d64qtxVGX8jqIk021k0ffZsjc/s1600-h/DSCN0332.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></a>USPS is a beautiful Black Star pullet that arrived from <a href="http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/">McMurray Hatchery</a> June 17th with great thanks to Carmine our postal delivery man. Our fowl girls are co-habitating, at least. It was touch and go for a while as Uno wasn't so sure she wanted to share her kingdom with anyone else. There was much chasing and hen pecking which has now mostly stopped. I expect USPS will be a dynamite layer, but she still has some growing up to do.<br /><div><div>Meanwhile, the garden is thriving due to all the rain in June. I put together some bamboo teepees, as always, to support and corral the growth of the indeterminate tomatoes. The "body bags" on the roof of the shed seem to be doing well. Already in are snap peas, cucumbers, zucchini and yellow squash and the first of the pole beans should be ready by the end of the week. </div><div>Last week I added the second medium to my hive on the roof as the girlz are going like gang busters. Our source revealed to me he sold us "super bees" and that while the rain tends to slow the growth of the hive, you can never make generalizations when it comes to bees. The good news is: we will have honey this year. The bad news is: we will have honey this year. How and when we will extract it is yet to be determined.</div></div>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-38501043494717408492009-06-02T18:34:00.000-07:002009-06-02T19:06:47.419-07:00The Urban Gardener<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55nKjbQmnP0ijg3be-zVVtcWNkkJYYHi9D5sIjL_bqNKp65D5re7er46koXaHBWLLXu7Uh34oR3cHf0n76s3MMe467IYix1ikngehEGpNdJWjG4jYkpdA1JmNQEz17RXcRQ24uJh2oCo/s1600-h/DSCN0299.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55nKjbQmnP0ijg3be-zVVtcWNkkJYYHi9D5sIjL_bqNKp65D5re7er46koXaHBWLLXu7Uh34oR3cHf0n76s3MMe467IYix1ikngehEGpNdJWjG4jYkpdA1JmNQEz17RXcRQ24uJh2oCo/s320/DSCN0299.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342909675426978610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpej0p8JM95R4aFWhwbhOKPSXACaRFW-pWnc-RggZCZC1Jb-YSb2J1J5fynlmnjuhgMNcocerbqjhvm0ADAELIZP74ME_X8pK8UHxY3A2_LZrBZR2FJANB2qo5b9GSutjIyrsW0OfY7AI/s1600-h/DSCN0294.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpej0p8JM95R4aFWhwbhOKPSXACaRFW-pWnc-RggZCZC1Jb-YSb2J1J5fynlmnjuhgMNcocerbqjhvm0ADAELIZP74ME_X8pK8UHxY3A2_LZrBZR2FJANB2qo5b9GSutjIyrsW0OfY7AI/s320/DSCN0294.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342909270603871746" /></a><br />As urban gardeners the biggest challenge one faces is space. This year I figured out a few ways to increase crop diversity and yield (see the previous blog entry). Last summer I found it possible to grow more cucumbers vertically than one family could possibly need/want, pickling not withstanding. And, my zucchini and yellow squash took over an entire walkway in the garden. I realized they all needed more horizontal space than actual root space. By trellising and what I refer to as my "body bags" on the roof I could add pole beans in pots against the back of the house and sugar baby water melons on the roof of the shed. Doing this left more room in raised beds for tomatoes, eggplant, etc. and a constant planting of lettuce throughout the summer.BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-76237908522781438592009-05-03T13:09:00.000-07:002009-05-03T13:52:05.135-07:00Spring's a-buzz<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gUS3kzwlBJTqEJNVfXVsDllNkIl6t-9krwKulMe-Z8uwXg5dgfGK-DrT7t5jr2GJTtOW-B02_kdE03x6eu6r-elTfmG6eIG2M5q25NGx-Rm9QBEa6DqOX_0Xm-SnSM7bjCeuzkG-fCU/s1600-h/DSCN0184.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gUS3kzwlBJTqEJNVfXVsDllNkIl6t-9krwKulMe-Z8uwXg5dgfGK-DrT7t5jr2GJTtOW-B02_kdE03x6eu6r-elTfmG6eIG2M5q25NGx-Rm9QBEa6DqOX_0Xm-SnSM7bjCeuzkG-fCU/s320/DSCN0184.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331703034192977634" /></a><br />Well, there's good news and then, there's the bad news. Or, should I say, sad news. Let's get that over with first. Last week we found "Red" dead in her laying box. It was sudden and inexplicable. She was lethargic Saturday evening and Sunday morning she was gone. I'm pretty good about these things with farm animals. She was a great layer. Actually, I don't know how old she was, so perhaps it was just her time. She had a great life here, albeit brief. I have ordered another hen from <a href="http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/">McMurray Hatchery</a>. She'll arrive mid-June. So for the time being "Uno," who keeps scratching along - not to anthropomorphize things - seems to be wondering what happened to her friend. She has really stepped up to the plate however, and is laying with great regularity. I've replaced our Rhode Island Red with a Black Star pullet which I understand are laying machines. This we like.<br /><br />The good news is multi-fold. Life in the hen house can be rather mundane; they eat, they lay, they . . . so I've decided to expand the blog to include my growing passion for sustainable urban living. This includes my most recent acquisition of 12,000 honey bees. As some of you may know, pollinators in the world are in big trouble. For the honey bee it is known as colony collapse disorder or ccd. And while most of the world is worrying about the collapse of the economy (and, by the way, where's MY stimulus?) guess what, no bees = no food, so, no amount of $$$ is going to buy you that piece of fruit that no longer exists without bees. <br /><br />I picked up my box-o-bees at 7 AM Easter morning, along with my beekeeping partner Charlene. We hived the two colonies (that would make 24,000 total bees) the next day. Everything went according to plan and the girls are now busy playing house with their queen, and a few useless drones. I will do my best to keep you updated with exciting news. It's all pretty exciting to me whereas it's all pretty textbook according to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beekeeping-Dummies-Howland-Blackiston/dp/0764554190">"Beekeeping for Dummies"</a>.BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-84991966788835073162009-04-15T03:51:00.000-07:002009-04-15T04:02:41.788-07:00Spring has sprung<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgdehjfNnFtnZX8-ZMGFhR3PZFCl9cmnHA9ev7_cS_l0BgMukrZCTWeW3TOUh95SKa_7cLMhy0Cy0Tw0tPyYOU8bnVr7o-rCDQGOOi6LJI0wIXYuYJJA-aNZ194qNMLYzgonDfRxQDOg/s1600-h/DSCN0135.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgdehjfNnFtnZX8-ZMGFhR3PZFCl9cmnHA9ev7_cS_l0BgMukrZCTWeW3TOUh95SKa_7cLMhy0Cy0Tw0tPyYOU8bnVr7o-rCDQGOOi6LJI0wIXYuYJJA-aNZ194qNMLYzgonDfRxQDOg/s320/DSCN0135.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324871361108302114" /></a><br />Despite the still cold temperatures, sometimes in the low thirties, we have already begun feasting on goodies from the garden. The "girls" are now literally cooped up, otherwise we'd have a moonscape instead of a garden. They are voracious eaters and are drawn to anything green, or red. I supplement their diet with lots of leafy green trimmings gleaned from a local green grocer and they get a little bit of raw meat. I think they'd prefer to be out and about, but . . . too bad! As our farmer friend once said, "Have you seen the size of their brains?!"BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-35729236352100974772009-02-12T15:52:00.000-08:002009-02-12T17:13:32.848-08:00Happy Hunting!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6Yh0U5KOEWbH4SbOIlw64zHc_T-PnR0dr1H49ru30vNQETQShu0Lt69mpxdtdFzSwFVRhlL_p27yaiowCfoYtmUQfYr3L-R007r3obqaYusEikNFwzbvPYJKSDj8sFRpZVWhaBtK0WU/s1600-h/DSCN0110.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6Yh0U5KOEWbH4SbOIlw64zHc_T-PnR0dr1H49ru30vNQETQShu0Lt69mpxdtdFzSwFVRhlL_p27yaiowCfoYtmUQfYr3L-R007r3obqaYusEikNFwzbvPYJKSDj8sFRpZVWhaBtK0WU/s320/DSCN0110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302067150225060370" /></a><br />Chickens are carnivorous, believe it or not. The other day I watched out back as "Red" chased "Uno" around the yard. "What's going on?", I wondered. I stepped out back and continued to watch. Red would chase Uno. Uno would outpace her, stop, and then Red would chase Uno again. Our # 1 mouser since the fall has been Scooter, our Maine Coon kitty. However, now we've got a team. "The girls" appear to be very good at catching mice who like to frequent our two composts. Uno caught a mouse the other day and Red was obviously quite envious of her prize. BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-55330612816873404702009-01-20T06:19:00.000-08:002009-01-20T06:37:54.405-08:00We never lost hope . . .<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMJVVKlOKX7JZwsSpI_LReZgXRYr_esb_kYIXfMv9T2Xota0qxc5FqEsXAvvSFguv5AI0NcyJwTMmsBn79Z5oVPzVc1O3Ef9JrL0HD1wWnljn0p1owVaXtBtmddQGlvSrRv_07hx-nIw/s1600-h/obama_hope.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMJVVKlOKX7JZwsSpI_LReZgXRYr_esb_kYIXfMv9T2Xota0qxc5FqEsXAvvSFguv5AI0NcyJwTMmsBn79Z5oVPzVc1O3Ef9JrL0HD1wWnljn0p1owVaXtBtmddQGlvSrRv_07hx-nIw/s320/obama_hope.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293385048398074706" /></a><br />On the eve of the inauguration, after not laying for well over three months, Uno made her contribution to celebrate a new era: a beautiful blue egg. Despite the subzero temperatures the girls continue to thrive. I am amazed by their heartiness. After all, we humans wouldn't survive a day in weather like this. The lettuce I planted in October is still doing well under clear shower curtains. I expect to pick a few heads in the next couple of weeks. The seed catalogues have begun to arrive and anticipation is high all around for an expanded garden planting (think roof top).BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-89891584554524359982009-01-03T08:09:00.000-08:002009-01-03T08:23:15.307-08:00They're Still Alive!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmZFs1itSOZvTNPDvUixdk3l9y3dCq-KzQhxG9aiRef5tM8oxu5HsK4qwd_HLNNcCp9rRxbq_bKCeHMPuijUexgvYyPAUiDlquGQMhR2u-g5KjF45jtH8KDy1TWeel4g6a6ZTji_yJ4k/s1600-h/DSCN0043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmZFs1itSOZvTNPDvUixdk3l9y3dCq-KzQhxG9aiRef5tM8oxu5HsK4qwd_HLNNcCp9rRxbq_bKCeHMPuijUexgvYyPAUiDlquGQMhR2u-g5KjF45jtH8KDy1TWeel4g6a6ZTji_yJ4k/s320/DSCN0043.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287103681623160642" /></a><br />With our first accumulation of snow and some below freezing temperatures "the girls" hunkered down for their first winter in Brooklyn. I made some insulated panels to attach to the sides of the coop for a little added protection from the elements. The panels can removed come spring, but for now remain in place. Uno, the Araucana from south of the boarder, has been freeloading for months without an egg. Red, after her molting period, got right back in the saddle and turns out an egg a day. BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-92015975201665580842008-11-09T17:39:00.000-08:002008-11-09T18:07:50.470-08:00Take a powder<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VaOEYrN_vXVfTPVIj-g9zR_jxhQbVfl2bFK2th5dDT-uTGSWLx6vfeTlTa4ZQKP_0PBLPW1uCIGbxUoH2sw7v4L9MDV_JfhSwJyv96TEWAqt3cdY2b7zY8_d9FKJFVNgX8lh7Lwjt7g/s1600-h/100_2389.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VaOEYrN_vXVfTPVIj-g9zR_jxhQbVfl2bFK2th5dDT-uTGSWLx6vfeTlTa4ZQKP_0PBLPW1uCIGbxUoH2sw7v4L9MDV_JfhSwJyv96TEWAqt3cdY2b7zY8_d9FKJFVNgX8lh7Lwjt7g/s320/100_2389.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266844473807436658" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">It's fall and it's time to reinvent the garden. So far I've planted over 100 lettuce, arugula, spinach and radish plants which should be ready for harvest in January/February. I have redesigned the raised beds with 1/2" pvc pipe covered with clear, used, shower curtains. Leafy greens like cool weather so I'm still hoping to plant mustard greens and kale. Space is, as always, at a premium. An interesting part of the fall is, as I now know, dusting the "girls" for mites. As their dusting area is compromised by the fall weather we must help them out with a forced dusting.</span>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-36811671503468884002008-08-28T16:47:00.000-07:002008-08-28T17:01:03.590-07:00It's not JUST about the chickens<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDE3Ar8saiPJdHBoVyp-_nyLHDKmEcrnJjo-1HdmnfDf7DGQ2dNOlp3dwxVlnQI3gngyLQRpocyhgZBs0TcXVfneqI_vZV_gQhJBBZPJXTPifcx9cGVfwhetEIfaTrDlW3iPMGV0Ed2pk/s1600-h/100_2303.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239722840816545058" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDE3Ar8saiPJdHBoVyp-_nyLHDKmEcrnJjo-1HdmnfDf7DGQ2dNOlp3dwxVlnQI3gngyLQRpocyhgZBs0TcXVfneqI_vZV_gQhJBBZPJXTPifcx9cGVfwhetEIfaTrDlW3iPMGV0Ed2pk/s320/100_2303.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>One of the philosophies I try to embrace is sustainable living. Getting the chickens was a further step towards what we started 8 yrs ago in our back 40 . . . feet that is. (This is Brooklyn, after all.) We have encouraged our tenants to contribute by giving them a house warming gift of a compost bucket. They have responded very positively. Their "trimmings" not only feed the "girls" but also feed the two compost bins we have. This year's produce has been spectacular. With tomatoes weighing in at 1 lb+. We've had squash galore, cucumbers for days. prolific peppers and green beans beyond number. </div>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-20129350748433196902008-08-13T18:16:00.000-07:002008-08-13T18:29:34.770-07:00Whose idea was this, anyway?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jh1CHaKJIO7bRn5qOf8VgNxuV-l9AxDftXPnc955GUGH_Am_XvE-gyeSH70o5weVVcJ7-1X6PdAewyJZF1EJqPgC3ddVZJlv1g0MLQlJ2U5Gm3gmi9C6w4VPgKso9f_zB3pmYtED7Rg/s1600-h/100_2297.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234178486498020898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jh1CHaKJIO7bRn5qOf8VgNxuV-l9AxDftXPnc955GUGH_Am_XvE-gyeSH70o5weVVcJ7-1X6PdAewyJZF1EJqPgC3ddVZJlv1g0MLQlJ2U5Gm3gmi9C6w4VPgKso9f_zB3pmYtED7Rg/s320/100_2297.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Guest blogger Wende: </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">When we first got the chickens, I asked BJ how often they needed to be fed. "Twice a day," she answered matter-of-factly. "We'll never travel again," I lamented. That's not true. BJ has gone upstate to sing at the <a href="http://www.fishercenter.bard.edu/bmf/2008/">Bard Music Festival</a> this week, and I'm home tending the ark: dog, cats, chickens. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">I have to say that our little quarter-pound-egg-producers are less than docile at dinnertime. I'm feeling eerily like Suzanne Pleshette in <em>The Birds</em> every time I step out into the garden with a bowl of fresh greens. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Do life insurance policies cover acts of chicken? </span></div>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-3389154579127308522008-08-09T18:38:00.000-07:002008-08-09T18:53:18.707-07:00Good eats!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctFSON5ThT5LkS_3-v7r0-sujArYGHmtoTQemrufD6mqLI5w-VzXQ0TJXczuasSdizd1kZTvyngb_c0VLmy1xTw0rRdnyvlDqkZ9CtMkTyL_sSbg4GlTqklEUrc1yUhgittBwXdh1nVs/s1600-h/100_2274.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232698212503732082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctFSON5ThT5LkS_3-v7r0-sujArYGHmtoTQemrufD6mqLI5w-VzXQ0TJXczuasSdizd1kZTvyngb_c0VLmy1xTw0rRdnyvlDqkZ9CtMkTyL_sSbg4GlTqklEUrc1yUhgittBwXdh1nVs/s320/100_2274.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>With artisanal bread, Flying Pigs bacon, microbrewed beer and our own eggs, it's hard to imagine greater bounty! We are blessed indeed. </div>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-65962688357828234472008-07-24T17:54:00.001-07:002008-07-24T18:10:44.544-07:00You are what you eat<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CkqSXBxA1Lek95skaNQhvhuT0N9AWktzbZWSW83AwG8r1TlbgZblYMrZM_G2Rckzj8kpHZvwMHFvbGF3jGGZIT2kfQDysajFdxKFEnIfopP3lH1GIzT1l_O86vJ0pf2AnuLmMUI_Qx4/s1600-h/100_2268.JPG"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIw_5U_rQro5X_5mjdFhpecLCrrdzdlrXuEwILqkOWiwtlvqq_5OdHTZRSltS7izszgVcUSlEoSicIXJir4BHSmVf0lSiP6f0-1hRJ1FCLSQavFgyDfpgCje97eZywr0aozyugmZ2jAY/s1600-h/100_2269.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226750657493253506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIw_5U_rQro5X_5mjdFhpecLCrrdzdlrXuEwILqkOWiwtlvqq_5OdHTZRSltS7izszgVcUSlEoSicIXJir4BHSmVf0lSiP6f0-1hRJ1FCLSQavFgyDfpgCje97eZywr0aozyugmZ2jAY/s320/100_2269.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">OK, these are the best fed chickens in Brooklyn. Possibly the best fed chickens in New York City. They get organic greens, morning and night (leafy greens and root vegetables). Because we have the whole house composting for us, I have no hesitation about picking out the choice "trimmings" from our tenants' compost buckets: strawberries, tomatos, melons, etc. They also get 1 1/2 cups of laying feed and 1 1/2 cups of cracked corn with oats each day. I'm a little put off by their carnivorous nature, but they also enjoy raw meat, so I've been giving them extras from our dog's raw food diet. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">The girls follow me around in the garden. They know where their "bread & butter" comes from. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">All of this good eatin' is making good layin'. </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">I had to laugh when I brought in the biggest egg I'd ever seen come out of a chicken this morning. It weighed nearly four ounces minus the egg cup. And that brown egg is from Red, our "little" hen. Her big sister Uno makes the little blue eggs. </span></div></div>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-20795747139964254102008-07-09T17:42:00.000-07:002008-07-09T17:51:34.408-07:00Get out of Jail Free<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqGKZRxnUlWzWD3OBXXRptB3yMzFG46Fl6b01OOisZrIMBi7QN8W3TU19a1erVfvDE58aFS498JdCgKwdombnpY2atUDVfT1asqJ2aBtsNNbkoWsR-3GydxGdGplW3GzuVpvTkaoeTN4/s1600-h/100_2262.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221181398266456754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqGKZRxnUlWzWD3OBXXRptB3yMzFG46Fl6b01OOisZrIMBi7QN8W3TU19a1erVfvDE58aFS498JdCgKwdombnpY2atUDVfT1asqJ2aBtsNNbkoWsR-3GydxGdGplW3GzuVpvTkaoeTN4/s320/100_2262.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The girls LOVE to be in the garden. I usually let them out in the mornings with me before it gets too hot. They're quite good at spotting bugs and tender greens to nibble on. As much as I'm not concerned about my "lawn", we will certainly have the best bit of grass in the neighborhood with all their fertilizing. Our cat Scooter is, I think, somewhat intimidated by the chickens, and yet curious. "What are these large birds? And why are they in my yard?"</span></div>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-5301073631629752112008-06-08T12:30:00.000-07:002008-06-08T12:54:03.546-07:00And now there are two<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZvF5jZOBtzLA1JzoeDw8HmhcX2en3cR2REQlo2PECN_RQWmWPDhBXpsx26-Sny5lFKg_IQLvhfliwwYc6jrnbspwK31i7jJ_KGSfPRlYp4kEHudIs6bvvIRv8jgNt21e9V8JYDpchHo/s1600-h/100_2225.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209600850506610146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZvF5jZOBtzLA1JzoeDw8HmhcX2en3cR2REQlo2PECN_RQWmWPDhBXpsx26-Sny5lFKg_IQLvhfliwwYc6jrnbspwK31i7jJ_KGSfPRlYp4kEHudIs6bvvIRv8jgNt21e9V8JYDpchHo/s320/100_2225.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONRLaRwD_racnXtXKpvVaMftjBER0OoI5_amyAV88spk90Ce1W4MZzv1rvwrIZnKp31WWlhKKH_n0BkjfqEEa3WWyqUQPtp_Ze_3zERef0ElElhrONYDZyPE70sELaCrDcoGqHQ9qy2E/s1600-h/100_2229.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209600545095596290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONRLaRwD_racnXtXKpvVaMftjBER0OoI5_amyAV88spk90Ce1W4MZzv1rvwrIZnKp31WWlhKKH_n0BkjfqEEa3WWyqUQPtp_Ze_3zERef0ElElhrONYDZyPE70sELaCrDcoGqHQ9qy2E/s320/100_2229.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7H98rHKtwwlrUNkSOxNIJDauV-Z9QqvISy5s71iZaT3hE0-4VurzyNHarfM01nVDuWUzWUZPjisV-GT8P8SlHhrF2qYkf8m-6HPNm0YAXweake3uQFNWiLfOwjLjlDYGs59tDtSZnZ_Y/s1600-h/100_2225.JPG"></a><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">After three weeks of solitude in her Brooklyn spa (do chickens need or crave company?) Teddy the farmer at the Fort Greene Greenmarket came through, and Uno is now sharing her coop with Due, a more docile Rhode Island Red than the one that hen-pecked Uno on the ill-fated day of her arrival. Our new girl promptly went to the laying box and added her contribution to Uno's blue egg. </span></div>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-18522438908980105112008-05-28T19:38:00.000-07:002008-05-28T20:15:29.189-07:00And then there was one...Uno<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2OSzwKi8rrEaOBF_cSf-nqRntxEFI0jw9tdV2qoNT03f58LLcN1SfzGWqSZsqziLjDEDZt_0c1gj6RiungS5tGsGjqrwjht3heM6T4EIQGM-r3BqtlWgT1m5x_Rwm8eINFbidRcKoGc/s1600-h/100_2182.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205628374998643954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2OSzwKi8rrEaOBF_cSf-nqRntxEFI0jw9tdV2qoNT03f58LLcN1SfzGWqSZsqziLjDEDZt_0c1gj6RiungS5tGsGjqrwjht3heM6T4EIQGM-r3BqtlWgT1m5x_Rwm8eINFbidRcKoGc/s320/100_2182.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">OK, it's been a rough week. Half an hour after I posted my last entry, Ellie, our sweet, loving Lab/Swiss Mt. dog broke through the screen door, raced into the garden and broke through the chicken wire underneath the hen house. Within seconds only the Araucana was left. The Leghorn and Rhode Island Red had each given us an egg before their demise...and since then we've had a blue egg every day from "Uno," as we've named her. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Ellie is no longer welcome in the garden unless tethered to the window bars. She has almost stopped barking from the upstairs windows and is settling down, and not rushing to the back door every time I go out back. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">We've had advice from ex-farmer dog walking friends in Prospect Park on how to "cure" Ellie. (Wende, in a rare cynical mood, likens the dog's therapy to the Ex-Gay movement: I'm trying to get Ellie to control her behavior, if not her impulses.) Our friends suggest beating the dog with the dead chicken if this ever happens again or hanging it around her neck for 24 hours where she won't be able to stand the smell. They grew up on farms and say this works. We live in residential Brooklyn and doubt we'll try it. We do welcome suggestions from other dog and chicken-owning urbanites. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">On Saturday I confessed what had happened to the farmer who'd given me the chickens. He was unfazed and happy they hadn't died of disease. He's bringing me another Rhode Island Red this weekend. More brown eggs to come.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">And really, these organic eggs are absolutely delicious. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">My remaining girl is eating up all of the greens I give her, and chortling happily while watched carefully by one of our Maine Coon kittens. (Did I mention we have two cats, as well as Cujo?) </span></div>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-35403890251717089152008-05-17T16:00:00.000-07:002008-05-17T16:00:00.562-07:00At long last, the girls have arrived<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuK2glz-1zoBaF-s7Ilifok8JW7mS5L73MmAlU3wIXQu3JvcgnOAHlU9ws7EYGNRT4jiRjNEEFMhkMgFTjMJ8rArGCJeZn8GIgYaciabcNsJtPGRAB7OnwnUOuMGxSobbybuM2vIb21eM/s1600-h/100_2179.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201426400559658642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuK2glz-1zoBaF-s7Ilifok8JW7mS5L73MmAlU3wIXQu3JvcgnOAHlU9ws7EYGNRT4jiRjNEEFMhkMgFTjMJ8rArGCJeZn8GIgYaciabcNsJtPGRAB7OnwnUOuMGxSobbybuM2vIb21eM/s320/100_2179.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9i8GGkwkOCQsv2FoMx2vQohF3aNA1R6sPusAd53xr8SCeG5QJLSXvcQgKX1NKcy2QZpBjJvsIu5eatIoziSonyme6Us6nMv7mZE2WIMY8M1s_Ly3Elxi8p1D3vYxaagvDK9urUWE4xs/s1600-h/100_2175.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201426142861620866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9i8GGkwkOCQsv2FoMx2vQohF3aNA1R6sPusAd53xr8SCeG5QJLSXvcQgKX1NKcy2QZpBjJvsIu5eatIoziSonyme6Us6nMv7mZE2WIMY8M1s_Ly3Elxi8p1D3vYxaagvDK9urUWE4xs/s320/100_2175.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTYgmPkZQunyQ6cCOWFgSZY6W9gu_QbEVhKiqFGTXtgOFMfhaAYmrIPQLaV-g7wh0Fa1Hw7oUa6MgQUmqhYE2ODeKt9m0oa0lhQzNPFNk2Mn1heaXV2ssAS_jTywtE6nXW3hl4P7LSSU/s1600-h/100_2155.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201425932408223346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTYgmPkZQunyQ6cCOWFgSZY6W9gu_QbEVhKiqFGTXtgOFMfhaAYmrIPQLaV-g7wh0Fa1Hw7oUa6MgQUmqhYE2ODeKt9m0oa0lhQzNPFNk2Mn1heaXV2ssAS_jTywtE6nXW3hl4P7LSSU/s320/100_2155.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWreVRYB4lnYibUoweLHiKL8npzmozr19635yBFAusWIuhnkePRNTbbThRJDfyyGAF_CVAjfb7XTgbySa4gQ61yMbGpk8yXEtOb56dGE5cuFgRAhBBlvJAIz3268nxVzJX6UWjl8sKPM/s1600-h/100_2168.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201425515796395618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWreVRYB4lnYibUoweLHiKL8npzmozr19635yBFAusWIuhnkePRNTbbThRJDfyyGAF_CVAjfb7XTgbySa4gQ61yMbGpk8yXEtOb56dGE5cuFgRAhBBlvJAIz3268nxVzJX6UWjl8sKPM/s320/100_2168.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQtHvGjq5E4ygZ1QzUWlYUa2AH_oKMkxMvUgo8iW7HabmvfwauMQVpcpHnSw5BjmWIGfdy5lhPORN17f4jCe2W0-RfF0WEQffB4Dvj7J3efbl4ukVfvxqS7OFXtXIZdn4S5fXHU2UDI0/s1600-h/100_2174.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201425167904044626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQtHvGjq5E4ygZ1QzUWlYUa2AH_oKMkxMvUgo8iW7HabmvfwauMQVpcpHnSw5BjmWIGfdy5lhPORN17f4jCe2W0-RfF0WEQffB4Dvj7J3efbl4ukVfvxqS7OFXtXIZdn4S5fXHU2UDI0/s320/100_2174.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewChUI05S6vQ6Ps-FbsbQ553MHyXijDCcWRuTlWdDf_z9io5Z0IA0AXylrzvIBPJEqekQGhoIjv4IMJVpj5rMluv7Q58dfQyYxQ_QZt7Ugy55fPopKdycgZIhWIU7OqkikWIYMZkmS6g/s1600-h/100_2155.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I've been dreaming about getting chickens now for months and months - and today my dream has come true! Thanks to Teddy, a farmer at the Fort Greene Greenmarket, I now have three girls: a Rhode Island Red, a Leghorn, and an Araucana. They've laid two eggs in the six hours since they arrived: brown and white. (Next up: a blue egg from the Araucana, and it'll be Easter every day!) </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">I had originally planned to build my own hen house from a pair of discarded shipping boxes, but it was too complicated and time-consuming. So I bought a Chick-N-Hutch and Chick-N-Pen from <a href="http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/product/chick_n_hutch.html">McMurray's Hatchery</a> online and put it together a few days ago. </span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br />Yesterday I went to the Kensington Stables near Prospect Park here in Brooklyn and bought a bale of hay to dress up the girls' new home. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">They're settling in nicely. The day's biggest challenge has been introducing our puppy Ellie to the girls... </span></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p></div></div></div>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973953782368912374.post-9902872750705242082007-11-13T13:06:00.000-08:002007-11-13T13:08:07.616-08:00The Urban Chicken<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw88EwBX95SpuLefjm4y6DQF2iuc-mvMKnrWmN1RJCqia1BWMWTCENbwks2g_ZgY17Cm8tOqI2Z4FfbPdyVhhDOLGdaprDA-mnzikCgoBlWqVi8NywfjODYG3xQxmuw40u7yhGqrmLVag/s1600-h/araucana.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132434440727490434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw88EwBX95SpuLefjm4y6DQF2iuc-mvMKnrWmN1RJCqia1BWMWTCENbwks2g_ZgY17Cm8tOqI2Z4FfbPdyVhhDOLGdaprDA-mnzikCgoBlWqVi8NywfjODYG3xQxmuw40u7yhGqrmLVag/s320/araucana.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I'm getting chickens for my Brooklyn garden and thought this would be a great way to share my process with other urban chicken enthusiasts. </div>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632368881057173905noreply@blogger.com1