The Egg Basket is Four Corners Rabbitry (-:B

If you follow us on our Facebook page, then you already know that we sold most of the farm just before Thanksgiving last year.  My health continued to decline after the issues last February and sadly it became too much for me to keep up with.  

You may have even noticed that thankfully, after a long transition with Facebook, our page has now officially become Four Corners Rabbitry.  It's finally consistent with the changes we've made to our show and breeding focus, website, and this blog.  All of my old articles and information is still here, I left it for future use and because- hey- I worked hard on it and I'm sure it's information is still valuable to other homesteaders.   Gardening, baking, homeschooling, and other homesteading will still be a part of our lives (and my blogging) but in a suburban setting and a larger shift comes in our breeding and showing switching to our rabbits. 

The Egg Basket has become a small family rabbitry,  Four Corners Rabbitry and we are enjoying the new journey immensely.  Four Corners Rabbitry for the four corners our yard now has and the children and I being the four corners of it.   We are specializing in our lionheads still and have also added Holland Lops.  Our lionhead program has improved by leaps and bounds!

The blessing of it all is that we were able to find a home very close to family, one that cut my husband's commute by over an hour, positioned me much closer to my cardiolgist and pulmonologist, closer to my son's classes, and allowed us to continue showing and breeding our beloved rabbits. 

Without the farm to care for, we have been able to travel to shows for the past couple of months, I can focus my energy on my family and home and we are finding the rabbits to be a great joy and full family hobby (yes, even my dear husband has a few!)  We are happy and the rabbitry is already successful I'm happy to report.  I'm going to be posting our most recent three shows and the outstanding wins the kids have had at them in the next day or two.  In the meantime, if you're curious, you can view our beautiful herd on our new website.   Check out the Nursery page for the newest little kits- if you think baby chicks are adorable, wait until you see the rabbit babies!

Meet the Flock ~ The Blue & Splash Silkies

 

Meet the Flock ~ Our Wonderful Blue & Splash Silkies

It's been awhile since I've introduced you'll to the chickens that make it all happen here at The Egg Basket.  We've really been moving things around, adding new Exhibition birds to our flock, hatching a TON of chicks, and making decisions on where we want to go with our lines.  I think we're finally where we want to be (for now ;)) with our breeders, layers, and lines. 

One of the runs we've made quite a few additions to is our Blue & Splash Silkie flocks.  Chance made the impressively responsible decision to focus on his Blue/Splash variety Silkies and sold his Golden Lakenvelders (we are no longer carrying that breed) to make room.  It was a difficult but important decision in ensuring he has the room to continuously improve on his line.  We added some gorgeous new birds and we can't wait to introduce you to our new and complete Blue & Splash Silkie flocks.

The Strong Handsome Roosters~ 
Now, you'll know I'm a fan of roosters.  I've been known to stand up for them time and time again and I truly dislike the way they're treated amongst many who raise chickens.  I'm for the humane treatment of ALL animals but I also think roosters, in general, get a "bad rap."  I digress, here meet two of the sweetest roos you'll ever see.  Our two Splash Silkie boys are true gentlemen!

Meet Jordan!

Jordan (in an awkward angle and with a fresh crest cut above) was our first Splash Silkie rooster.  He's been with us since he was just a few days old.  Jordan was named Seleena for many months, but don't tell him that!  He's grow into such a handsome rooster!

He's friendly and caring to his ladies.  How in the world would we know a rooster is friendly to his ladies?  Well, whenever we provide treats or he finds food while free ranging, Jordan calls to his ladies and alerts them to it.  A lot of roos do this, but Jordan will not ever eat it until his girls have all had some first!  Whenever they're out free ranging, if one of the other roosters back in the coops make too much noise while his women are trying to enjoy some grazing time, Jordan runs (in his chubby legged funny little way) right back over to the coops to huff and puff at them!

 

As I mentioned, Jordan's crest looks light right now because we gave him a well-meaning "haircut" after housing him in his breeder's coop/run.  Sometimes this is necessary for Silkies so they can see better to, "get the job done" when breeding.  In his prime, pre-crest cut, (below) Jordan was an excellent show cockerel.  He most recently placed 1st Cockerel at the State Show here in Virginia, the VPBA Fall 2012 Poultry Show.  He may head back into some later Fall shows this year after he grows that glorious full crest back out but we'll see.  He may be a "made man" these days!

 

Meet Toby!

I knew from his first day here that Toby was the perfect fit!  Right out of his shipping box from a long Two day trip from North Carolina, rather than being high strung or frazzled, he let Chance hold him and he even fell asleep in his arms as Chance rubbed his crest!  Not all roosters are so docile!  This was Toby's first day- first HOUR with us after we picked them up from the post office.  You can tell because he still has watermelon in his beard from the fruit his other kind mama put in the box to keep him well during his journey to us!

Toby and Jordan could have been twins with their gentle personalities!  I couldn't have chosen more perfect roos for these pens.  I, in fact, did not choose Toby but a dear, caring friend did.  She said she knew in her heart that he and Chance were perfect for each other! It doesn't get better than that, now does it?  Toby has proven himself to be better and better with each day he's been with us.  He's also gentle and kind with his hens and Toby and Jordan even free range their ladies together now without any issues.  They are probably the ONLY two roosters we can do this with and not be on guard for any trouble! 

 

Not only is Toby a complete gem as far as personality but...WOWSA! Look at this man! He's an incredibly good looking Silkie rooster.  Chance absolutely can NOT wait to show Toby at the next show he can!  Toby has already been shown successfully by his previous owner and won in Three different states!!! It doesn't get much better than that, except he's also an amazing breeder!  We're so blessed to have Toby running our second Blue/Splash pen and VERY  grateful to have him as part of our flock for so many reasons!

The Pretty Caring Ladies ~

Meet Sassy!

Sassy is the sweet, gentle mama hen of the Blue/Splash pens.  She's 2 1/2 years old and has the maturity and kindness of an older woman but still blesses us with gorgeous chicks.  Sassy has been a successful show champion and is a prime example of beauty & grace.


Meet Luna!

Now, a group wouldn't be a group of any kind without at least one Drama Queen!  Luna is the "Bad Girl" of the bunch.  She's feisty and likes to have things her way among the other hens.  Luna insists on having her fair share of "personal space."  She adores Chance and enjoys his company so long as the other hens don't crowd in!  Luna is 1 1/2 years old and also has her fair share of wins in her show belt.

Meet Blueberry!

Blueberry is a working beauty!  If there's dirt, compost, pine chips around, this girl is going to dig it. She's the miner and housekeeper for the pen, constantly scratching and moving the soil around.  When the runs need to be raked, Blueberry's is always the easiest because she's composted it all for us!  Between her mining and her eating habits, she keeps a messy face, Chance stays busy keeping her beard clean!  Another Show Winner, Blueberry isn't your typical beauty queen, she likes to roll her crest back and get scratching and unearthing wiggly treats as much as any LF farm bird. 

Meet Jade!

One look at Jade and you see type and crest!  Chance has nicknamed Jade, "Pom Pom" because of the perfectly fluffy, round crest she sports.  On other days we call her the Tornado Jade because of the fast pecks she can hand out to the younger juveniles that try to face her.  Most of our seasoned juveniles know Jade has no patience for them and doesn't want to bother with having her place in the pecking order challenged.  She saves all of her lovely attention for us and Jordan!  She's known to fall asleep in our laps once she's completed her grazing and wants a nap. 
 

 

 

Meet Jackie!



I'm sure you see a theme here, I think ALL of our chickens are sweet and amazing!  I guess that's how all Farm Moms feel! Jackie is another snuggler, and she loves to talk to us.  If I make the mistake of approaching the runs or coming to let Miss Jackie out with ANY type of food in my hand, Jackie baby lets me know!  She's a chatterbox always talking to us and letting us know her thoughts!  She wanted me to let her fans know that she just finished hatching and brooding a chick for the first time so she's a little light in the cushion and crest right now, it will fill back nicely and she'll be back entering the show arena by Fall!

Meet Lilac!

Ah! The lovely Lilac.  I've been a fan of this girl since we hatched her 6 1/2 months ago.  Lilac is a Blue split to Lavender Silkie pullet.  She's absolutely stunning (and kind of course!)  I'm in love with her wings, her cushion, her look!  Lilac is quiet compared to Miss Jackie but just as loveable.  She's been laying for just a couple of weeks now and we'll begin setting her eggs in a couple more.  Lilac is currently housed with Jordan and I can't wait to see the beauties they produce!

Jordan with his girls.

The Younger Blues~

Meet Meaty!

 

Meaty is quickly becoming one of my favorite juveniles.  Meaty was the very first offspring of Jordan and Jackie hatched 1/29/13.  He's a talker like his mom and a gentle snuggler like his Dad.  This boy is for sale - most days! I continue to hang on to him because I've fallen in love with the young cockerel but he will eventually need to go to a home with his own ladies.  Meaty has exceeded our expectations and we're very proud to have hatched him.  As the first of Chance's "line" he proves there are great things to come from our Blue/Splashes!

 

Love what you see?  We do occasionally have chicks and/or Fertile Hatching eggs available from our Blue/Splash Silkie lines.  Visit our website here for what we currently have available or to be added to our waiting list. 

Feeling Lucky? 

 

We're giving away 12 FREE Fertile Hatching Eggs over at our community blog, Farm Chit Chat.  Hope over to enter the Giveaway, there's plenty of other prizes involved too!

 

See you soon!

 

Blessings,

Tiffany

The Egg Basket is published, as a contributor in "Must Love Chickens"

 

The Egg Basket is published in Erin Kelly's book, "Must Love Chickens" available at Amazon.com!

It's official! We're published!  The Egg Basket is pleased to announce Erin Kelly's book, "Must Love Chickens" has been released.  We're a contributing author and photographer to the book and very excited about it!  It's inexpensive ($2.99) and full of ideas and information from us and other knowledgeable chicken keepers from different perspectives.  Go download yours today!

Farmers Love

Farmers maintain a special relationship with their livestock.  We provide for them, care for them, pat them, hold them when they're sick, help them from their shell when they're stuck during hatching, help them birth their calves, foals, be there as needed.  It can be our lively hood, hobby, or provide sustainable, healthy food for our friends, family, and neighbors' tables.  It's also more than that. 

There's a mutual love and respect for God's green Earth and beautiful creatures.  It can be hard to explain until you feel that warm earth in your hands with the sun beating on your back as you work your gardens and crops; or when you hear your first "I laid an egg" song from a pullet you've raised from hatch or even conception and your heart swells with pride.  You might do a happy dance in the  middle of the field or yard, you may call your father or grandmother and give them that smile from their own farmyard memories.  Just a warning, my friends, once you've felt it, there's no going back!  You're one of us, a farmer, a caregiver, a provider, and there's no going back!

Along with the companionship and nourishment we receive comes a lot of responsibility and strong commitment.  The sense of that varies in different degrees from farmer to farmer but to maintain a successful, healthy farm it must be there in good measure.  It doesn't matter if your farm is on a 1/4 acre lot in a city or on 100 acres in the country, any farmer worth their salt must have that something that drives them to get up at the crack of dawn or rooster's first crow and get the work done. In terms of livestock, we all know there's feeding, watering, providing medical care, housing, and safety from predators and harm.  It's hard work and a lot of it but it's oh so worth it!  We're always learning, striving for improvements, talking to each other, and working some more! 

We're starting a series on The Egg Basket blog about taking care of the poultry on our farm- the chickens.  I'll be blogging about some recent events that set us back, made us catch our breath, and realize just how much this farming thing means to us.  We've had to work harder than ever to save our little chicken farm and get it running back on track in the healthy, sustainable way we feel God intended and with that learned some things on care and health and a lot more things on what's important and how to protect ourselves and our flock. 

I want to share those things with our readers and friends.  I want to be real and not hide our challenges.  Things go wrong on a farm, things break, you meet less than honorable people, predators test your boundaries.  What we've learned is it's important how you handle the challenges and prevent them from happening in the future. 

We don't want to hide the hardships or the struggles from our readers.   We want to share them, discuss them, and learn from each other.   If our difficulties can assist or prevent another farm family then why not share the knowledge we've accumulated? 

When I was a little girl it was common to watch as other farmers came by my father's farm to talk about the cattle or the drought or come asking for help to round up a stallion that had jumped the fence.   There is a community of folks in farm life, the only difference is now we're not limited to our next door neighbors.  Thank God because now it's hard to always have neighbors that have the farm love that I mentioned above.

 Not everyone understands the need for small scale and family farms and the sense of joy and accomplishment that comes with them.  We do have the Internet and our circle of online friends and co-farmers to share with so that's what we intend to do!   Stay tuned to learn what we learned the hard way and I pray it may help you with your own flocks.

Love & Blessings,

Tiffany  

They're here! Incubating Eggs Day 1



 

Samuel Little, Bantam Salmon Faverolle Cockerel

Incubating & Hatching Chicken Eggs
We ordered hatching eggs last week to continue working on our winter hatching program.  We'd already picked up our adorable Paint Silkies to start that project.  With this batch of eggs we're continuing with Porcelain, Patridge, Lavender, Buff, and White Silkies as well as some Bantam Salmon Faverolles (Poor Samuel Little needs some ladies to keep him company), and we're helping a young friend out by trying to hatch some of he and his Mom's first Japanese Bantam eggs. 

Since we just finished a hatch of Silkie eggs about 7 days ago, I need to first clean and disinfect our incubator.  We're using the Hovabator 1588 for this clutch.  I disinfect with a Clorox and warm/hot water mix (4 parts water/ 1 part Clorox) then rinse and dry.  Always, always clean and disinfect your incubator after hatches and I also like to clean and disinfect it one more time before putting new eggs in.  I'm a bit of a nut for biosecurity. 

Once I have the housework of it done, I set it up at a Temperature of 99.5 and humidity level of 50-55% for 24-48 hours BEFORE setting the eggs.  This ensures our eggs go into proper conditions.  I took this photo when I first set up the incubator, about 20 minutes into it being set.  As you can see, the temperature is still too low and the humidity was too high.  This gave me a chance to make adjustments PRIOR to jeopardizing the chicks' development.  If I already have the eggs, we keep them at room temperature and just ensure we rotate them (or be lazy and put them in the egg turner OUTSIDE of the bator like this time) until it's time to put them in.   That's what leads us to today! 

 

Hatching eggs should arrived packaged very securely if you're purchasing from another breeder.  If you're hatching your own eggs, you won't have to concern yourself with this part.  As you can see, this breeder does a thorough job of protecting the eggs from the jarring and tossing that happens to boxes during the mailing process. 

She also takes special care of the eggs inside of these bubble wrapped and filler surrounded (I've already removed the newspaper filler that kept the egg cartons from shifting around.  THIS type of care and concern is what I've grown to expect and love from my favorite breeders.  It's not only professional but it shows great pride in the chickens they raise and I know they want us to have a successful hatch almost as much as we do!  

Of course, next we carefully unwrap the eggs, notate the date and which eggs are there (breed, type, variety, condition, etc.) and I  mark each of the eggs with the breeder's initials if I'm incubating more than one breeder's eggs. This helps me keep track of which colors and chicks I hatch from each breeder for future use. I also use this information to track things like hatchability and any defects. All of this plays an important role in breeding if you're trying to improve the quality of your birds and not just breeding to do it.

 

I use an egg turner in my incubator, it makes the job of hatching easier because you won't have to turn them yourself.  We put our eggs gently in with the small (pointed end) down into the turner.  If you don't have an egg turner, you'll also need to mark an X and an O on opposite sides of your eggs.  You'll need to gently turn the eggs three times a day up until Day 18.  When you place the eggs in your incubator without a turner, you'll want to lay them on thier side and all of the eggs with either X or O facing up.  This helps you remember which eggs you've already turned during those three times a day. 

 I

 I then place my egg turner into my incubator and secure it properly.  I usually check on the eggs about every 30 minutes the first few hours.  Adding the eggs to the incubator and holding it open while you add them changes your temperature and humidity so you'll want to keep a close eye on that.  If the glass begins to accumulate drops of water on the underside of it (if you're using an incubator with a viewing area) then your humidity is TOO high.  Open some of the plugs found on it for ventilation.  I keep two thermometers and a hydrogmeter in our incubator to ensure I am accurately tracking my conditions.  If the humidity is too low or the temperature is too low, close those holes and/or add water.  This is why it's so important to have your settings correct before you start.  You'll have a better feel for your incubator and much more control over your new chicks' environment.  I never have any trouble checking the incubator this often- most of the time my kids are checcking even more often!  The big rule is, however, look all you want but LET IT BE!  If your conditions are right where they need to be- LEAVE IT ALONE! :)  It's hard for me so I realize it's tough for the kids but it's so important. 

 

Now that you're monitoring your clutch carefully- you are all set until Day 7 if you'd like to candle them!  Enjoy the anticipation!  The closer hatch day comes - 21 days from your first day of incubation- the more it feels like Christmas around here!  We'll be back around Day 7-9 to discuss candling!  

 

Love,

Tiff

 

Hug A Chicken Day!

Hug A Chicken Day

 

 

Just saw this fun post over at Tilly's Nest for Hug A Chicken Day! :) Now we hug our chickens all of the time but they sure do deserve a day to make it official! Our chickens provide so much for us,

 

 eggs,

 

entertainment,

 

companionship,

 

joy,

 

excercise (in my husband's case for keeping up with me always expanding)!

 

 

Mark your calendars and check out her post about Hug A Chicken Day so we can all take part!

http://www.tillysnest.com/2011/10/hug-chicken-day.html

 

Love & Blessings,

 

Tiffany