Farm History

Earlier years

Hand-raising day-old chicks — the first batch, brooder on the kitchen counter.

Earlier years

Day-old chicks fresh from the hatchery, warm and confused.

Earlier years

The learning curve: every chick keeper's first week.

Earlier years

Holding a Silkie from the previous flock — fluffier than they look.

Earlier years

Brooder setup from a previous year's acquisition. The warmth lamp, the heat plate, the chaos.

Earlier years

Tilling the main garden plot behind the coop — the chickens follow the tractor row by row.

2025

Birdadonna the day she hatched — April 2, 2025 — in the incubator on the desk. EE × RIR cross. She's now a year old and lays blue eggs.