Week #16 - Moving forward..

Spring time is always a bit of a juggle... we always seem to be moving things around! 

As the weather changes and our seed flats grow, we are constantly shifting them around to maximize sun and heat. Moving flats between the house and the greenhouse and transplanting plants into larger pots is keeping us busy these days. 

This week we will also be moving the ladies out of the winter coop and into their summer housing in the pasture. Our laying hens will be moved out to our 'chicken tractors' which are portable shelters that allow them access to be on fresh pasture everyday but not be vulnerable to predators. For the last few weeks, they've been spilling out of the winter coop and wandering around the farm... which makes finding their eggs a bit of a daily challenge. 

Moving onions to the greenhouse

If you are looking for a bit of exercise... you are welcome to pop by Tuesday night around dusk to help move 150 wily chickens to the back field!  

Patiently waiting....

FFF Photo a Day - Day 18

Mid- January on the prairies and all living things are waiting for spring. 

Here you can see our chicken tractors (movable chicken shelters) empty and half buried in snow. 

In the warm months we use these shelters (which simply slide along the grass) to protect the chickens from predators while still providing them with daily fresh pasture to feed on. 

In the winter we line the tractors up along the tree line and put them up on blocks to ensure they don't get stuck in the ice during the spring freeze and thaw cycle.