Hello
Sorry the newsletter is a little late today. I've been racking my brain the last two days trying to think of a relevant topic other than the weather.
Much Needed Rain...on our FFM Staff Picnic
Sunday we finally got some much needed rain. It was quite comical because we had a staff picnic at the farm. As the thunder rolled in what seemed to be the distance, we set out on foot to move the beef. All 30 of us.
As we got close to the beef but a half mile from the tent, the wind picked up and the rain started to come. Then the skies opened. I would say all were in good spirits, even when I reminded those in sandals that "it's not mud." :)
And baby chickens' first thunderstorm
Then today we had to move broilers out of the brooder and put them outside. Tomorrow the next group of chicks arrive and we need to clean out the brooder and get ready for them.
As we moved them out, they were going to be in a new field with two furry guardians - Hank (aka Hankie Doodle, Mr. Hank, the Hankster, etc.) and Leann (aka Baby Leann). These are two of our Great Pyrenees. Hank is the father of Leann, a 1 year old with her first group of chicks.
We were cautious about Leann with the new chicks so we spent some time this morning working her through the birds. She was very good about it and couldn't wait to give Allyson her crappy paw after trekking through the chickens and hanging out under the shade of the wagon (pictured above with Allyson).
As I put the birds out, I made the mistake of saying how nice and cool it was for them today. The last time we moved broilers outside it was unbearably hot and that is very stressful on the birds.
Well, all good things come to an end. Sometimes quickly. By noon, a familiar hue arrived in the sky and the air cooled. Before I could sprint from the barn to the pasture, the lightening cracked and the skies opened up like a cow peeing on a flat rock. Hank, Leann, and I - and a thousand chickens - huddled under the shade structure, hiding from the rain blowing sideways.
It is days like today where you feel bad for the birds and think they would prefer the consistent comfort of a barn. But then the sun starts shining and the birds quickly scatter to peck at the worms and bugs emerging from the soggy soil. #natureisamazing
Trevor
