As usual, time is flying by. The 16 chicks hatched in early September are now 10 weeks old, and they look (and sound) less like chicks than small adults. Here’s an update on them:
- American Bresse – 3 cockerels and 4 pullets. Large and meaty compared to the other chicks of the same age. Curious and calm. All white feathering with legs turning slate blue.
- French Black Copper Marans – 3 cockerels and 2 pullets. Medium-sized, pullets are notably smaller than the cockerels. Flighty, difficult to catch. Feathered feet.
- Barnyard Mix – 3 cockerels and 1 pullet: one AustralorpX, one NH RedX, and one Gold Laced WyandotteX; pullet appears to be NH RedX. Mixes are easy to handle and intrepid.
Our first homebrewed beer is finally done! It’s dark and syrupy, with hints of vanilla and bourbon, and seems to be improving with age. This is chewy, almost syrupy beer that comes in at about 7% ABV. We’re pleased with the first brew and are already planning our next.
While we are enamored of our Muscovies, we love duck eggs and the girls, being seasonal layers, have stopped laying entirely. We’d been researching duck laying breeds and had narrowed the possible choices down to Indian Runner, Khaki Campbell, or Welsh Harlequin…but the front-runner was the Runner, with its upright posture and penchant (surprise, surprise!) for running upright. What’s cuter than that?
Just when we were starting to think that this would really be a never-ending summer, the chill in the air has brought summer to a close. The leaves are falling are here. When a strong breeze blows, it looks like it’s raining leaves. Fall is definitely in the air.
A packet of San Francisco style sourdough starter has been in the refrigerator for years. We love sourdough bread, so we pulled it out and reactivated it.