Drstratton - My Backyard Journey Journal

[drstratton]

Dale and I were away for a few days. My son called me, my big chickens got out and some dogs came into the yard. They killed Roo, my Welsummer, Spazzy & my Rhode Island. Only Maybelline & Penny are still alive. He said Penny was pretty beat up. Something always happens when we leave. My poor Roo and girls.

 

[drstratton]

When we got back home I headed straight out to see my girls. They both look really good. Penny laid two eggs & Maybelline laid one. This was since they were attacked. I could hardly believe it. Life goes on.
When I went into the pen all my girls came running. Hoping for a tasty treat, I'm sure it wasn't just to see me, I know how this works. ..lol I picked them all some fresh currants, new to the littles, but my big girls knew what they were.
Our grandsons dump truck was in the pen. My son said he's been taking both he and Charlie(Charlotte) out there to play. Declan plays with his truck and Charlie just follows the chickens around the pen.
The chickens are contained and so are the kids... that's a win win...

Penny

Maybelline

My faithful ladies!

It's the food lady...

Eating currants...nom nom

 

[fuzzi]

We've already had many days of triple digits, with more to come. We're getting to old to be standing out in the sun in 100+ degree weather as we inspect our bees. So we put up a temporary cover until we have the time and energy to build an arbor over the top of our Apiary. My husband wants grapes, I want to plant a start we took from the Wisteria that my mom gave to me. We also added a fan, set to come on when the temp hits 78°. It has really helped the bees and us to be more comfortable. They are not bearding as much as they were.

Wisteria is a scourge here in NC. It can't be eradicated once it is established. I'd go with grapes.

 

[fuzzi]

Caught her and she's on the move, per usual...lol

Speckled Sussex

She needs a sister.

 

[drstratton]

Wisteria is a scourge here in NC. It can't be eradicated once it is established. I'd go with grapes.

I can see how it would be in your climate. I live in an area that's quite arid, so I should be safe planting it around our hives. All I'd have to do is quit watering it and I'm sure that would be the end.

It's a plant my mom gave to us, we lost her last November, she was 93. I just like the idea of moving it to a place where I spend a lot of time.

 

[drstratton]

She needs a sister.

Sadly, she had one and she didn't make it. We lost 2 soon after they arrived. I usually try to have 2 of each breed.

 

[drstratton]

It was quite warm when we got home, so I waited to do some of my outside chores until this evening. I was deadheading the flowers in my bee garden when I was blessed with this beautiful sunset.

We will be inspecting our hives on Tuesday, to assess how many honey frames will be ready to be extracted next week. We will also be bottling a portion of the honey we already extracted. I have a long list of friends & family to share with. We're also donating a couple of jars to our senior center fundraiser auction. It's going to bee a busy week.

 

[SageHill]

Just an fyi wisteria is poisonous. I love the plant and ooohhh the flowers - but not here on the ranch.
When it gets sooo hot can you put ice out like we do for chickens - would the work/help bees?

 

[SageHill]

PS - that's a lot of honey, ummm sweet gold!

 

[drstratton]

We're finally getting around to planting a wildflower mix. We previously planted, Joe Pye weed, Butterfly weed, golden rod, catmint, goatsbeard and several other bee friendly plants. Those are in the back of this area.

Just for fun! I love bees on my flowers!