We went to Barnyard Garden (Shelton) today to get four pullets to add to our little flock of laying hens. I am so excited--we will have eggs for sale starting in May 2011. We added two more Red Sex Links, a Black Austrolop, and a breed new to us--Production Red (part Rhode Island Red and part something else). The original four were very noisy with the new additions. We have the new ones penned off in the coop so everyone can get use to each other. But, our four originals have laid FOUR eggs each of the last three days. AMAZING! Even in this cold weather. Usually I have to go out and check on everyone about every two hours--mostly to make sure the water has not frozen. Hopefully, we will release the newbies tomorrow night while the others are sleeping. Then, they will all wake up together and think all is okay. That is the plan--we'll see if it works.

Last weekend was the best. Beautiful weather and with the deluxe compost bins complete, we could finally build compost piles from the months of saved kitchen waste, grass, and leaves. It's like making a pie or lasagne--a layer of grass, layer of leaves, layer of shredded paper, and a layer of kitchen waste; water; and start over again. And, if all goes well, the pile will turn into beautiful, rich soil/mulch to put on the vegetables....and start all over again.