Chickens, Trees and Weed Walks

I have started working on a bit of an enclosure to experiment with letting the chicks out.  I was bringing them out a few at a time yesterday just get used to the idea.  They are old enough now and the weather has warmed enough that we should be set on that front. 

Predators will become the key concern at this point, esepcially once I start to let them free range. 

Out of the 4 straight run birds, there is one I am pretty sure already is a rooster.  The comb is bigger and there is a distinct 'strut' about that one.  That's all well and good as long as he remembers I'm the boss.  :)

I snapped this photo as I was getting a little mowing done once we got the kids down for bed.  Here is my wife with binder and book in hand doing some plant species identification. Always the scientist.  We are currently struggling with eradicating some Japanese Knotweed; a particularly resilient invasive bamboo like plant species.  Last night's adventures in plant identification included Red Elderberry and Willow.

I still have a few dozen confier seedlings to plant and the garden is desparately calling for my attention.  We have decided we will halve the size we actively use this year, while tarping the other half.  This should really help knock back some of the weed growth, give the soil a rest and help us tread water a little better with the various projects we take on.

We worked out a deal with our Amish neighbors and they are using our upper field for corn and we'll get some fresh pork out of it.  A good trade.