by Jennifer BurckeWe’re into our third spring as chicken keepers here at 1840 Farm.  We’ve encountered all sorts of challenges during that time.  We’ve dealt with the death of day old chicks, heat waves, hurricanes, and unending winters. One experience we have not dealt with is outwitting the natural instincts of a broody hen.  We […]

by Jennifer Burcke Last Saturday, we woke up to temperatures in the low 30s.  We worried if our sour cherry trees and the early season plants in our garden would survive.  We were relieved when the temperature rebounded the next day to the 70s and a brief survey of the farm proved that our plants […]

by Jennifer BurckeA few weeks ago, I was browsing through the local newspaper and happened upon the type of story that sends a chill down a chicken keeper’s spine.  A family in a neighboring town had endured an unthinkable tragedy.  Their newly built coop had burned down to the ground, killing all 38 of the […]

by Jennifer Burcke A few weeks ago, I was browsing through the local newspaper and happened upon the type of story that sends a chill down a chicken keeper’s spine.  A family in a neighboring town had endured an unthinkable tragedy.  Their newly built coop had burned down to the ground, killing all 38 of […]

by Jennifer Burcke Bantams are the Rodney Dangerfield of the chicken world.  They get no respect.  People see them as fancy little creatures, not as an animal that has a place on the farm.  Trust me, I know from firsthand experience.   I used to see them the same way. From the first moment that […]

by Jennifer Burcke Bantams are the Rodney Dangerfield of the chicken world.  They get no respect.  People see them as fancy little creatures, not as an animal that has a place on the farm.  Trust me, I know from firsthand experience.   I used to see them the same way. From the first moment that […]

by Jennifer Burcke I feel like we have been waiting for spring’s arrival for months.  Perhaps that’s because we have.  Winter was long and harsh this year.  We saw more than our fair share of snow and endured a lot of cold weather all with an eager eye on the first day of spring’s arrival. […]

by Jennifer Burcke I feel like we have been waiting for spring’s arrival for months.  Perhaps that’s because we have.  Winter was long and harsh this year.  We saw more than our fair share of snow and endured a lot of cold weather all with an eager eye on the first day of spring’s arrival. […]

by Jennifer BurckeThe other day I was presented with a chicken keeper’s dilemma.  I was at my local feed store to pick up a bag of OrganicLife feed for my flock.  While the owner rang up my purchase and processed my payment, we took the opportunity to make conversation. That’s nothing new.  I enjoy trading […]

 by Jennifer Burcke Last week, we celebrated the first day of spring here at 1840 Farm.  It didn’t feel much like spring while we were outside clearing over half a foot of heavy, wet snow.  I didn’t enjoy welcoming spring’s arrival with a snow shovel in hand.  I would have much preferred a garden shovel. […]