Good morning from Faithful Flock Farm, friends. It is a beautiful Friday here in the middle of May, and the air is finally starting to feel like true spring. We are sitting out on the porch this morning with a cold fruit smoothie, watching the morning light hit the pasture, and reflecting on everything that has happened this week.
It has been a busy few days filled with a lot of growth, a little bit of heartache, and several reminders of why we do what we do. Farm life has a way of keeping you on your toes, and this week was no exception. We are so grateful to have you along for the journey as we steward this little piece of land and the animals God has entrusted to us.
Monday: The Tiny Landscaping Crew
We started our week over at the JS Coop, and let us tell you, the boys are getting bigger every single day. It has been absolutely amazing to watch them grow from tiny, fuzzy puffs into sturdy little birds with so much personality. They are at that awkward, teenage stage where they are full of energy and curiosity.
Since they are still so little, we have started letting them help out with the chores in their own way. They have officially turned into Mama’s tiny landscaping crew, and they are doing a wonderful job cleaning up under the bushes. They spend their afternoons scratching through the dirt and finding all the little bugs and weeds that usually give us trouble.
Less weed eating for Mama is always a blessing, and the boys seem to love having a "job" to do. It is a reminder that even the smallest members of the flock have a purpose here. Watching them work together under the shade of the bushes is such a peaceful sight, and it makes the daily chores feel like a shared effort between us and the birds.
Tuesday: Lessons in the Nursery
Tuesday brought a bit of a heavy cloud over the farm. We are always honest about the fact that farm life is not always sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes, being a good steward means walking through the harder moments too. This week, we lost two of our precious baby Seramas.
Mama’s heart was heavy over that loss. After looking into things, it seems the little ones may have gotten squashed by the Silkies during the night. The Silkies are much bigger and heavier, and even though they all get along, accidents can happen in the brooder when everyone is trying to stay warm.
It was a tough lesson to learn, but we know that sometimes farm life brings joy, and sometimes it brings lessons that hurt a little. To make sure the remaining little ones stay safe, Mama is going to separate them into their own spaces. We want to give every bird the best chance to thrive, and sometimes that means making changes to our setup as we go.
Wednesday: A Fresh Start for the Girls
By Wednesday, the mood lifted as we got some much-needed help with the coop maintenance. We want to send a big thank you again to StumpX for delivering another load of wood chips this week. Having a reliable source for wood chips is such a blessing for a small farm like ours.
The girls absolutely love when a fresh load arrives. There is nothing they enjoy more than scratching through fresh chips, searching for hidden treats, and spreading them around. Not only does it keep them entertained, but it also helps keep the coops looking nice, clean, and dry.
Clean bedding is such an important part of keeping the flock healthy. It prevents moisture buildup and keeps the air fresh, which is part of our commitment to high-quality care. If you are interested in why we focus so much on the environment our hens live in, you can read more about our daily care routines here.
We also got a little laugh over in the House of Joy this week. One of the roosters has started crowing in a way that sounds exactly like he is yelling, "Peek-a-boo!" We had to stop and listen twice just to make sure we were hearing him right. Farm life keeps us humble, but it also keeps us smiling.
Thursday: Community, Goodbyes, and the Wellness Center
Thursday was a day for connecting with our wonderful community. We spent the morning packing up orders and heading out for deliveries. We dropped off fresh eggs to our sweet friend Becky, and we also made a delivery to a new friend over in Blanchester.
Meeting new people who value local, pasture-raised food is one of our favorite parts of this work. We truly appreciate every person who supports our little farm, whether you have been with us from the start or are just joining the family. If you are looking for fresh eggs yourself, we have a quick guide to help you find local sources.
We also had some bitter-sweet goodbyes on Thursday. We sold four of our laying hens to a wonderful lady in Pleasant Plain. Mama Lovely, Mama Rock, Mama Comet, and Mama Sassy all went to their new home this week. It is always a little sad to see them leave the farm, especially hens we have spent so much time with.
However, we know they are going to be loved and spoiled right where they are. Sending our girls to good homes is part of the cycle of the farm, and it allows us to keep our flock at a manageable size so everyone gets the individual attention they deserve.
During evening chores, Mama noticed that one of the girls from Haven’s Coop had injured her foot. She was limping a bit and looking a little overwhelmed by the rest of the flock. She has now been moved into her own little "wellness center" where she can rest in peace and quiet. Honestly, watching her settle into the soft bedding with her own private food and water, Mama thinks she may be enjoying her private vacation just a little too much. It may have started as a recovery spot, but she seems pretty content with the quieter setup and a little extra attention.
Thursday also gave us what we are calling the Great Corn Seed Caper. Mama picked up corn seed at TSC, and Grandpa picked up corn seed at Rural King, all because he did not answer the phone in time. By the end of it, we had more corn seed than we planned on, but we could not help but laugh. Truthfully, it turned into one of those simple farm moments that reminded us there is wisdom in being prepared. It made Mama think of Joseph in the Bible, storing up in the good season so there would be enough when the lean season came. Sometimes even a little mix-up can carry a good reminder.
Mama also picked up a strawberry hanging basket as a surprise for John and Shannon. It was one of those small, cheerful gifts that felt just right for spring, and it was a sweet part of the day.
Friday: The Rooster Revelation
Friday brought a bit of a surprise as we spent more time observing the youngsters. The boys in JS Coop, well, it is definitely looking like every single one of them might be roosters. Every. Single. One.
Oh boy is right.
We were hoping for at least a few pullets in that group, but nature had other plans. Mama had that rooster revelation moment where you stand there, look again, and then look one more time hoping maybe you counted wrong. We are currently figuring out what the best next steps will be for these handsome fellows. Having a yard full of roosters certainly adds a lot of noise and character to the farm, but it also means we have to be very intentional about how we manage the space.
Looking Ahead: Plans for the House of Joy
In other news around the farm, the girls over in the House of Joy are getting restless. If the weather cooperates this weekend, Mama is hoping to try the fencing again so they can enjoy some real outside time. They have been stuck mostly in their run lately because of the wet ground and safety concerns, and the Mamas are clearly missing their wide-open spaces.
Every single time the coop door opens, the little ones try to make a daring escape. They are ready to feel the grass under their feet! To help keep them happy even when they have to stay inside, Mama is planning to add some fresh sod into the House of Joy and Mercy’s Coop.
We are also planning to build protected garden boxes covered in hardware cloth. This will allow the girls to enjoy fresh, growing grass and herbs while the hardware cloth protects the roots so they don't scratch it all away in one day. It is a great way to ensure they have access to greens year-round.
Right now, Mama is also on the hunt for kiddie pools. We use these as dust baths for the girls, filling them with a mix of dirt, sand, and wood ash. It is their version of a spa day, and it is vital for keeping them free of mites and keeping their feathers in top shape.
In other news, Grandpa has been trimming back the Rose of Sharon bushes, and that has Mama dreaming again about the fence line. She is hoping, little by little, to turn it into a flowering hedge that feels welcoming and full of color. It is still more vision than finished project right now, but that is often how good things begin around here.
The Incubators are Quiet
And finally, all of the hatching eggs are officially out of the incubators for now. After the ups and downs of the recent hatches, it is time for a little break. Mama has officially run out of "room at the inn," and our nursery is full of chirping, growing life.
It feels good to have the machines turned off for a moment so we can focus all our energy on the babies that are already here. We have 17 sweet survivors from this last round, and they are keeping us plenty busy! You can catch up on our hatching journey and why we love it here.
Thank you for being part of our week. Whether it is the joy of a new customer or the quiet reflection of a loss, we are grateful for the opportunity to live this life and share it with you.
We’d love to hear from you! How is your spring gardening or farm prep going? Send us a message or stop by to say hello.
Faithful Flock Farm
Contact Mama Amy: Amy@FaithfulFlockFarm.com
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"The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel." ( Proverbs 12:10)
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