Wednesday morning started off rather warm at Faithful Flock Farm. The heat seemed to be catching up with everyone, and honestly, it was starting to catch up with us too. We woke up just about as tired as we went to bed, but there were chores to do and a farm full of animals waiting for their morning care.
The first order of business was checking the incubator. Milo, our white Maltese, is always the first one to the door when there are chicks in the house. He is like a proud big brother, and he takes his job very seriously. He has even tried to sleep in the same room as the chicks on more than one occasion.
While no new chicks had hatched yet that morning, two eggs had pipped. We still had twelve eggs tucked safely inside, and we were careful not to open the lid. We didn't want to disturb the delicate balance while they were still working their way out. After a quick fruit smoothie to start the day, it was time to head outside.
A Spa Day for Bootsy
As we started our rounds, the first thing we noticed was that the tarp had come off the pen where Bootsy was staying. It had rained hard during the night, and poor Bootsy was soaked to the bone. She looked a bit miserable, but we knew exactly how to help.
"I'll be right back," we told her.
We set up a warm spa treatment with Epsom salts in a five-gallon bucket. Bootsy didn't give us a bit of trouble. In fact, she loved the warm water so much she promptly fell asleep. She sat there for fifteen minutes, resting her head and letting the warmth soothe her feet.
Watching her, we couldn't help but think about how often God cares for us in ways we don't fully understand. Bootsy didn't know why she was being soaked or how it was helping her heal. She just knew she was being held. Sometimes, in our own hard seasons, we just need to rest in His care even when we don't understand the process.
Managing the Summer Heat
By mid-morning, the Ohio heat was in full swing. Keeping the flock hydrated becomes a full-time job when the sun is beating down. All of our birds need fresh, cool water constantly. We checked on the greenhouse boys first, and they were busy chasing each other around their new home. It is still hard to believe they are all roosters, but their energy tells a different story.
Over at Mimi’s Coop, the girls were ready for their "bug buffet" beneath the trees. Since it was so hot, we grabbed a frozen fruit bowl filled with strawberries and mango. It is definitely that time of year again where icy treats are a necessity. Our pasture-raised eggs come from happy hens, and keeping them cool is part of that daily joy.
We’re already planning to move a large blue barrel out toward the woods to help with watering. We are also considering adding another Omlet waterer to the list. They stay cleaner and keep the water much cooler, which makes a big difference for the girls. You can read more about our daily farm life on our Farm Update page.
Kindness Through Simple Acts
Later in the morning, a text arrived from our friend Jen. She was getting ready to sell her house and wondered if we needed any Mason jars for canning. As any farm family knows, you can never have enough jars!
She also needed three dozen of our farm fresh eggs. We were happy to deliver them since we had errands to run anyway. While we were talking, she mentioned she had two bookshelves she no longer needed. We knew they would be perfect for organizing supplies in the basement.
It was a beautiful reminder of how God works through simple acts of kindness. Neither of us had planned it, but He put the right people in each other's paths at just the right time. Little by little, He always provides.
If you're looking for your own carton of fresh eggs, feel free to Contact Us.
The Harder Moments of Farm Life
Farm life isn't always sunshine and baby chicks. Sometimes, it brings moments that make us pause. While checking Haven’s Coop, we discovered one of the Rhode Island Red hens had passed away. There were no obvious signs of what happened, and the rest of the flock appeared normal.
We stood quietly for a moment. Life is a gift, whether it lasts for a few days or many years. We thanked God for the time that hen spent here on our farm. We don't always have the answers, but we trust that every day is ultimately in His hands.
Faithfulness in the Ordinary
By the time evening chores arrived, we were exhausted. The heat had taken its toll, and our feet were ready for a rest. We still had waterers to fill, eggs to gather, and coops to close.
At the JS Coop, Gideon and Midnight (our little Serama roosters) had appointed themselves as head security officers. They were very suspicious of our late-night rounds, pecking and voicing their opinions while we tried to tuck everyone in. They were just protecting the babies, but we were too tired for negotiations. We finally picked them up, gave them a little talking to, and put them in their room for the night.
As we finally headed toward the house, we listened to the soft peeping coming from the incubator. Eight fluffy chicks had already moved to the brooder, and more were on the way.
Wednesday wasn't filled with flashy miracles or mountain-top moments. It was filled with carrying buckets of water, treating a hen's feet, and making sure everyone was safe and cool. Faithfulness is often found in ordinary daily care, in simply doing the next thing God has placed in front of us.
We might be tired, but we are grateful. Every bucket of water and every gathered egg is an act of trust in the One who provides for us all. 📞 🤍
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." ( Galatians 6:9)
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