Garden Tour

the wildlife

Squirrels! They do get into everything! This one spent days chewing his way into a pop bottle feeder, then sat inside out of the rain to munch his way through the seed. He almost looks like he's smiling....

Moose are frequent visitors to Flatrock Botanicals and haven't touched the crops in the fields....til now. This cow moose was photographed on November 13, 2003, snacking on what remained of the brussels sprouts. She also dug up a new strawberry bed and then decided dessert was in order - the rosehips on the bushes behind the house. (see below)

More 'wildlife' to join the farm were a small flock of Barred Plymouth Rock chickens late in 2001. Five hens and a rooster produce brown eggs and have settled nicely into their nook of the barn. Barred Rocks are dual purpose birds, suitable both as layers and for meat. In July, twenty four more pullet chicks were brought in and are now just beginning to lay (late October). The new pullets are a mix of New Hampshires, Rocks and crosses of who knows what, however, they are pretty.

Barred Plymouth Rock, New Hampshire and New Hampshire cross day old chicks.

Pullets at 4 weeks old.

2 day old broiler chicks need a heat lamp until their feathers are produced - about 4 - 5 weeks.

During the summer 40 broilers were raised. They provided hours of amusement
as they were let out to 'play' everyday. Broilers are large, fast growing birds
that unfortunately have not got much stamina and are prone to sudden heart failure.
Four birds were lost this way out of 42.

This year, 100 broilers are being raised.

Below are day old turkey poults under an brooder lamp

Turkeys are grown for 12 to 20 weeks, depending on the size you want the bird to become.
They grown quickly and eat an enormous amount of food.
They are curious birds and will tug on anything loose or shiny if you go into the pen with them, gathering round you like children.