Laying Hen Update: Tragedy in the Flock

One of the ways to provide our family with healthy food and practice self-sufficiency is to raise laying hens in our back yard. My homemade chicken coop/yard has worked out pretty well and it's been a journey of learning, work, and happy eating since we have been urban homesteaders.

In June the "flock" of hens that I acquired in 2008 was reduced by 1 to 2 . While I was on my trip to Atlantic City Anne, my favorite layer, died of unknown causes in the little chicken yard. (She used to eat out of my HAND!) Cecilie actually witnessed the death, which was traumatizing for her. 

So the question has been, what to do now? Two hens isn't really enough to provide enough eggs for our family, and it's irritating to have to BUY EGGS. Or beg them from my friends. Actually, 3 hens really wasn't even enough to supply us with eggs. (The number of family members living here keeps contracting and expanding. Mostly expanding.)

Cecilie suggested expanding the yard into the unused area under our deck. She and I spent an afternoon creating a new area and are ready to add a few more to our flock. 

Now to find them....


Addendum: I will be acquiring 3 or 4 more hens this very evening in Silverdale after the Ward Picnic. Boy will I have work to do today to get ready!!

Home-Grown Herbal Tea and Reusable Cloth Tea Bags

In May I had the pleasure of harvesting some of my herbs for teas. Chamomile and Sweet Mint were the biggest hauls, with Rosemary close on their heels. They were dried in my new (to me) food dehydrator in just a couple of hours, and gave the house a wonderful fragrance. Here are the loose dried herbs in their jars waiting to be made into something. The jars were completely filled when I finished drying. 

Volunteer mint bed ready for another harvest

My biggest dilemma has been how to prepare the teas. Loose herbs in a pot? Kind of messy and difficult to clean. In a metal tea-ball? Either too big for the pot or too small for a pot. Disposable tea bags? Those are great for gifts, but I hate the waste. I came across a site with instructions for reusable cloth tea bags http://lillyella.blogspot.com/2009/05/crafting-reusable-tea-bags_19.html. 

I have made a few and they work out just great. Since it's summer, I make a quart of tea at a time and pour some over ice. It's a refreshing beverage and an alternative to water, sugary non-foods, and diet-drink chemicals. 


How is your summer harvest? What are you doing for yourself this summer?