We have 11 girls now, ranging from 1-4 years old. We’ve had more eggs that we could use though the winter, averaging 5/day though 6-7 have been the norm for the past couple of weeks. We bartered eggs (got great jellies in return) or gifted them to our neighbours.

Larger coop (12x12), on a mix of layer ration and scratch with sunflowers and dried worms treats from time to time. No artificial light and heat only when the temperature dipped to “its crazy cold” range.

One of them moulted this winter already.

Life is good.

Lost my last 2 a week ago. Ermine.
I’ll be restocking shortly. But keeping it to lower numbers. 40 layers was just too much.

Did you get a good hide out of the ermine or was it full of pellet holes?

My girls wintered well even with the $&@? cold winter! The roo (Cluck Norris) unfortunately had some frostbite on his comb this year- tried everything I could to avoid that. Now most of the blackened skin has died off so doesn't look as bad -poor dude.
Eggs are coming in from both chickens and ducks. The ducks have their own house separated from the chickens, named the Quacker box! I ordered three pilgrim goslings this year and 10 more day old pullets to freshen up the blood in the hen house!
Luckily, I have two very regularily broody hens so I can rely on them to replenish the Copper Maran breed (gorgeous dark brown eggs). I won't be breeding the goats this year.

Livestock but also everyone.
There have been reports about people giving covid to cat and dogs.

Well what I have not heard is it being given to cows,pigs....
Now if it can be passed to a dog... why not others?

Maybe I am wrong but if not, this can be a real game changer.

Restocked the chickens
6 leghorns
3 set of breeder brahmas
3 set of breeder rosecombs(I love bantams)
Have a dozen in the incubator from the breeders already.
Plans for some more bantam enclosures.

Should have rabbits here by the end of the week.

And I’m working on a couple stalls for a pair of goats... if I can convince the wife.

Livestock but also everyone.
There have been reports about people giving covid to cat and dogs.

Well what I have not heard is it being given to cows,pigs....
Now if it can be passed to a dog... why not others?

Maybe I am wrong but if not, this can be a real game changer.

This one is something that I am both tracking and keeping a close eye on the info coming in.. So far we have one confirmed dog that got it enough that it tested positive 3 times and then went negative and it was basicly the same time frame as humans, 14 to 28 days.. the dog never got sick per say.

I have heard that in 3 other times that the "FUR" of a dog/dog/cat has held enough shed virus by a infected human that they could infected someone who "personally and up close" interacted with them..

At no point of have heard about others.. nor where the other case a infection but instead a "coat" load if you will.. It will not jump very easily.. its just not made up of the right critters to do so.. but that is just my thoughts.. we will see if they get proven true or not..

IF I can trust the gene makeup that they are sharing.. I am not worried.

Restocked the chickens
6 leghorns
3 set of breeder brahmas
3 set of breeder rosecombs(I love bantams)
Have a dozen in the incubator from the breeders already.
Plans for some more bantam enclosures.

Should have rabbits here by the end of the week.

And I’m working on a couple stalls for a pair of goats... if I can convince the wife.

Good luck, I prefer sheep myself to goats.. you looking for meat or milk? Nice choices on the chickens.. and rabbits are always a good choice, just make sure you can get feed for them.. in a number of our feed stores, rabbit feed has become limited and when we can get it, it seems to be only one type.. normally they carry 3 kinds..

Another thing I forgot to mention to folk...already-we have been noticing folk are starting to hoard small livestock, as well as garden seed. Interesting when you have trouble finding day olds heritage birds and your seed catalogue says (sold out/sold/out)
Glad I harvest seed and I already ordered new girls for the coop.

Anyone interested in day olds and finding it difficult to find-PM me-there is a fella in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta.

Goats are as much for the milk as anything. I’m Lactose intolerant, so goat has been my go to for 20+ years for milk and cheese. My neighbour raised a herd for 30+ years, so I have a local resource/ mentors.

I actually got the first set of rabbits from one of my daughters teachers, so i know the local mill carries feed. Been dealing with them for years, great people.

Yes, small animals are impossible to get around here, I may wait till fall for the goats, I’m sure people will panic when they realize animals have to be cared for over the winter. Lol.

Little bit at a time. It’s been a 10 year process in this house so far.
Next major investment is a tractor, regardless of if we sell this property or not. Came close to signing for a 33hp NH before the winter.