A New Generation

Time to start thinking about replacing/adding to the laying flock. After the loss of 17 prime laying hens to the unknown dog, I have to get going on replacing the layers. I have 4 new chicks I incubated last month - but that is not going to cut it...and I have another 16 eggs in the incubator for a January 26 hatch date, but I am going to have to order another 50 chicks from an outside vendor. I have 4 breeding hens and 3 roosters here at the house to provide me with the fertilized eggs for my incubator. Pictured here is the Buff Cochin rooster, he loves to follow us around the yard, as he was doing during yesterdays walk. The other two roosters are a Jersey Giant and Barr Rock.

Winter's Little Treats

I love winter. It is time for regrouping and revitalizing. For planning and dreaming. And for taking long walks in the crisp, clear air. Today I grabbed the camera to see what little treats of color, texture and shadow I could find on the farm.

The Fabulous Caffe Marco

We had a wonderful day today learning more about the coffee roasting business. We took a trip to Paris. No, not France, but Kentucky (if you ever have the chance to go you should, it is a beautiful drive out Route 460 from I-75S, get off at Georgetown and follow the signs to 460. Past lots of horse farms, and then to Paris which has a wonderful, quaint Main Street). If you read farther back this month, Napoleon Ridge is looking to expand our home coffee roasting to commercial coffee roasting on the farm eventually, but probably in small storefront to start with.

Thank you to owner Mark Newberry, who performs all the functions within his company, coffee roaster, bean buyer, packing line and marketing...the whole bean, so to say. His store is just as you turn left off of Route 460 onto Main Steet. It is retail only, not a cafe for sitting and sipping, though you can buy a cup of coffee to drink while chatting with Mark and waiting for your coffee to be packaged if you are buying, or take a cup to go.

I spent three enjoyable hours listening, asking, and best of all, watching him roast beans. He has a beautiful Primo coffee roaster right there in the front room. He took the time to show me how the machine works, answer all my questions, show me his bean room - he was just so generous with his time. So make sure if you are ever in the Lexington/Frankfort/Paris area to either visit him or buy some of his wonderful coffee ( I took home several bags). Visit his website for more information and locations at : http://www.caffemarco.com/

I have developed and designed our coffee roaster logo in preparation...

Although now that I know how much the initial investment is going to be, I am going to have to get creative...coffee shares, anyone?

Broiler Chickens Added to the Farm

We have had people asking us about whether we would be providing any meats, since we offer the farm eggs. Up until now we have had to say no, but we will be offering our farm raised chicken starting in January. If we see the demand and we sell out of the 25 hens we now have, we will consider starting a two week rotation for the area.

The chicks are in the brooder now, at a week old, I predict they will be pretty good sized at the 6 week processing time. About 3-4 pounds each. They, like our laying hens, are on a diet of Purina Certified Natural grains, that have no meat-by-products, antibiotics or hormones, as well as all the other goodies we give them like lettuces and grapes; you will taste the difference in the meat. They will live their time with us with plenty of space and fresh air.

The hens will be processed at approximately 6 weeks of age at the USDA plant in Bowling Green. Customers will buy the whole chicken, but can choose to receive it one of three ways: Whole, for roasting; Broiler, in two halves for baking or grilling or Fryer cut, which is 2 breasts, 2 thighs, two drumsticks and two wings. Price per pound is $4.00. Those interested in reserving a bird(s) can email me at: tricia@napoleonridgefarm.com or call the farm phone at 859-643-FARM.

A Killer in the Henhouse

Well, yesterday was a difficult day at the farm, but it somewhat explains why I have been finding dead birds. When I arrived at the henhouse last night to tuck the girls in, I was greeted by the gruesome sight of dead chickens everywhere. At least 6 hens dead. And several badly maimed birds that will probably die, although I have to say I have seen chickens survive some very traumatic wounds. I was just at a loss as to what had happened, they had some puncture wounds, but were not eaten like they would have been if the hawk had gotten them. Well, it turns out there is a dog that has a taste for chickens that broke into the pasture. Fran's parents received a visit from our neighbor, Pete, who is adjacent to us. He apparently lost 5 of his hens yesterday, and had spotted some of mine dead in the pasture, and he saw the dog running up our farm hill. This is a terrible thing, as once the dog gets a taste for killing chickens, they will not stop, not to mention I have lost more than 10 of my prime laying hens. So, today the chickens spend the day inside and until we catch this killer, that will have to stay that way. Not to mention I need to find where on the fence line the dog busted through, or I will have hens getting out...3 or them were so terrified yesterday they got over or through the fence somehow to get away from the dog. My poor girls.