Author Archives: jkmcintyre

Chicken Hunter

Posted on July 24, 2013 by jkmcintyre

I have heard that chickens will attack and eat smaller vertebrates. Snakes most impressively, mice most commonly. We finally get to see how our chickens take care of their own vermin problems!

Posted in animal behaviour, chicken behaviour, chickens, pest control | Leave a comment

Twice blooming fruit trees?

Posted on July 16, 2013 by jkmcintyre

The past few years I have noticed something unusual. My fruit trees bloom twice. Once in early spring, when I am expecting it, and once in mid-summer when I am not. I noticed it first in our pear tree. With … Continue reading →

Posted in flowers, fruit, spring, summer | Tagged , , | 25 Comments

Ladybug Rescue

Posted on July 11, 2013 by jkmcintyre

We all know what ladybugs (aka lady beetles) look like. Many of us gardener types also know that they are voracious predators of aphids – fascinating little sap-sucking pests of tender young plants and fruit trees. This spring our Italian … Continue reading →

Posted in bugs, pest control, predators | 2 Comments

Little Sister: Still mothering at 6 weeks

Posted on July 8, 2013 by jkmcintyre

Calamity Jane was a good momma hen. She taught, she warmed, she protected. And she had a re-integration plan. At week 1 CJ moved the family from the broody box to a nest box in the coop. At week 3 … Continue reading →

Posted in animal behaviour, baby chickens, broody hen, update | 7 Comments