Tuesday July 06, 2010
Just when we thought we were going to see a repeat of last summer, which brought us nothing but clouds and rain, we get hit with this tropical heat! Will the Berkshires ever get the clement climate it deserves? The animals at Boulderwood are just as curious but are certainly adept at finding cool solutions.
The chickens trade the sun-struck grass for dusty barn floors...
The cows commune under the shade of trees and marvel at how the horses....
just don't seem to care....
Tuesday June 29, 2010
We've got all of our chickens in a row at Boulderwood this morning!
Most days you can spot them taking dirt baths under the porch, competing for cracked corn, eyeing the forbidden gardens and chasing each other around. Along with the endless barn yard entertainment they also provide us the most delicious eggs. Recently, we were anxiously waiting to see if the pile of eggs one of our hens was sitting on for days were going to hatch or not but to no avail.
In the background of this particular picture you can see where Jim has left off trying to literally straighten out the old ice house. Presently it is the shelter for both the chickens and the horses but has experienced some serious sinkage over the last couple of years. So far, Jim, with the help of his son Matt, successfully raised the left side 6 inches! One more inch would make it perfect but we didn't want to push our luck trying to lift the building again with the tractor. Great job guys!
Tuesday June 22, 2010
You will find on Boulderwood Farm that sometimes the inanimate beasts are as amusing and adorable as the live ones!
Let us make a toast to Babe!
Tuesday June 15, 2010
Poofer the Polish chicken wants to know....
Am I having a good hair day or a bad one?
Tuesday June 08, 2010
That which we call an Uni, by any other name...
Depending on which side of the fence you are on, quite literally, Uni, the guinea hen can be either unnerving or endearing. He spends most of his days on the porch nipping at the zippers hanging from Jim's golf bag, repeatedly carving his initials into the kitchen's wooden screen door or playing follow-the-leader with any moving body. His favorite Boulderwood buddy is undoubtedly Burtee the Border Collie who he runs, rests and romps with endlessly. Burtee does police Uni, however, when his fowl friend starts intimidating the guests. All you have to do is say, "Burtee, get the chicken!" and the path is cleared.
Hatched right here at Boulderwood, Uni, now at the age of 6, has acquired himself quite the status as his portrait hangs over the family dining table. Our friend, Helga, did a beautiful job of capturing Uni's balloony yet statuesque posture and smart coloring with her oil paints-wouldn't you agree??
Happy tweets and trills to all this Tuesday, straight from the Guinea's beak!
Tuesday June 01, 2010
What is black and white, has no tail, and is the king of 80 pasture and forest filled acres of land??
Burtee!
There is no doubt that Boulderwood wouldn't be the same without our miracle Border Collie.
When he was just a young pup he was run over by a car but was nursed back to health by mama Murko and papa Jim. Now, at 5 years old, he welcomes every visitor with boisterous barks and a toothy smile (really!), enjoys hearty homemade turkey and sweet potato dog food, loves a good staring contest and, yes, boasts his own boulder!
There is one thing that Burtee might be longing for though.....sheep. Sorry, Burt. As long as the coyotes are wandering the Berkshires, herding the humans and the chickens will have to suffice.
