Next Generation

Raising Chickens is a 3-4 year process.  From chicks to laying hens takes about 7 months.  On our farm we have a revolving chicken population of about 30 chickens.  Broken down in to laying chickens about 25, with 10 being in the twilight of their lives and 5-10 young poults.  We do not cage our chickens all of the time, although we do have several coups for them to nest in.  They live most of their lives running free in the coffee tree field eating bugs and worms and anything else that they find.  These chickens are a cross breed of silver spangled hamburg and black orpingtons.  We like this mixture as they always stay together, and they provide a consistent flow of eggs. 

This week my family went camping for a night in Volcano.  We intended to spend a night in a tent, but when we arrived there was no tent camping due to high wind conditions.  Unfazed we went to the Volcano House to see if they would re open the camp due to the lack of high winds at the time.  They couldn't, however they did have a cabin available.  We took it, as it was my daughters second camping trip and she wanted to go. 

I remember camping during spring break and summer as a child growing up and have very fond memories of camping in Volcano.  I am hoping that taking my daughter up there will keep that tradition alive.  We hiked at bird park and behind the campsites, even though closed to high winds.  She got to pick Ohelo berries and play in the forest.  She had a great time and wants to go back.  My wife had fun as well, I told her lets plan to go again early in the summer.  

Growing beans

My wife started some bean seeds that she got,  I placed them in one of my grow beds about three weeks ago.  They have just started to flower and are looking quite healthy.  One plant is almost three feet tall.  Bean plants "legumes" take a lot of nutrients out of the soil especially when they bear pods.  I add compost created on our farm and chicken manure also from our farm to add to the grow bed every three months.  In Hawaii due to the near year round summer conditions I get 3-4 grow seasons form most plants.  I look forward to seeing what type of beans these plants will grow, I am guessing a thin type green bean since it is not a vine type bean plant.  Either way I am sure that they will be delicious additions to lunches and dinner at our house.

Growing greens,  I have started - and need to plant soon... some salad greens.  Growing greens is entirely simple in two 18x13 Rubbermaid bins I am able to grow salad greens to provide a decent salad every couple of days. 
Living in Hawaii we all need to start thinking about sustainability, and then doing something about it.  Everyone thinks that you need a large plot of land to grow enough food to survive, while to eat like you do now that is true.  However, if you start small and continue to scale up, and grow foods that you enjoy eating, you would be surprised at how much you can grow yourself in a very small space. 
Gardening gives me a chance to work with my daughter, we plant things together and she is always happy to see the plants growing.  It is a worthwhile activity to teach youth how to garden and grow their own food so that it is natural to want to grow your on food rather than go to a grocery store.  The best part of growing your own food is that it tasted better as you have put the time in to make the plant healthy it rewards you for your labor. 

The two does (female goats) at our farm.  Lucy on the top and Hana on the bottom.  Goats are a great way to do some clearing of heavy duty grass,vines, and shrubs.  Goats are very different then sheep in their diet and how they do eat.  Sheep are grazers and will mow your lawn for you.  Goats are picky eaters that will keep your larger plants at bay. The goats in the photos are on tie downs, however most of there day is spent within a pen, I keep them on tie downs when I need a certain area cleared, and to let some growth come back in their pen.  Lucy is Hana's mother.  Hiram, Hana's father will be in another post later.  Our goats spend there days eating, napping and enjoying life.  We do not milk them or bread them, although they are pure bred Nigerian dwarf goats.  Goats have definite instinctual drive and should be treated as such.  Our two girls are very gentle and friendly, although not very photogenic...  They refuse to look at the camera, more interested in the chickens perhaps.