HomesteadHensandHoney

I'm back! It's taken multiple attempts to record this episode due to various life chaos but here it is! I start with some quick personal updates, a little sad news (RIP Petal), homestead and hive news, and then I share some funny animal stories from the last few weeks. Thanks for your patience with me! Please check out my Instagram for photos of things discussed. (Marked explicit due to some light cursing.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I talk about thistles! How can we identify them? Are they good for pollinators? How do we destroy and conquer the invasive species? Will I be digging them up forever?? (Probably, yes) All this and more in episode 70! * References: https://weedwise.conservationdistrict.org/2017/thistle-identification.htmlhttps://deepgreenpermaculture.com/2021/04/21/how-to-neutralise-glyphosate-roundup-herbicide-contamination-in-soil/https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.13867https://www.science.org/content/article/common-weed-killer-believed-harmless-animals-may-be-harming-bees-worldwidehttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969721004654 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm back! Hurrah! This week, I share all the news from the homestead, including chicken updates, bee colony progress, and why I am drinking a gin & tonic at 4 in the afternoon! Then I get into some bee chatter; where I analyze a question from one of my mentees, and go through my thoughts on the topic. Warnings for bad language (sorry, mum), discussion of chicken prolapse, alcohol chat (I bought fancy gin!), and mention of surgery. Links: Hendrick's Gin Flora Adora Queenright Colonies' Beekeeping Calendar17th Century Beekeeper Saying Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Friday! I hope you will enjoy this addition to my 'farm story' episodes. I am a big fan of this extraordinary little frog, and I hope you are too! * Article on crushed egg shells and slugs: https://www.gardenmyths.com/eggshells-control-slugs/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm back after my short break! Thank you for your patience. This episode starts with some updates on my sad-sack-ness and why I haven't uploaded anything for 2 weeks. I also talk about my hives (up to 2 colonies now!), and my garden (what is planted, what's growing, what's in bloom, etc). Then we get to the main story, which will not be for everyone. Listener discretion advised! I tell the story of two baby raccoons who appeared to willfully throw themselves into the jaws of death (aka my dogs). Frank discussion of animal death, rabies, and vaccinations. Skip if that isn't your thing! My next episode will be much less depressing (I hope)! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm back after last week's break! Things have been very busy here the last 2 weeks, and I talk a little about what has been going on. Then I get into baby season here on the homestead! I have news on the skinks, and the chickens. I ended up incubating the rest of Dahlia's clutch so discuss how that works and how to set up a brooder for newly hatched chicks. I also talk about how my package of bees is settling in to their new home, and share general bee news from my local community (it's swarm-a-palooza here, right now!) References/links: here.here Follow me on Instagram for photos of the babies! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Friday! This week, we're talking about the birds and the bees! Specifically, my install of a 3lb honey bee package, mallard ducks and their mating shenanigans, and my chickens. Funnily enough, right after I recorded this episode, I went out and found that one of Dahlia's eggs has hatched! It's a beautiful little yellow fluffball. Check out my Instagram for pics! I mention Queenright Colonies, which is a great beekeeping supply company. You can find their website here. (Please note: I've marked this episode explicit because a few swears slip out. I also discuss animal genitalia in frank, anatomical terms.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Friday! This is a short one because I haven't been able to do much outside due to the weather, and life off the homestead has been a touch chaotic. Speaking of chaos. . . a recent experience with one of my chickens has convinced me that they're actually adorably fluffy chaos sprites (who can't be trusted!). Listen in to hear how Petal, a small frizzle hen, defied the laws of physics and caused great confusion (and noise)! I mention a 'no pick' lotion in this episode, which can be found here. Apologies for the short length, and I hope to have more to report in a week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Friday! This week, I talk about what has been going on at the homestead. Is Spring finally here? It felt like it for about a week but then the cold returned! I have tried to make the most of the nice weather by cleaning up and prepping the gardens, and there's just so much to do that it can be hard to focus. Early in the episode, I give a sad update on my gecko, Pixie. Animal death discussed so please listen with caution. I also got a bit sniffly, sorry! Then I talk about some community activism to protect our chickens, and finally I end the episode with some confusing happenings in my apiary. I'd love your thoughts on that! Send me an email at homesteadhensandhoney@gmail.com if you have any insights for me! With thanks to The Honey Bee Suite for some excellent articles on absconding vs swarming in honey bees: Why do honey bees swarm (or abscond) in the fall?Absconding bees or death by varroa? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I continue my Farm Story series by talking about a fan favourite: Higgins, the Russian tortoise. Have you ever wondered what the difference between a turtle and a tortoise is? Or where they come from? What they eat? If you have tortoise questions, I have some of the answers! Learn about how Higgins came to live with me, and about Russian tortoise care and feeding. I also dare to speak aloud the 'open secret' to tortoise ownership! Intrigued? Listen in! Please visit my Instagram for pics and videos of Higgins doing his thing. For those in or near Ohio, check out The Herps Alive Foundation if you'd like to adopt a tortoise (or reptile) of your own. And for baby pics of my pink tongue skinks as they're born, please visit my website: GerrardiiGems. References for this episode: WikipediaRussian Tortoises: A Complete Guide to Testudo Popular Tortoises Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm back from my holiday! This week, I talk about my Spring Break in Florida where I saw lots of alligators and interesting birds. Then I give updates on the homestead, including my chickens, bees, reptiles, and gardens. Please note, I did some swearing in this one! So please be mindful if listening around impressionable young minds. I will mark the episode as 'explicit'. Links: Circle B Bar Reserve websiteQueenright Colonies Beekeeping CalendarTooth and Claw PodcastWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello hello! Well, I didn't have time to get my tortoise episode ready BUT I did bring you something. This week, I talk about a few science publications and news articles that talk about our precious honey bees (and bumble bees). I had a lot of fun putting this one together, and I hope you enjoy it too. Links to articles/publications: Sci-Hub (free access to science papers) CBS News article with video Smithsonian article ‘Social Signal Learning of the waggle dance in honey bees’ by Shihao Dong, Tao Lin, James C. Nieh, and Ken Tan. ‘The Impacts of Early-Life Experience on Bee Phenotypes and Fitness’ by Clare C Rittschoff and Amanda S Denny. ‘Honey bee waggle dances facilitate shorter foraging distances and increased foraging aggregation’ by Kyle Shackleton, Nicholas J Balfour, Hasan Al Toufailia, Emma James, Francis RW Ratnieks. ‘Do Bumblebees Play?” by Hiruni Samadi Galpayage Dona, Cwyn Solvi, Amelia Kowalewska, Kaarle Mäkelä, HaDi MaBouDi, and Lars Chittka. Bumble Bee Watch. My website for a full rundown of everything discussed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello, hello! This week, I give a quick update on my stray kitty friend, as well as my 'baby' Orpingtons. Then I dive into frostbite: what is it? What does it look like in our chickens? Can we prevent it? And, most importantly, how to treat it. Please see my website for a rundown of everything discussed as well as a list of references. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week, I share another Farm Story. Listen in to learn about my local cat population, what TNR is, and how it can help humanely lower stray/feral cat populations. Also, learn about my own kitty friend! Please see my website for photos of the kitties in question, and for a rundown of everything discussed. You can check out the TNR clinic I used here. ALSO, since recording this, I found out that the clinic does have a way to donate cold hard cash!! I think it just wasn't showing up on the mobile site. So, if you're interested in supporting this incredible program, you can find details on donation here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! Today's episode starts with a quick update on my fierce little hen, Boo, and then goes on to discuss the issue of obesity in chickens. How can we identify an overweight chicken? What can we do to prevent obesity? And just how much food should our chickens be eating anyway? Visit my website for a rundown of everything discussed, as well as some educational photos. References for this episode: The Chicken Health Handbook by Gail Damerow Fresh Eggs Daily by Lisa Steele Mypetchicken.com scratchandpeck.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week is the first in my series of what I am calling 'Farm Stories'. These are mini-episodes that share stories from around my homestead, with a focus on all the animals I am fortunate to share my life with. This week, I tell you all about my tiny hen, Boo, and her big attitude. Can a tiny hen take on a rooster three times her size? Listen in to find out! Check out my website for photos of Boo and Red! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I do a 'year in review' for my apiary. I went into 2022 with two colonies, brought home a package and 4 nucleus colonies, and ended up with 5 colonies as of January 2023. Listen in to learn all about my gains, losses, and to follow each of my colonies as we moved through last year. Reading my bee journal for this episode was a wonderful learning tool for me, and I hope you will also find it useful! Please see my website for a rundown of all things discussed as well as photos from the hives. Next week, I'll be back with a farm story! I hope you will join me once again. Thank you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm back! and I have news! For this episode, I go through goals I set for myself in 2022; what worked, what didn't. And then I explain how I fell afowl (hehe!) of the dreaded 'chicken math'. Please visit my website for a rundown of everything discussed, photos, and links. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello hello! I have returned from my podcast hiatus, and I have lots of news. Most of it depressing (sorry!). In this episode, I discuss goals I set for myself in 2021, what worked, what didn't; as well as what has been happening with me since my hiatus. Please note: this episode includes frank discussion of chicken death, depression, cancer, and chronic illness. You can find a list of everything discussed, as well as photos and useful links, over on my blog. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi folks! I've decided to place the podcast on hiatus until next Spring. We're going full tilt through autumn and into winter now, and things will be slowing down around the homestead. Plus, I'm just completely burned out due to a number of different factors, and I need the time to reset. I wanted to share some suggestions of episodes and podcasts that might be of interest to you! You can find those over on my website (with direct links to their homepages to make things easy to find). Thanks for listening these last two years, and I wish you all a safe and happy winter season! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.