My Blueberry Life

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My Blueberry Life

A page for sharing the joyously real adventures of raising backyard chickens on a neighborhood acre while gardening organically. Come join the fun!

I am a small backyard hobbyist located in Georgia who spends most of my days snuggling chickens, raising peeps, training roosters, gardening, blogging, reading, and researching, while my dear husband of 31 yrs helps build our homesteading dream. I keep a wide variety of heavy breed layers that are named, live in a designer coop, free range in my backyard, and are all around spoiled to death. Every

thing I know about chickens I have learned from the vast assortment of internet resources, poultry scientists, local breeders, and my own personal chicken keeping experiences. Chickens are my favorite kind of therapy for relieving stress, staying active, and bringing healthier eating to my family through delicious fresh eggs. Feel free to comment, share, or message me about your own experiences with keeping chickens or tending your veggies. I just love sharing the fun I have with my backyard babies, one glorious cluck at a time!

27/10/2025

Just to hand you a laugh, and also to illustrate the complexities of choosing a white paint, here are the six samples I brought home yesterday to test on my walls in our own lighting. It astounds me how a simple paint swatch that looks like almost every other white paint swatch in a store can be so vastly different once on the walls of your home. The last time I chose a white paint, I chose a bright one by the name of midnight snow, which as it sounds turned an icy glacial blue in all but the brightest sunlight. Since I have no desire to repeat that mistake, I've spent the past 6 weeks researching the most popular white paint colors, their predominant undertones, and matching them to idea palettes for the themes I've been considering. It's all so mentally taxing, and at times downright boring, which is why I am just now getting around to trying out samples.

And am I ever glad I did!!! 😳

Just look at how different all these supposed white shades are from each other, and how different they look in various lights. It also showed me that even though the walls are a very soft, bubblegum pink, they will still need priming, or else I'll have to use a high hiding primer based paint to prevent the pink from bleeding through. Since I was looking for a true creamy white, and not an ivory or grey, I'll be choosing between #1 Behr's Natural White or #4 Valspar's Swiss Coffee. I'm even considering using #3 Stainmaster's Ivory Wool to brighten my son's old room while keeping the grey/yellow color scheme.

So the samples are up, the ball is rolling, and by Halloween night I hope to have an eerily white bedroom ready for new life and new adventures. What do you think of my paint choices? 🖌️ 🎨 🫟

26/10/2025

Well... Britain's new mommy bailed, so our beautiful mighty blue roo is still with us, and that's ok. I'd rather him go to someone who is prepared to nurture a magnificent creature like this, and not someone who is unreliable, indecisive, or unprepared, as that's never a good combination when acquiring an animal. Who knows, she may still be interested and just need more time to make proper provisions, as Britain is a very big boy, and not even fully matured yet. He still resists my attempts to handle him daily, but he definitely loves being handfed treats, and knows the days routines. It also started raining this afternoon, so I'd rather him be safe and dry with us than struggling to figure out a new living arrangement in inclement weather. Plus, I love having more time to admire my most handsome roodle, and watch him stand on the trailer like he's king of the yard. 🇬🇧🐓🇬🇧

26/10/2025

Lulu the Russian Orloff is being a mean queen today. Just listen to all that mad growling and fussing she's doing instead of just eating like everyone else. 😤

26/10/2025

Good morning My Blueberry Lifers!
🎃☕🎃☕🎃
It's overcast, chilly, and threatening rain where I am, and I'm nursing this cup of coffee like it's liquid gold. I scored the last 6 pack of broccoli starts in the state yesterday, and brought home 6 samples of white paint to start testing on walls, so my afternoon will be slow, but busy. I found a home for Great Britain the mighty blue roo, and am waiting for her to come pick him up this afternoon, so I'm also trying to drown out any feelings of sadness that try to creep in, as I know this is the best course of action. I always hate the process of choosing among my boys, even when there are clear problems as a result of keeping too many, but that doesn't mean I don't still have a bond with the little meatheads. I hand raise and love each and every bird to grace our property, and even the ones who reject me or cause dissention in the flock hold a special place in my heart. 💝

Britain was originally my favorite because he was dark navy blue, and the only one to cuddle with me as a chick, but now he's the largest, friskiest, and least compatible with the other roos, so he will do much better having his own flock to lead. I'll make sure his new mommy knows that he loves being handfed treats, and can easily be handled at bedtime. Underneath his highstrung and seemingly wild exterior is a very good boy eager to please, and I know he will bring beauty and joy to his new home. 🥲
I hope y'all have a lovely, restful Sunday afternoon, and that autumn's chill brings out the warm blankets, comforting soup, and reminder that to everything there is a season. Have a blessed day my peeps!

26/10/2025

This is another facet of molting that I mentioned the other day, and the one that squeezes my heartstrings the most. Before the feathers fall out, hens may become lethargic, tender, and seek you out for comfort, especially first timers. Their bodies may feel sensitive and weak, and many look to their handlers for comfort, not knowing why things feel so off. There's not much we as mommies and daddies can do but offer gentle hugs, yummy treats, or a warm lap, and wait for the ball to drop. Beatrix is one such hen who loves her daily cuddles, but lately has been looking a little droopy, and absorbing all the lovies she can get. Poor baby. It will all be over soon.

24/10/2025

Happy Fluffy Face Friday my peeps!

It's another glorious day in the southern state of Georgia, and fall is definitely in the air. Every morning is crisp and cool, and leaves are fluttering down all over the place. We've already filled up the run with enough leaf debris to use as winter bedding, and future batches will be used as garden mulch. It lasts much longer and smells way better than straw, and by spring has broken down into the most lovely compost for the garden. We still use straw inside the coop, but outdoor spaces get leafed! 🍂

Pictured today is Zara, one of my 3 yr old Swedish Flower/Russian Orloff crosses, and the shyest hen of her hatch. She's a friendly bird who tolerates the occasional petting, but prefers her independence to being cuddled or fussed over. Zara is the daughter of my Swedish Flower Hen Azalea, and sister of Deacon, our lead roo. She is a dense, heavy bird with flowery black beard and rich mahogany coloring, and lays a profusion of creamy tan eggs. She spends most of her day with sisters Kalique and Khepri, and tends to sleep alone at night. 🐔

I hope learning about my hens isn't boring or odd, but is mostly geared towards showing how different and individual chickens really are. They are not all the same or lacking intelligence, and have very definable personalities that set them apart from each other. It's just one of the many unique aspects of keeping these tiny backyard dinosaurs.

Have a wonderful weekend! 🥰

24/10/2025

What do you do with a basket full of extra poblano peppers? 🌶️🌶️🌶️

You go door to door and share with the neighbors of course! 🥰

My singular poblano bush has dumped oodles of peppers this season, and I'm at a loss for how to use the excess aside from freezing or pickling, so I decided to make a house call on my lovely new neighbor, and another to a great family of friends next to her. Both households were very excited and grateful for the offerings, and I felt better sharing with those who so graciously put up with my 7 roosters. I still have at least this many to put up, and more still growing on the bush, so we all win here. How would you use up a basket full of poblanos? 🫑

23/10/2025

Good morning from the crystal Bristol!

This guy is so unbelievably handsome up close, and my pictures just don't do him justice. Bristol has been behaving quite well this week, so he's been allowed more freedom in the yard. He still won't let me touch him outside of the daily treat feeding, but I'm looking for calm and collected over cuddly with this group. Bristol is a splash laced blue Wyandotte with an off trait comb, but he sure is a dashing piece of eye candy in the yard. 🍭

Have a wonderful day my peeps!

22/10/2025

It just wouldn't be a proper Wyandotte Wednesday without an appearance from my handsome boy Dante. Alpha status and hormones aside, he's actually a really good rooster who would absolutely be Deacon's successor if need be. Dante is by far my friendliest roo, most diligent guardian, and best all around leader out of my Wyandotte boys. Whereas birds like Pyxis are best at herding, and Bristol at alerting to danger, Dante checks all the boxes, and is rapidly maturing into a very fine adult rooster. Everywhere I turn he's at my feet, dancing and tidbitting for his ladies, or following me around. I love a boy who's not afraid to show his qualities while exercising restraint around humans. Not all roosters are capable of working side by side with their handlers, and those who do are worthy to lead your flock.

Breeding for temperament actually is an important factor when looking for good roosters. There really is no point keeping a rooster that you come to fear or are running from every day when there are tons of good tempered ones just dying to show you their qualities. It only takes a little time, patience, and helping them learn acceptable behavior for them to respect and work with you. And for goodness sake don't hatch from them! Aggression actually is an inheritable trait, and doesn't have to continue to future generations. I definitely hope to breed my Columbians this spring, and continue their divine personalities into the future.

22/10/2025

Chicken? What chicken? I don't see a chicken in this picture. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Pearl is camouflaging herself so she will be invisible to hawks and roosters alike. I think she did a pretty good job. I can barely see her among all the fallen leaves. Never doubt the intelligence of a slightly warped Wyandotte. They may just surprise you and disappear before your very eyes. 🪄✨🎩

22/10/2025

🍂 I AM LEAF!!! 🍂

Happy Wyandotte Wednesday from the queen of the oak leaves... my Pearly girl.

22/10/2025

Fall weather just screams SOUP to me! Of course it also screams apple fritters, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon buns, but that's not exactly the healthiest option for dinner, so we're going with soup. I made this deliciously earthy leek soup to eat with a slice of my fresh sourdough bread, and it was so tasty and warming that I just had to share it with you. Leek soup is a lot like French onion soup only with a poultry broth base and no cheese on top. I fill mine with nutty chestnuts, garlic, and root veggies like potatoes, mushrooms, and the occasional parsnip. I also add cream for a smoother finish, although I forgot to in this pot, but it's not a mandatory additive, just a nice one. Then I ladle this hearty, fall worthy soup over a bed of jasmine or wild rice, and it's a flavor sensation worthy of notice.

I use my own homemade bone broth that I keep on hand from slow cooking turkey or chicken bones throughout the year laced with celery and onion, but boxed versions from the store work perfectly well. You can also use potato flakes, although they're a bit gritty, and/or leave out any ingredient you're not fond of, but the combination of these earthy root vegetables is what makes this soup so hearty and nutritious.

Chestnut Leek Soup 🌰🥬🍲

2 leeks, finely chopped
1/2 pt mushrooms, diced
1 can chestnuts, finely diced
1 large potato, shredded or diced
1 parsnip finely chopped, optional
32 oz chicken or turkey broth
1 tsp minced garlic
2-3 Tb olive oil
Salt, thyme, celery to taste
1/3 c fat free cream or 1% milk
Steamed rice

In a large pot, saute leeks with olive oil until slightly translucent. Add in garlic, potatoes, chestnuts, parsnips if using them, and broth. Season to a personal taste. Simmer for 10 mins on med-low. Add mushrooms, and simmer 10-15 mins more. Stir in cream, and serve over warm rice. Makes 5 servings

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Our Story

I am a small backyard hobbyist located in eastern Georgia who spends most days snuggling chickens, training roosters, vegetable gardening, reading, blogging, and raising a teenage daughter, while my dear husband of 25 yrs helps to build our homesteading dream in our modest suburban neighborhood. I keep a wide variety of heavy breed layers that are named, live in a designer coop, free range in my backyard, and are all around spoiled to death. Everything I know about keeping chickens I have learned from personal experience, scientific poultry journals, the internet's vast assortment of chicken bloggers, local chicken club friends, and memories of my own family's chicken keeping days. Chickens are my favorite kind of therapy for relieving stress, staying active, and bringing healthier eating to my family through wonderful fresh eggs. We practice compassionate realism on our homestead and support many different methods of keeping poultry. Feel free to comment, share, or message me about your own experiences with keeping chickens or tending your veggies. I just love sharing the fun I have with my backyard babies, one glorious cluck at a time!

27/10/2025

26/10/2025

26/10/2025

26/10/2025

26/10/2025

24/10/2025

24/10/2025

23/10/2025

22/10/2025

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22/10/2025

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