“ One day I will have an escape artist hen to conduct with and the next I ’ll determine a out of sight nest of egg that were being set under a edifice , ” says Katelyn Posego , who runs theHastie Hen Farmon Whidbey Island , Washington . “ They certainly keep you on your toe . ”
Originally inspired by the goal of becoming self - sufficient and deal control over the food her syndicate eat , Posego started her husbandry journey by taking small steps . Five years later on , Hastie Hen Farm now fuel Posego ’s own family . It also supplies other members of the residential district .
We speak to Posego about olive - colored eggs and the intertwined nature of a ego - sufficient homestead . We also touch on on wine making at home .
Embracing Northern Climes
A post partake by Katelyn – Hastie Hen Farm ( @hastiehenfarm )
posit on Whidbey Island , Posego say her family can see the ocean from their homestead . “ This certainly has its challenges in the expression of the primer , ” she explains .
“ But our garden area was make for for generation before we bought our home . We continue to work the soil and have added many raise bed to help oneself .
“ We are very far north and have shorter , cool summer , ” she continues . “ This also makes our summertime originate season shorter but offers the vantage of many native plant species due to the moderate mood . Apple trees , cherry red trees and blackberry bush are just a few fruit - bearing plants that do exceptionally well in our region with no human fundamental interaction . ”
Egg Carton Organization Tactics
When it add up to collect and portray the eggs produced by Hastie Hen Farms ’ occupant fowl , Posego has a go - to tactic .
“ I organise the carton of eggs in radical of three of the same color . This means each dozen has four different people of color of eggs , ” she say . “ This is always quite a surprise for new customers ! ”
When it amount to personal preferred ballock colors , Posego plumps for “ a expert speckled egg . ” She foreground one hen who lay “ the most beautiful European olive tree , green eggs with brown spots . ”
Finding a Chicken Friend
If you ’re weighing the decisiveness to raise chickens , Posego says that finding a “ chicken mentor”—or consult a local veterinarian — can be a huge help during the former solar day .
“ chick are definitely the easiest livestock to just peck up and bring home , ” she explains . “ But I like I had interpret a book or picked the brain of a chicken friend before pulling the trigger . ”
Getting into Wine Making
A decade ago , Posego commence to try out take her own wine at home base . “ You do n’t require a large scale processing environment to make your own fermented beverages , ” she say . “ Wine can really be as unproblematic and small scale as you like . ”
Posego ’s own wine dangerous undertaking started with making mead . She then expand to hard cyder plus red and lily-white wines .
“ If you are interested in wine qualification , it ’s much like any other homesteading bodily function — just do it ! ” she says . “ There are so many kits available that take all of the guess out of the process . As you go you will learn what you care and dislike , further refining your winemaking ability . ”
Respecting the Process
“ Whether you are growing your own vegetables , raising your own meat or accumulate testis , you witness the study required for every particular , ” reflect Posego as she summate up the joys of her homesteading lifestyle . “ You know the effort that goes into every egg a hen lay , how much food and water they take and what they do in their everyday living .
“ For each part of your homestead , you are tat in the workings , ” she proceed . “ I think this compound the value of every detail and teaches a respect that can only be earned through that day - to - day knowledge . ”
