The story of a happy little urban farm, maintained by chickens and managed by humans (`cause chickens are terrible at math), in the concrete jungles of NYC.Tumblr (3.0; @facundofarmscommune)http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/690987641bd7df53ee601e67183b3548/tumblr_mkn1w77iLo1rvgvufo1_500.jpg"/><br/> Hi Ho Hi Ho, Its Off To Work We Go!! We did dig dig dig dig dig dig dig <br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/d15ab114b7d3d17c0df8089d546ba79f/tumblr_mkn1w77iLo1rvgvufo2_500.jpg"/><br/> Hi ho Hi ho Its home from work we go <br/><br/> <p>The girls are working hard to prepare the yard for spring veggies. After a hard day of work, they like to bask in the sun and take dirt baths.</p>http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/46970176432http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/46970176432Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:37:00 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/b6b2cc7629a623bd539a4350ffbc72cf/tumblr_miconwAhG91rvgvufo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/955d7334365ace8ee243ea90d1c5f951/tumblr_miconwAhG91rvgvufo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/4fb2ccc1344ee8f3e7db059b67eb3f18/tumblr_miconwAhG91rvgvufo3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>The girls at 4 months old enjoying some winter weather.</p>http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/43334634492http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/43334634492Sun, 17 Feb 2013 15:02:00 -0500winter snow garden chickens<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/200455be9d62e92a357c956b43170995/tumblr_mhgcv6Apch1rvgvufo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>These are the future plans of my garden. There will be basil, tomatoes, swiss chard, strawberries, summer squash, winter squash, peppers, eggplants, carrots, spinach, onions, cilantro, pumpkins, and a boat load of kale!</p>http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/41882874255http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/41882874255Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:01:56 -0500gardenvegetableshealthyfood<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/766ee56a12aa592c2a0f19ab57eb4cc0/tumblr_mh1i6nmBkl1rvgvufo1_500.jpg"/><br/> A January garden isn't much of a garden, but the chickens like it.<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/428e4598291e6347796348182f3e7a7c/tumblr_mh1i6nmBkl1rvgvufo2_500.jpg"/><br/> Maggie "Rocket" Marble<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/1e6d9f20d0bd57a5b7da3fd2baa527ce/tumblr_mh1i6nmBkl1rvgvufo3_500.jpg"/><br/> Graceful landing.<br/><br/> <p>Julia Roberts, the Rhode Island Red, was killed by a hawk in early December so I haven’t really wanted to document the girls too much. It’s a sad reminder every time I see only 6 chickens. <br/><br/>These pictures were just too great to not post. Maggie Marble is determined to get that marshmallow, and she does consistently. </p>http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/41278991530http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/41278991530Wed, 23 Jan 2013 10:01:13 -0500<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.justin.tv/widgets/live_embed_player.swf?channel=efacundo" id="live_embed_player_flash" height="300" width="400"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowNetworking" value="all" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.justin.tv/widgets/live_embed_player.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=www.justin.tv&channel=efacundo&auto_play=false&start_volume=25" /></object> <iframe width="480" height="302" src="http://www.ustream.tv/embed/11686822?ub=ff720a&lc=ff720a&oc=ffffff&uc=ffffff&v=3&wmode=direct" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border: 0px none transparent;"> </iframe> <br/><br/><p><strong>Just hit play!</strong></p> <p>Are you in the mood to watch some chickens? Perhaps you wish to assist in providing security at the compound. Maybe you are bored of Facebook/Twitter and just figured there was nothing else better to do.<br/><br/>Watch my chickens and perhaps, help prevent a kidnapping or a murder!</p>http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/37849045389http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/37849045389Thu, 13 Dec 2012 14:55:00 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_md96g2vIKy1rvgvufo5_500.jpg"/><br/> T-Rex Cluckers, the Buckeye, at 1 month old.<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_md96g2vIKy1rvgvufo6_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> Camilla de Chicken, the Delaware, at 1 month old.<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_md96g2vIKy1rvgvufo7_500.jpg"/><br/> Henrietta, the Dominique, at 1 month old.<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_md96g2vIKy1rvgvufo8_500.jpg"/><br/> Trunkbutt, the Buff Orpington, at 1 month old.<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_md96g2vIKy1rvgvufo9_500.jpg"/><br/> Maggie Marble, the Easter Egger, at 1 month old.<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_md96g2vIKy1rvgvufo10_500.jpg"/><br/> Mrs. T, the Black Astrolorp, at 1 month old.<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_md96g2vIKy1rvgvufo11_500.jpg"/><br/> Julia Roberts, the Rhode Island Red, at 1 month old.<br/><br/> <p>The chicks all arrived safely and are growing up so fast. I am posting some Tumblr pictures for your enjoyment. I hope to have these girls outside before the end of the month because they are starting to get CRAZY!</p>http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/35426975344http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/35426975344Sat, 10 Nov 2012 15:02:20 -0500<iframe width="400" height="242" src="http://www.ustream.tv/embed/11686822?v=3&wmode=direct" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border: 0px none transparent;"> </iframe> <br/><br/><p>My baby chicks are due to arrive any minute. In an effort to provide 24/7 monitoring and protection, I am installing this video cam in their brooder. I’m hoping that my internet friends will help watch the babies while I am asleep. I’m also taking suggestions on names!</p> <p>This video can be accessed directly at http://ow.ly/en43g as well for those who want direct link access. Thank you all for your help and support. </p>http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/33310326515http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/33310326515Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:55:41 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mba9p2mWtx1rvgvufo1_500.jpg"/><br/> Full frontal view of garden.<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mba9p2mWtx1rvgvufo2_500.jpg"/><br/> Side view of garden.<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mba9p2mWtx1rvgvufo5_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> Squash attacked by a squirrel but still just as yummy.<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mba9p2mWtx1rvgvufo6_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> Grasshoppers or locust or BOTH cross-breeding into mutants!<br/><br/> <p>It’s been a while since I took a panoramic of the garden. It’s starting to look like a spring garden again. Lots of green and not much colour. No colour until my red lettuce comes up. I also got a pic of my yellow squash and 2 grasshoppers doing the nasty!</p>http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/32816509252http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/32816509252Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:56:42 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mav2he4F9j1rvgvufo1_500.jpg"/><br/> 2 Dominique Hens<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mav2he4F9j1rvgvufo2_500.jpg"/><br/> Dominique chicken family.<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mav2he4F9j1rvgvufo5_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>The Dominique, or American Dominique, is a medium sized chicken and a great little forager. These little birds are very similar to the Barred Rocks, except they are smaller and slightly more aggressive with prey. From what I have read, they are very docile with owners and very affectionate if treated correctly from babies. They also have a different comb then the Barred Rock and eat about 25% the normal amount of feed a larger bird like a Barred Rock might eat.</p> <p>Dominiques are also “mouser” chickens so they love to eat meat - bugs, mosquitoes, worms, mice, weasels, young raccoons, cats, small dogs, etc. The more meat a chicken eats, the better the eggs tend to taste so this hen’s eggs might be some of the tastiest, if not the biggest. These chickens are also on the tougher end of the spectrum and make great free range pets as they are smart enough to run from predators and call for help when needed.</p> <p>The legend of the Dominique’s origins is almost as cool as the bird. One legend has it that the Pilgrims cross bred with local heath hens the few Sussex and Hamburg chickens they brought over from Holland and England. Another legend has it that they were crossed with wild jungle fowl in Haiti and thus garnered the moniker, Dominique. Though most of their origin is shrouded in mystery, we know for certain that the Dominique has existed as a distinct chicken breed since the late 1600’s and that it has existed only in the Americas. It is the chicken to have in any place north of the Mason-Dixie line. </p> <p>As if being a champion forager, docile to humans, and a murderer to vermin wasn’t enough, this little bird was the favourite of the American colonialists. They were used extensively to make pillows because of their beautiful feathers and if you see any paintings of the era with chickens in it, that will be the chicken you will see. The cool little Dominique was American before there was an America so it will be nice to own a little piece of American history in my backyard.</p>http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/32679755967http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/32679755967Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:56:00 -0400The one with the waggly tail&#8230; The question I ask myself everyday is what chicken breed should...http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/32281345229http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/32281345229Tue, 25 Sep 2012 16:58:00 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mauv86zSqr1rvgvufo1_500.jpg"/><br/> Fall is almost here so it's time to prepare the garden for some fall crops.<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mauv86zSqr1rvgvufo3_500.jpg"/><br/> I need to pull out all the weeds<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mauv86zSqr1rvgvufo2_500.jpg"/><br/> Need to till the soil in preparation for kale and lettuce.<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mauv86zSqr1rvgvufo4_500.jpg"/><br/> More tilling to prepare future food for my chickens arriving soon!<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mauv86zSqr1rvgvufo7_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> Finally it all goes into one of my two compost bins.<br/><br/> <p>Sometime between now and October 9th I should be getting a delivery of baby chicks. The final coop materials have been purchased and coop building will continue until the structure is finished sometime before Halloween.</p> <p>Also in preparation for the chicken’s first winter, I am planting a boat load of kale. The theory is that kale will grow through the winter and actually tastes better after facing freezing temps. Hopefully, I can use the kale as greens for the chickens when all else is dead. What ever is left over I can leave for the humans.</p>http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/32195745340http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/32195745340Tue, 04 Sep 2012 09:37:00 -0400If a farm has no livestock, is it a farm? When I Google the definition of farm it clearly states...http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/28863217668http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/28863217668Mon, 06 Aug 2012 18:24:00 -0400Glad you liked it. How did your parents cook it? Did you see the pictures of Saturn I posted?http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/27525033435http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/27525033435Wed, 18 Jul 2012 22:03:00 -0400the vegetable u gave me tasted pretty good :)http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/27524955577http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/27524955577Wed, 18 Jul 2012 22:02:45 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6z4co67LH1rvgvufo1_500.jpg"/><br/> The day's panoramic.<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6z4co67LH1rvgvufo6_500.jpg"/><br/> Side shot of the garden.<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6z4co67LH1rvgvufo3_500.jpg"/><br/> Red cherry tomatoes.<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6z4co67LH1rvgvufo4_500.jpg"/><br/> Closeup of red cherry tomatoes.<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6z4co67LH1rvgvufo5_500.jpg"/><br/> Yellow cherry tomatoes.<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6z4co67LH1rvgvufo7_500.jpg"/><br/> Cherry bombs!<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6z4co67LH1rvgvufo8_500.jpg"/><br/> Yellow zuchini.<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6z4co67LH1rvgvufo10_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> Mandalucci tomatoes almost ready.<br/><br/> <p>My camera has died. Lens error or something like that. This was taken with a very similar borrowed camera. It’s a little older then mine was, but still very capable with a fine lens.</p>http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/27065520480http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/27065520480Thu, 12 Jul 2012 16:31:00 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6yycrH45W1rvgvufo1_500.jpg"/><br/> The moon, Spica, and Saturn on top edge.<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6yycrH45W1rvgvufo2_500.jpg"/><br/> The moon zoomed in <br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6yycrH45W1rvgvufo3_500.jpg"/><br/> Saturn!<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6yycrH45W1rvgvufo8_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> It looks much better with the naked eye.<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6yycrH45W1rvgvufo9_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> I think I need to figure out the focus.<br/><br/> <p>These pictures were taken on June 27th when the moon, Spica, and Saturn were right near each other. I did the best I could with auto focus and a P&S camera. :-p</p>http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/26992430690http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/26992430690Wed, 11 Jul 2012 15:01:49 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m65szxYFzi1rvgvufo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A very pretty crescent moon as seen from the farm on the evening of June 23rd, 2012. This Thursday the moon, Saturn, and the star Spica should form a close triangle in the sky. <br/><br/>If it is not cloudy, it should make for some beautiful photographs so stay tuned!</p>http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/25868174818http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/25868174818Mon, 25 Jun 2012 14:57:00 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m61aqnzxeU1rvgvufo1_500.jpg"/><br/> Morning sun does a garden good.<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m61aqnzxeU1rvgvufo2_500.jpg"/><br/> Afternoon sun kills cool weather veggies<br/><br/> <p>Today’s panoramic pictures. Thank goodness this heat wave is OVER but just in case I have veggie protection.</p> <p>I should have another month, at least, of greens.I did it all for the kale!</p>http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/25663541645http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/25663541645Fri, 22 Jun 2012 15:42:18 -0400What’s going on Josh and thanks again for visiting. That’s awesome that you are into...http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/25540718604http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/25540718604Wed, 20 Jun 2012 20:34:21 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5i90vaQvT1rvgvufo1_500.jpg"/><br/> This morning's panoramic.<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5i90vaQvT1rvgvufo2_500.jpg"/><br/> Happy pumpkin plant.<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5i90vaQvT1rvgvufo11_r2_500.jpg"/><br/> Lone boy pumpkin flower. Lucky Devil.<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5i90vaQvT1rvgvufo4_500.jpg"/><br/> Closeup of pumpkin flower posing.<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5i90vaQvT1rvgvufo5_500.jpg"/><br/> Strike a pose.<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5i90vaQvT1rvgvufo3_500.jpg"/><br/> Head on shot.<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5i90vaQvT1rvgvufo7_500.jpg"/><br/> Look at all the pollen.<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5i90vaQvT1rvgvufo6_500.jpg"/><br/> Where are the girls?<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5i90vaQvT1rvgvufo8_500.jpg"/><br/> Pollen doesn't look mature yet.<br/><br/> <p>Gimmie love, love, love, love, PUMPKIN love. Gimmie love, love, love, love, pumpkin love… (sung to the tune of Crazy Love by Van Morrison).</p>http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/24969284724http://facundofarmscommune.tumblr.com/post/24969284724Tue, 12 Jun 2012 15:24:54 -0400