100th Hubbell Bubble Chicken Coop!

Last Saturday we drove down to the shoreline... not to swim or sunbathe at the beach, or even to walk along the coast... but to help build a chicken coop for Kua O Ka La, the Hawaiian immersion school next to the Ahalanui warm pond. It was part of a series of Natural Farming talks that have been taking place there since October.

We have really enjoyed this series which has included such topics as the Hawaiian moon calendar, cultivating 'uala (sweet potato) and kalo (taro), and will conclude with the big 'Ulu Festival next month. This time it was a more hands-on project: building a chicken coop for the school.

 

There was a good turnout and everyone joined in, one way or another. 

Even the younger keiki got to try their hands at coop-building.

Many hands make light work... and the coop was just finished in only two hours!

Once the coop was completed, there was a little blessing. Hawaiian chanting always gives me "chicken skin" and this time was no exception, though the day was hot and sunny. There was also a special presentation: Mike was chosen for the first annual Natural Farmer's Award! He was so surprised! It was announced that this is the 100th Hubbell Bubble chicken coop built on the islands - and that's just counting the ones that the UH-CTAHR Extension Office is aware of!

There were representatives from both Kua O Ka La and the Kamehameha Schools in attendance, as well as a member of the Maui County Council. The word about Natural Farming is spreading!

At then end of the morning, it's all about the friendship and camaraderie of doing good work together. Mahalo to all who helped.

Rainy Day Walkabout

Okay, now that I have thoroughly revamped my blog page, it's high time I added a new post... or maybe even two.  Let's get down to it, then!

Last week saw more of our usual winter weather pattern, with rain, rain, and more rain. Maybe a little drizzle to alleviate the monotony. Since it is still warm, this doesn't really slow us down much, but sometimes we forget that it is still a pleasant temperature outdoors when we have the windows closed against the high humidity and blowing precipitation. After all, it can be dark and dreary looking... until you venture outside and feel all that life-force of the gardens and jungle growing like mad around you.

The chickens don't mind the rain one little bit. Whoever coined the phrase "mad as a wet hen" sure didn't know squat about birds!

And then there are a few who prefer the view from the top perch. Maybe they're scoping out the best scratching ground!

The piggies appreciate the cooler temps... and the fresh juicy sugarcane Mike cuts for them each day.

 
Spot is so efficient at slurping the juice from the stalks and you can tell she loves it! The leftover stringy bits, called bagass, become part of the bedding.

This little piggy just got bought by a 4-H youngster, but we're keeping him here until she has her barn ready for him.

And let me just add, I love my new chore boots!  Perfect for tromping in and out of the coops during feeding and egg-collecting, across wet grass and jungle, and of course stomping in the occasional puddle!