It’s always so exciting when we have babies at the farm - this time, fluffy, little chicks.
Last month, I attended the 2022 Northeastern Poultry Congress - a poultry show held every year in Springfield, Massachusetts. The event features more than 2500 birds, including large fowl, waterfowl, turkeys, pigeons, Guineas, and of course, a variety of wonderful breed chickens. While there, I purchased 18 chickens and 46 Silkie eggs. So far, 11 healthy chicks have hatched - all in special incubators set up in my Stable feed room.
Enjoy these photos.
Down at the stable, we set up our incubating and hatching equipment from GQF Manufacturing, Inc. in Savannah, Georgia – a company that specializes in game bird and poultry supplies. There are several crucial conditions needed for proper embryo development in all birds. These factors include: proper temperature, controlled humidity, and sufficient air circulation.
The eggs are placed into the incubator where they are safe from other birds and closely monitored until they hatch. Chicken eggs take 21-days. While the eggs incubate, they are automatically turned once a day, 45-degrees each way, back and forth during this period.
From days 17 to 21, they’re placed into the hatching cabinet, where it is still warm. Each egg has its own section, where it safe and cannot roll during the hatching process.
Meanwhile, my stable manager, Helen, who is also very experienced in raising chickens, sets up my large antique bird cage for all the chicks.
A heat lamp is placed into the cage to keep it warm.
Towels are used to line the floor – this will provide good footing for the babies. The chicks are fed organic chick starter for the first six to eight weeks.
And fresh, clean water is always provided. In fact, every chick is personally shown where their food and water sources are, so they know where to find it.
Here is a close look at one of the peeps just starting to break through its shell.
The next day, the first of 11 peeps emerges – it’s nothing short of adorable.
Now, we currently have 11-chicks doing excellently in their enclosure.
They are all up and about and playing and interacting with each other. They also peck at each other playfully.
There are eight Silkie color varieties accepted by the American Poultry Association. They include black, blue, buff, gray, partridge, splash, and white.
Baby chicks need constant monitoring until they are at least a month old. Here in the Stable feed room, they are checked several times a day. This room is also free from drafts. Chicks require an air temperature of 95 degrees during the first week, 90 degrees the second week, and so on – going down by around five degrees per week until they’re ready to transition to the coop.
These chicks hatched within hours of each other, which is good, so they are not lonely.
All these chicks have clear eyes and are very alert – signs of good health.
Here is one of the black Silkie chicks – notice, Silkies have black eyes. The buff Silkie on the right is falling asleep.
It is always nice to see such a strong and energetic group of babies. Silkies grow a bit more slowly than other breeds. They are also slower to mature. Silkie hens start laying at approximately seven to nine months of age.
Remember these adolescent Silkies I brought home from the same show? These four are doing very well.
If you’re unfamiliar with Silkies, they were originally bred in China. Underneath all that feathering, they have black skin and bones and five toes instead of the typical four on each foot. Silkie chickens are known for their characteristically fluffy plumage said to feel silk- or satin-like to the touch.
Silkies are also adaptable, playful, and friendly. And, they are naturally more calm than most other breeds.
I wonder what their conversations are like. In general, chickens are quite vocal. They make around 30 different calls to communicate with each other, expressing everything from “I am hungry” to “there’s a predator nearby.”
Here, one can see their grayish-blue beaks, which are short and quite broad at the base.
I am so pleased with all my Silkies – they are strong, healthy, and happy. They will all be great additions to my flock.
After nearly two years of "working from home," I am finally spending a little more time back at our New York City Headquarters. Marquee Brands is located in midtown-Manhattan, about one hour from my Bedford, New York farm. Because the risks COVID-19 poses continue to evolve, we're currently following a hybrid business model that allows small groups to work in the office on various days, while others continue operating remotely. Earlier this week, I went into the city for an in-person executive meeting and I'm happy to report - it was informative, productive, and most of all, safe.
Enjoy these photos.
Our offices are new and bright and very inviting. It is refreshing to be able to return to our safe corporate environment, and to see colleagues after all this time. Our partner, Marquee Brands, is a leading global brand managing and marketing entity. It was founded in 2014 and is sponsored by well-known investment corporation, Neuberger Berman.
Walking down one of the corridors is a wall showcasing all the brands managed by Marquee – we’re in very good company.
Valerie Waterman is our office manager – always so enthusiastic and ready to help.
Our space has both private, executive offices as well as open desk seating. To ensure everyone remains healthy and safe, we all follow strict guidelines – all employees must wear masks, provide recent proof of negative Covid-19 testing, and work on a scattered schedule.
On various walls, we also remind employees to remain distanced whenever possible – a sign of the times.
My Bedford operations manager, Stephanie Lofaro, joined me in the city on this day. She usually works at the farm. She and my executive administrative manager, Dorian Arrich, joined forces and worked across from each other at their stations – six feet apart.
And you all recognize Kevin Sharkey, our EVP design director. Kevin has worked with me for about 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge about our brand and our many, many Home products. He also takes excellent photos – follow his Instagram page @seenbysharkey.
More giant inspiration images line the long hallways.
Here’s a view of our test kitchen, where all our book and magazine recipes are tested and retested until they’re perfect. It is complete with lots of light, large working islands, multiple commercial refrigerators and freezers, and side-by-side door wall ovens.
On another wall, we have a complete set of magazines for quick reference – everything is organized and tidy.
Jerry Haggerty is our EVP of brand strategy – Home at Marquee. He stopped for a quick snapshot during one of his many Zoom conferences from his office.
On another wall, a row of large photos featuring all the Marquee Brands businesses. Our Martha Stewart brand has a very busy fun year ahead – stay tuned to all our social media platforms and web sites to keep informed on everything we’re doing.
Among our other partners – my friend, Emeril Lagasse. Emeril is the chef and proprietor of 12 restaurants in New Orleans, Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, Florida, plus one at sea. He is also a national television personality and has hosted more than 2000 shows.
Sur la Table is a retail company based in Seattle, Washington, that sells a host of kitchenware items including cookware, cutlery, cooks’ tools, small electrics, tabletop and linens, bakeware, glassware and bar, housewares, food, and outdoor products.
Bruno Magli is an iconic Italian luxury brand.
In 1936, Bruno Magli and his siblings, Marino and Maria, began crafting women’s shoes in a small basement in Bologna, Italy. Today, the company also sells luxury essentials ranging from accessories, handbags, and men’s tailoring to timepieces and personal care items.
Ben Sherman is a British clothing brand that focuses on shirts, sweaters, suits, outerwear, shoes, and men’s accessories.
BCBG stands for “bon chic, bon genre,” a French slang phrase that roughly translates as “good style, good attitude.” BCBG sells clothing, shoes, and accessories for women inspired by the evolving landscapes of European culture, art, and design. BCBG includes BCBGMaxazria…
Body Glove is an American brand of watersports apparel and accessories that was founded in 1953 by twin brothers Bill and Bob Meistrell. The brothers are often credited with inventing the first practical wetsuit in the early 1950s behind their Redondo Beach, California surf shop. I posted a blog about their fun paddle boards last summer – click here to revisit it.
Dakine is an American outdoor clothing company specializing in sportswear and sports equipment. Founded in Hawaii, the name comes from the Hawaiian Pidgin phrase “da kine” meaning “very good,” “the real deal,” or exceptional.
Destination Maternity oversees A Pea in the Pod, one of their two designer maternity wardrobe businesses. A Pea in A Pod offers clothing for every stage of pregnancy.
Their other business is Motherhood Maternity, the world’s largest designer and retailer of maternity apparel, based in Moorestown, New Jersey.
Here is our VP of product development, Zaki Kamandy, on the left, with Keith Li, one of our dedicated IT consultants – don’t worry, they only removed their masks for this photo.
And here I am in our meeting – everyone is well and ready to continue working on our many projects for 2022. We took this photo of our group on the large monitor.
And here is the actual view. It was so nice to see everyone face-to-face. I hope you are all able to resume your regular work routines to some extent – productively and safely.
Erratic weather continues here in the Northeast. I hope you saw the photos on my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48 - this weekend there was ice everywhere!
Last week, we had a day of thick, thick fog. When mild, moist air cools and mixes with cold air, condensation and fog occur. These conditions left my Bedford, New York farm shrouded with a dense layer of fog that took most of the day to "burn off" or dissipate. Today is expected to be in the high 30s, with a warming trend that is supposed to last through the week.
Enjoy these photos.
The weather here in the Northeast has been extremely inconsistent. After the recent nor’easter, we had a day of cold, sunny weather, then freezing rain, leaving a lot of vapor and moisture in the air. By last week’s end, the vapor condensed into water droplets and formed fog, covering the farm before more rain and a big freeze. Here is a view of the snow covered vegetable garden.
Looking down between the paddocks, one can barely make out the trees in the distance. The tall, majestic eastern white pines are on the right.
This is the winding road that leads past the hay fields and into the woods. It is among the most photographed areas here at the farm.
A view into the woodland – up close, the trees look ominously dark against the white snow.
When I moved here, I decided to paint my home and all the outbuildings a shade of gray, which I call “Bedford Gray.” On these foggy, winter mornings, everything seems to take on various gray tones.
This day was also very cloudy – one can see the outline of this tree, completely bare of leaves. Clouds and fog both form when water vapor condenses or freezes to make tiny droplets or crystals in the air, but clouds can form at many different altitudes while fog only forms near the ground. Notice the whimsical heart in the foreground.
This is a photo looking into one of the horse paddocks. Look closely, my Fell Pony Banchunch is on the right.
Nearing the paddock, Banchunch and Bond approach ever hopeful – perhaps cookies accompany this visit. Rinze stands in the distance and my home beyond.
After the snow came freezing temperatures, which left the roads treacherous and completely covered in ice. Temperatures this week are expected to remain in the 40s, which should melt a lot of it down.
At the end of my great allee of pin oaks, one can see this grove of beech trees, some still holding on to leaves.
These old apple trees are original to the farm. With good care and maintenance, they continue to produce an abundance of apples every year.
Looking across this paddock are linden trees. These trees are part of an allee that runs from the old corn crib all the way down to the vegetable garden.
Here is a view of the long Boxwood Allee completely covered and protected in burlap for the season.
This is the run-in shed for the donkeys. A run-in is a three-sided structure placed strategically to protect equines from wind and rain. My donkeys stand in it whenever they feel the need for cover.
Despite the cold, all five donkeys are gathered at the manger – Jude “JJ” Junior, Truman “TJ” Junior, Rufus, Billie, and Clive. At night, all the animals are brought indoors where it is safe and warm.
My outdoor grounds crew continues to do tree work around the farm. Here, they tend the lindens and sycamores in the allee. I instructed them to “limb up” the trees – remove the lower branches of each specimen. I do this to improve the views beneath the foliage, to maintain good air flow, to create less dense shade for plants and grass growing below, and to maintain clear pathways for our Polaris off-road vehicles. These trees also look much better when properly “limbed up.”
Domi collects all the pruned branches and piles them near the carriage road where they can be loaded onto the dump truck and added to the pile for chipping.
Here’s a view looking down the allee. With all the fog, it is difficult to see the very end.
This is my stone yard, a place where extra inventory of the many types of stones used at the farm are kept – slate shingles, marble flooring, granite posts, etc. The thick fog can be seen in the distance.
Today, we’re expecting a wintry mix in the morning with some freezing rain, but temperatures are supposed to rise as the week progresses, and looking ahead – spring. Spring starts in just 41 days.
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