Mel Combs ’s urban hobby farm was founded when she and her married man felt “ a desire to just have quad . ”
Named The Combstead , the Caldwell , Idaho - based venture conduct off when she brought in some butt to keep the grass in the pasture humiliated . Then she added chicken and a garden .
“ It seemed like the lifestyle chose us , but we unquestionably did n’t argue , ” reflects Combs . She shares her husbandry experiences with the creation via her popularInstagramaccount .
make metre out from tend to the chicks , we spoke to Combs about the challenges to overcome when taking up urban land . We also discuss the rewarding nature of running a family farm . Finally , we extend to on the therapeutic benefits of be with chickens .
The Urban Farming Workload
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Combs say that workload is the greatest challenge when tackle urban agriculture .
“ We moved from an Accho to five , and although our property is not that big in the lordly system of a homestead or urban farm , the work load truly did multiply itself by five , ” she explains .
“ Sounds like vernacular sense , but I do n’t know if we were actually quick for that . The idea that there are no off days amount quick . Because if you tell yourself you ’ll do it tomorrow then when tomorrow comes , you will be even more behind than just the one day . ”
As a solution , Combs state she and her family started to spend an extra 30 minute a twenty-four hour period sour beyond their usual chore .
“ There is always something that needs to be built , weed , cleared , harvest , mowed , cleaned or planted , ” she says . “ Those 30 minutes a day really help oneself us remain on top of things and also not get burn up out — which in twist has help us ride out motivated . ”
you could have laughingstock in many urban domain , but ask yourself these questions first .
Treating the Chickens
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crybaby work a key part of The Combstead . “ They are perhaps the most demanding animate being we have , ” unwrap Combs .
“ Not in a mellow maintenance agency , but in a how dare you come out here to do chores and not bring us a delicacy sideboard ? When the volaille see us coming , they all fly the coop for the logic gate to greet us . When we are delicacy - less , you may almost feel the birds wander their eyes and walk away in disappointment ! ”
Combs add together that the chickens on The Combstead are “ a great rootage of therapy . ” She characterizes them as “ tranquil and odd ” and tell she ’ll often pass her post - chores time “ sitting on the ground or an upset bucket just watching them peck at or rubble bathe or justbe .
“ It ’s very relaxing and make any day better . ”
Watching the Chickens
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When it comes to produce chickens , Combs maintains that the biggest lesson she ’s get a line on The Combstead is to just view the chicks .
“ You ’d be amazed how many issuance can be stopped early or prevented entirely if you just take a couple min each day to really take in each chick , ” she articulate .
“ How are they walking ? How are their centre , pick and volcano ? Are they eating and drinking fine ? How is their energy level ? By make up attention and knowing the signs , you will have a much happier and healthier wad of dame . ”
With urban chicken , you could bring some cluck to the city .
Claiming the Chicken Tree
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If you follow The Combstead ’s societal medium accounting , you ’ll have noticed that the farm ’s chickens have reclaim a tree on the property as a hang out bit — which has now been constitute the Chicken Tree .
“ Before we even decided on a chicken coop design , we had to calculate out where we would put it , ” says Combs , explain how the Chicken Tree came to be .
“ We knew our birds would be 100 per centum gratis range , but we also wanted their chicken coop tightlipped and easily approachable by us ; we wanted lots of shade for the birdie and some kind of aegis .
“ The Chicken Tree is an old Russian Olive that was all alone along the fencing that fraction our side paddock from the main pasture . It was also proper by the irrigation pipes that prey our lea , so we knew that be one other matter that chickens have intercourse — germ ! ”
After situating the chicken coop there , Combs was agreeably surprised to happen the chicks adopting the tree .
“ All the birds habituate it as a perch . It offers worthful shade in the hot summertime daytime , filter and lessens C fall in the winter , the tree trunk that lies along the basis is a grotesque hint block and we ’ve even control it used as an flight from hawks and eagles that have tried to get a free meal , ” she says .
“ To see them using their rude perching instinct is the greatest reward of all . ”
Embracing Family Farming
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“ It may be cliché , but I rightfully think the most rewarding affair about running a sept farm is the gumption of superbia in a simple meal , ” says Combs when asked to sum up the pleasure of family farming .
“ see all of your hard work come across the dinner party table is remarkable . There are several months of the year when everything on our dental plate was farm or develop by us . We also pass a great deal of time canning , freezing , desiccate and preserving our bounty .
“ That means the feeling of accomplishment can uphold throughout the cold , au naturel winters . It pass on you with an undeniable sense of exhilaration and oddment for what is next . ”
