Chickens congregating.

By our flock’s standards, the chickens have had a fairly drama-free existence in the past few months. Predator pressure has been low — we last saw coyotes a week or two ago, but we didn’t take any chickens this winter or spring that we’re aware of. Our resident coyote is injured and extremely shy; whenever he catches site of us, he takes off for the cover of scotch broom.

The bald eagles haven’t forgotten our luxurious buffet, and sometimes I spy them wheeling in low over the henhouse. Despite their interest, they haven’t taken any of our hens lately.

Orpheus the rooster keeps watch.

Barred Rock Pullet

Our three adult roosters (Orpheus, Eomer, and Françuave Pierre) have done a fine job keeping watch for the hens. They’ll stake out different watch positions and call the alarm across the yard at the slightest provocation. The hens are savvy to the danger and are ready to scuttle for cover when they hear the signal.

Meanwhile, the chicks we acquired in late January have developed into a cheerful covey of pullets. Although they have a ways to go before we’ll let them mingle with the adult flock, they’re a companionable lot. The youngest generation is comprised of Cuckoo Marans (famous for laying deep brown eggs), Ameraucanas, Black Stars, beautiful Silver and Golden Wyandottes (pictured with black-pencilled feathers in top photo), and Barred Rocks (pictured at left), who are the most friendly and adventurous breed I’ve had the pleasure of raising.

We got into the Bainbridge Island Farmers’ Market!

Whew! All of us were on tenterhooks. But we’ve been accepted into the market, so now it’s time to keep our heads low and prepare Secret Spring Farm for the weekly market. Besides growing and gathering specimens to bring in to Winslow, we need to practice setting up our booth and displaying our wares pleasingly.

The first Saturday of the market is April 13, so we’ll hope to see you there! We’ll be bringing cut flowers, foraged greens, and vegetables from our garden. Later in the season we’ll have fruit and possibly honey, though none of our fruit ripens in spring.

A big thank you to Tim O’Brien, the Bainbridge market manager, as well as the friendly and supportive farm community on Bainbridge. We’ve had veteran farmers visit our nascent operation, been invited to farmers-only parties, joined work parties, and had skilled labor show up without much to-do just to help us out! We love it.

The official online home of the Farmers’ Market is at their website, but more frequent updates on the latest Market news appear on the Facebook page.

Cherry plum flowers dripping.