Early in the morning, the post office called and told us that we had a very important package awaiting us.
The girls scurried out of bed to the sound of 17 chicks peeping! We’re hoping this amounts to 15 hens and 2 roosters. I’m already praying for the development of their nice, gentle personalities and healthy, egg-producing bodies.
We had all of the supplies ready to go, and welcomed them into their temporary home – and nice, warm brooding box – in the basement.
Ryan did so much research and learned to round off the corners of a large sturdy box, so that they don’t huddle into a corner and smoosh each other. He also found out what to feed them; when to change the water; and how to monitor the temperature of the brooding light. We made a molasses-water mixture to give them an extra boost after their journey from Ohio. They seemed to enjoy that and fluffled right up! Of all the websites that he’s researched, Ryan recommends My Pet Chicken.
Every chicken expert we know says the same thing: “Chickens are easy!” So far, so good. (Especially when the farmer does all the work, and the farmer’s wife just looks on admiringly.) We’ll keep you posted about how “easy” they are for the pure novice, and will take suggestions for the way in which we prepare our very first eggs. (Scrambled? Souffle? Classic hard-boiled??)
Comments
10 responses to “Our (17) New Arrivals!”
Oh, they look wonderful! We’ve just begun researching in the hope to have some ourselves, so this is such a timely post.
Oh, the kids will just love ’em! (And so will you, when they’re supplying the table with eggs 😉
such fun! We are hoping to add chickens to our family in the near future also. Cant wait to follow your journey!
What fun!!!! We’ve talked about chickens, but we live in our church’s parsonage and I don’t they’d care for that right now. LOL!! But one day I would LOOOVE this!! I will surely enjoy following your journey with them!!
Oh, and thank you for sharing that website- My Pet Chicken. So much to learn there!
His,
Shari
Laura – I would love to do this! And Mrs. U – we are in a parsonage too but I hope the board won’t mind my adventure into chickens 🙂
I am SOOO jealous!!!!! I want chickens in a BAD way, but inner city living doesn’t work well for chickens 🙁
Jolanthe is getting chickens too, again, so jealous!!!
WOW, Laura! Just found your blog. You are a woman of many talents! The chicks are adorable. Our neighbors just got theirs as well, and I’m feeling a bit of chicken-envy. (Must get hubby working on that coop!) Thanks for the link…I’ll check that out.
Your blog is lovely, as are you. I love your previous post about the “Remembrance Book.” I keep a book by my computer for quotes and other book recommendations I come across, but it is mostly for personal reference. Your idea of creating something of lasting value for generations is something I am going to purpose to begin, very soon. Now, I just have to find a *REALLY BIG* book. Thanks for the idea!
Have a great week.
Kris Zerby
We’ve had chicken’s for about 4 years now. By far our favorite farm animal (as witness by my chicken decor in the house lol). We have one rooster but not sure how long we’ll keep him. He’s not doing much work except cock-a-doodle doing all day long. If you have any chicken questions feel free to send me a e-mail. We loved the book “Chicken’s in my Backyard” also. Lots of good info in that one. God Bless.
I can just taste those fresh eggs!!! Viv and Lia can scramble a few for Grandpop and me when we come…soon, I hope!
Congrats on the new additions! YAY!
Hard boiled for sure!! Farm eggs taste so much richer than store bought ones! You’ll just have to save them in the fridge for about a week before you boil them…and throw them right in ice water. Otherwise those shells just don’t want to peel off for you! And don’t ever wash them off before you store them, they have a protective coating on the eggs. I never liked the idea of knowing chicken poo was on my eggs in the fridge, but seriously–it is never a big deal. Oh, and store those eggs with the rounder end standing on top in your cartons–much gentler to the membranes in your eggs. Just my advice 😉 We raised chickens for 17 years and had so much fun!
They MAILED those babies to you??? Poor things! I know they appreciate the TLC you’re giving them now after that! 😀 Good luck with them!