Chicken Update

Lots of news in the chicken world.........some good, some bad.  Raising chickens is certainly as much fun as everyone said, not so much work if the temperatures don't top the 100s, but a little unpredictable.

Since the last post, we added three chicks that were about 6 weeks old a few days after the initial crew joined us.  There was a Black Copper Maran, a Cuckoo Maran and a Rhode Island Red.  We lost the little cuckoo maran, who knows why, within a couple of days, but the other girls have grown and done well. That being said, the Rhode Island Red is definitely not a RIR, but a mystery chick instead.  Which is a little disappointing, because Blake had RIRs as a child and we really wanted one.  Maybe next year.  This is Lily (the Black Copper Maran) and Ginger (the mystery chick); it was hard to get a good photo of them, but they are best buds and almost always together:

While I was at rug camp, my very favorite chicken, Nugget (the Lemon Cuckoo Orpington pullet) got sick and died.......Blake is pretty sure that it was the fault of her mate, Captain Cluck, our Lemon Cuckoo Orpington rooster.  So, Captain Cluck went to live where there are more hens for him to woo (and a promise that he won't be dinner at his new home).  I decided that I would just forego having a rooster and was good with that (although I did love hearing him crow).  However, when I arrived home Blake had suspicions that our handsome Easter Egger pullet just might not be a pullet.......it had been strutting about ever since Captain Cluck left the coop.  I was sure that he must be wrong.  Two days later, much to my dismay, Zulu (the Easter Egger) began to crow.  It was really hard to tell Blake that he was right.  He will get to stay provided he is a good boy (the rooster, not Blake VBG).  Right now he is.......and he is very protective of his girls.  We will see.

So, after I got home from rug camp we decided to add to our flock since we were down three.  We found a really nice guy over in Carrollton, loaded up Sara Ashley and Macy and went to select a couple of pullets.  Which turned out to be five.......yes, five to replace three.  Go figure.  Anyway, they were chosen, loaded and had names (thanks granddaughters) before we arrived home.  After a few days of isolation, they have now integrated into the family.

This is Chloe, the little Black Cochin.  She is definitely the most timid of the girls.

Snowflake is a Splash Cochin and quite a little beauty.

Ronnie is a Blue Laced Wyandotte and is very personable. She really likes people and enjoys being petted and picked up.  She was also the first to adapt to the other chickens. 

The Ameracauna, Puff, is also very friendly with people.  She has little tufts of cheek feathers when you see her head on.

Alex is a Buff Orpington and quite a lovely girl.  She doesn't care much to be handled, though.  She was the first to join the old girls on the roost; despite the fact that she received some pecks, she persisted and won.

I couldn't resist adding this photo of little Stella, one of our original girls.  She is some kind of a Cochin, maybe a Partridge???  At any rate, she is so funny and full of attitude.....and she is so busy; she never misses a trick.

And Bobbie, one of our original girls.

We have no eggs yet, as our two oldest girls are still only about six months.  Hopefully in the next month or so.  And pray that we have no more roosters or someone else will have to go.

During the horrible heatwave, Blake and I worked like dogs to keep these chickens alive.  Tarps for more shade, fans, ice water, electrolytes, apple cider vinegar, frozen water bottles, misting......you name it.  But it was worth it, as we didn't lose anybody.

Everyone thinks I am spoiling them, and maybe I am, but that is okay.  Margaret Woody, a rug camp friend, told me about a concoction that her girls loved.  I tried it and she was right.  Every morning I serve them up whole wheat pasta, a little yogurt or cottage cheese and some fresh veggies or fruit.  They nearly knock me down coming in the gate they are so excited!  I am also hand feeding them oatmeal, which they love.

Okay, I know, enough chickens.

GRATITUDES:

Watching the little granddaughters have fun with the chickens.....and knowing that we are making memories.

Time to do things like chickens and gardens.

Blake.

Take care,

Jennie