Chicks!

[ithildin]

Well, technically they're pullets, as their feathers are coming in, but, chicks! We decided to add to our agricultural pursuits and raise chickens for their eggs. We eat a lot of eggs, and free range ones, which I prefer for reasons of health and humane farming practices, are expensive, and getting more so. We have the room, brother is building the coop, and we have lots of left over fruit/veg from the orchard and the garden for them to eat. So yesterday, we went up to Cedar City and got chicks. We're starting with six, and we can add more next year if we need to.

From the front, the bigger one and the one next to her are Gold Sex-links - Cinnamon and Nutmeg. The two black ones are Australorps - Poppy Seed and Pepper, and the remaining two are Rhode Island Reds - Cayenne and Paprika. Yes, they're Spice Girls! They'll be in the brooder for 4-5 weeks, then outside to the coop. They're pretty darn adorable.

Comments

[pat-t.livejournal.com]

Awwww. I asked Nin on fb if it was for their eggs or dinner.

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

Just eggs - unless the apocalypse comes :)

[black-raven135.livejournal.com]

Oh look those babies.........I remember visiting my cousin in mountains of WA state and she would have them running around in the kitchen when they would hatch.
I also remember how much the hens fought off my attempts to get the eggs in AM
I hated when she went me out there to retrieve them.
BTW I also recall a I Love Lucy where they had forget how many flats of them in the house and they all got loose.........
it was hilarious.

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

I remember that one!

[black-raven135.livejournal.com]

LOL
they are all in the library but little Rickie comes home and
leaves the door open and they are suddenly all over the house
About that time Rickie comes home........
It was hilarious..........
My cousins lived on a ranch and had an old fashion kitchen, wood stove etc. so it was perfect environment for them
My maternal grandmother raised them too when I was a child.
They were free range of course........When I would enter the
big yard, there was one hen who followed me around all the while making a soft clucking sound.........
I just love them........sent your entry to another friend who likes them as much as I do.

[beeej.livejournal.com]

I bet the kitties are excited!

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

They actually have no clue they're behind the door. I think it's because they sound just like all the birds outside at the feeders, so I think they don't realize. I thought they'd be glued to the door!

[silvercobwebs.livejournal.com]

Awesome! My uncle has a coop with four or so hens in it, and they seem to do really well with them. I was slightly amazed to see the disparity between egg sizes - makes you wince...

And your little guys, uh, girls, are very cute looking indeed. :D

[lilliew.livejournal.com]

Having had chickens on my farm growing up, I will warn you: chickens are DUMB. Just keep that in mind as you look after them and care for them and you will do fine. Have a plan in place for when it gets hot, too as they may need a cool place and fan to keep them from getting too hot. They can smother themselves trying to keep cool, fyi (see above comment!).

Fresh "farm" (or raise-your-own) eggs are THE BEST.