Friday, April 20, 2012

Meet my chickies!

As if you didn't already know that I am obsessed with my chickens, I have to introduce you to my new babies.  I should also point out that our main goal of having chickens is for fresh eggs!  D and I eat eggs like crazy, and we definitely want fresh eggs.  Will we have to have 400 dozen eggs (at least) to balance the cost of coop building and chicken raising?  Sure.  Is it worth it?  I think so.  I have to admit (although D may disagree with me), the joy of raising baby chicks makes it all worth it.  I seriously love these little babies and can not stop watching them.

[A little too scared to be outside]

I pre-ordered my little babes thinking that our coop would be done.  Our chicks are from a local farm in Raleigh called Sumner-Byrd Farm.  They're only about 25 minutes outside of Raleigh and totally worth it.  The owners have fabulous customer service and are so very nice.

While D and I unofficially agreed on four chickens, I came home with five.  The farm's website advertises "pullets."  Even after some research, I couldn't get a clear understanding of what a pullet meant.  My order was put in for three Ameraucana chickens and possibly a fourth based on availability.

[Five little chickies]

I was all alone when I picked up the chicks, and I had little idea what in the hell to do.  Luckily I hit up the hardware store for a feeder and waterer as well as some pine chips.  After a failed and scary attempt to keep my babies outside for a bit (they just huddled in a corner in the shade), I decided it was time to keep them inside.  I set them up in an extra large dog crate with the pine chips and a large work lamp with a 40 watt bulb.  The first few nights I was petrified I would do something wrong that might kill them.  Luckily, all five are thriving.

[Spot three in this picture]

This main girl is our Brahma.  This breed is particularly pretty, and I just couldn't resist her.  She is not at all affectionate, but I'm working on it.  This girl will probably be a tan-brown color and will lay brown eggs for us.  She has feathers on her feet which is particularly endearing.  

[Lady Bojangle]

This is is one of the only ones with a name.  D loves the SNL skit where the dog is named Mr. Bojangles.  Lady Bojangle here is a silkie and a bit of a bitch (we can only hope she grows up to be like this one).  She sort of rules the roost in that the others follow or hide underneath her.  Lady Bojangle despises being held and will do anything to escape your grips.  She's a beautiful little bitch so far. 

[All three Ameraucanas can be see here if you look hard.]


This little girl was the first I named.  Her name is Lula.  She's the chocolate-colored Ameraucana.  Lula was originally the most loving and affectionate.  At times, she would even run over to my hand when I stuck it in the crate.  I can get her to fall asleep and stay in my hand for quite a bit.  Lula is the "runt" out of the others but also probably the bravest.  


This Ameraucana girl is quickly becoming my favorite.  I don't have a name for her yet (help?!).  She is the best at falling asleep and staying in my hand for extending periods of time.  She just loves the affection.  I want to just carry her around with me!  Our other Ameraucana looks almost exactly the same except the stripe on her head/body is a bit lighter.  

And those are my babies.  D and I have to brainstorm some more names.  It's been extremely fun raising "pullets" and I can't wait until they can graduate from the dog crate (although I definitely don't want them to get bigger yet!).

13 comments:

Amy @ Juice Boxes + Crayolas said...

OMG. I am in love with this post. And with your chicks. I have been dying to raise chickens for the past year! (Mostly because my veggie self cringes every time I think about the horrible conditions in factory farms for egg laying hens...) Like you, I want fresh eggs. Unfortunately I live in an apartment and haven't yet been able to talk my dad into building a coop in his yard :) Until then, I guess, I plan to live vicariously through you, so keep us posted on your chicken adventure!!

Shannen Malutinok said...

These are so great! It makes me want to get our chickens soon.

Anna said...

They are SO cute!! I think it is so awesome that you have a chicken coop, seriously so cool!

Joanna said...

EEE! They are sooo cute. I don't know if I could be disciplined enough for this job. Kudos for taking it on! I know you'll be a good momma!

Punky J said...

Ok hey now whoah. So much cuteness here. Haha, I read your last post and it took me a wee bit to figure out what the heck a coop was (#californiagirl #webuyeggsathesupermarket). Even tho you mentioned CHICKENS early on, it took me a sec to put two and two together. Now I get it, and the whole idea of having chickens and fresh eggs just seems so foreign to me, but WAY COOL. Especially when it means baby animals are involved. Who doesn't like baby animals???

Holly said...

Awww! How adorable are they!? I think I want some chicks now too, although somehow I think my cat would just think I had gotten them as a tasty snack for her. :(

Just dropping by from #FF. :)

Kristin Miller said...

OMG "Mr. Bojangles has the ability to fly/Mr. Bojangles has the ability to speak to people both dead and alive/Sometimes I hear him walking around speaking Chinese and I think to myself, "I better get my act together" /the end." GAH I love Dog Show! It's true, I memorized the skit.

Katie Price said...

I'm amazed at how much personality they have! Do you think any of them will behave like pets as they get older?

Fashion Lookbook said...

So adorable.

whitney said...

my girlfriend and her husband had some and she named them after the spice girls...

just a thought.

Claire Kiefer said...

They are SO CUTE!!!! I can't get over how adorable the are. But 400 dozen eggs--why are chicks so expensive?!?! And how long till they start laying? So excited for you & your precious little babes. :)

Aspiring Kennedy said...

yes- i want baby chickens! i want fresh eggs! unfortunately, chickens aren't the easiest addition to our nomadic life. we can't even commit to buying a couch these days... adding another life source would be totally a disaster. :)

Kimberly said...

I love chickens and fantasize about having them. Last year we went to the Raleigh Tour D'Coop. So much fun. I love that you have chickens.
In case you want to see pics of the Tour D'Coop: my post is here: http://www.kimberlymontgomeryblog.com/2011/05/urban-chicken-keeping.html

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