I'm nervous.
Our village is looking into the backyard chickens issue and I'm a bit iffy on which side things will fall. I was feeling really positive until I went to the farmer's market in town yesterday. There's a big split between the baby boomers. Some say this is a "common sense" issue and that we live too close to the forest preserve to keep chickens, so it should be illegal. To that I say that common sense issues should be left to the individual. Aren't we supposed to be making those decisions for ourselve...
read more
We've been making do with a 1 gallon watering dish for the girls. Now that they're laying, it's not even getting them through the day. They're consuming feed at at least twice the rate that they used to, and now the water needs to be filled up twice a day. So in order to make sure fresh water is always available to them, I devised a contraption that involves a gravity-fed auto-waterer, a food-safe rain barrel, and food-safe tubing (came with the waterer), a cage around the dish, and a paving stone to elevate the dish...
read more
Poor Annie has been complaining all morning...whimpering and clucking. Her hind-end seems rather puffy and she's staying away from the other hens, so my best guess is that she's getting ready to lay her first egg. She's very happy for us to hold and pet her, so we think it must be soothing.
Since the other hens are hanging out in the coop and she wants some time on her own, I've taken the wash tub and lined it with straw so she can nest in private. I'm sure once they all start laying, there will be a more comm...
read more
I just realized I haven't posted an update about the chickens in way too long!
So here's a quick catch up. A couple of months ago we had an absolutely heartbreaking morning. Dave, who opens the coop door in the mornings on his way to the garage, came into the house and said, "There aren't any chickens out there!" My heart sank. I knew they had been locked up tight the night before. My mind skimmed a few scenarios. I threw on my shoes and ran back there, Sophia running behind me. I yelled for her to go back in the ...
read more
The mornings have been really nice lately, fairly cool and mild. Will and I have been spending them in the backyard, where we'll allow the girls to free range while I have my coffee and check email. The past 2 mornings they've been pretty timid, but I'm guessing those days are behind them!
read more
Sophia and I are the ones who wore Dave down on the whole backyard chickens issue. She's my partner in crime. Now he has one, has named it, and is as into it (almost) as much as we are.
She tends to them several times throughout the day, checking their water, sitting with them, holding them on her lap and petting them. The chicks will come and eat right out of her hand and seem more tame around her than Dave or me. She's a natural animal caregiver. Animals love her and she loves them.
read more
We added 3 little Araucanas "Easter Egger" chicks to our family about a month ago. We chose this breed for their hardiness in cold temps as well as their large, beautiful multi-colored eggs that can be green, pink, blue, or lovely chocolate brown.
Last weekend Dave and I worked on building the coop (Mostly Dave. He likes the tools. I painted and held stuff.) and then this weekend we built the run. This morning the girls had their homecoming when the two structures were joined and they were allowed to have ...
read more
Video of the girls in their brooder.
read more
Much development on the chick front. The girls have settled in nicely, though the little chipmunk-striped one has had some ongoing issues with pasting up. Pasting up is when their poo, which is toothpaste-like in consistency, blocks their tiny little vent. It is very serious and can kill the poor things, so you have to keep an eye on them, especially if one has demonstrated a tendency for this development. It's supposed to clear up in about 2 weeks, so we'll be able to relax a bit after then.
For now we have t...
read more
The chicks arrived today! After much oohing and aahing, they're snug in their temporary home down in the basement slop sink. They took to their food and water right away after we dipped their beaks to show them the way. Sitting upstairs in the living room, I can hear soft little chirps coming up through the air vents.
Pics of their homecoming are here.
read more
We just placed our order for 3 baby Easter Egger chicks. Everyone's so excited!
2 chicks have names; Martha and Nugget. The third is TBD. Any ideas?
I got the baby chick starter kit from MyPetChicken.com, which looks like a good place to start our little darlings out. I can't wait!
Here's how MyPetChicken describes Easter Eggers:
These are one of our favorites! They are friendly, great layers of large blue and green eggs, and (rarely) white, creamy brown or even pinkish eggs. Their smaller body size...
read more
No, not "chicks" chicks...CHICKS! As in "peep"!
Found this live video feed of some chicks hanging out. So cute! I can't wait until we have our own.
Click here to watch.
read more
My hands are still shaking! I just had the most lovely chat with...
...Martha Stewart.
Yup. MARTHA.
We had tea and chatted about keeping backyard chickens. Well, I had tea. I don't know what she was drinking. We were on the phone. I called into her radio show.
So back down to earth. (Wait, one more SQUEAL!) Anyway...She very graciously gave some great advice on the topic of keeping backyard chickens.
Living in Chicago, how cold is too cold and what temperature range should the chickens be kep...
read more
Chickens on the brain by kitschykitten.com on Polyvore.com
My Pet Chicken - The Stealth Coop
mypetchicken.com
My Pet Chicken - Eglu
mypetchicken.com
My Pet Chicken - The "Briar" (up to 3 chickens)
mypetchicken.com
chicken coop
gxzone.com
chicken coop
ideas-4-pets.com
Sophia and I have chickens on the brain. All we can talk about is baby chicks, how cute they are, how much fun it will be to raise them, what breed we should get, what color their eggs will be, what to n...
read more
