We Keep Chickens

Are the chicks OK???

My husband is tired of me asking. Our first experience as chicken farmers has brought with it an education and much anxiety (on my part.)

Why Chickens?
Craig was eager to build a coop last year, I was pregnant at the time and thought it too much to take on (in hindsight it WAS a good choice to put it off.) He boasted, "...fresh eggs, cheep eggs, free eggs!" While I grumbled, "...something else to worry about, more poop to clean up, more work for me..."

Craig also thought it would be a good experience for the kids-- caring for others...responsibility...circle of life...

I personally like the idea of fewer people touching my food, so eggs from home grown chickens to my hands is very appealing. Also, no transport costs or weird chemicals to contend with when harvesting eggs from my backyard.

Well, this Winter I became excited about the prospect of keeping chickens. New challenges are always easier when smart friends are along side. Gretchen and I collaborated--breeds...brooder...coop construction? Sooo many questions (neither of us had any chicken raisin' experience) we found some answers which fueled our determination to become chicken farmers. I expect we will learn much more, just watching these creatures...well...do what they do. The social aspect intrigues me, how and what will they learn from each other?, how will they interact with the kids?

As for the "circle of life" thing, we don't plan to eat the chickens (apparently it is not cost effective unless you have a large operation.) But if one is old or sick, what to do?

The conversation went something like this...
Me: I can't even think about doing it.
Craig: I'll do it... no, I don't want to do it. Who else would do it?
Me: Igor (Gretchen's DH) might do it.
Gretchen: Yes, Igor will do it.

Problem solved for now anyway.

Growing Up!
Our girls are almost 4 weeks old now, and resemble gawky 9 year olds rather than fuzzy chicks. The first week was the most stressful, fragile tiny chickies huddling to stay warm, stressed from their journey from McMurray Hatchery. I checked them frequently and shushed everyone like a mom with a newborn (familiar territory.) They made it through their first few weeks in the basement with blaring red heat lamp (DH reminded me of Seinfeld's Kenny Rodger's chicken episode, after I mentioned the light was making me crazy.)













Sprouting their big girl feathers, our 5 Red Stars and 2 Black Stars are beginning to appear less fragile and more like the layers I've been dreaming of. Their attempts at flying are more comical than productive, but their wings are magnificent already. Perfectly formed instruments of flight, already they stretch them, groom them and do a bit of parading as they drape them over the bunches of pine dust. Gigantic feet perching on the well used roost, they balance quit nicely.

I studied lists of breeds and selected a few that would suit our needs and conditions.

Wyandottes (Emily's favorite)
Rhode Island Red
Barred Rock (My fav)
Red Stars
Orphingtons

All are good layers, and hearty for our snowy Winters. These are also Dual purpose birds, but we will not be eating them--only eggs please. The McMurray Hatchery's minimum order is 25 chicks. Luckily, a friend shared her order with me. Next time I will plan ahead with some others and get a few of our favorites. The Red Stars from trusted farmer friend Gayle are quite a bit bigger than the two Black stars donated by Craig's dad (bought at a local farm store.) The Blacks are only 3 days younger, I wonder if the Blacks tend to be smaller or if the differing hatcheries are at play. I know mixing chicks is sticky business with the possibility of disease wiping out the flock, but we took our chances in order to achieve a good number.

*7*
hopefully will produce enough eggs for our family, at ~4 a week per bird, we should be scrambling to our stomach's content. They should start laying at 20 weeks old if not before, sunshine and warmth can speed the process. Come on Summer!!! Can't wait til our tomatoes are red,the kids are picking carrots, and the chickens are squawking and laying!

Jennifer