Laverne and Shirley are standard size, around 3 months old, and will eventually look like this -
They are quite goofy and have already found the cat food.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Bearded Buff Laced Polish Pullets
So yesterday after I had sadly realized that Prince Leia was gone, we picked up (as we had previously planned, even before Leia had disappeared) 2 Bearded Buff Laced Polish Pullets in Crawfordville, from the same Craigslist guy we got the d'Uccles and the Sultan.
Laverne and Shirley are standard size, around 3 months old, and will eventually look like this -
They are quite goofy and have already found the cat food.
Laverne and Shirley are standard size, around 3 months old, and will eventually look like this -
They are quite goofy and have already found the cat food.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
A New Pecking Order
Wow. I can't believe it's only been a month since chickens have enhanced our lives. I must have spent hours watching our chicks grow, reading poultry books, and lurking on the Backyard Chickens forum. We've added to our flock:
On March 7, two easter egger chicks from the Country Feed Store...Wendy & Lisa. I engineered a brooder out of my dachshund's crate, duct tape, and some Amazon boxes. They lived there under a heat lamp for about a week until they were big enough to join the bigger chicks.
On March 30, we drove to Crawfordville and got 1 sultan (Kissy Suzuki) and 2 Belgian bearded d'Uccle chicks (Smurfette & Miss Moneypenny), all 4 weeks old. I found them on Craig's List!
So that makes 11 chicks - 9 bantams and 2 standards. The cochins are at the top of the pecking order, followed by the polish, the easter eggers, and then the newest chicks.
This weekend we have to exchange Apollonia, who has grown up to be quite a pretty cockeral at 8 weeks old.
Her wonky crest was actually that slicked-back polish rooster look, which actually looks really nice now. We were sure she was a he when it bravely did not flinch when the dogs pounced at the coop fencing to get at them, even having a staring contest with my dachshund -- inches from his face!
On March 7, two easter egger chicks from the Country Feed Store...Wendy & Lisa. I engineered a brooder out of my dachshund's crate, duct tape, and some Amazon boxes. They lived there under a heat lamp for about a week until they were big enough to join the bigger chicks.
On March 30, we drove to Crawfordville and got 1 sultan (Kissy Suzuki) and 2 Belgian bearded d'Uccle chicks (Smurfette & Miss Moneypenny), all 4 weeks old. I found them on Craig's List!
So that makes 11 chicks - 9 bantams and 2 standards. The cochins are at the top of the pecking order, followed by the polish, the easter eggers, and then the newest chicks.
This weekend we have to exchange Apollonia, who has grown up to be quite a pretty cockeral at 8 weeks old.
Her wonky crest was actually that slicked-back polish rooster look, which actually looks really nice now. We were sure she was a he when it bravely did not flinch when the dogs pounced at the coop fencing to get at them, even having a staring contest with my dachshund -- inches from his face!
Friday, March 7, 2008
easter eggers
After a morning of spreadsheet hell at work, it was a welcome respite at lunchtime to check out the feed store on Highway 20. I was really hoping that I would find a pair of standard-size, egg-laying pullets to complete our backyard flock.
I found the Country Feed Store to be quite charming with its entirely rustic atmosphere, all the wonderful animals, and the friendly mom & pop owners. Inside a cat yawned by the register, and another cat slept in Yardbird Alley, a little room of antiques and vintage for sale.
I was so happy that they had lots of chicks for window shopping. All good egg-layers -- Rhode Island Reds, black stars, brahmas, and ameraucanas.
Ameraucanas! What luck. One of my favorites, I discovered in my research. A relatively new breed developed from the araucana chicken that lays lots of tinted eggs, mostly blue. Hence the nickname the 'easter egg chicken'. Actually these easter eggers are most likely ameraucana/araucana mutts, since purebreds are relatively rare.
The ameraucana chicks were varied in colors and patterns...I stared at them in the brooder for quite a while until I felt silly from gawking.
I really like the lighter-colored ones.
There were so many other animals to look at I didn't have time for them all, except to snap a quick pic at this emu.
As I walked by the emus a delicious aroma of fried chicken drifted from the convenience store next door. A juxtaposition that made me remember to pick up lunch on the way back to work.
I'll have to come back again another lunchtime for more window shopping. And I'm pretty sure I'm coming back this weekend for at least one easter egger...maybe two.
I found the Country Feed Store to be quite charming with its entirely rustic atmosphere, all the wonderful animals, and the friendly mom & pop owners. Inside a cat yawned by the register, and another cat slept in Yardbird Alley, a little room of antiques and vintage for sale.
I was so happy that they had lots of chicks for window shopping. All good egg-layers -- Rhode Island Reds, black stars, brahmas, and ameraucanas.
Ameraucanas! What luck. One of my favorites, I discovered in my research. A relatively new breed developed from the araucana chicken that lays lots of tinted eggs, mostly blue. Hence the nickname the 'easter egg chicken'. Actually these easter eggers are most likely ameraucana/araucana mutts, since purebreds are relatively rare.
The ameraucana chicks were varied in colors and patterns...I stared at them in the brooder for quite a while until I felt silly from gawking.
I really like the lighter-colored ones.
There were so many other animals to look at I didn't have time for them all, except to snap a quick pic at this emu.
As I walked by the emus a delicious aroma of fried chicken drifted from the convenience store next door. A juxtaposition that made me remember to pick up lunch on the way back to work.
I'll have to come back again another lunchtime for more window shopping. And I'm pretty sure I'm coming back this weekend for at least one easter egger...maybe two.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Chickens on the Runway
I know with the recent acquisition of my new babies that I've had chicken on the brain lately, but how could chickens not come to mind while watching the season finale of Project Runway last night?
First of all, the bantam-size Christian the chicken boy with his fierce rooster comb hair won.
And his final look! That gown was amazing and gorgeous. But it did remind me of my feather-footed cochins.
If I had a rooster, I'd name it Rami.
First of all, the bantam-size Christian the chicken boy with his fierce rooster comb hair won.
And his final look! That gown was amazing and gorgeous. But it did remind me of my feather-footed cochins.
If I had a rooster, I'd name it Rami.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Our New Chickens
I love our new chickies!
Ann Margaret, Joan Jett, and Apollonia are Polish bantams, 4 weeks old on Thursday. Their cute little heads are already growing those crazy top hats. This crested breed is probably the most ornamental of all chickens. They won't lay eggs that well, but they will sure be pretty and entertaining!
June Carter, Janet Leigh, and Lisa Marie are cochin bantams, 6-8 weeks old. They are fluff-balls with feathery feet and will look a lot bigger than they really are.
Bantam is the poultry term for miniature. These gals will only grow to 24-28oz at maturity -- one-fourth to one-fifth the size of the standard size.
Ann Margaret
Joan Jett
Apollonia
Janet Leigh
June Carter
Lisa Marie
Ann Margaret, Joan Jett, and Apollonia are Polish bantams, 4 weeks old on Thursday. Their cute little heads are already growing those crazy top hats. This crested breed is probably the most ornamental of all chickens. They won't lay eggs that well, but they will sure be pretty and entertaining!
June Carter, Janet Leigh, and Lisa Marie are cochin bantams, 6-8 weeks old. They are fluff-balls with feathery feet and will look a lot bigger than they really are.
Bantam is the poultry term for miniature. These gals will only grow to 24-28oz at maturity -- one-fourth to one-fifth the size of the standard size.
Ann Margaret
Joan Jett
Apollonia
Janet Leigh
June Carter
Lisa Marie
Friday, February 29, 2008
More stuff for the coop
With Lee almost done enclosing the coop, we need to finish up getting the coop supplies. So today I bought from Florida Farm & Feed 25lbs of Start & Grow chicken feed, a 12# poultry feeder and a 2 gallon double-walled water fount, both hanging and stainless steel. Just realized I forgot to get a cover for the feeder. Should I have bought the plastic stuff instead??
Thursday, January 24, 2008
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