I think I'm nesting...

[pathwayholding]

I finally got my chickens (7 Rhode Island Reds) ordered. They will be here the week of July 21st. I swear I feel like an expectant mom...getting the brooder ready. gathering supplies, re-arranging vacation plans, thinking of names.

Think its out of the question to be hoping for a shower?

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[bookwormom]

you mean a rain shower, right?
:) :) good luck with your chicks.

[ms-woman]

I was the same way! Congratulations mom! Are you picking them up from the post office? I did, the girl at the counter said these must be yours the way I came in the door smiling from ear to ear.

[jjspirko]

Congrats please post pics once you get em. I think chickens are so cool. My wife says they stink and does not want any when we move to Arkansas. I usually don't argue much about things but we are getting some hens when we move. ;D Congrats again,

[pathwayholding]

I am SO picking them up at the post office. I feel like a kid on countdown to Christmas!

Hubby happens to be city from the ground up. He thinks chickens should be brought to the house in neat little styrofoam bottomed packets. No smell. No work. No blood. He also happens to want me to be happy, so smelly chickens it is. (Although he's already made it clear he will NOT be helping me check them for pasty butt.)

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[Deberosa]

When you haul a lawn chair out to the coop to watch your chickens you know you have arrived. And I bet once hubby sees the little fluff balls they won't be so awful. ;-)

But beware - chickens are addicting! You'll be trading them with others and soon be overrun with chicks. ;-) (can you tell I've been there?)

Our "bonus chick" hen just popped out of the barn with 12 new fuzz balls - they are irresistable!

[jjspirko]

Chickens are really cool animals, they have a real place in any homestead.

Now before this gets me labeled soft I have hunt and fished my entire life. I killed my fist deer with a bow at 13 and happily plunged in arm deep to gut it and did not bat an eye over it. I have butchered countless deer ever since, I shoot rabbits, squirrels and when I lived up north many pheasants and grouse. I have consumed and shot plenty of ducks and geese too.

That said I have a hard time raising an animal, feeding it day to day and then killing it. I have no problem with anyone doing it and no problem eating the results. It is just hard for me to kill something that is trusting of me and has come to see me as a source of food and comfort.

Hence our chickens will be for eggs and garden "improvement" only. I know it doesn't make sense does it? Yet once an animal has a name I really ain't keen on killing it,

[walls0stone]

On Bringing up animals for consumtion... "I'll take care of you..but some day you little critter will take care of me. "

I know of some people who felt the same about work horses. When it was time, it was time...and nothing to do about it. So one friend would go get a rifle, and take care of the horse that the owner didn't have the heart to shoot himself.. in trade, the other friend might need an old dog put down.

So if you did need to get some chickeens in the stew pot.. just call a friend.

[msta999]

Just remember, when you give them names, give them names like...roast chicken, fried chicken, chicken soup, etc..... ;D

Gotta remember what they are for.

[dreams_in_color]

When you haul a lawn chair out to the coop to watch your chickens you know you have arrived. *!


We have our coop just beyond a concrete pad that was a dog kennel. We have two rocking chairs that we sit in and watch the "Chicken Channel".

[jjspirko]

Do you have them now? Have they settled in? Update us please :) :

[pathwayholding]

The girls have been here for a week now. Big Red has learned to fly enough to get on top of the watering and feed containers. The rest of them run and flap, flap, flap but don't get off the ground. It's a riot!

They are not thrilled to be picked up but seem to be happy once they are settled in my lap. All of them except Goldy like their necks rubbed. Goldy likes her back petted. She is my darling. She cranes her little neck until she looks like an ostrich and just peers into my eyes. She is very inquisitive.

Four of the girls are starting to get tail feathers. I'm wondering how I'm going to tell them apart when they are feathered out.

All in all I'm one proud mama who is spending way too much time parked in front of the brooder.

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[jjspirko]

Well, hey post some pics :)