March 23, 2011

Mission Control, the chickens have landed! We have three new fuzzy-butts in the house and boy are they cute, even if all they want to show me is their tails, hiding from the big featherless person.

What we have here are three of the four birds we'll be getting.  Sorry to say they're pretty camera shy so far, but they'll get used to it.  In order from above, here is the Golden Laced Wyndotte:

Look at the markings on her, she's going to be a looker.  Oh, and before you call the ASPCA on me, they wanted nothing more than to escape and plummet to their deaths, so I had to have a firm grip, though it was a cage-like one, no squeezing occurred.

Here is our Welsummer:

This little heart-breaker is definitely going to deserve to be on the Corn Flakes box (yes, the chicken on the cereal box was a Welsummer, though a rooster, not a hen).

Last but certainly not lease, is our Barred Rock:

I just love the little white spot on the top of her head.  Though when she'll develop the silver striation, I just don't know.

The final hen in our quartet will be a Buff Orpington, which doesn't arrive until next week.  However, we were told to arrive extra early as they're very popular.  I guess it's a good thing I don't have a job to keep me from getting there and waiting around.

As for my experiences from the first day of chicken ownership, I guess you can say I Mother Hen'd them a bit.  Two of them were a bit lethargic after the ride home. I guess I brought too big of a shoe box to bring them home. Thankfully they perked up after a few hours of warming under the 95 degree heat lamp.  They're definitely eating and drinking, though I've only really seen them drink. I know they're eating by the indents in the feed where they've pecked.

Mostly, they hang out under the heat lamp, or on top of the board near the water dish.  Of course there isn't much space other than those two places, but there is a cooler spot on the other end of the food tray.  As for when I show up, they are always trying to get through the plastic to the wall, away from me.  I hope that regular visits, talks and holding will make them like me enough to go where I lead.

Lastly, I've got the paper towels down to protect from sprattle-leg for a few days, but already one was showing signs of scratching for food.  It didn't work through the towels, but it didn't stop her from trying.  I was so proud of my little girl... hehe.

So, the years of wishing and months of planning have finally came to fruition. We are officially a chicken family, and one step closer to sustainability.

For now, both they and I wish you good night...

Enjoy your garden!