Sunday, July 29, 2007

what I haven't posted about lately



We've been raising chicks, again. We got them about three weeks ago, and they have been inhabiting the cook shed, but they were getting too big, and the poultry dust was just settling all over everything, so...

Today The Hermit revived our old chicken tractor and moved the brood out there. They seemed to enjoy the space, and grass. I even brought them out a treat of maggots I found in my kitchen compost bin. Yuck, I know.

I can't even tell you what all the breeds are. We had had a few beers before The Hermit got the bright idea of logging on to Murray McMurray and ordering. We do have some funky Polish chicks that are starting to get their headdresses. All girls, I'm tired of roosters for now. We have one that won't shut up.

They're enjoying their new digs. And I'm enjoying the few extra square feet of space and lack of poultry dust in my kitchen.

9 comments:

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

It looks like quite an assortment! Beer inspired! That's too funny!

Madcap said...

Polish hens! Patch will be so jealous!

(Me too.)

Jane O' said...

I've always wanted to raise chickens. What fun!

Anonymous said...

Well, I'm late getting around. But I have to say I absolutely love the new picture--very nice! Stay with it; a little updating never hurts and it's nice to see a full-face view and the soft background is perfect! Oh yes, your chicks are adorable.

RuthieJ said...

I love the chickens! Do you lock them up at night to keep predators away? Do you have to worry about hawks getting them during the day? (Someday I hope to get some chickens for my own place, so that's why all the questions)

eric said...

Wow! I've engaged in all manner of unusual behavior after having a few beers, but ordering poultry online?! Also, after moving to our rural home, it took nearly a whole day to convert the chicken coup into a storage shed and it's nice to know that the 5 pounds of dust that entered my lungs has a proper name. The Mrs. and I have often talked about converting it back, but that would require moving an "armada" of duck boats and selecting a new spot for the A-Bomb of child time-out locations. ;-) Great post and thanks for adding me to your list - it's an honor.

Deb said...

Lynne- I would've settled for Black Australorps, Buff Orpingtons, and Barred Rocks. But the creative thing set in...:)

Madcap- They always remind me of Phyllis Diller for some reason.

Marie- This is our third chick order. We've had times when we've been inundated with eggs, but the predators always seem to get the upper hand. Maybe we can make a chick fortress this time.

Momadness- Thanks. I'm getting used to it. The background is certainly better than the office background in the last photo!

RuthieJ- We have them in what's called a "chicken tractor", basically a chicken wire enclosed pen that can be moved around. Hopefully predators can't dig in there.

Eric- Your comment made me laugh. Yes, it was folly to order chickens online in an altered state.

You and The Hermit need to talk; he's a serious duck hunting enthusiast. Our Quonset hut tarp garage is taken over by decoys. Are you on any of the duck hunting message boards? He posts on them, but I don't know his username.

I was kind of happy to see me on your list of links. :)

Larry said...

Brings back memories-When I was a kid I used to go down to the auction with my grandfather's neighbor.-They had all kinds of chickens that I used to check out.

Deb said...

Larry- There are chicken swaps around here, usually with people who want to get rid of a rooster or two. We bought one of our best roosters at one years ago.