the ladies - week three

This has been another exciting week in the world of chickens (the posts from the past two weeks can be found here).  Some of the highlights included a new perch for the brooder (made by my handy husband), a newfound fascination for mushrooms and bananas (the mushrooms caused much ruckus, including thievery and running in circles...we found it quite entertaining...and there may have been several rounds of mushroom feeding!), a discovery that if the lid is off the brooder, the chicks can now jump/fly right out of it (yikes!!), and a ton of new growth with feathers, beaks, combs, and feet!

They have also become quite stinky in the past week, we've realized.  And while I'm thoroughly enjoying them, I am not thoroughly enjoying their smelly poo.  They may be moving to the basement soon, since mid-May (when they may be ready for their outdoor coop) is still rather far away...

Their personalities have also developed over this past week.  While some may scoff at the idea of chickens having a personality, I must say, they sure do!  

Henrietta, is still the bold and fearless leader.  She was the first to discover the escape/adventure route mentioned above.  

Birdie has become quite strong willed and a bit of a bully.  She can often be found stealing food and bumping others off the perch.  We're keeping an eye on that one!

Trudy is a scaredy-chick and the runt.  She does not like to be held and she does not like to get in anyone's way.  She's the last to realize that there is fresh food in the brooder and she's timid to go for it once she's realized it's presence.  I'm trying to give her extra attention, in hopes that she'll grow more comfortable with people.  

Chicken is as curious as ever, always seeking out the new food, new places, new adventures.  She's also been developing these pretty white tips on the ends of her feathers.  It's fun to see how she and Pollo are changing in similar and different ways.  

Pollo has possibly become my favorite (shhhh.....).  She's a snuggler!!  She loves being held and is content perching on your hand for quite some time.  She's the only one who willingly lets you pick her up without much of a fuss and she's getting this cute tuff of white feathers near her tail feathers.  She is also learning how to sleep like a chicken, where the others are still falling asleep with their faces on the ground or on each other.  

Then there's Siah, the handsome feline.  He's more than curious about the ladies, but is still being very gentle and sweet with them.  They are also very curious about him and are not very shy about letting him know of their curiosity.  

Here's to another week with the ladies!  What adventures are happening in your homes right now?

the ladies - week two

The ladies have had quite a fabulous second week of their lives!  They have grown a ton and now have necks and tail feathers. They've started eating greens and other veggie scraps.  They've been exploring the wonders of flight (something which is rather difficult to capture in a still shot) and learning how to perch!  They've been introduced to the wide world of outside!!  And most importantly...they've met the nephews.

They change so much each day and it's been so fun to watch!  It's fun to think about how they will soon be outside on their own, fully enjoying the yard/garden.  However, for now, we are fully enjoying their funny chick antics and day-by-day growth.  

Happy Friday to you!

the ladies - week one

Last week we embarked on a rather exciting adventure that we've been talking and dreaming about for the past couple of years!  I first heard about backyard chickens on Minnesota Public Radio a few years ago.  At that time, the idea of chickens clucking around the yard and fresh eggs on my counter was very intriguing to me and it threw me in to a journey of researching and planning for the day when I could have a small flock of my own.  Dreams of hens even played a role in our house buying decisions.  As we now approach our second summer in our beloved house, we decided that it was time for the adventure to begin!  So, this past Thursday, I brought home 5 one-day-old chicks from Egg|Plant Urban Farm Supply in St. Paul.  

After spending a week getting acquainted, I can say that we are quite taken with them!  So, without further adieu, please allow me to introduce "The Ladies."

Henrietta (Retta for short).  She's a Buff Orpington and the leader of the flock.  Bold and confident.  She's been the first to eat, the first to try to fly, and the first to boldly run right up to the cat and look him in the eye.  

Then there's Birdie our Ameraucana.  She's a fluffy lady who will lay bluish-green eggs (hence her name...)  She's a chatty one and she has a fascination with carrying their paper bedding around in her mouth.  

Trudy.  Timid and sweet Trudy.  She's a Silver-Laced Wyandotte.  We often find her by herself, close to the heat source, just hanging out.  She's a gem.  

This here is Chicken, with a capital C.  She's a Barred Rock (or Plymouth Rock).  She and Henrietta have been the first to experiment with the joys of perching.  They are often found competing for the perfect perching spots on our hands. 

And finally, we have Chicken's partner in crime, Pollo (Spanish for chicken).  She's a curious one who is not hesitant to peck anything, including a cat's nose!

Siah, our handsome feline, is quite taken with the ladies as well.  He's rather an odd cat and has yet to swat at or pounce on our or feathery friends.  We let them spend a little time together each day getting use to each other, with hopes of them some day co-existing without trouble.  We, obviously, are not leaving them alone together, even though we have been quite pleased with how gentle Siah has been with them. 

After a week with The Ladies, I must say that I thoroughly love being a chick mama!  They are hilarious little creatures who love to climb all over each other and often fall asleep while standing up (and then falling over).  I'm excited to watch them grow!

For those of you interested in finding out more about raising backyard chicks, there are a couple of books that have been a tremendous help to me!  Keeping Chickens with Ashley English and The Essential Urban Farmer.  Our local garden and urban farm supply shops have been super helpful as well with ordering, info, and supplies.  Your local Extension office will probably also have useful info to offer.  

I am by no means an expert, as there's only so much a book can offer you when it comes to raising a living thing and before last Thursday I had only held a chicken once before in my life.  However, I must say that what I've read so far was very helpful in preparing me for what we've experienced over the past week!  Here's to many more weeks of chicken adventures to come!