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Coming Home to the Land:  Chickens on the way!  |
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Jen
Expedition Leader
1384 Posts
Jennifer
Calico Rock
AR
USA
1384 Posts |
 Posted - May 21 2007 : 07:41:56 AM
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I have been planning my 1st chick purchase more carefully than I planned any of my 3 kids - studying like crazy! I've gone back & forth between local sellers & mail-order, and last week I started checking hatcheries again 'cause I'm feeling pretty particular about which breeds I want. My main concerns are gentleness (with my kids), egg laying, and rarity. So, I stuffed my virtual shopping cart full of 6 Light Brahmas, 5 Americanas, and 5 White Jersey Giants from Cackle Hatchery (it's closest to me). It's very strange to me to order live animals by mail.
I rec'd notice on Saturday that they'll arrive next Sat, so I'm chewing my fingernails again. We'll be starting at the Farmers' Market that day, so we'll have to run home & check for chicks at least once!
As I think I mentioned earlier, I have one lonely black Australorp hen who came with our farm, and I can't wait till the chicks are big enough to keep her company. Anyway, wish me luck as I gather up the gumption to become a mother "hen" 
The View From My Boots: www.bovesboots.blogspot.com
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countrychick
outbound
21 Posts
21 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2007 : 12:27:22 PM
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Jen,
How did your chicken purchase go? I would love to see pictures. I have been wanting to get chickens but I have been unsure about what type. Like you I would like them gentle. I also need to figure out a coop. I have a wire fence dog kennel that I was thinking about turning into a coop,... just have to figure out how. Anyway I hope next year.
Nikki
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Jen
Expedition Leader
1384 Posts
Jennifer
Calico Rock
AR
USA
1384 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2007 : 12:58:16 PM
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Well, Nikki, getting the chicks & keeping them alive while confined to a dog kennel proved much easier than I'd expected. We even ended up getting 2 older chicks at the farmers market, so we had an even 20. The trouble is, now that the little peeps are getting bigger (I turned them loose with 3 older girls), they're disappearing one by one. Have lost 2 of the 5 Americanas & 4 of the 5 Jersey Giants to hawks -- not 1 Brahma has been taken, so I'm deducing that they're the "smart" ones. THEN, yesterday, I lost my dear old hen Penny to what I think was a coyote in the middle of the day! I was sad to realize she'd fallen victim to a canine after I'd rescued her twice from my dogs & helped her heal some pretty nasty wounds. So, now I'm considering confining the remainders to their yard (about 15 square feet) -- at least until the predator fixation shifts in some other direction. Farm & learn, I guess. Hopefully, I can help you avoid similar poultry pitfalls!
Will try to post some pics soon...
The View From My Boots: www.bovesboots.blogspot.com
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Elizaray
outspoken
680 Posts
Elizaray
680 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2007 : 9:28:18 PM
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I wonder if a statue owl would keep the hawks away? Or get a chicken friendly dog to protect them!
I am so sorry for your loses- that is so sad. Especislly you older hen :(
Elizaray |
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Coming Home to the Land: Chickens on the way! |
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Chickens on the way!
