These four young ladies arrived a couple of weeks ago.
Just in time for the holidays!
An odd time of year to bring home chickens, I know, but it's been a long time coming. Our coop was finally finished last month, and the local poultry farmer said she'd noticed a few hens among her roosters (she's usually sold out by the end of August,) so we said "We'll take 'em!" Right now!
These girls are about 6 months old. Two were already laying, and the other two are nearly ready. Of course, winter slows things down quite a bit, but we're getting eggs here and there. Which is a darn good thing, because word has gotten out about the eggs at the nearby farm we frequent for meat and dairy, and they're selling out in minutes. A good egg from happy, healthy chickens is a precious commodity these days.
We've had chickens once before, but couldn't keep them (see this post here.) It was quite the traumatic experience for our children to have to let them go, so I'm gingerly moving forward with this project, educating the kids on the life and laying span of hens. If we are going to have eggs consistently, we'll have to say goodbye and let go every couple of years. But we also get to love and raise new chicks each time!
The love part is key, here, because chickens are not the cleanest animals. They poop like there's no tomorrow, they dig and scratch and generally tear up whatever's in their path: vegeteble gardens, flower gardens, drip hoses, bark beds...
But we're so happy they're here! Luke whooped like an Indian when he came home from school and saw them. He checks for eggs first thing when he gets home from school. Abby's taken on the role of mother hen- she knows each one of them by name (never, ever name your chickens, by the way ;) ) She lets them out in the morning, rounds them back in at night, and generally has their well being in mind at all times.
Miri and the little girls LOVE feeding them whatever good scraps we have on hand.
The chickens have learned the drill and can hardly contain themselves when my girls show up with extra treats. They jump and dance and flutter themselves silly.
Luke plans to take on the project producing a regular supply of meal worms as another extra to get them through the winter. The more bugs and plants the better, I say. And better him than me. (That's also what I say.)
For now, I'm the pooper scooper- which is really about a once a week job- just for the coop and nest boxes. The rest of the yard? Pfhh. Whatever.
We'll definitely need to put up a couple of small fences in strategic spots. But until then, at least we get good eggs, a few more friends, and lots and lots of poopy compost!
And that's plain old happiness, I tell you.
