Every 3 years I refresh my chicken flock, keeping the old hens and adding new ones. I've got 6 old ones and hoped to add 12 babies. They are in high demand, hard to come by and much more expensive this year. The Farm Store was selling 2500 on Friday and they were expecting to be sold out that day. We weren't sure if we'd go in so DH had picked up 6 chicks at Tractor Supply on Thursday when he went in to get some metal, but we ended up pulling poor E out of bed just after 5 and drove the 56 miles to town, thinking we'd have to wait in line. Surprisingly, there wasn't one.
It was fun to introduce her to the new babies
She's an eager egg collector
At the Farm Store, you get 6 chicks if you buy a 50# bag of start and grow so I bought a dozen. 18 is more than we need, but I share eggs with my in-laws and my long arm quilter, and DH thinks there may be some attrition here in the mountains. These little fuzzballs are too cute.
This year we added 2 black Sex-links, 1 California White, 3 Chocolate Orpingtons, 3 Easter Eggers, 3 Production Reds, 3 Buff Orpingtons, and 3 Barred Rocks.
An empty water trough makes a great brooder and they stay warm with a heat lamp in the shop
They won't begin to earn their keep for about 18-20 weeks, but it's fun to watch them grow and peek in on their antics. Their little feathers are already beginning to emerge.
7 comments:
Aw, these little chick's are so cute! I haven't had any chickens for several years now, but very much enjoyed them, so entertaining! Your little Granddaughter is gorgeous, and so like her Mum!
The little ones are so cute, hope the old chickens will be kind to them. The prices of eggs in USA are insanely high so I heard, we pay €4,- /$4,30 for 10 free ranged eggs. So you’re lucky to have space to keep chickens, and keep them save; do you get the chance to vaccinate them? Here some farmers are starting with the trial to do so. Fingers crossed it will help to keep the bird flu out. Have a lovely week, cheers from the Netherlands
What a great start to my week (I'm SURE that was your goal!), chickens AND granddaughter! I love how varied your flock will be.
Ceci
New chicks are always so cute! I always started my chicks in an old leaky water trough also. Our son is the chicken person and he uses it also.
The baby chicks are so cute, of course any baby is adorable! I loved the times I stayed with my Grandpa and Grandma on their farm. Your sweet little grand with treasure those times too!
definitely a cash crop...LOL...sooo cute
What a beautiful barnyard mix you picked! They are surely fun to watch them grow. Hopefully they are all pullets. I have had two amazing roosters over the years. They protected the flock and did the rest of their jobs. The rest of my roosters all turned out to be aggressive towards the hens and people. Good luck!
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