New Additions

We have chickens!

That's right! My dream of raising chickens has become a reality. Last Sunday, we drove quite a distance to the western side of the state to purchase some wee, little chicks from my cousin's son. He also took us shopping for chick necessities and gave us a crash course on raising chickens. Currently, they are residing in our basement until we can clear out a large enough area in our garage for them. Then we will begin constructing a chicken run and, eventually, a coup.

They are quite sweet but, in only three days, no longer "wee". They grow quite quickly, which we were told to expect that, but it is quite amazing to watch. It reminds me of when a seedling first breaks through the soil. Every time you pass by it, it has grown. Our chicks are doing well and we have not lost any. Now for the introductions....


Aren't they sweet!!!! Every time I go down to visit them, they all run to the far corner and peck away at the wood. Like they are trying to run away. From me. I try not to take it personally. Then I pick one up and hold it and try to reassure it that she's okay and I'm okay. (Unfortunately, it's usually one of the meat chicks that I end up catching so my words of assurance ring a little hollow.)


I have already decide on their names. I don't know who is who yet but as they get bigger I'll figure that out. The egg layers are: Jane, Lizzie, Mary, Kitty, Lydia, Emma, Catherine and Cutie. (Nathanael wanted to name one of the chicks so he chose "Cutie". He has a great imagination accept for when it comes to naming things. Once, I got him a teddy bear and when I asked what he was going to name it he said, "Other Bear". I believe I made a pitch for Fred but no, Other Bear was all set.) As you can see, I'm a big fan of Jane Austen.

Now meet the, uh, yum- I mean um... we'll call them short-term guests: Lady Catherine, Caroline, Louisa, Isabelle and Mrs. Elton- a.k.a. the Tetrazzini Sisters. I have to approach this aspect of chicken keeping with a sense of humor or, come "harvest" time, I'm going to have a bit of a problem. I also know that naming them might not be wise but I can't just call them "Hey, You" and I figured if I named them after Jane Austen's villains... You get where I'm going, right?

So, there you go. The new additions to our family. I'll keep you all update on our progress. Enjoy your day!