My mother in-law has become an angel in disguise. Not only has stepped in and helped me get some chickens, which I have always wanted, but she is helping in other ways as well and it is very much appreciated. I thought she said that we were getting Rhode Island Reds from her but was wrong. She said these chickens are Black Wyandottes? Can anyone verify? They look like the pictures I have found of black wyandottes...
After assuming chickens were coming whether he wanted them or not, and after the whole salmonella scare (making me look really smart for buying farm fresh eggs all the time) he caved and built me a great chicken coop out of the left over materials from the horse shed in just a couple of days with no complaining at all (I only wish the horse shed and stocks had been that easy, which both are technically not finished).
Roper Dog double checking the security of the chicken pen, you know just incase there is a way he could get in that he over looked.
He then settled in just watching the chickens and planning what he would do if someday he could get into the chicken pen.
We are planning on enlarging the pen in the spring, we had limited time and supplies in which to build the coop and pen this fall before the snow hit so this is what we had materials for.
A nest box - I was quickly told straw invites lice - so its wood shaving now.... hell I don't know, the ones I had when I was a kid lived in both straw and shavings and never had lice.
Our rooster - I named him Zorro. He likes to challenge Kaiser through the fence, its hilarious.
Haven't named the hens yet, been thinking about it though...
Here is the cute little black one. She is smaller than the others, maybe cause she is younger? Not sure...
And then there is this gal - who has a bright flash of pretty red on her.
And the first night we had them we got our first egg. I am so happy I have chickens again, I just love listening to them talk amongst themselves, watching them scratch do chicken things...
13 comments:
Awww They are too cute Stephanie! Love the name Zorro for the rooster too. He's a handsome bugger!
I don't know anything about chickens, but you and a few other folks have me thinking it might be neat to have a couple around. Someday..... not here though. But someday.
Are you sure Roper is thinking about getting in? Jo would be making sure the chickens could not get OUT and attack her! LOL
I love them, too. They are so much more entertaining than TV.
Oh, now I miss Joe and the ladies again! We almost ALMOST got 4 hens a couple weeks ago, but the lady flaked and never called me to finalize pick-up arrangements. I'm sure she gave them to someone else. And, I'm quite bummed about that.
Your ladies look a lot like Wyandottes. Shelby, one of our first hens, was a Gold-Laced Wyandotte. I'm not sure though as I have little experience with the breed. They look like they could be Black Stars as well. Or even mutts. But eggs are eggs and being purebred isn't a requirement. Hence why Joe was Ameraucana and my ladies were of many varieties.
I kept my chickens with straw and scrap hay. I never had a problem with lice.
Glad your loving your new babies and getting eggs!
LOVE the picture of Roper sitting there like he's on duty LOL!!!
OH I will have so much fun following your chicken journey! I have always debated about trying it out...But have never done it! Maybe I'll learn some things from you!
Hmmmm, Roper is definitely checking things out. Sure hope he's not a digger, that one.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Ahh, aren't they too cute. I know what you mean about eggs. I only buy organic ones.
Cool chickens! I like the coop. If I had chickens I would have to have someone else get the eggs for me because grabbing the warm egg freaks me out a bit!! hahaha - I know, I'm a wimp! lol
I like the picture of Roper guarding (or maybe plotting on a way in...) the chickens. My lab is such a city boy that he is afraid of chickens and ducks. Some hunting dog he would be! hahaha
Your one hen looks as if she is a Wyandotte. The little black one and the rooster may be Austrolops?
We are going to try again next year. It was so devastating to lose our flock that we didn't have the heart to try again right away. But after having chickens around again, even for that short of time, I miss them.
There is something so relaxing about watching chickens go about their very important business. They will also keep a person chuckling.
When we first moved here (oh so long ago, this summer lol) I was thinking about getting chickens. Then I had SO many people tell me all the "horror stories" about keeping hens that I re-thought things. May still one day but for now its a "back burner" kinda thing.
You are going to get some video of Zorro challenging Kaiser right?
No, I disagree with BEC. They aren't Australorps, they're too small. There are other breeds that also come in black like the Black Stars, some Ameriaucanas (not all lay colored eggs) and a few more I could look up if you'd like. Australorps are HUGE birds. I had two, Mango and Martha.
Yeah I guess I will have to get some video of that Lisa! It's funny stuff. Will have to wait till Spring though - the chicks are now hiding in their coop from the all the snow we have. They only come out for short periods of time and then zip back in.
I know its not really important if they are purebred - I was just curious, like with horses I always like to try to identify a breed and learn about the characteristics of that breed. I am learning so much by your comments already!
I think I have only one hen that is laying - we have a light on a timer so they are getting enough light, I was hoping we'd get at two of them laying, but we'll wait for this Spring and see who is laying at time then decide what to do. Ultimately I would like to have 3 consistent layers if not more. That would produce enough eggs for us and then some to sell when we get too much. If a hen lays but not consistently that's ok for us right now, but I would at least like to see them laying.
First, how old are they? If they're under 7 months, it could be that the other two haven't started laying yet and probably won't until spring.
Next, because it's winter, they'll be laying less. It could be that two are laying, but just on opposite days.
Lastly, they just moved to you. They need some time to settle in before they get on a regular laying schedule (or as close to it as hens get).
Congrats on the chickens. We've had them for almost 4 years now and can't imagine life without them. I just realized the other day that we've not bought any eggs for over 3 years. Yay!
Chickens are such a joy to have around. I love watching them and my daughter adores caring for them.
My guess is your chickens are Black Sex Links, which can be any breed mixed with a Rhode Island Red....but are usually Barred Rock, though I have read about Wyandottes being mixed with Rhode Island Red, too.
I have one Black Sex Link (also called Black Star) and she looks identical to your one hen with the pretty red chest and neck....which is a trademark of the Rhode Island Red.
Either way....you have chickens! Hooray! Congrats and welcome to the poultry keeping world!
~Lisa
Post a Comment