Three times in the past 15 months, the nice lady at the post office called at 6:30 am to tell us there was a package of chicks waiting for us to pick up.
This morning, that nice lady actually gave our chicks to someone else by mistake, but Bill remedied the situation, and 29 new babies are now living in our barn.
We have 15 Dark Cornish chicks, which will eventually live in a chicken tractor. These are meat birds, but not icky meat birds. They're naturally growing birds that won't die of a heart attack at 7 weeks because they overate. Bill is very excited about the chicken tractor. It is possible that the only reason we are raising birds is so that Bill can have a chicken tractor.
Also included are 7 Partridge Cochin. They will hopefully be excellent setting hens. The problem with our current flock of Barred Rocks is that they refuse to go broody and hatch out some eggs. It is possible this is because Alby, our rooster is an ass and they don't want to raise babies in that environment.
Though, it is more likely because they are cruddy at brooding, despite my attempts to goad them into it - "hey there momma hen, you've got a big fat butt, how's about you go set on some eggs." Nothin. Cochins are known for their broodiness, so hopefully we'll get a good mama hen out of the batch.
We also have 6 Columbian Wyandottes, a pretty heritage laying breed.
And lastly, a free random rare breed chick, which will be a surprise. Right now, he's just a little black puffball.
But what about the turkeys, you ask??
They are doing well in their new home - The SR 71 Turkey Coop. This coop, which was built in our barn, is named in honor of Bill's dad (Bill, Sr) who assisted in its planning and building.
The 71 refers to some airplane(?), the SR 71, that boys like presumably because it is loud and fast. Ironic, because our turkeys really stink at flying. They are like adolescent drivers - wibbly wobbly and crashing into walls.
They're growing though!
And pretty soon, they'll be allowed out in this beautiful field to eat all our ticks. Yum!
Coming soon...garden update
The SR-71 Blackbird was a spy plane. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the chicks. Justin wants to raise them eventually. Maybe I'll get him a chicken tractor. I love the idea of free range+protection from eaty things.
Protection from eaty things is really good. I am always disheartened when I hear from peeps who free range with abandon and their chickens are eaten or run over by cars. I suspect there is a balance somewhere that offers the benefits of free ranging with increased security for living.
ReplyDeleteDon't you got any wild chickens in Hawaii to play with?
There are feral chickens all over the place here. We get a visit from them whenever we go to our favorite beach up on the North Shore. They're not very playful, though.
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