No kids, just chickens

By: linseylew4409

Posted 9/18/12 • Last updated 9/18/12 • 1739 views • 24 comments

I wanted a farm, we compromised on an acre.

I wanted a "farm" dog, we compromised on chickens.

I wanted 10 chickens, we compromised on 5.

I wanted to buy an expensive coop, we compromised and built it ourselves.

The chicks arrived at the Farmer's Co-op February 29, 2012 - they are leap chickens.

The baby leap chicks were named:

Rhode Island Red - Ginger

Buff Orpington - Scramble

Plymouth Rock - Littlefoot

Black Australorp - Dottie

Ameraucana - Miss Bunny

We (and they) have learned so much since the girls arrived.

They get warm baths to help them poop... (yes it worked)

They eat grass...

They nap...

They babysit...

They roost...

They take dust baths

They snack...

They are afraid of cows...

They lay eggs!

They "BALK" really loud (and yell at cows)...

They still roost...

They pose for pictures...

They have different combs...

They are normally a delight, but sometimes have to be imprisoned for attacking others...

Each day is a new adventure and I am glad we didn't get a dog!

Comments (24)

Heartforchickens 9/21/12 at 5:17am

Very nice EVERYTHING. Like your assortment of chickens. Five is a good number. Enjoy. Sorry about your attacker, maybe she will see the error of her ways soon.

BYC Project Manager 9/21/12 at 10:10am

Congratulations, we've chosen one of your chicken pics for the Picture Of the Week. Thanks for posting your chickens to our "My Chickens" pages! You can find more info about our POW here: BYC POW process

Melabella 9/21/12 at 12:01pm

Oh, Love it! Great, entertaining pictures, thanks for posting!

Fluffballs 9/21/12 at 12:10pm

Great pics! Yes! Chickens are much better than dogs! :D

sezjasper 9/21/12 at 12:52pm

All of your compromises ended up being the perfect solutions! Beautiful girls, and I love the fun comments!

Dudu 9/21/12 at 1:49pm

As a dog person of 20+ years, having recently 'discovered' chickens, I have to agree, they are AT LEAST as much fun as a dog! Very trainable, motivating them to work is a no-brainer (no choice between "ball" and "food" - it's always FOOD, LOL), they love to cuddle and snuggle, are great in the car, will follow you everywhere etc etc etc. Love your girls and their beautiful, clean coop! Thanks for sharing your beauties, and you might still get a dog too to keep them company, he he!

sophiesmith 9/21/12 at 1:57pm

Those are just like are chickens. They eat sleep poop walk balk .......

ChickadeeRanch 9/21/12 at 2:30pm

!!!!!! Our Rhode Island Red's name is Ginger too! He is a rooster tho :D We thought he was a girl early on and the name stuck! This is hilarious! Also "attacking" is normal :( it's called the pecking order and I'm afraid their is no way of stopping it - Even inprisonment. I love your variety they are so cute! And yes they TOTALLY pose for pictures, they love to roost, yes they are very afraid of larger animals and they really want to let you know! And of course their favorite past time is eating and dust bathing! Although babysitting and warm water to help them poop is new to me!

pettits37876 9/21/12 at 5:20pm

Yay! Congrats on getting POTW! I love the picture of them sleeping together. That's precious :)

LeJeune1 9/21/12 at 6:48pm

Sounds like a great way to live :o) Enjoy it!

Mac14 9/21/12 at 7:51pm

LOL! I LOVE CHICKENS! dogs can be fun too, they keep predators away. :)

Spikes Chooks 9/22/12 at 1:48am

Your chickens are all absolutely gorgeous. I really like the small flock with one of each breed. I have an Australorp and a Rhode Island Red as well, then a Barenvelder and a Silver Campine. Your photos are really great too - I'm finding chickens tricky to photograph so you have inspired me to keep practising!

MoCe 9/22/12 at 3:02am

LOL at chicken prison! XD Your girls are lovely!

americana-lover 9/22/12 at 9:17am

beautiful coop! and Hens!!!

awesomechicken 9/22/12 at 11:11am

i love the names.
( but i will always think that dogs are beter though.)

jchny2000 9/23/12 at 12:13am

Hehehehehe!!
You made me giggle, thank you :)
Sweet girls, all of them, you should be very proud!

StarLover21 9/23/12 at 10:43am

Aww....I have one that looks EXACTLY like your EE :)

craftydrae 9/23/12 at 3:17pm

very very cute! I started with six and with in a month or so, ended up with 30! LOL ;) The best pets EVER! p.s We also have two cats and a dog...lol

dragonchild 9/23/12 at 4:00pm

Our two RIRs are Ruby and Rosy, but Ruby may soon be called dinner! She's very aggressive--to people! Always heard RIRs were nice tempered, but someone forgot to tell Ruby. My one Buff Orpington, Goldy, is gentle and sweet, and the as-yet-unnamed Silver-Laced Wyandottes (5) and Speckled Sussex (3) are very personable. The Sussex are the sweetest things--next time I get chicks, I'm adding more Sussex (and Americaunas--I miss the green & blue eggs!)
Love your photo journal. What lovely, sweet ladies (including their person)!