Hi! I'm Missi (AccidentalFarm). DH and I and our 2 kids live in South Texas on 16 acres. We never really intended to have a lot of animals, but here we are with our odd bunch anyway. Here lately, I've begun to think of our place as a haven for those that are 'less-than-perfect' in most eyes. Odd as our crew may seem, we love them all.

We are currently owned by 1 feral Hog, 3 Appalousas, 1 Quarter horse, 1 one-eyed Dumbo Rat, 5 cats, 3 Adult Labs, 2 'teenaged' Labs, 1 blind 5 month old Lab pup, and 46 various breed chickens. The only animals we meant to have were 3 dogs and 3 cats.

About the birds...

I've only added chickens to the bunch beginning back in February '07. It all started with 4 little dyed Easter chicks that I felt so sorry for. I had visions of raising these little birds up (all the while patting myself on the back for 'rescuing' them from the hands of toddlers), and being rewarded down the line with fresh eggs for the family. Knowing absolutely nothing about chickens, I googled my way to BYC and 'lived' there day and night for weeks. I soon found out that I did not have normal egg laying chickens. I was horrified to find out that I may have unknowingly bought meat birds. Having found out the lifespan (and health problems) of meat birds- I was completely depressed. This was sooo not what I had in mind. Not so, however, I soon found out (lucky me!) that I still wasn't going to get any eggs out this bunch, because they were all cockerals. Great. Thus began our foray into chickens. Those 4 little birds turned into 46 at the last head count. We've even jumped into the great unknown (to us) area of incubating and have hatched 7 of our own little cuties right here at home. We've had our ups and downs with the chickens- watched helplessly as little ones died, suffered through the tradgedy of a coop invasion, built (and re-built) coops, learned how to 'diagnose' problems and help heal sick birds, watched in awe as our own wee ones hatched, and somewhere in the middle of all of this...found a determination to keep on going.

Buff Brahma, Gold Laced Cochin, White Leghorn, Dark Brahma, White Crested Black Polish, Barred Rock, Mottled Houdan (not shown), Buff Orpington (not shown), Rhode Island Red (not shown), Buff Cochin (not shown), Ameraucana (not shown).

Fat Sandra is one of our friendliest, most lovable girls. We hope to find and Ameraucana Rooster to add to

the flock. She had such a doll face as a little peep, we'd love to have more of 'em running around.

Mottled Houdan at 3 days and again at 7 weeks. These guys are real characters!

White Crested Black Polish (left) at 3 days old and again at 7 weeks old. Polish are a little standoff-ish, but if handled enough as chicks they can be quite friendly. I'm not sure that they'll ever be 'lap' birds, though.

 

 

MORE WILL BE ADDED AS TIME PERMITS.