So I came home from teaching all day in late Feb. to tell my husband about a friend who built an "A" frame chicken coop and is raising chickens in his backyard. I put in my order for 2 1/2 dozen fresh eggs right away! What a surprise to find the array of white, brown, and green eggs in the carton. My husband was amazed of the taste of the eggs and we continued to enjoy the fresh eggs. One day in March my husband said we have an acre zoned for agriculture that had small chicken coops in the back corner when we bought it. He thought we should raise our own fresh eggs. I forgot to mention he had one hip replaced in mid March and started planning and building the coop as soon as he was walking again. The night before the other hip replacement, he was putting the finishing touch on the coop to secure it for the arrival of our girls. The day after his second hip replacement surgery my son and I loaded up the cage and headed to the local Farmer's Market. We were met with all sorts of confusing facts and types of chickens so I had our friend join us to sort out all the information. We purchased one very younglabused Cochin (Dusty) and two bantas who were suppose to be hens.. but what did I know? (Cinnamon and Nutmeg) Nutmeg ended up being a roo so he went to a family looking to breed. We found two very young Rhode Island Red (Laverne & Shirley) who looked very healthy and promised to produce a faithful amount of eggs in the future. As we were heading out of the market I mentioned we had five chickens but none were laying eggs. My son saw a big old Rhode Island Hen (Momma) being loaded into a pickup truck and inquired about her. She was heading for the stew pot since she was at the end of her laying abilities. She was still laying eggs so we bought her to give her a chance at a new home.
At home we readied the coop with food and water paying careful attention to raking up any construction debris that could hurt our new friends. Manned with a video camera to record the homecoming, we released the six chickens into their new home. We spent the next two hours watching and admiring our new ladies while talking to my husband on the phone in the hospital. We took the video his hospital bed to show him on his laptop. Instant LOVE!
As soon as my husband was released, we drove around to the coop to see our new girls. As he recovered the next eight weeks, sitting outside by the chickens feeding them freeze dried meal worms. He couldn't wait for me to come home to show me their new tricks such as jumping for the worms or eating them out of his hand.
Mother's Day we purchased our Polish Chicken (Polly, who has been ill, but getting better
and had since added three Americana Chickens for green eggs (Goldie, Carmella, & Autumn). the latest addition was two cutie, white 3 month old frizzles (Marshmellow and Snowflake) Yes, we have been bit by the chicken addiction!
Just today we purchased two white silkies to add to the family. Chicken Math!! We have spent all summer enjoying them.
Oh and I failed to mention we had to add a second coop to the first one to accommodate Polly, Marshmellow, and Snowflake because the others pick on them.
Only chicken folks can understand the love and entertainment we get from our feathered friends.
