My VERY FIRST chickens are due to arrive today!

[IamRainey]

In just an hour, in fact.

I've already been to the post office to ensure that they are ready to watch for them and call me as soon as they arrive. They tell me the Express Mail comes in at 11:30 just an hour. And tracking indicates that they've already arrived at the regional airport the mail is distributed from.

Altho I've never raised chickens before, I used to get baby chicks for Easter when I was a little girl in the early 50s. We kept them until they were pullets and then they went to a local farm. This time they'll arrive as 6-week old feathered-out birds and STAY with me until they're adorable fluffy-butted biddies.

I'm so excited. I have exactly the same nesting impulse I had when I was pregnant with my first daughter. I go out to the coop almost hourly to ensure that everything is as ready as I left it first thing this morning.

Anyway, I know I'm being a very foolish person but I thought if anyone would understand it would be someone here.... Wish my chickies good luck in the hands of an overexcited 70yo!

 

[shadowfox]

So exciting! Have fun with your new chickens!

 

[Lamaremybabies]

YAY! How very eggciting!

New chickie butts are always super fun, can't wait to hopefully see some pictures.

 

[Birdinhand]

I can relate to those nesting instincts, they kicked in for me as a young boy as well. chick rearing seems to strike some kind of deep nostalgic chord for many of us, so you are in good company! I know exactly how it feels to imagine birds sitting in some mail depot somewhere all alone and stressed and wanting to rescue them as soon as humanly possible when they arrive at the post office. enjoy and savor every step! good luck on your venture and be forgiving with your self as you learn from your mistakes.

 

[Little Chicken Girl]

Congrats on the peeps!!!
What kinds are they?

If you need any help or have any questions, feel free to post them here and a whole bunch of chicken enthusiasts will be happy to share their experience, advice and opinions.

I also have a website about chickens (http://thewayofthechicken.com) where I post articles on some chicken breeds/chicken issues/chicken facts.

 

[Sutremaine]

Good luck! It's a nice age to get them. What breed are you getting?

 

[IamRainey]

I'm getting a Cream Legear, a Partridge Plymouth Rock and a Double-laced Barnvelder.

I live in suburban Los Angeles and, even here, so many of the people I talk to remember having chickens as kids or visiting a relative's farm with chickens. And every single one has a big smile on their face when they remember them.

I can't wait! Even my husband has called twice to see if they're here yet. The call should come any minute now!

 

[MagpieDucks]

Are they here?Did you get them? Pictures?

 

[IamRainey]

They are here!

I have some video but I haven't figured out how to post it yet.

The important thing is they arrived alert and healthy. One -- the smallest -- looks like she's been pecked at a bit. There are a couple bare spots on her neck. ...but no signs of feathers in the box. And no aggressive bullying behavior noted. I dunno. Maybe it happened before she met her new flock mates and went in the box.

But, mostly, they're exploring their coop and they've had a bit of crumble and no complaints so far. ::big freakin' happy grin::

 

[IamRainey]

They've had 7 hours now to settle in.

The DLBarnvelder is the largest and seemingly will be the beauty of the bunch. She has a bit of diarrhea. I hope it's just from the stress of the journey and will resolve itself.

The Cream Legear is the midsize one. She seems very mellow and is more lavender to my eye than cream but we'll see what happens over time. Both she and the DLB have their tail feathers and seem very developed.

The Partridge Plymouth Rock is the smallest and also the lowest in the pecking order. She has had her feathers picked away in a couple spots already. I have a saddle and I'll put it on her tomorrow but didn't want to add further upset by trying to handle her today. She doesn't resist the picking and sticks close to the other 2 even tho there's more than ample room for them to spread out. My PPR doesn't have any tail feathers yet. ...or maybe she won't get the same prominent type that the other 2 have. ...I have sooooo much to learn!

They're all active and they're feeding and drinking. ...and pooping!

I'm fascinated that they do all their vocalizations with their beaks closed and it's very difficult to figure out which voice is coming from which chicken.

It's fully dark now at almost 8PM. I'm going to go out and see if they've settled onto their roost.

So far I LOVE being a chickenista!!!