Our introduction to keeping chickens, the high's, the lows and pics of our journey.

[Bens-Hens]

I just thought I would add a few more pictures taken tonight. I can't help myself!

I don't know if it's too early to see tufts, beards or muffs, but some of the Aruacana look more clean necked than others, a couple seem to have a bit of random fuzz. Could just be my eyes though! These two are very grey/lavender. One has one black foot!



I know this shot is fuzzy, but it shows the contrast between Baby and the other lemon kind of coloured L/A against the grey chicks. Any indication as to what the lemon kind of ones feather out like would be appreciated. BTW, Baby is the one in the middle. They came from the same folks at the same time.


A partial random group shot, they don't seem all that fond of a giant white iPhone invading their space lol


Here we have a slice of the breeds we just hatched. The big 'girl' on the rear left is a BV, right and forward most is 'girl' SPW's with the Lav Arau center of the shot. All starting to show their wing tip feathers now. Coming up to a week old.


One of the L/A's with the funky neck fuzz.


Same chick giving me the eye, next to a SPW


Thanks for reading!

 

[EmSteele]

I am in AWE!! I am officially 2 weeks in with 12 chicks! Haven't built our coop yet but will build it this or next weekend. I could not imagine hatching my own eggs! Roos will be resigned to the pot around here (except for this 1 I accidentally got attached to). I couldn't do it if I hatched them myself! Very interesting read! Please keep updated!

 

[Bens-Hens]

Sure thing EmSteele!

Thanks for dropping in and the kids words. It has been an adventure that's for sure. One I am very happy to take with my little family.

 

[Wrightsx4]

Not sure on this, but I think lavenders are like blues, they hatch out blue(or in your case lavender) but there's also a chance of "splash". That would be so pretty if that's what they are! Baby looks adorable!

 

[Dara77]

I read this whole thread yesterday and have to say, I'm impressed! Wow, you went through a lot and didn't let it stop you, that's awesome! Chicken keeping is addicting as I have found out too! I started with young pullets last year, had to rehome them thinking we were moving to an apt, now that we aren't went and got 6 more yesterday. They are too fun! You are making me want an incubator though!!!! LOL!!

 

[NovaAman]

Your in the right spot Ben.

Love them little blues!

I need to build a big brooder soon. I was thinking of taking my old duck boat... Actually, it is a little tyke/step two sand box tug boat, and turning that into a brooder. I just got my eggs in the mail today, so they'll be going into a borrowed incubator tomorrow/Sunday. 46 eggs in all. THEN I have to build/ prepare to have HIGH roosts. I got Phoenix, Ohiki, Yokos... Those ones with the long ornamental tails! So excited.

 

[Bens-Hens]

Thanks Pam, Alicia like the look of the splash birds. I never knew that, we got to thinking that the colour may have been a male female thing, but hopes only hahaha They say they are had to guess until older.

Only a week or two and we should have a glimpse of the feathering.

Dara77, thanks for stopping in. It has been a greet time, and I really am hooked...my whole family is. Our mobile hair dresser just came over and our two boys dragged her off to meet our chickens, turn out she is scared of chickens hahahaha. She was very nice about it though. We have learnt so much through our journey, but very glad we have stuck with it. Most happy to share our story, and give back to this great community how ever we can.

Nova, cool to hear your going for your own hatch. I will have to keep an eye on the hatch-a-longs i a couple of weeks. Best of luck for a top result.

Our chicks have officially entered the 'run crazy and leap' phase. Crazy little things flap their stumps and thoroughly entertain us!

 

[NovaAman]

My nephew is afraid of chickens too. My oldest boy, who is only 7, but was 6 at the time, and my nephew had just turned 17, chased him around the yard with a silkie. OMG, funniest thing ever. I yell out my nephew, never thought I'd see a man run from chicken! LOL

I was thinking of joining the mother's day hatch-a-long, but I think I might just do a thread on it since it's a first time.

 

[Bens-Hens]

Goods stuff hahahaha 6 y/o bringing it to a 17 year old 'near man' lol

Slide a link this way when you get a thread going. Would love to follow along.

 

[Wrightsx4]

Our friend who lives down the road stopped over last summer shortly after we got our first chickens. The kids drug her out to meet them, with little protest although she insisted she'd stay outside the pen. She was really nervous and said she was afraid of chickens after being flogged as a child. Well after meeting them she came back a few days later with their favorite treat - raisins, and fed them. Ever since she's been our chickensitter whenever we need one. She's even thinking of getting some herself I'm spreading my addiction.
Nova - sounds like an exciting batch of chicks! Hope you have a good hatch.