School/Library chickens

[Josie414]

Hello everyone!

I am a middle high school librarian who works closely with our school’s agriculture teacher and we co-teach an Intro to Ag class together. Until recently, my contributions have been mainly related to the school gardens and growing things. Our 3 school laying hens never came back from their summer home a couple years ago (the school nurse took them home and fell in love… their now her beloved pets) so we decided this was the year for more chickens. I volunteered to take the lead on the chicken project because I’ve always wanted chickens and this seemed like the best way to get my husband on board… “Honey, they’re school chickens… they’ll just be at our house during the summer months!”

I did a chicken research project with our students, we decided to try raising a few different breeds, did repairs on the chicken coop & tractors in the school gardens, got the brooder ready in the library and I went to Tractor Supply. We now have 6 chicks - 3 light brahmas, 1 maran mix, and 2 leghorn mixes. My own kiddos, aged 5 & 7, were immediately in love. Honestly, I am too!

Here they are on day 1:

 

[Josie414]

Hello everyone!

I am a middle high school librarian who works closely with our school’s agriculture teacher and we co-teach an Intro to Ag class together. Until recently, my contributions have been mainly related to the school gardens and growing things. Our 3 school laying hens never came back from their summer home a couple years ago (the school nurse took them home and fell in love… their now her beloved pets) so we decided this was the year for more chickens. I volunteered to take the lead on the chicken project because I’ve always wanted chickens and this seemed like the best way to get my husband on board… “Honey, they’re school chickens… they’ll just be at our house during the summer months!”

I did a chicken research project with our students, we decided to try raising a few different breeds, did repairs on the chicken coop & tractors in the school gardens, got the brooder ready in the library and I went to Tractor Supply. We now have 6 chicks - 3 light brahmas, 1 maran mix, and 2 leghorn mixes. My own kiddos, aged 5 & 7, were immediately in love. Honestly, I am too!

Here they are on day 1:
View attachment 3510793

The chicks are now 5 weeks old and doing SO WELL! They're growing like crazy and have been a major hit in the library. If I let it happen, they'd be held and cuddled by students all day - I've had to be very deliberate in making sure that we had a good balance between socializing the chicks and not causing stress by being handled too much. I think I did a pretty good job of that, as they are very sweet little girls who all have their own personalities. I have a bunch of photos over the last few weeks, but I need to edit student faces out before I post them... coming soon!

 

[Jenbirdee]

Super Duper CUTE! What a wonderful introduction so happy all the smiles. I’m so glad you joined BYC , welcome.!!

 

[Josie414]

The first photo is Lulu and Penguin the brahmas, at about 3 weeks being cuddled by a couple of my 6th grade book club members. Second photo is a high school student with Janet, another brahma and a coworker with Millie, the maran mix. Then a couple of high school students cuddling a brahma & Millie. The two Pearl Star Leghorns, Cookie & Trudi, are definitely the least cuddly of the bunch but are very curious and first to greet me when I go to fill up their food.
Now that it is starting to warm up in Western NY I have been taking them out during the day and bringing them back in at night, much to my students' dismay.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

So glad you decided to join us. Adorable photos! It's wonderful to get people, especially kids involved with poultry. Sets kids on a good path in life.

Make yourself at home here and welcome to our community!

 

[Josie414]

And a few more from the last few weeks, of myself and my kids with the chickens. I can't help but love Millie the maran as she is the smallest and just sooooo goofy looking! Penguin was mostly black during her first few weeks and the TS employee thought she was also a maran, but as she is getting older its pretty clear she is actually a brahma -she looks more and more like the other 2 as she gets her feathers and they are mostly while. She has the same sweet, docile temperament as the other brahmas, and they all hang out together most of the time.
If the kids continue to show an interest, I think we will consider joining 4H and showing a bird or two. My son will be old enough next year.

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC. Adorable pictures!

 

[chrissynemetz]

Hi, and welcome to BYC! It's so nice to meet you! Please make yourself at home!

 

[Mallards and Quail]

A big hello from West Texas, and Welcome to BYC!! Glad you joined.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Can you post pictures of their coop and tractor? Do you have a plan for what you're going to do with any excess cockerels?