Hey, we're in NW Tennessee, close to Paris Landing State Park. Been a LONG LONG time since I've posted, although I've been in and out reading other's postings. I'm ready to get a couple or few hens as companions and egg laying doesn't matter to me or us. I've had chickens before but they weren't companions although some were friendly. I've read and reread and rereread about Silkies and Cochins and what are usually the best pet type chickens.
I'm concerned here with all the rain we get or have gotten at this time of year. I've got a chicken house set up for them, but I usually slip them in the house now and then and always would allow them on the decks with us and actually prefer them to hunt me down for lov'n and snacks.
Unfortunately, I've been very ill and have had to have transfusions. Docs still don't know where i'm losing blood or even where it's going and have done a few tests but now have to see cardio since my heart still isn't "acting" like it should. Over the last months, I've learned enough to tell if I'm losing too much at once since my blood pressure will take a steep dive while I'm active, then go back to being overly high if I'm sitting or laying down. It's when it does't recover over a day or two that I have to make a run to the ER.
Well, enough of that. I'm pretty upset at hubby since he's stalled on my chick hunt. Now, I don't think I can find the "pet" chicks I'm looking for. I've raised enough birds and rehabbed enough wildlife to find that a lot of times, it's not the type, but the amount of interaction that matters. However, I made a goof with two kinds thinking that and ended up with my hubby being henpecked ( Literally), and both of use being flogged and pecked till we bled. LOL Even our german shepherd kept out of site of those two.
I've been looking through the internet to see who may have that special couple or few chicks that fit the bill so to speak, but see that most farm stores haven't a clue as to what kind they have. I'm really wanting hens. I don't mind the size, although hubby thought the cochins where huge compared to his RIR's he knew as a kid. Does he remember that far back? Had to be 65 years or so for him. And what does it matter to him the size? Heck if I know. He's trying to make me promise not to let them run in the house..oh sure..like THAT's gonna happen.
I handraised some Bobwhite Quail chicks that were left behind in a dump nest when the first eggs hatched a few days before these did. Poor things. Kept one as a pet..turned out to be a hen. Her name was Que pie. She traveled the states with us and everyone we met had to have a photo taken with her. She LOVED to be picked up and scritched. She always let me know of danger or if she were happy. Loved for me to dig through the garden where she gobbled whatever bug appeared. She knew the refrige where she paced back and forth for a strip of cheese that she'd gobble up like a worm. Always make the cooing sounds for more. Bed time, she'd pace back and forth in front of the TV until I'd walk to the BR with her where she'd hop on the bed and up to a dresser where she had a "nest" made of towels. She'd wake in the morning, hop on the bed and talk to us.
She loved to take naps with us, lay on top of one of us. While we watched TV, if she wasn't on a lap, she'd nestle a foot and would be all comfy while you wanted ever so much to move that foot but didn't dare for waking little Que Pie. She lived till she was 16 years old and we've a ton of stories of her and her travelling adventures. We've never had another hen like her and don't expect the next to be like her.
I just want one or two to be happy and want the cuddling and attention. But where the heck am I going to find one now, when most places don't have hens of any kind until mid May. Can you tell I'm patient? NOT!. Looked at the ads in Murray, KY, Paris, TN and Clarksville...but so far, either they don't know what they have, or don't have what I'm looking for. :/
Blooie, you always bring a tear with the amazing strides that Kendra is taking. So proud of her.
