My new MPC chicks came on Feb. 23. Four sexed bantam chicks, because I only want pullets. They've been doing really well. The brooder is in the TV room so that they get maximum exposure to us, the cats and dogs. I've been working with them daily trying to tame them, and we've made lots of progress.
So today we're in Tractor Supply buying dog, cat, and chick food, and DH calls me over to look at two tiny bantams (much smaller than our little silkies) in a huge display tank by themselves. "Ahhh they're so cute," I gush, and then I walk quickly away, putting my emotional blinders on. I'm a planner; I certainly don't need any more chicks, especially chicks that probably have better than a 50% chance of being roos. Besides, I don't believe in impulse purchases of animals. I shove the mental picture of the adorable tiny creatures out of my head and begin looking for our brand of dog food.
DH comes down the aisle. "But they're all alone," he says. "We have room for two more tiny little bantams." I patiently ask "Honey, and what will we do with them if they're roosters?" "There's just as much chance that they'll be hens," he counters, "and Earl (our d'uccle man of the yard) won't mind another rooster if one turned out that way. Besides, they look like girls to me anyway." This from a man who from time to time has to ask me what breeds our hens are.
"Honey, it doesn't matter anyway," I jump on this quickly. "They only sell chicks if you buy six. It says so right on the sign." I'm SO relieved that TS has a purchase minimum of six chicks. "But those two little ones are all alone. I'll bet they'll sell them," he replies with confidence, and off he goes to ask. I've read enough BYC experiences with TS chick sales to KNOW I'm safe from DH's temptation.
Well CRAP if he doesn't come back a few minutes later looking all triumphant, announcing that they will indeed sell us those two little banties!!! He looks so happy and hopeful. CRAP! CRAP! CRAP! Why would they bend this rule???
So now we're up two tiny bantams that I have no idea of the breed, both probably darned roosters!!! Each had blue kote or something similar on one foot, and one a spot high on its beak, I guess where they'd been getting pecked??? That blue stuff practically glows under our red lamp, so I've had to separate them from my chicks who are week older until the areas heal (or fade) because my older chicks started pecking at the blue areas. Aahhhh!!! I still don't know what got into DH - but no more TS for him until chick season is over
So today we're in Tractor Supply buying dog, cat, and chick food, and DH calls me over to look at two tiny bantams (much smaller than our little silkies) in a huge display tank by themselves. "Ahhh they're so cute," I gush, and then I walk quickly away, putting my emotional blinders on. I'm a planner; I certainly don't need any more chicks, especially chicks that probably have better than a 50% chance of being roos. Besides, I don't believe in impulse purchases of animals. I shove the mental picture of the adorable tiny creatures out of my head and begin looking for our brand of dog food.
DH comes down the aisle. "But they're all alone," he says. "We have room for two more tiny little bantams." I patiently ask "Honey, and what will we do with them if they're roosters?" "There's just as much chance that they'll be hens," he counters, "and Earl (our d'uccle man of the yard) won't mind another rooster if one turned out that way. Besides, they look like girls to me anyway." This from a man who from time to time has to ask me what breeds our hens are.
"Honey, it doesn't matter anyway," I jump on this quickly. "They only sell chicks if you buy six. It says so right on the sign." I'm SO relieved that TS has a purchase minimum of six chicks. "But those two little ones are all alone. I'll bet they'll sell them," he replies with confidence, and off he goes to ask. I've read enough BYC experiences with TS chick sales to KNOW I'm safe from DH's temptation.
Well CRAP if he doesn't come back a few minutes later looking all triumphant, announcing that they will indeed sell us those two little banties!!! He looks so happy and hopeful. CRAP! CRAP! CRAP! Why would they bend this rule???
So now we're up two tiny bantams that I have no idea of the breed, both probably darned roosters!!! Each had blue kote or something similar on one foot, and one a spot high on its beak, I guess where they'd been getting pecked??? That blue stuff practically glows under our red lamp, so I've had to separate them from my chicks who are week older until the areas heal (or fade) because my older chicks started pecking at the blue areas. Aahhhh!!! I still don't know what got into DH - but no more TS for him until chick season is over
