Where have I been all my life?

[kaybats]

I have been having such a blast with my chicks (at nearly 14 weeks, maybe they are called pullets now?) but, just like my kids...25, 24, 22, and 16, they will always be my "babies"! I have actually set up a mini office (two tv dinner tables, notepads and pens, laptop, wireless internet...you get the picture) next to the run so I could just watch them, and get a little work done, too. They are amazing. Who'd a thunk it? Chickens? Really? Yeah, really.

They are so pretty, too. 4 Rhode Island Reds and my two roos whom I have yet to identify. I can't remember the name of the breed. They were straight run and turned out to be roos! Something I didn't know could really happen til I found you guys! I am learning SO much....what a fabulous journey!!!

Each and every one of them has a personality. They all come a-runnin' when they see me, but one chick just craves for me to stroke her, two are "well, OK, since you're here....." Fourth one is "where's the food?!?"LOL Both roos are good boys. They get along great...but I am almost done with the "bachelor pad". I want eggs for breakfast, I don't need my girls to be overworked by these guys!!!!! (Oh, I know it's not the roosters who make the eggs happen....but I do know they fertilize them)

So far they LOVE corn on the cob and bread. Don't care much for carrots. I never knew they could have stuff like this til I found this forum!

I started this to have fresh eggs and now am realizing just how satisfying this is!

Everyone always used to joke that I was "up with the chickens". I guess that's where I belong!

 

[laurabonitahopkins]

It sounds wonderful! I'm getting my first 4 chicks next week, and I can't wait! I've never been around chickens that much, but I have done a ton of reading about raising them, and I am sure I am going to love having them join us!

 

[Tina D]

I feel the same way! I am a new chicken owner, only about a month in. But I am enjoying my birds so much!

 

[Matthew3590]

trust me I don't think your roos will over work them. Plus the roosters are happier when they are with their "girls"

 

[Attila the Hen]

I totally understand. Chickens are some of the most entertaining creatures I have ever met and they feed me!!
Mine love unsalted peanuts, grapes and bananas most of all. Very spoilt.

 

[gryeyes]

I know exactly what you're talking about! I didn't get chickens until October 2009, and I'm gonna be 58 in two months. I get SO much pleasure from the chickens, all the silly things they do, the different vocalizations, and I love them at every stage of their lives (I've experienced thus far): chick, tween-agers, reaching maturity, laying eggs, broody, hatching chicks, and all the different roles of the roosters.

Some of the best time of my life has been outside in a chair, communing with the chickens. Some of them have conversations with me, which go something like this:

"Brk."

"Brk? What does that mean?"

"Bok. Bok bok bok. Brk."

"Oh, I see. And what else?"

"Chirrup."

"Brk Brk Brk?" (Not a great imitation, as the chicken looks sideways at me when I ask that question, whatever it is.)

One hen always has something to tell me. Always. I think she's the flock gossip.