Picking up Chicks

Silkies, Rhode Island Reds and Longhorns. Oh My!

Despite the rain, hundreds of people and thousands of chicks turned out for Shagbark’s annual Chick Day Event on Saturday.  The first cars pulled into the parking lot at 6:45 a.m. and people started forming lines in advance of the 8:30 a.m. ticket handout.

Crowds milled around under the tent and covered front porch trying to stay dry as they waited anxiously for their number to come up. At 10 a.m. sharp, the first numbers were called and the process began of choosing the perfect chicks to bring home.

Ethan McVaney travelled from Mansfield to attend  the event with his friends. They had a chicken-getting party, he says. “The chicks are really cute; what more can I say about them?”

In addition to hot dogs, popcorn and tee shirts commemorating the event, advice was free for the asking. Tips on feed, specific breed traits and the best way to handle new chicks were discussed by the experienced and those new to raising chickens.

A friendly Easter Bunny and her assistant hopped around the event with baskets of candy to entertain the kids.

Dennie Burak and Pete Dean, of the East Haddam Agricultural Commission, were at the event to promote awareness about the formation of their organization. The commission is dedicated to identifying and connecting agricultural operations in East Haddam including small and large scale operations, agricultural based businesses and hobbyists. Their mission focuses on information, education, conflict resolution and economic opportunities. 

“Chick Day is always fun here at Shagbark”, Burak says.

Erin’s Eggs, an organization dedicated to supporting the hungry in local communities “one egg at a time,” was also on hand to share information about their cause. Erin’s Eggs gathers extra eggs from backyard chicken owners and delivers them to soup kitchens and food programs throughout the local area. One of their donation sites includes the Harvest House Project at St. Stephens Church in East Haddam.

Robert May, of Coops De Ville, assisted patrons in finding and choosing just the right chicks to bring home. “There’s a good crowd today”, he says, despite the rain.

Chick Day is an annual event hosted by Shagbark where patrons can pre-order chicks and pullets or make selections to purchase the day of the event while supplies last. Shagbark was also stocked with plenty of supplies to care for the chicks.