Feaux in the Hen House

(Yes, I know how it's pronounced, but I couldn't think of any other way to title it! LOL. )

I picked up two more chickens last night. We had the second tractor stand empty after the dogs got into it, and while it looked awful and lonely we just kept puttiong off getting more hens. Our three Barred Rocks are producing well enough for our needs anyway, and raising chicks is just not my idea of fun.

But my friend had gone out and picked up several meat chickens for herself, and offered to give us a few of them. They have been raised factory line style, so they've never even taken a step, much less walked around in the grass. So I put them into the tractor with a little trepidation. I was unsure they could even walk up and down the ramp to the roosting area! Having spent their entire four weeks lying in place, eating as much as they wanted, they have very little ability to take care of the bugs in the yard, or even scratch. So I was happily surprised when they slid down the ranp, and then were scratching at the grass within minutes. Ah, life finds a way.

These chickens are also, in a word, huge. At four weeks (maybe five) they are already almost as large as my laying hens. Sincerely amazing when you realize what man and science have done to the growth cycle of chickens! I prefer mine home raised, and with legs strong enough to walk around on. But these chicks are still amazing.

I went to the Homeport and picked up a 25 lb bag of starter feed, and thought again about raising chicks. I made myself keep from going back to the chicks, though. Too much temptation, and too much work right now with everything else going on.

Everything else is doing well, overall. I cleaned out the cages for the rabbits (won't be buying rabbits for a few more weeks), moved some materials over for the earthworm bins, checked the honeybees, and got the last of the tomatoes ready to be planted. Phew! Now the kids are in bed (they were too tired), wife is headed over to the Knit and Spin, and I'm actually having a cup of coffee in order to finish up my chores tonight. Another great day!