The Newest Family Members

Although I've wanted chickens forever, it was about a year ago that I became seriously interested in getting some and started a "chicken campaign" with Joe.

On Saturday we had a few errands to run in town and I asked Joe if we could run into one of the local feed stores just to see what it would cost to get set up. Little did I know that once six little kids saw the baby chicks, we would not be able to leave without getting some. (Okay, it wasn't all them. It was a lot me, as well.)

It really was not my intention to buy any that day. We were just looking. I guess that's how we ended up with eleven. But look at them. How can anyone resist? We bought four "Reds" (New Hampshire Reds? Rhode Island Reds?? not sure), two "Ambers" (have no clue on this one, even using Google), and five Araucanas. (And please don't ask me their names. I'm a terrible mom and cannot remember them all. And I cannot identify which chick belongs to what name.)

Mom-Mom had an antique chicken brooder in her attic, which was recently discovered. No one knows why it was up there, but we picked it up on our way home on Saturday afternoon. It's absolutely perfect. I imagine Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop raising baby chicks many decades ago. (My mother said they also raised turkeys, but they were mean.)

The children love the chicks. Right now the chickies are living in our recently remodeled laundry room, right off the kitchen. While we have an old (130-year-old) chicken coop on our property, it's a little close to the house and where we set up the kids' swimming pool. Over the next few weeks Joe will have to build a new one.

**Thanks for all your support from my last post. Tonight is the "Meet the Candidates" forum and I'm freaking out. I have to answer questions. On TV. Please pray for me.**

Comments

Amy said…
Ooooh, jealous.
christy said…
so if you can speak in public now you have no excuse not to speak in church, ha! now even busier with chicks. you are gonna have a ton of eggs. you'll have to have the kids sell them. we were considering 3 or 4. we decided it wasn't worth the trouble but your yard is much bigger and you already have coops and such. have fun!
Emily said…
We started raising chickens in our backyard a year and a half ago. We currently have 7 full grown hens and a rooster with another 10 hen chicks (hatched this year) waiting to join the flock. It has been SO much fun for my kids, but more so with ME! I love getting fresh eggs every morning. I love wathcing them with their crazy personalities. Your kids will love it. They become great pets as well as a great food supplier. We just do lots of googling when we need to learn about our chickens. The internet is a wonderful thing! Good Luck!
lisa said…
Check out mypetchicken.com if you haven’t already. It’s a good resource. Last year for mother’s day we got my Mom 3 little Partridge Rock chicks. And my guess would be Rhode Island because (at least in the South) that is the most prevalent. Hope your Araucana’s are layers!
misschris said…
Ack! Chickens! So many good new stories just waiting to happen. :)

And good luck, Lera. (Although I don't think you'll need it. Your town is lucky to have you in the running.) xo
Stacey said…
Those chicks are adorable! Good luck tonight...you will be great!
Anonymous said…
Yea! Chickens!
And you'll do great tonight. Just don't forget to breathe.
hooli said…
This will benefit your life you can't even imagine. Have you read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle? If you haven't, let me recommend it.
nicole said…
we have had two hens for a year.
I think we are giving up... alot of care for one egg a day because only one lays eggs!

But we started out having a lot of fun!
dig this chick said…
yay chickens! I knew it was just a matter of time! I am dying to see this 130 year-old coop you keep talking about....
erica e said…
i look forward to watching your newest family members grow! that is quite the endeavor! and good luck on your political campaign! good for you!
Amanda Jean said…
oh, have fun with the chickens. (i have a confession...chickens scare me.)
Patty said…
Hi,

I found your blog through Crazy Mom Quilts’ blog and just had to comment on your chicks.
I love raising chickens and have done so for years. My kids love feeding the chickens and gathering the eggs each day; I love how no food goes to waist since chickens love all types of table scraps.
Good luck raising your flock, they are so fun!
Diane said…
How wonderful! I've dreamt of having chickens because we really go through eggs around here. The kids are going to have the best time...

Hope all went well with your tv spotlight!!
Philigry said…
oh, yay! now i am even more excited. love seeing pictures of your little ones!

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