This post was going to be called “I See Chicks in My Future”, but Todd didn’t give me a chance to type up any kind of post before he fulfilled my years-long dream of having my very own laying hens. I want to stop right now and say that my husband is the best husband on earth, just so you know. 
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| Little Ethel Mae |
Anyway, he shared with me on Thursday that he wanted to get me set up with a couple of laying hens for our anniversary (What a guy! He knows just what I like. By the way, I got him a camp stove, which he wanted. Don’t worry–the romance is definitely still alive after 23 years, folks. ) The following Saturday (May 19), he asked me when I would be ready to head out to the feed store to pick up the chicks. I was so excited!
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| Little Lucy |
The feed store had four breeds of chicks: Rhode Island Red, Red Star (also known as Red Sex-Link), Buff Orpington, and Aracauna. After some study into all the available breeds, I decided on the Red Stars because of their ability to handle the kind of climate we live in (very hot summers), their high egg productivity and large egg size, and because they seldom go broody. Since we only have room for two, productivity and broodiness are a large factor. I also wanted them to be kind birds, easily handled and calm. The girls I got are quite friendly, don’t mind being handled, and they seem to really like us.
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| The girls, probably wondering what this place is! |
We brought Little Lucy and Little Ethel Mae home in a small box, and they chilled in there until Sky and I put together their brooder. It was inexpensive and easy to put together, and the girls seem to really be comfortable in there.
Wherever one of them goes, the other one goes. They love to be together, peeping and scratching and pecking. They have already begun to fly off our hands to the floor (only about 8-10 inches, really), and that’s one of their favorite things to do—well, besides standing in their food dish, sleeping in their food dish, cuddling in their food dish….
Stay tuned for the future adventures of Lucy and Ethel!
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Blessings,
We’ll be getting some meat hens too shortly. No idea what breed yet.
They are adorable, and I love their names!!!!
How cute!!!
They really are, Angell. We just love these little girls.
Thanks! The names just fit—which is good because we had them picked out before we even picked out the chicks!
I’ll have a look – but I just leave it up to the husband – he farmed all of his life – seems to know what he’s doing.
Oh—even better! That will save some time!