A Dose of Cute

New Chicks On The Block

Going into a farm store in the spring when you have a chicken fetish is a dangerous thing.
But I was fairly confident I could resist those cute little fluffs of feathers
because I made the decision I was done raising chicks.
My chickens live at my parents' house on 6.5 acres
while I live 10 minutes away in a small town
in a one  bedroom apartment.
I found a place that will raise your chicks for you from their flock
and once they are ready to be in the coop, you pick them up.
But after some thought,
I didn't know if I wanted to spend the extra money on chickens
when I already had all the items I needed to raise them myself.
So, while looking at the cute fuzzy little chicks,
I decided to get some and raise them myself.
(all it took to convince the husband was the sign that said Jersey Giants lay extra large eggs).
I did have to figure out what to put them in since using a water trough won't work in a one bedroom apartment.
Later that night,
I remembered the large rabbit hutch I had in the attic,
and the next day I went and picked up the chicks.

I was supposed to get 3.
I ended up with 4 because there were only 4 left
and I couldn't leave one left behind.
I have 2 black Jersey Giant chicks and
2 Speckled Sussex chicks.
Jersey Giants are a Heritage breed from America
(they originated in New Jersey in 1870-1890)
They are the largest purebred chicken breed
and very docile.

This one is named Black Betty
(like the song, which I sing in my head constantly now)

This one we call The Jersey Devil
named for the monster in the New Jersey Pine Barrens.

The Speckled Sussex breed is from England that originated
in about 43 A.D.
They are friendly and docile and have a curiosity
that has them exploring and following you around.

This one is Amelia Peabody

(after a favorite character in a novel)

And this one is most likely going to be called
Royal Farms
as in Royal Farms fried chicken.
My 8 year old named her,
I was thinking Margaret Thatcher or Queen Victoria

They're all set up in their brooder

in my small bathroom-

temporarily.

They'll be moved to another area today.

So far this gals are a riot.

While I was getting the brooder ready, 

they all jumped up and perched on the edge of the bottom portion of the cage

while I was putting together the wire parts.  

Then one would jump off onto the floor

and while I was catching that one and putting it back

another would jump off 

and it continued on and on like some sort of 

I Love Lucy episode.

This is going to be fun!

Spring is Springing

Despite the 12 inches of snow we received this past Thursday, signs of Spring are springing up.

Daffodils are pushing through the soil.

Birds are singing every morning.

Chicks are in the farm store.

And woodpeckers are knocking in the trees.

I can't wait for warmer weather!