Phyllis the Polish Crested

One of the new chickens is a Polish Crested.

She's basically crazy.

Because her feathers fall into her eyes, 

she can't see the best.

So if, say, you were crouched by the coop watching the chickens,

and this chicken came running over,

she'd suddenly freak out leaping and sqwaucking

because she didn't see you right away.

My mom named this particular chicken Phyllis Diller.

You might notice the resemblance. 

There's also the crazy factor.

Ms. Diller (the human) was known to be a little wacky.

I always loved Phyllis Diller, 

mostly because she was a guest on the greatest show that ever was:

Scooby-Doo.

The episode was titled: A Good Medium is Rare

and it's posted below if you'd like to watch.

Warning: Fowl Post

Spring has sprung,

and there's a whole bunch of new additions to the coop.

The fowl influx started on Easter with the purchase of 2 ducklings.

That's what happens when you have a grandkid.

On the right we have Scooby-Doo,

and on the left is Shaggy.

Shaggy was named something else by my son, 

but was renamed by the grandson.

This past Saturday I ventured out to the Poultry Swap

 to get some new pullets.

The grandson had some specific requests for new hens.

He wanted an orange chicken

and a green chicken.

He was happy to settle for one that laid green eggs 

after I explained there weren't any green chickens.

So I picked up a Buff Orpington that has been named Velma.

And I got an Easter Egger that has been named Fred

(I'm sure you can tell the grandson's current interest, 

though I'm a Scooby fan from way back).

Let's hope that Fred not only lays green eggs, 

but doesn't live up to the name and lays eggs period.

To finish my purchases, 

I picked up a pearl colored Cochin, a white crested black Polish

and 2 speckled sussex pullets.

AND....

a turkey.

This little guy is a Black Spanish heritage breed turkey.

It's one of the oldest turkey breeds and is in danger of disappearing.

So he will not be eaten.

Or she whatever it is.

Currently the turkey has no name,

but I'm sure I'll think of something eventually.

 So far, the lone hen I already had 

(named Donner because she's a cannibal)

is getting along with everyone.

There is some pecking going on,

but over all I think she's happy to have friends. 

Hopefully everyone will manage to got get eaten or pecked to death.

Arrivals

So, how many people walk into their Post Office and say,

"I'm here to pick up chicks!"

They're now safe and warm in the brooder in the laundry room.

Originally, I ordered 5, but the Speckled Sussex wasn't available. 

That isn't unusual when you're waiting for eggs to hatch, 

sometimes they hatch as predicted, sometimes they don't.

The Sussex is easy for me to find, so it's no big deal to pick a couple up in the spring.

So in the bottom right is the white Chochin, to the left the white crested Polish

(she already has a white topknot and her name is Lorraine)

the top left is the Dominique I think and then the Silver Lace Wyandotte.

They're so cute and tiny when they're only a day old!

Mail Order Chickens

My thought was that I would have great new photos of the finished table.

But it started raining right after I primed the legs and base, 

so I didn't get to finish the paint job.

Luckily I was using spray paint, 

so it dried fast enough for me to pick up and move before the downpour happened.

In other news, 

I've ordered chickens.

I opted to pick 5 separate breeds and ordered 1 of each

so I'll be back in egg production for the spring.

When the spring poultry swap rolls around, I'll pick up the couple more I need.

 I chose the Dominique breed pictured above.

It looks similar to a Barred Plymouth Rock (I still have one of those)

but the coloration is slightly different.

The breed originated in the colonial period

and is considered one of America's oldest chicken breeds.

They nearly became extinct, but luckily interest in them increased and the breed was saved.

I am planning on possibly getting a second Dominique in the spring.

I also have a White Cochin on the way.

These chickens look like giant puff balls.

They aren't as great with egg production sometimes, 

but come on, who can resist a giant ball of feathers?

They are originally from China and became popular when one was gifted

to Queen Victoria of England, who reportedly adored them.

They are known to be very docile, peaceful and friendly

and make a great pet.

My grandson loved the Blue Cochin we saw at the fair this weekend.

Blues are harder to find, so I just got him a white one.

I also ordered a Speckled Sussex.

Both Henny Penny and Royal Farms

(pictured above may they RIP)

were Speckled Sussex chickens.

Right now, this is my favorite breed of chicken.

They originated in England in Sussex County 

and it's said that the Romans found similar chickens during their invasion, 

which makes the breed around 2,000 years old.

They are known for their curiosity and in that department, cats don't have anything on them.

Henny Penny used to ride on my shoulder like a parrot, 

and both girls would perch on my arm like a falcon.

Royal Farms was the first to come running and enjoyed being petted and held.

There will definitely be a second Speckled Sussex in the spring.

The next chicken is the Silver Laced Wyandotte.

The breed was developed in the US in Wisconsin in the 1870's and named

for the Native American Wendat tribe

(though the original name was the American Sebright).

They like to cluck and tend to have strong personalities, 

though they remain docile.

They sure are pretty to look at.

 And last but certainly not least, the White Crested Black Polish Chicken.

Polish chickens are known for their crazy "hair-do".

They are a docile and tame breed though they tend to be a bit on the wacky side

because their crest limits their vision.

I actually read that you can keep their crest clean by banding it.

Essentially a chicken with a pony tail.

What more do you need to know to want this chicken?

I learned that paranormal investigator Lorraine Warren rescued a Polish Chicken named Einstein

that she nursed from health after it had numerous broken bones.

While they are called Polish chickens, 

history suggests they actually originated in the Netherlands.

They lay white eggs and

sometimes they're great egg layers and

sometimes not.

Really I just got one because

chicken with a pony tail

and Lorraine Warren. 

So that's the 5 new chickens that I'll be getting in the mail next week sometime.

I've discovered this box thing with hinged screen lid on legs in the basement 

that I'm planning on converting into a chicken brooder, 

so look for me to blog about that I'm sure.

I also discovered a treasure trove of old doors, windows, scrap wood and

1 of the missing stair spindles in the attic.

I'm anxious to finish moving all the yard sale junk out of the way

so I can go salvage hunting in my own attic.