Three months ago, as you may recall, we hatched chicks — again. I absolutely love hatching chicks with kids, and this was my third hatch. Each year I do it, I think to myself that perhaps this year we will be able to keep them. Perhaps the timing will be right, the stars will align, and we will finally find our dream home in the country. Well, third hatch and third return to the farm. But, just shortly after returning our latest hatchlings we did find our dream home. And so …
Our babies came home! Well, 3 of them anyways. As poor luck would have it almost all of our babes wound up being roosters. So we brought the two hens of the bunch and one of the roosters home with us. Three is a good number to start we think (until next week when we get 3 more hens – but that’s another story!)
The kids were beyond thrilled when the day came to pick up the chickens. Madeline spent most of the day getting the coop picture perfect. And Sam spent most of the day running around telling no one in particular that ‘we are getting chickens tonight!’ Ben spent the day perfecting his chicken “bawk” – and he did, truly, perfect it.
By dinner we were on the road making the trek to a nearby town, and the farm of the amazing Farmers Chris and Judy. They have turned out to be the most incredible people. So loving and kind right from the get-go. And completely understanding, and even thrilled, when I contacted them asking if it was possible to get some of the hens we hatched back. When we arrived the kids flung the homemade goodies at our loving farmer friends and took off to find the chickens.
We were able to choose the chickens ourselves, which ended up being rather easy. We decided to bring home the two (and only) hens, and the rooster which was one of the kids very favourite – the only black chick we hatched.
So … without further ado … allow me to introduce the newest members to our family – and the first members to officially qualify us as a farm:
Judy
Sweet Judy, named after of course the sweet Farmer Judy, is a healthy, spunky hen. She is quite wild when it comes to handling so far, not really loving being held. But my kids will soon change that I’m sure. Right now the chickens are living in the coop – just until they get used to their surroundings. In a few days they will free range – I think Judy will be much happier then.
Christoper
Our Rooster, Christopher (named clearly after Farmer Chris) is such a friendly fellow. He was our little black chick, but look at him now! My reading and research had led me to believe roosters were kind of, well, not so nice. But our Christopher so far is a gentle and happy guy. And he is HUGE! It’s hard to believe he is only 3 months old – and will be getting even bigger. Christopher is the best chicken to handle for my little ones right now. While he doesn’t love to be picked up, he stays quite still and calm when being held.
Chippy (our special needs babe)
3 months ago when we had brought our baby chickens back to the farm, Farmer Judy sent me a message to let me know that 2 of our babes we returned to her had cross-beaks. While I didn’t know what this meant, I quickly learned that it meant their beaks did not line up, and over time their bottom beak would turn making it very difficult, if not impossible to eat. A short while later I received another email telling me that one of these little chicks had begun to suffer – not getting enough food – and the farmers decided it was only fair to put her down. But the other little cross-beak babe was holding her own. She was managing to eat okay, as long as the food was wet. So far so good.
And now, at the age of 3 months, Chippy is still doing quite well. She has amazingly learned to adapt. While her bottom beak is completely turned to one side, she has learned to use her chin to help her eat. She is small, but amazingly friendly. I am sure because of all of the extra love the farmers gave her. We are waiting a few days to let her get used to us before giving her a little bath. Because she eats wet food, and has trouble preening herself, she is quite dirty. I am eager to see how she looks after a little bath. I am very, very hopeful that this little chick will continue to adapt and grow to be a big, beautiful hen. Oh the things I get myself into!
So now you have met our flock! And I am enjoying myself so very much, I do fear I may become a crazy chicken lady. They have such personalities! We are off to a good start with these 3 chickens – and next week we will be adding 3 more ladies to the mix. I will keep you posted.
But for now, Madeline and I are off to tuck the chickens into bed. Safe as can be in their “over-the-top-secure-I-can’t-handle-anything-eating-my-chickens” coop. Let the farming adventures begin!
Thank you for reading and joining us on this journey! Be sure to follow along with us on Facebook too!
Barb says
Raising chickens is wonderful fir children congrats. I suggest you folliw author Jan Brett on facebook. She is an abid chicken owner and shows her beautiful chickens all over. Often she shares gorgeous illistrations of chickens and roosters. They are beautiful. A good book I recomende to get you started as new farmers is called “Barnyard in my backyard” and it has tons of practical advice for you not only on chickens, but several of the comman animals, I am sure you will want. Enjoyed reading your post today. 🙂
Sarah says
Thank you so much for the suggestion – I look forward to checking it out!! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Katherine Collmer says
Sarah! This is a heartwarming story! Thank you for sharing your “chicken adventure!” I look forward to more! Your children are truly fortunate to have the “crazy chicken lady” as their mom!
Sarah says
What a lovely comment – thank you so much Katherine – you made my day.
Adventure Togs says
Oh what lovely chickens. Chippy is soo sweet. I will look forward to reading about their adventures 🙂
#outdoorplayparty
Sarah says
Thank you Adventure Togs!