We expanded our humble flock of laying hens earlier this week when 12 tiny chicks arrived at our post office. We ordered them back in February while it was still cold and gray, excited for warmer days to come. Spring’s promise has finally been fulfilled these past few weeks with the typical unpredictable weather. Clear and 75 degrees one day then torrential rains, with record snowfall upcountry, the next (this actually just happened a few weeks ago!).
For now, our new chicken babies will live in the basement in a giant cardboard potato box under the warmth of heat lamps. I’m looking forward to my daily visits with them, noticing which “big girl” feathers are coming in next to replace their newborn fuzz. I’ll have to keep myself from squealing “Hello, ladies!” every time I see them. For some reason, they don’t like that and it puts them in quite a state. Tee-hee. I will, however, enjoy picking them up and giving them a cuddle so they can get used to us. I love this part. If I had my way, they’d be in our laundry room, with the occasional release into the living room for fun and good measure! But, alas, the husband says absolutely not.
Once they are grown, this will put our flock at a total of 24 hens. The response to selling our eggs locally has been very positive and I can’t wait to have more dozens ready to go for our neighbors on the regular. Now… what should I name them? Our first twelve are named for baking items like; Poppy, Honey, Pumpkin, Raspberry, Cocoa, etc. More pantry names or something totally different this time? Hmmm.
So That Was Fun 