Sunday, April 15, 2012

More Chicken Poo

OK, girls, I get my turn at talking about my chickens.  I'm LLLOOOOONNNGG overdue.  I'm still trying to figure out what their personalities are in case I decide to name them.  I actually started with 6 chickens, and the next day, I acquired two more so now I have 8 pullets. I added a Brahma and a barred rock.  We sit in the evenings these last few days and just watch these silly juveniles.  They are so funny.  They finally learned to put themselves in their coop at night.  You should have seen me having to catch them one by one and put them in the coop.  Tony was having a hey-day watching!  Did he offer to help??  Nope.

One thing that we enjoy ... when I open the coop in the mornings, they have learned to prance down the plank that I made with the little steps on it.  But their wings are growing, and they've now taken to launching themselves from the door of the coop and flapping furiously trying to fly.  Then they fall in a clumsy pile, right themselves and act like nothing happened.

I haven't named them all yet. Just a couple...  my sister had a parakeet when we were young, and she asked me to name one of them Budgie after her bird.  So, my littlest bird, the Black Star is the bravest, the most courageous, the first one to try everything became Budgie.  Budgie is younger than the rest, she kinda does her own thing altho she gets along with everybody.
The two ameracaunas (above) are pretty shy and timid, they are followers, and they move out of the way when the more aggresive hens come around or look at them wrong.  They're pretty birds, actually, and they have a kind of ruff growing around their necks.

The New Hampshire, the Buff and the Black Aussie are all just middle of the road pullets in temperament. No problems out of them.


This little Barred Rock is the escape artist.  Every time she sees me coming out, she runs to the door and tries to dart out. I really have to keep an eye on her.  She came along with this one...
The Brahma Bully aka  "BB"

Yes, I have one.  A bully hen.  She is a bit larger than the other girls.  She and her co-hort, the barred rock came from the Idea*l hatchery.  They ran a tight ship at their place - they ran with about 50 other chicks and I imagine that BB was the boss of that bunch, too.  If she draws blood or starts a riot, she'll have to... well, let's just say we may have to make other arrangements.  I'm hoping that she'll settle down and be able to stay here at Sand Flat Farm.
These two are buddies.

I may have questions for you chicken people... stay tuned...

26 comments:

Michelle said...

You are making me miss my chickens! There is always a boss in the bunch...be it chickens, dogs, people, etc....

Vee said...

Well they are all adorable, but I am sorry that one is taking liberties and claiming to be the keeper of the keys. As Michelle says, there's one in every crowd. Sounds as if you are enjoying them all. Are they a lot of work?

myletterstoemily said...

such pretty little birds! before long they
will be following you in a neat line and
laying lovely eggs.

Mrs. JP said...

There's always a bully in the bunch, huh? They're all so pretty tho.

Dog Trot Farm said...

Oh, the fun is just beginning! The girls will grow from lanky teenages into such lovely ladies. Hens do have distinct personalities and finding a proper name is always so much fun. My Buffs are just the sweetest girls, Gladys my Barred Rock, is my best gal. Looking forward to reading and viewing your adventures with your girl's. Honestly, chicken keeping is addictive, Four new chicks will be arriving here in May, time to add on to the coop! Hugs, Julie.

Shug said...

As we are sitting here tonight, our grandson (Tucker) is making plans for his chicken coop. Tucker is 13, and he is so excited about this new project. Best of luck on your little girls...I think this all sounds fun!
Blessings.
shug

Mary Ann said...

You have lovely birds! They look healthy and well-cared for, and will reward you with so much good... you'll enjoy watching "Chick TV".

Leontien said...

Oh those chicks look good!
I'm coming over because i saw you won the dishtowels! ;-)

Big hugs from Indiana
Leontien
www.fourleafcloverdairy.blogspot.com

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Look at that pretty purple! Didn't know that chickens had such interesting coloring.

Mmmmmmmmm, is there such a thing as a Hen Psychologist? The bully and her pal, may need one. To learn to... Play nicely with others. -grin-

"(Children) still believe in God, the family, angels, devils, witches, goblins, logic, clarity, punctuation, and other such obsolete stuff.... When a book is boring, they yawn openly."
~Isaac Bashevis Singer, 1978

Linda Jo said...

They are so cute and funny! The escape artist... I wonder why she wants out? What does she think she's missing? Maybe you should name her Lindsay (Lohan)...maybe she's a party girl. And how embarrassing to have to try to fly in front of everyone and then fall in a heap. hahaha Love it!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Too fun to read and observe....now they are taking on personalities, enjoy...and I can just see hubby watching without helping LOL

Amy said...

Oh how wonderful! LOVE the chicken coop and all the lovely chickens! I grew up around these quirky, funny animals. Loved it. Thanks for the pictures. Keep the chicken tales coming!

TxFarmhouse said...

Vickie, you just keep on talkin' bout those chickens...I love it!!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

What a fine variety of chicken beauties ya have there sweetie!!!

I bet you can really see the personalities comin' out at this age.

Please...talk chicken sister!

God bless and have yourself a glorious week my friend!!! :o)

TxFarmhouse said...

Just read your comment on my blog..girl, you make me laugh!!!

Tanna said...

Such a fine group of youngsters!! BB may make it hard to gather eggs! Oh, could I share some tales about "The Old Speckled Hen"! LOL!

Vickie, thank you so much for your words of encouragement and most of all your prayers. I will be forever grateful. Thank you. tanna

Dolores said...

Our daughter had a pet chicken named Louise...she was the boss of the backyard, and a pet for several years. You've got some good looking girls.

You must check out my friend's blog...she has a chicken mansion. http://cheneybaglady.blogspot.com/

Hugs,

Anonymous said...

And what other kind of thing do you have in mind for that precious girl? :) Actually, Brin asked me to help butcher four of hers. They are not acting "normal", as far as chickens are concerned (I guess). They've grown HUGE - like they're on steroids. Anyway, she offered me several of her 24 - way too many for her to house and feed. So I guess I'll be a chicken farmer before too long, too.
You're doing a fine job, Chickie! Keep up the good work! Love ya! XO

Sharon said...

Your photos of the girls are wonderful. Yes, we always has to be one or two who run the roost!!!
Your coop is very neat also.
Hugs

Saucy Siciliana said...

We had chickens too in our farm in Sicily when I was little, before we moved to New York. I love the sense of freedom when you live on a farm. I am a new follower from Rome!

KathyB. said...

Aren't chickens fun? Who needs T.V. with chickens for entertainment?

There is always a bully in the chicken order of life, and if you get rid of the chicken on the top of the pecking order another will take her place. I hope all the chickens soon get used to their pecking order at Sand Flat Farm,meanwhile, you have a lot of reality t.v. there for free! ( plus a future with farm-fresh eggs)

Leaon Mary said...

Ohmygosh, I have a Brahma Roo that would be the perfect match for your Brahma Bullypul haha My Roo was the FREEBIE chick that came in my box of 25 I ordered last year. lol He's my favorite! Give them all my love. lol Loved this HAPPY POST! Lea

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Looks like you have the chicken biz down good! Learn from experience, that is the best advice! So glad you are enjoying them!

Barb said...

Hi Vickie!

Oh.my.goodness!!! I am so loving the pictures of your chickens!! I can't wait to be the one talking about mine . . . one day! I love your chicken coupe - what a great job!

My favorite lip balm is called "chicken Poop", funny name, great lip balm, made with lavender and bees wax, yummy!

Hugs,
Barb

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

Eldest daughter is in the chicken business and loving it! They are collecting 3 eggs a day so far! I'm just waiting til they get enough to "share"! We are considering getting some hens ourselves --no more than 4!

Jen's Farmily said...

I love how the Barred Rock is looked at you in the last pictures! hee hee.

That's funny that your Brahma is the bully. Our brahma's are the bigger ones but they don't pick on anyone. So far (knock on wood) I haven't seen any bullies emerge out of our chickens.... which suprises me b/c for the first 3 years we always had at least one bully!