I bought the chickens!!!!

[Dutchie]

I bought 4 chickens this morning.
2 brown ones (Barnevelders) and 2 Sussex Columbia (white ones).
I have named the 2 white ones Fiori and Saskia (my daughter and her best friend) because when I went in to choose 2 white chickens they started cackling extremely loudy and running around like mad things and they reminded me of the 2 girls in question.

The brown ones are more the quet lady-like type - don't get their feathers rustled at anything and were easy to catch.

Because we have to get everything ready at home they will be brought here next Thursday.

I was like a child - I was so excited. Well actually I still am!!!

[Liane]

Boy, you move fast. Do you know what type of coop you are going to have?

[frugalwarrior2]

Congratulations. My Dfather raised the calm browns as a child and loved them Someone said the whites layed more eggs so they got those. He said they startled so easily he hated them. I couldn't say what kind they were. He wasa kid so it was LOOOOOng ago. You and Russ will have to trade stories as newbie chicken farmers.

[Dutchie]

I don't know how I'll sound to the real chicken folks here when I say this but we bought a chicken coup for the chickens at the place where we bought them.
We don't have the knowledge to make one and don't have the room (small semi-urban garden/yard) to have anything too big so we thought that this was a good compromise.
I know that this way isn't very cost effective but to be quite honest I just LOVE having chickens (used to have them years ago) and I really want to have fresh eggs.

There is a lot of talk across here about the antibiotics in chicken meat and also their eggs.
I am trying to move to a more healthy way of eating and having these chickens will aid in this.

I am also buying more and more organic veggies/meat while my own garden grows. And although it is too much for my family to do, I am seriously flirting with vegetarianism.
This has a LOT to do with the magazine Mother Earth News that I recently bought and an article that they had about our food.

On the subject of antibiotics, while we were buying the chickens the owners tried to convince me to buy antibiotics for the chickens since they really 'need' them.
I said that I would look into it and let him know before they are deliverered next week.

I cannot ever remember giving our previous chickens anything except the normal laying feed and and extra veggies etc. from the kitchen.
So when I got back I called a friend of ours about this and he agreed with me, it is not necessary for this type of chicken, he doesn't do it either and his chickens have always been fine.

I have to mention that even though it seems that I was really quick to think of and buy the chickens, dh and I have been talking about this for about 1 year. What kept holding us back was that we were not in agreement about where to put the coop. We finally got this worked out and there was nothing to stop us anymore.

[Russ]

You and Russ will have to trade stories as newbie chicken farmers.

oh yipee, I can't wait.

The preceeding statement is dripping with sarcasm.


Congrats on your additions Dutchie.

[MomToTwoBoys]

Is it funny that I saw this thread, saw whose name was on it in the forum overview, but then got disappointed when I realized Russ wasn't the one who bought the chickens?

Grats on your additions, Dutchie!

[frugalfranny]

OH babies!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WELLLLLLL....I am guessing they are babies!

DON'T FORGET TO POST PICS!!!!!!!!!

Congrats.....that is neat.

[mauimagic]

Was just going to mention the importance of pictures in this never ending story!! I love new animal stories and little chicks are the cutest!! So glad that you named them!!

[Dutchie]

Was just going to mention the importance of pictures in this never ending story!! I love new animal stories and little chicks are the cutest!! So glad that you named them!!

I promise to post pics as soon as I can but it will be at the end of next week after they arrive.
We haven't named the brown ones yet because I really want to see who they are like first.

The white ones almost screamed Fiori and Saskia at me - it was so funny.
Saskia didn't know if she liked the idea of a chicken being named after her but she soon become used to the idea.
Fiori (being my daughter) is more used to my weirdness.

[Darlene]

I am grinning a happy smile. Enjoy Dutchie & can't wait to hear how you all are getting on. You are doing something I've always wanted to do. I often see fox walk thru my yard, eagles and such so don't want to go for it.

[Debbie-cat]

Congrats Dutchie! Have fun with them.

[Dutchie]

OH babies!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WELLLLLLL....I am guessing they are babies!

The white ones are around 17/19 weeks (so almost ready to lay eggs). One of the brown ones is around the same age and the other brown one is around 22 weeks and has just started laying eggs.

[Missy]

I don't know how I'll sound to the real chicken folks here when I say this but we bought a chicken coup for the chickens at the place where we bought them.
We don't have the knowledge to make one and don't have the room (small semi-urban garden/yard) to have anything too big so we thought that this was a good compromise.
I know that this way isn't very cost effective but to be quite honest I just LOVE having chickens (used to have them years ago) and I really want to have fresh eggs.

There is a lot of talk across here about the antibiotics in chicken meat and also their eggs.
I am trying to move to a more healthy way of eating and having these chickens will aid in this.

I am also buying more and more organic veggies/meat while my own garden grows. And although it is too much for my family to do, I am seriously flirting with vegetarianism.
This has a LOT to do with the magazine Mother Earth News that I recently bought and an article that they had about our food.

On the subject of antibiotics, while we were buying the chickens the owners tried to convince me to buy antibiotics for the chickens since they really 'need' them.
I said that I would look into it and let him know before they are deliverered next week.

I cannot ever remember giving our previous chickens anything except the normal laying feed and and extra veggies etc. from the kitchen.
So when I got back I called a friend of ours about this and he agreed with me, it is not necessary for this type of chicken, he doesn't do it either and his chickens have always been fine.

I have to mention that even though it seems that I was really quick to think of and buy the chickens, dh and I have been talking about this for about 1 year. What kept holding us back was that we were not in agreement about where to put the coop. We finally got this worked out and there was nothing to stop us anymore.

Hi Dutchie!! Been awhile since i have been on the board, but I am so excited to see you geting your hens!! Ass far as what "real" chicken farmers would say about buying a premade coop and the antibiotic issue...you do what you feel is right for your hens and your situation.

My personal experience is that the antibiotics are unnecessary. Check with a vet though, your area may or may not require it. I find that my hens have been as happy in a hand made coop that took us days to build as they are in an upturned cardboard box. Although the box isn't predator or weather proof so I make them go into the coop at night.

If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help.

[gottadance]

oooh - I'm jealous - I'd hoped to get a coop built this spring, but I'm trying to barter to get it done - being the frugalista that I am. I have some materials, need someone to build it and so far no takers and the craigslist barter section. But I'll keep trying...

[Liane]

Can not wait to see the cute little chicks. I would love to have chickens. My neighbors might not love for me to have chickens but I would love to have them. One blog I read from a woman who has chickens said that you can feed them acorns. Are there things you can grow to feed them?