Monday, April 13, 2009

Everybody Needs Somebody to Love

They're like potato chips. You can't have just one. A lonely chick will peep incessantly. And that my friends will drive you nutso in a hurry. Luckily the farm stores nearby were selling chicks this weekend. Our sole survivor now has six little bantam friends to play king of the sock with.

You don't know what you're getting when you go there. It's just a big stock tank labeled "assorted bantams". Figuring out what you ended up with is part of the fun. I used Suzanne's method of sexing the chicks. When you pick one up, turn it over. If it's legs draw in it's a girl. If the legs splay out is a boy. And if only one leg draws in it's no good, put it back and try another. I have no idea if it works or not but figured what the heck it's worth a shot.

When I got home I logged on to Cackle Hatchery's website. I'm pretty sure that's where the farm store gets their birds. Anyway I crossed referenced the pictures of the chicks on their site and what I had in my box. I think I ended up with

one Mille Fleur D'Uccle
one Black Breasted Red Old English Game
one White Cochin
two Golden Sebrightsand a Silver Duckwing Old English GameI know for some of you that doesn't mean diddly squat. But the chicken people lurking around out there reading this site know exactly what I'm talking about. Because they have the hatchery catalogs memorized just like I do. I'm sure of it.

Of course bantams aren't the only thing for sale at the farm store. Nope. They sell full size egg laying machines, too. Polly was surprised to realize she was suddenly the mother of a New Hampshire Red and a Golden Comet pullet!

I declare there is nothing in this world cuter than a couple of chicks climbing up and around and under their momma hen. If you need me, you'll find me on the back porch watching them.

12 comments:

Unknown said...

I don't blame you, I'd be out there watching them too it it were me. They are so cute.
Cute, cute, cute.

Patsy said...

Will she get off her nest and care for them? Or do they just play around until more hatch?
Patsy

StitchinByTheLake said...

They are so cute - I'd be sitting and watching too. blessings, marlene

Christine said...

Patsy,

She'll stay on the nest for a while but eventually get up. I stole her eggs from her this morning to try to force her up and around early. The eggs were no good and should have hatched by now.

Kelly said...

Oh my gosh!! They are sooo cute!!! I'm going to have to come down and see your farm and these chickens!! Every time I read your blog, the more I want chickens!!

johnmayersquare said...

I have chicks in the brooder, eggs in the incubator, eggs in the hatcher, and my laying girls outside......I just love them! I really want a Sebright.......so jealous! Enjoy!

Jayne said...

They are sooooo cute! I think the Black Breasted Red Old English Game is my favorite. I like his (her?)markings.

Winona said...

Christine, your new additions are so cute. We are planning to get some baby chicks this coming weekend. Dh has already said he would also like to get a few banties. I am getting excited. Winona

Carol said...

They look like fluffy little balls of cuteness. Does that make sense?
On top of that, their markings are beautiful. Yep, I'd be joining you on the porch also.

June said...

Our farm-store chicks won't be joining us until early May. So my daughters and I will be checking in here to get our chick fix. They can't wait to see how their beloved hens will adjust to the babies. Let's hope there will be love.

melanie said...

Ahhh...the joys of ChickTV. We love to watch - it's better than cable.

Karen Anne said...

I got here late from following a link. My I must have chickens mania is in overdrive from those photos.