Today's Happy Discovery

Five months ago we got 4 baby chicks, built them a coop, and watched them grow.  

And today we opened the little door to find . . . 

so much excited!!

Let's Go On A Chicken Adventure . . . Part 2

Almost 2 weeks down and our flock is now complete. On Friday I picked up the last 2 chickies (yep 2, I was totally only gonna get one, but fears of a lone little chickie being integrated with my 2 now giants coerced me to get her a little buddy . . . poor logic, I'm sure!)

Introducing Tinkerbell and Silvermist (you heard me)
They are crazy cute and looked about the size of an egg, we couldn't believe how tiny! Definitely a day or two younger than the other two were when we brought them home. Tinkerbell is a Buff Orpington and Silvermist is a Black Australorp. These were the original two varieties I had hoped to get, but that day we went they didn't have either and we were not leaving that place without chickies, so now there are 4 :) haha. *I must must must learn to not tell my daughter things ahead of time!

We took the plunge and introduced the little two to the giant two (they seriously are HUGE it is crazy the difference 10 days makes, I'm almost certain that if I sat there and stared at these guys long enough I would literally see them growing). Everyone's being nice and getting along for almost 24 hours now! I am thrilled!!

Our current interactions with the babes consists of lots of hand-feeding on Y's part, standing over the brooder and repeating incessantly "hi chitty" on A's part, and I've been holding them. . . please oh please turn out socialized and nice little chicks! My husband has asserted that he will not be holding them, although the Black Australorp baby almost killed that plan with her cuteness . . . almost he said.

As fast as these guys are growing I really need to make some coop decisions! That is the next phase . . .

Funding the coop

I mentioned earlier that part of the bargain I made with my husband about getting the chickens was that I would build and pay for the coop myself. Well, I came up with an idea to do so and I had to give you a sneak peek:

So, with Easter a week away my busy hands have been crocheting away these fabulous little hats! I figure I only need to sell 10-15 of them to fully fund the coop without taking money from any other resource :) They're so darn cute though, I better make an extra two for my little chickadees! Better get back to it!

Let's Go On A Chicken Adventure . . . Part 1

With our Disney adventure under my belt and I know I should finish my living room first but I couldn't resist: we got our baby chicks yesterday! (because simultaneous projects are more interesting anyways, right??)

So I might have mentioned earlier that back yard chickens were on the docket for this Spring. Hasn't been the easiest sell to the man of the house, but he's come around . . . I think, actually he was home sick sleeping while I went out and bought them . . . but he definitely knew. He did! My bargain was that I would pay for and build the coop myself :)

So I know little about chickens, or coops, or chicks, a true beginner! If this turns out well, then I'll be convinced anyone can do this!

The Chickens

We're planning on getting 3, but they didn't have one of the varieties we wanted so we went home with 2 until next week. We got an Americauna (lays blue/green/or pink egg!) and a Rhode Island Red. They are named Dora & Boots (yay . . .). We are hoping to get a Buff Orpington next week because Y wants a yellow chick/chicken :)

Brooder Box

I used a clear plastic tote so the girls could watch what was going on and the chicken girls could likewise see out. I used a plain old steak knife to cute a square out of the lid and stapled chicken wire over the opening. I covered all the edges with duct tape just to cover up all the little pokies sticking out from the cut chicken wire. I did the same thing on the inside in the even that baby chick jumps and hits it head on the pokey . . . unlikely as it may be!
We chose the dining table as a prime location because I want to be able to check on them often, the girls can see them (but not readily get to them) and the chandelier acts as a really easy hanging apparatus for the heat lamp, it can be easily lowered or lifted to adjust temperature!

Thoughts so far

It's only been 24 hours and I'm so glad their still alive and chirping! The girls really like them! The man even came in and awed at the cute way they drink water! As of this point: success!

Just had to share this photo because it was too cute! This is Y "sleeping" next to the brooder because the chickens were napping and she wanted to nap with them :)