Friday, March 16, 2012

They Have Arrived




 Yeah! I am a new mom. I think my husband knew I would love to get the chicks today so he suggested I should just head out and get them. So I did. I have to two Barred Rock and two Ameraucana.

The Barred Rock will lay brown eggs.


And the Ameraucana will lay blue eggs.

Photos via My Pet Chicken

This is a project I have been wanting to undertake for two years when I found out I could have chickens in our city. Our neighborhood is older so we have no HOA regulations. I am as tickled pink as you can get and though I know I just took on more work with extra pets, this is my project and fulfills a desire I have had for a long time.
I am city girl living only thirty miles from Los Angeles, yet I have learned to grow organic veggies and fruit in my yard and will now have eggs soon that I know will be raised as healthy as I can for my family. I am proof it can be done in the city, on a small scale of course. I have turned more planter space into veggie garden this year and now am so happy to have worn my husband down on the chicken project. He knows I am determined (wink wink) and will take care of the chicks but I do need his help on the coop set up. He is handy and will set me up fine. Thanks to all of you for your advice and encouragement.
Q and I just had a little time with them where I held them on her lap. I want them to be used to us picking them up. It was so cool to explain how they will be giving us eggs eventually. A great real life lesson for the kids for sure. Oh and I have been advised to add way more pine shredding to the box. Thanks Kris.



33 comments:

  1. YEA!!!! They are beautiful! They change daily. I think you got the info backwards on the eggs they lay. Americana's, or Araucana's will lay the blue eggs. Barred Rocks will lay brown eggs. You will be in chickie heaven in about 6 months!!!
    PS I was told not to use newspaper for bedding, because they can't grip it or scratch around cause it was too slippery. If you need to use it for absorbing the..well you know...then I would add a lot more pine bedding on top. Which they will FILL their water with about every 5 seconds!!!!
    Congratultions Chicken Mama!!

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  2. PS if you have an ipad. or iphone, download the app Picken Chicken. It is a great resource!!

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  3. Not only will you be able to have the health benefits from eggs, but you are going to have a good time teaching your kids about raising chickens. I sure wish I could get some, but the city ordinance does not allow...

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  4. How exciting! I'm super jealous. We've been wanting to do chicks for a while now, but have to wait until we are out of the military. We just move too much (and rent). We are hoping to build a small cabin in 10 years and have a garden and chickens. For now I'll just have to enjoy yours ;)

    Have a good weekend.

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  5. This is so awesome Elaine ♥ They are adorable! I love the barred rock chickens. I have the dream of my own fresh organic eggs too... hopefully soon! We live out in the woods and need a really secure pen so the coons don't get them and we just haven't got to that project yet. Happy mothering to your new brood:)

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  6. You go girl!! I couldn't do it.

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  7. You will love having them! 2 of my ameracaunas look like your picture, and my 3d is actually white. My 4th, that died several months ago was black. Their eggs were blue, green, and taupe. My 3 girls gave me 18 eggs this past week, despite their old age (6 years old).

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  8. I am so happy for you to have finally gotten your chicks. They are so much fun and the eggs are wonderful. I love that ours keep us company as we work in the gardens. Of course, when the salad greens come up, we will have to leave them penned up. Enjoy your babies!

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  9. Hullo, first time commenter :)
    They are toooo cute, good luck with this new adventure and kudos to you!
    I am still at the "I will grow some herbs" stage, but maybe one day :)

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  10. Congrats on your new layers! I'm sure you'll enjoy them.

    We've had chickens for almost 2 decades now and they are the funniest creatures we've ever owned.

    ~cathy

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  11. Baby chicks are so cute! You'll have fun raising them and will benefit from the eggs too. Good luck and have fun with your new adventure!

    I also wanted to let you know your St.Patrick's Day shelf was featured on my blog today. Thanks for participating in my party. Have a great weekend!

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  12. Elaine you are going to love them, I'm so happy for you. Each morning when I go out to feed our chickens they make the sweetest noises to greet me (or greet the food I'm bringing hehe). Then in early afternoon they always leave me a little present in the nest box :) They are a real joy to have as you will soon see.

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  13. Congratulations for the new additions to your family!!

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  14. I'm a tad jealous that you and Kris are both Chicken Mamas. They will certainly keep you busy. Congrats on the new arrivals and I can't wait to see pics of them growing every day!!

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  15. Well I don't know much about chickens, but I'm excited to keep track of your adventure with them. I certainly know that they are just as cute as they can be. Congrats!

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  16. They are sweet as can be ...congrats new mom.....that black and white stripped one is sooooo pretty

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  17. Beautiful babies!
    Love that you're a proud new Mom!

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  18. Yay!
    I just got plugged in here and find that you have chickens!
    and that Q already held them in her lap!

    How eggs-iting!
    Yay!
    I got new baby chicks yesterday...you're doing way better than I am ...I don't even know what kind mine are. The girl told me, but well, The Honey was talking and I got distracted...so now I have to go and look them up.
    I'll post pictures tonight hopefully.
    You're going to have so much fun! and be rolling in eggs. Congrats~

    Pat

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  19. Hi Elaine!

    What beauties!! I am green with envy . . . or is it just because it's March... ;0)

    I can't wait to see more pictures, they are just adorable, congratulations mom!

    Hugs,
    Barb

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  20. You will love these chickens Elaine! They are beautiful and the eggs are so pretty. I'm getting new chicks this spring too and so looking forward to a new group of hens:>)

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  21. Oh you will so enjoy this project. My step sister started raising chickens a few years ago and loves it. I love the randomness of the egg size and color. You will be busy, but have fun! Bonnie

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  22. They're beautiful Elaine! Makes me wonder if I can have chickens here? Hmmm. I think it's a wonderful project.
    Looking forward to hearing all about your new venture!
    -Lynn

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  23. I know nothing about this pursuit, and I know keeping hens is not allowed here. I think you will enjoy keeping hens, and I think it is such a great learning experience for your girls! :D

    I am sad that Shanley only has two more days at home. We have had a great break together, and it is Shelley's turn next week!

    xo,
    RJ

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  24. Congrats! I look forward to reading about your new adventure with the chicks!

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  25. Nice to have your own fresh eggs! You are such a lucky person to have so much space for flowers, veggie and chickens! I admire you!

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  26. I remember when I was a kid we had chickens and I loved the blue and green eggs (I can't remember the kind that lays those). Sometimes for Easter we just put little pictures on them and didn't have to use any dye.

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  28. Oh, your chicks are so CUTE. I think that's awesome that you can have chickens at your place. The neighborhood I live in is also HOA-free....thank goodness. Someday I might give chickens a try in my backyard, too :) :) Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather :)

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  29. You know I am doing the chicken dance over here. Baby chicks are sooo cute. Enjoy

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  30. Adorable! Looking forward to lots of chick adventures.

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  31. Hi Elaine-- just sending you this link for chicken tractors. Thought it might help with ideas!

    http://home.centurytel.net/thecitychicken/tractors.html

    I finally got pictures of my little girls up...having some pc problems--actually, it's a problem with my camera...anyway.
    having fun with our chicks here. Hope you are too!
    Pat

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  32. OMG, how fun for you and the family! I sense many blog posts to come with so many memories. Can't wait to learn more of your recent endeavor.

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  33. Good for you and what a wonderful project/responsibility for the kids. ;)

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