So, today was the day that we became parents to 4 more critters. We went to meet Dan, Dan the Chicken Man (from a Polish farm outside of our fair city) at North Haven Gardens. I have to say, the people from NHG are AMAZING! They have so much information about backyard chickening and some of their employees are fellow chicken-ers. So, they know from where they speak.
Anyway, we met Dan at 10am and he had, literally, a truck-load of chickens. So, we picked the pretty ones. (very scientific, I know)
We got a Barred Rock (Sofia, the sweetest one of the bunch. And the smallest), an Ameracaunas (Rose, a ridiculous loud one with white feathers. Annoying already–but in a sweet way. She will lay blue and green eggs!), a Rhode Island Red (Blanche. She is very into her appearance and puffs up regularly. She also was the first one to try and make a break for it. She doesn’t know how cruel the outside world can be) and a Black Sex Link (Dorothy. She is large and in charge. The breed is a hybrid.)
Dan clipped a wing on each Dorothy and Blanche (so no “flying the coop” so to speak) and lovingly stuffed the ladies into boxes. Got some more supplies and headed back home. We still had a wee bit of work to do on the chicken coop, so they wandered around for the day while we finished getting their living quarters safe from predators, and three-year-olds. (I ducked out for a few hours to go to a composting seminar with the Dallas Backyard Chicken meet-up group and get a bit more hardware from the Depot).
Here is when they introduced themselves to their new home: (I am having a hard time embedding the video for tonight, but you can go to the below page.)
http://www.youtube.com/user/cameroncobb#p/a/u/1/7siU0FIuS0U
When I got back, we were full force until nightfall. The ladies spent all day exploring their new surroundings and get pretty comfortable…even making it up to the deck. I think they have already adjusted well. Quincy chased Rose.
http://www.youtube.com/user/cameroncobb#p/a/u/0/Dqr9KH1O90A
Twilight came and they all huddled together, ready to call it a night. I didn’t know how to get them into the coop and apparently, they don’t understand ENGLISH! ”Okay, time to get inside,” I said over and over. (Yes, I am afraid to handle them as of today). So, my Prince gingerly picked them each up, set them in the coop and locked those ladies in for the night. Not a peep out of a single one. Except Rose– who squaked like a crazy person, but what’s new?
The ladies “hit the hay” at around 5:30pm and we are all gearing up for what should be an interesting morning.
So, now time for dinner and a glass of wine. Guess what we’re having? Chicken fajitas.
hotsuburbanchick
