new seeds, birkenstocks and chickens

Oh yeah, and a wife giving me a ration of crap about turning into a hippie. I reminded her that I was born in the great north woods of Sweden, and grew up barefoot on the beaches of Southern California, so yeah, I've been a little bit hippie since birth OK?! Just because these are really the only kind of sandals that I like other than my crocs, and no they're not really Birkenstock's those damn things are way to pricey, doesn't necessarily mean that I'm a hippie. I just think my post from yesterday went to her head and she's giving me a hard time.
With Spring in full blast and cool weather plants getting put into the ground, I discovered that I didn't have a couple of the seed packets that I thought that I did; in the case of the radishes I did have the packet, just no seeds in it. Oops. I still need to get another load of compost for the beds, and should be able to get that in and add the greens to it this weekend, weather permitting of course.

The chicks are five weeks old today and are now fully feathered for the most part. It's been a while since I shared some pics of the boys and girls so I thought this would be a fitting milestone.

This was the scene tonight when I snuck up to take a picture of them all nestled together peacefully. Very cute, just laying all over each other. They're just like our boys when they were little, let em sleep together and it just turns into a mound.
This is what happens when a strange arm suddenly slips into the coup unannounced and clicks a picture of them. They all run to be the furthest back in the corner until they figure out what's happening. That big Leghorn pullet in the front is the one I call "Big Mama", I have high hopes for that one, look at them egg laying hips. :) I have to say also that I'll miss those barred rocks in the next couple of weeks after they fatten a little and get moved to the freezer. For any of you out there looking for a very friendly bird. I adamantly suggest you try out this breed. They are on the whole the most friendly birds I've seen. I secretly hope that one of them ends up accidentally being a hen so I can keep her, but as I said from the beginning, we're pretty pragmatic about them, if our ordinances don't allow us to keep cockerels then, well, you know.

Hope all of your little chicks out there are doing as well as mine have. I know a few people that ordered from McMurray hatchery had had some problems with illness. Mine were from Ideal poultry and have generally been pretty healthy apart from the two Minorca chicks that we got. Both of them got the same illness and died before two weeks. Oh well, you live you learn.

P~

Minorcas and Leghorns

Well I made up my mind. I'd say we, but really it was me. As long as the family gets the white eggs, I get the birds. I looked into rare breeds, to try and see if they were something that I want. I know there are a lot of good reasons to get the rare/heritage breeds, but I chose these two for a couple of reasons. First of all, our primary purpose for getting chickens in the first place is for eggs. We're pretty pragmatic about that fact. As much as I could reason that the heritage breeds need the help, and I'm sure they are very good pets, if we're only going to be allowed 5 birds, we want producers. Later on when I have more land and more time, I'll indulge myself.

The two that I did settle on, actually three, are Black and Buff Minorcas, and Leghorns; particularly "Ideal 236 Pullet". Ideal 236 is a special breed of Leghorn that breed in the 60's by the company that I am ordering my chicks from. (More on them later.) I am getting three of the Leghorns, and one each of the black and the buff minorcas, I'm getting the different types because I just like the idea of having a little variety in the clutch. I figure one black and one buff (Tan) bird will break up the monochromatic white of the leghorns, and they are also supposed to be prolific layers of white eggs as well.
So next I need to figure out how to set up a brooder to keep chicks in for the first few weeks. Anyone have any good ideas? I'll probably just use a cardboard box with a heat lamp and feed and water. As they grow, I can add a second one if need be.

I have a question for my readers that do have chickens or are experienced with them. I heard the other day that one of the hens, in the absence of a rooster, will take on the role of a rooster and "rule the roost" but will not lay eggs. I don't know about this one way or the other. Any help?

Till next time

P~

White Leghorn Picture - http://content.answers.com
Black Minorca Picture - http://www.mypetchicken.com