I've wanted backyard chickens for a long time. Not just a long time...but years. Hubby always said no, but I never gave up. One by one, most of my neighbors got chickens. I fell in love with them. At times, we were lucky to reap the benefits of their hens' overproduction. Mmmmmm...eggs! Still, Hubby said no. Last year we bought a lake house for vacationing. Lo and behold, our neighbors had chickens. LOTS of chickens. LOTS of eggs. Delicious eggs. Hubby started to waver.
Then I started researching just what it would take to get hens. I figured out I would have an easy coop, get three ladies (Rhode Island Red or Plymouth Rock, thankyouverymuch), get a brooding pen and get a coop. Finally, after all the research, Hubby gave me the go ahead. But he would have NOTHING to do with them. They were MY project. But he would build a coop.
Last week I ordered 4 1 day old Plymouth Rock hens from Estes Hatchery in Springfield, MO. Bright and early the next morning, I was working, but Hubby had decided to work from home. We received a call from the post office; we had a chirping box awaiting pickup. I sent Hubby to the post office, and as soon as he got them home and into the breeding box, even he had to admit they were pretty cute. We had ordered 4, but they sent 5, because it often happens that you lose a hen or two en route. We didn't! We had one who had a bit of a rough start, but she is hardy and wonderful now. Hubby got them set up in our DIY brooder; a Sterlite tub with the top cut out in the center and replaced by chicken wire, PINE shavings, a water dish, a curve PVC tube for feeding, a dowel rod for roosting, and some extra PVC pipe for a climb on. We have a red bulb head lamp, too. The ladies seem to love their new abode. And I think we've bought some time to build the most amazing coop!
The girls are settling in nicely. Michael named one Mimi, and Vanessa named one Cindy Lou Who.The other girls are still earning their monikers. They each have their own very distinct personalities. They are losing their baby feathers and are starting to grow their adorable little tail feathers. It's so funny...when they hear my voice, they run to the side of the brooder and look at me like I'm going to expound some great wisdom. I simply love them. They won't be ready to lay for about 6 month, but I'm going to take this time enjoying getting to know them. My Yorkie, Cruiser, has designated himself "Keeper of the Ladies," and will guard them with his life. They've grown used to him, too, and love to play with him.
I'm excited to share them with you!
Then I started researching just what it would take to get hens. I figured out I would have an easy coop, get three ladies (Rhode Island Red or Plymouth Rock, thankyouverymuch), get a brooding pen and get a coop. Finally, after all the research, Hubby gave me the go ahead. But he would have NOTHING to do with them. They were MY project. But he would build a coop.
Last week I ordered 4 1 day old Plymouth Rock hens from Estes Hatchery in Springfield, MO. Bright and early the next morning, I was working, but Hubby had decided to work from home. We received a call from the post office; we had a chirping box awaiting pickup. I sent Hubby to the post office, and as soon as he got them home and into the breeding box, even he had to admit they were pretty cute. We had ordered 4, but they sent 5, because it often happens that you lose a hen or two en route. We didn't! We had one who had a bit of a rough start, but she is hardy and wonderful now. Hubby got them set up in our DIY brooder; a Sterlite tub with the top cut out in the center and replaced by chicken wire, PINE shavings, a water dish, a curve PVC tube for feeding, a dowel rod for roosting, and some extra PVC pipe for a climb on. We have a red bulb head lamp, too. The ladies seem to love their new abode. And I think we've bought some time to build the most amazing coop!
The girls are settling in nicely. Michael named one Mimi, and Vanessa named one Cindy Lou Who.The other girls are still earning their monikers. They each have their own very distinct personalities. They are losing their baby feathers and are starting to grow their adorable little tail feathers. It's so funny...when they hear my voice, they run to the side of the brooder and look at me like I'm going to expound some great wisdom. I simply love them. They won't be ready to lay for about 6 month, but I'm going to take this time enjoying getting to know them. My Yorkie, Cruiser, has designated himself "Keeper of the Ladies," and will guard them with his life. They've grown used to him, too, and love to play with him.
I'm excited to share them with you!
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