Friday, May 13, 2011

Meet the chicks.

I feel complete. It was the missing link in my family preparedness plan. It will save me from spending $4 per dozen on farm fresh eggs. The perfect addition to my backyard farm.....Meet the new ladies:




We have Jenny, Zoe, LaFonda and the triplet sisters. They are loved. Maybe a little too much. They have a house guest:




Unless she can start laying eggs, she needs to find a new house. She became very fond of this nesting box while we were making final preparations for the chickens. I woke the first morning to this scene. She had found a way in and didn't mind one bit that this wasn't her place in the world. She didn't get the memo that cats and chickens don't mix. She tried to give one a bath. Didn't go over so well. She'll soon figure it out.


I wasted lots of time the last few days just watching them. Silly little creatures. A couple more months and they will give me eggs. The least they could do for the amounts of chicken poop I have had to clean up. The boys will be taking that job over tomorrow. Another good reason to have pets....job creation. Kids need responsibilities and ownership. The youngest three are delighted. Hopefully it will last as they have to free range them a couple times a day and watch them so they don't devour my garden. It looks pretty funny to see a little boy out there with a stick shepherding them around. Cute as pie. 


A special thanks to my husband for making all my dreams come true. He did a fine job on the coup. I think he likes them a bit too. I saw him staring at them as well for a good period of time when he should have been getting to work. Mesmerizing. 


I have high hopes that the scorpions will find their fate. With 4 cats in the backyard and 6 chickens, you would think that the numbers will diminish. Here's hoping!

11 comments:

Tiffany said...

These are the chickens Elsie has been talking about!! She is quite obsessed with them and talks about them all day. She even tells strangers at the grocery store about Mrs. Shari's chickens. Too cute!!:)

Shari Goodman said...

Yes, they were a huge hit with the preschoolers. They have been waiting for them for weeks. I could have spent the whole 2 hours of class out there with the chickens.

Terri Burges Hirning said...

Do tell??? How did you circumvent the HOA rules?? Where is this lovely set up. Hook a sistah up!! :)

iamjustjillian said...

I LOVE them!! And that cat is adorable!!! So cute she was trying to give them a bath! :o)

Shari Goodman said...

It's a sort of don't ask, don't tell policy. My neighbors have had chickens for years with no HOA problem. If neighbors are ok, HOA doesn't know or care. I know lots in our neighborhood with them. They are quiet and easy. They free range for half the day and are in the coup for the rest.

Melinda said...

The poop is a bonus! Makes for awesome fertilizer especially after composting. Back in the old days our neighborhood in California was all about Dichondra lawns. They guy with the thickest, greenest lawn paid big bucks for chicken poop!

rachel said...

your coop looks beautiful. i might have quite a few questions for you pretty soon. how exciting.

Tracey said...

WHAT?? I didn't know you did this. Awesome job Shari! You continue to amaze me. I want to come see.

Kelli Brown said...

The Goodmans and The Berrey's are chicken families, and my kiddos are begging for them now. And trying to reason me into saying yes: "Mom, what would you rather have? Scorpions or chickens?"

Heather said...

Congratulations on the new additions!
We were at a friend's house earlier this week and admiring her new baby chicks. She already has two grown chickens and is adding 4 more. My kids are begging me for chickens too.
Heather @ www.localfunforkids.com

Julie Chesley said...

we have had chickens for 2years and the eggs are so so so much better. I'm so excited for you:)