January 12, 2009

How about some chicks this spring?

Why not start the year off with a new endeavor? How about keeping chickens?

These Buff Orpington chicks are the kind we started with. They are adorable, friendly, quite cold tolerant, and lay brown eggs. Fresh eggs laid by chickens that spend the day outside eating grass and bugs in the sunshine have yolks that are orange, not pale yellow. Even some of the grocery store eggs that brag about "cage free" and "free-range" won't compare to your own fresh backyard eggs.

Chickens are fascinating animals and use over 30 sounds to communicate with each other. If you get to know them well, they'll try to talk to you, too, but sadly, there is no language translation book for Chicken to English. You will come to know what some of the sounds mean, though, especially when they are excited about a treat or when there is a hawk or other predator around.

The McMurray Hatchery is a reliable source of baby chicks. They send 24 in a box so they can stay warm while they travel. You'll have to find someone to split the order with or just keep all 24. The post office will call you when they arrive. There is nothing quite like opening that box of fluffy chirping little birds! They are so cute!