New Girls In The Hen House

This morning after taking Noah to school, I met up with my friend Elaine because she has decided that she needed to down size her flock.  She so wanted to raise chickens, and then finally, she took the plunge, and bought 4 baby chicks.  Then, she carefully and lovingly took care of them. She and her kids  named them.  Her husband built them a home, and then after what seemed like an eternity of waiting, they began to lay their beautiful eggs!!  She was thrilled.  But.....having 4 grown hens in a fairly small space, sharing a backyard space that her family and dogs loved to use too, turned out to be too much.  So she very thoughtfully asked me if I would like to take two of her hens to my flock.  I said yes, of course, and today was the day.  Her poor little girl was so sad.  I know Elaine was too.  But we met, and we took the carrier from her car to mine, and after cranking up the AC as high it would go, off I went to introduce them to the rest of my girls.  I looked at my clock in my car, and it was not yet noon, but 105 degrees!!!  AAAAGGHH!!!   I am SICK of it, I tell you!!!
I got home and put the new girls onto my garden wagon, and pulled them to the coop.

I had already let the other girls out of the run for the day, so I brought the entire wagon and crate into the run with me, and gently lifted each one to the ground.  When I knew that I would be adding to my flock, I consulted with my chicken guru at the feed store, to ask her the best way to introduce new chickens to an existing flock.  She said to put Vicks on the new hens backs and neck area, and that the others would then leave them be.  I coated them lightly with some Vicks, so if it doesn't keep the other hens from pestering them, at least they won't have stuffy noses!!
They are beautiful hens, with very interesting markings.  They are both Easter Eggers and will lay blue/green eggs like Chickas and Sammy.

They got down and went straight to pecking the ground for feed.
Then found their way into the coop for some fresh cool water.  I was really glad to see them eat right away.  That is always a good sign.  After eating, they began to really check out the new digs.  And by then, the other girls had come to the fence from the outside to see what was going on, and who was in their house?

They all got nose to nose to say hello.

I brought out some chopped apples for a treat and let them all come into the run to see what they would do together.
There was a little wing flapping, but other than that, no problems.
Chickas went into the coop and even kissed one of the them.

I will be curious to see how it goes when it comes time to roost.  And where the two new girls will lay their eggs?  I have two nest boxes in the coop, and I hope they choose the one that the other five won't touch!!!  I stayed out there with them for an hour or so, while they acclimated.  But at 105 at noon, I had to go in.  I went back out after lunch to see how they were and found the two new girls happily rummaging around under the avocado trees, scratching and eating bugs.

And the other five were  hiding out underneath an orange tree, up against the wood pile in the way back. 

They are all so hot today.  They do not tolerate heat well.  They pant, and get very uncomfortable.  Today actually reached 108 so far, and I was worried, so I went out just now with Noah and we took the hose and sprayed water all around their favorite dusting spots to help keep them cool.  I even sprayed them with the hose. I brought in a few eggs today, and I am just in awe of how gigantic Chickas' eggs are!  Chickas is Hannah's hen. She named her.  She is the creamy white one who was kissing the new girl in the coop.   She lays the biggest blue/green eggs I have ever seen!!
Here it is next to another one I brought in today.

The one on the right is a large egg.  The one on the left is enormous!!!  It is the volume of two eggs!
And speaking of chickens.........I went out to cut some  zinnias from the garden box the other day, to put on the table for Greg's birthday dinner.  I neglected to put my portable enclosure back around the flowers to keep the chickens out.  This is what they did!!

Uh huh!!  You can't be too concerned about having a beautiful manicured garden when you have chickens.  They will seek and destroy!!  Enough chicken chatter for now.  Moving on to good eats!  Yesterday I had Knitty Biddies.  We all bring our own lunches, and a snack to share.  We take turns hosting. I always bring my lunch in my little square Berry Basket from Longaberger.

For a snack, I made a Fall favorite of ours.  Pumpkin Apple Muffins.  They are actually a Weight Watcher recipe. Very healthy, quick and delicious. 

They are so easy to make.  All you need is 1 box of Spice cake mix.  2 apples, any kind.   1/4 cup water, and 1 15 oz can of pureed pumpkin.  NOT pumpkin pie filling!!!!  Be sure to check the can.
Pour mix into large bowl.  Peel and chop apples, and put in bowl.  Add water. Add pumpkin.  Stir until just blended.  Spoon into muffin cups.  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes!  You will love these!!!!
Bon Appetit!
XO  Kris