Chicken Chatter

Hello, and happy Friday!  Yesterday morning, I met up with my friend Elaine, in our usual spot for the purpose of our visit.  Elaine has a great blog, and most of you who visit me, probably already know her.  But for those who do not, I will give you a little snippet.  Elaine wanted chickens in the worst way.  After finally talking her husband into it, and after her husband built her a coop that worked for their space, and she got her wish.  Elaine loved being a Chicken Mama, just like I do.  Not only for the fun of the new pets that would grace her yard, and mingle with her family.  But for the benefits that having chickens affords us too.  Fabulous, fresh tasting eggs.  Organic manure to add to the compost heap to enrich our garden soil.  And best of all, having them as pets, just as we enjoy our dogs and cats.  Elaine has since that time, gotten her setup up just perfect.  She has two coops.  One for her older two hens, and one for her younger two hens, but just to house them at night.  And then a well fenced run for them to exercise in together during the day, allowing them free range, for bugs and greens.  She has a grumpy neighbor who, even though he lived several houses away, felt that the "noise" was just too much for him.  He complained.  Often. Calling the police.  They tried to nicely appease him.  Her  husband even went to show him that the city permits hens in their neighborhood.  That seemed to help, and she thought she would get to keep them.  But, not two weeks later, he was back at it, calling the police.  If you are familiar with chickens, you know that they  make a clucking "announcement" after laying their eggs.  This is not very loud, and it doesn't last long at all.  A minute maybe.  Other than that, they are pretty quiet.  So, sadly, she felt she had to give them away in order to keep peace in the neighborhood.  I felt so badly for her.  And her little one, LOVED having these chickens!!!  My heart really hurt for them.  I know how much I love having chickens.  I knew what she was giving up.  Fortunately for me, Elaine knows how much I love keeping chickens.  And that I take very good care of them as well.  She asked me if they could come to live here.  And of course, I said yes.  So that is why we met, on a dirt road, between her city and mine, to make the exchange.  I really, really felt so bad.  But at the same time, I am thrilled to have a flock the size that I had always wanted to have now.
Meet the new girls.

Two beautiful adult Barred Rocks.  That are very good, and reliable daily egg layers.

And the two new girls she recently got this Spring.  They are about 3 months old.  A Polish, with those crazy feathers on her head, and a Delaware.

I brought them straight home, and took them out to the coop run where my girls were.  I sat out there with them, for the rest of the day.  Making sure there was no pecking, or problems.  There was the obvious curiosity.  Checking out the new digs.

Seems to meet with their approval.  There was some showing off. 

And a stare down or two.

My girls were not mean, but sitting in the corner with their tail feathers to the new girls in town, was certainly not very hospitable.

I'm not gonna look, I'm not gonna look!!!!  Then the huddle of my older 5 hens, took place.

Still behaving in a less than welcoming way.

The younger two, in all of their juvenile energy, were happy to flit from one end of the run to the other, taking it all in.  

My younger five, were all too happy to have more playmates.  But the girls that are full grown, are a bit more reluctant to make immediate friends.

The run is plenty big enough for all of them to have their own personal space, until they do become more comfortable with each other.   

Erika and Noah came over for a bit.  Noah was eager to meet the new girls, so we went into the run, and he wanted to hold them.

I love this picture!  Then, I wanted him to pick out his pumpkin and scratch his name on it.  So off to the pumpkin patch we went.  He had a hard time deciding, but wound up picking this one.

 Using one of my vintage knitting needles, I helped him to scratch his name just on the surface of the pumpkin so that he can continue to watch both the pumpkin, and his name grow, until October.

I will have Hannah and Claire pick theirs out this Sunday on Father's Day.  What fun! 

So, I now have a flock of 14 girls.  7 mature and laying, and 7 who will be laying soon.  I already have lots of customers for my farm fresh eggs.  Once you eat these, you can't buy them in the market.  Ewww!

Before I go, I have to show you this great gift that Elaine gave me.  She is so thoughtful, and knows me well!!!  The book is full of wonderful pictures and great ideas for all kinds of coops.  I have plans in my mind already for adding on!  And a darling Paula Deen Chicken Tea Towel.  The card is so perfect too!!!  The inside is a recipe card with the picture of the chicken on it too!  So cute!!  Thanks Elaine!!!  I love it!!!

 Happy Weekend!  Greggers just got home, and we are ordering pizza!!!

XO  Kris