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Gratuitous chick-blogging: Yes, we have them edition
By Gina Spadafori
March 21, 2009
My family has given me up for crazy long ago. My co-workers, ditto. Friends are across the board, but this latest chicken escape will surely convinced the undecideds that I’m not …. normal.
I’m in my home office looking at 27 chicks in an extra-large Petmate dog crate. With shavings, food, water, heat-lamp and an enraptured audience of two cats and one very pregnant and undoubtedly hungry retriever.
No, the chicks are not all mine. I’m feathering them out, a couple for my flock and for neighbor Judy’s, and a fresh start to my friend Pam’s new adventures in chicken-keeping.
Five Rhode Island Reds. Five New Hampshire Reds. Seven “easter egg”-laying Americuanas, four gold-laced Wyandottes, two silver-laced Wyandottes, three crested Polish and one brown leghorn. I think. Actually, it got a little crazy at the feed store, so who knows? They’re supposed to all be females, but again, chances are a couple boys will get through.
They’re peeping, eating, drinking and pooping, so for the time being, all is well.
And speaking of peeping … they are LOUD!
Shout out to the nice folks at the Echo Valley Ranch feed store in Auburn, Calif. Nice, friendly staff and everything the critter-lover could want. Chicks? They have hundreds, in maybe 20 varieties.
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Creative humans are sometimes called crazy, because they dare to break the “mold”.
I choose to see your actions as creative and industrious. Of course, you can call me crazy for seeing your actions as innovative.
The chicks are so cute—early for Easter but at least they are REAL!
Comment by Colorado Transplant — March 21, 2009 @ 10:55 am
Brings back some good childhood memories, chicks at Easter! U GO GIRL! Enjoy
Comment by joyce kesling — March 21, 2009 @ 11:12 am
Gina, what’s the significance of “feathering them out”? (I’m unfamiliar with the terminology.)
Comment by The OTHER Pat — March 21, 2009 @ 11:53 am
Just keep a close eye on your other critters. Cause you’re thinking “cute chicks” and they’re thinking “lunch.”
Comment by 2CatMom — March 21, 2009 @ 12:14 pm
Oh yes, I know that they are yummy little snacks to the resident dogs and cats! The chicks are safe in a crate, and will remain so.
As for “feathering out.” They’re fuzzy babies now, and need to stay warm under a heat lamp until they get their adult feathers and can live outside. They’ll be inside for a few weeks, eating and growing bigger.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — March 21, 2009 @ 12:37 pm
What happens to boy chicks? I mean, most people want hens, right? Are the baby roosters get raised for meat?
Comment by Deanna — March 21, 2009 @ 1:53 pm
Boy chicks are a problem. Some folks simply dump those chickens who turn out to be roosters in parks or rural areas … not recommended, of course. Some put them up on Craig’s list and hope to find them a home. And undoubtedly many end up being eaten.
At the hatcheries (as I understand it) the boys chicks mostly become chicken meal for pet food and other such uses.
The world just doesn’t need many roosters.
I’d be happy for a rooster, but my zoning is hens only. My starter flock I purchased as young pullets, so I knew they were all girls. I just gotta hope most of these babies are. They’re sexed at the hatchery, but it’s not 100 percent by any means.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — March 21, 2009 @ 1:58 pm
Update:
Me, sitting on the floor next to the crate, looking in at the baby chicks. Both cats doing the same.
Me, to the cats: “Aren’t they adorable?”
Cats, thinking: “Oh yes. Delicious, I’m sure.”
Comment by Gina Spadafori — March 21, 2009 @ 5:25 pm
Alas, Mine will have to wait for next year unless I can get a coop up in time to get a few adults before the fall.
I saw a bunch of chicks at the feed store this afternoon during the weekly pick-up of dog food.
It was all I could do not to get about 15 or so and bring them home.
Comment by Linda Kaim — March 21, 2009 @ 6:44 pm
If you weren’t 3,000 miles away I’d get you started with young hens in the fall. I know we’ll have extras that’s we’ll be Craigslisting into the Sekrit Underground Society of City of Sacramento Chix Fans.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — March 21, 2009 @ 7:50 pm
20 khaki campbell ducklings coming Tuesday.
I see your cute and raise it. Ducklings!
And … you think you’ve gone deranged —
100 range broiler chicks coming in April.
That’s right, a hundred.
Linda, about fifteen is a good number for laying hens.
Has been working for me.
Comment by H. Houlahan — March 21, 2009 @ 9:00 pm
I look forward to getting decent housing up for some this summer. I am still working on deconstructing the old barn on the property and recycling the best wood for a sturdy, fox and critter-proof coop.
So much to do, so little time!!
Comment by Linda Kaim — March 22, 2009 @ 6:28 am