That Sweet Familiar Sound...

Cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep!

For me, from now on, the sound of baby chick's peeping will always remind me of this farm and the month of April.  I didn't realized how much I missed that sound of baby chicks until I heard that lovely 'noise' once again!

Our flock has grown.  We now have six more "babies."  We just got back from picking up our chicks from a farm less than a mile from JJ's (rural) school.  We got 2 Ameraucanas, 2 Light Brahmas and 2 Golden Laced Wyandotes.  These are all new breeds to us and the farm. 

You need to know some vocabulary when you pick out baby chickens!

Pullet: a young hen, usually less than one year old

Straight Run:  1:1 ratio of males and females, or an equal chance of getting a boy or girl

We got all pullets. Given our, not so cheery historical experience with cockerels (young male chickens) and roosters (adult male chickens), we decided to get more egg laying hens.  None of these birds will be meat birds. 

At first, we weren't going to get any more hens.  But after losing Magnolia and Primrose (RIP), and expecting to lose one to two more this year (hopefully not but we will see), we thought we should expand the flock!  And... I just really wanted chicks again this spring.  Farmer J surprised me with finding baby chicks close to home and agreeing to get a few (o.k., half a dozen) more!

Here is what the chicks will look like when they are older!



This is an Ameraucana.  We already have Araucanas! The Ameraucana's, like the Araucana's, will lay pretty blue/green eggs!  They are sometimes called "Easter Eggers."  How fun that we got them
less than a week from Easter! These chickens are "American" in origin. 


This is a Gold Laced Wyandotte.  We had some Silver Laced Wyandotte roosters in the past but never Gold Laced hens!  Wyandotte's are known for being good egg layers and docile.  They also tolerate being "confined" (in a coop most of winter).  They lay large, brown eggs. The Wyandottes are also an American breed. 


Here is a Light Brahma.  These chickens have the feathers on their feet (like our "Baby Boots"). They typically get quite large.  These chickens originated in Asia.  They are reported a being very friendly and "excellent pets."  They are "good" egg layers and lay mediam, brown eggs. 

Better go.  My patient is calling me!  JJ and Pickle are down and out with the flu!  We are hoping to all be healthy for J's family easter this Sunday!