Wednesday, March 26, 2008

peep show




























The time of year is here!
The road sign at the local feed store has announced that it is time to "order your chicks".
(The best thing about small towns is that this can be posted on a sign without questionable looks or visions of Russian brides)
We've ordered our chicks this way in years past.
Imagine flipping through a catalog of speckled, mottled, fluffy and feather footed chicks! How do you choose? One of each?
Two years ago we decided to hatch a couple of eggs ourselves. These chickens are extremely prompt. 21 days to the day they will hatch. Like a nervous hen I watched all day as the chicks meticulously pecked there way out of their shells.
As soon as the tiresome chicks hit the air I scooped them up and daintily placed them in their new home under heat lamps.....what lovely little hens!
Sadly our experiment went awry when we realized we were cursed with two more roosters.
The odds were against us.
I will not be gambling anytime soon.
So needless to say not only did we add two more roosters to our flock....but one that is legally blind and can only make out shapes. ( we can't figure out how to get a pair of glasses to stay on.....)
and the other, well....let's just say he's not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
So will we try and hatch again? Yeah probably.
It's a wonderful experience nonetheless.
So for those dreaming of fresh eggs and fickle chicks check out www.McmurrayHatchery.com or your local feed store.
Just remember that those chicks have specific needs...and be prepared for boisterous roosters!

8 comments:

Wendy Michele said...

Jen,
What a timely blog post! We just last week ordered 25 chicks from Mcmurray. We ordered mostly bantams so we do not know if we'll get males or females. I was having a bit of anxiety over this as I am afraid we'll end up with a bunch of roosters. Yikes! We are going to take our chances though. My 8 yr old daughter and 3 yr old son are very excited, but my 13 yr old daughter informed me that she wants nothing to do with them. She thinks they are "disgusting." Chicken poo poo on her.:) We have been busy reading up on raising chickens and preparing for there arrival. Any tips and tidbits you may have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the post Jen, I'm looking forward to our new endeavor!
Wendy

Jennifer Lanne said...

Thanks Wendy!
You'll LOVE having chicks! Yeah, the poo thing is the one negative....just don't wear your Marc Jacobs in the coop!
Please email if you have any questions....I'll try to answer.
p.s. even if you order only "girls"...it's only 80% accurate....so keep your fingers crossed!

Rose said...

We generally hatch our own chicks too. I prefer to order them because I can't stand the smell of the incubator when they start hatching. And even more I hate to have to clean it when they're all hatched out. Ick.

We are down to four or five hens this year and don't have a rooster anymore either. I guess we'll have to order more. Gee isn't that a sad state of affairs? NOT. LOL!!

mary said...

Hi, Jennifer, I love reading your blog. I, too, am an artist on a farm fixing to get chickens!

And - I LOVE your artwork and can't wait to see what you do next.

Mary

Donna said...

I enjoy reading your blog and love your artwork!
Donna

Roxie Morrow said...

I just found your blog and how fun! I am lovin' the chicks! Look at how fluffy those ones are.
You have some funny stories, I'll bookmark your blog so that I can return.
Have a nice day.
Roxie

Mrs. Cherry Heart said...

I am excited...we will be ordering our chicks in a few weeks!
I think this year we will get a few fancy girls!

Thanks for shareing your pictures!
Hugz,
Dolly

Suzanne said...

I love the paintings. Oh, how I wish we could have chickens. We're on a smaller property now and I don't think it's feasible. Love your blog!

- Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife