Let's go pick up chicks!
After many debates about what kind of dog we wanted, we decided a Great Dane was just what we needed. They are big, so it wouldn't be yappy. They are friendly and beautiful. There were only two problems, I don't really like dogs, and the monster poops. One of the first rules we set when we got our house was that nothing was to be planted that doesn't flower or fruit. Great Danes don't do either...
On a traffic ridden drive home from San Fransisco, we started playing with the idea of getting baby ducks, because they were adorable, and they could swim in our creek, which is really our runoff from the rain. The only problem with ducks are the 110 degree Sacramento summers without rain.
Suddenly brilliant idea of chickens dawned on us. They are cute, and suppossedly fun, and they fruit eggs! Perfect! After some quick iphone research we found them and we were off and running. I would like you to meet, Chicken Nugget and Barbecue Chicken! (Nugget is the gold one and barbecue the black one).
On a traffic ridden drive home from San Fransisco, we started playing with the idea of getting baby ducks, because they were adorable, and they could swim in our creek, which is really our runoff from the rain. The only problem with ducks are the 110 degree Sacramento summers without rain.
Suddenly brilliant idea of chickens dawned on us. They are cute, and suppossedly fun, and they fruit eggs! Perfect! After some quick iphone research we found them and we were off and running. I would like you to meet, Chicken Nugget and Barbecue Chicken! (Nugget is the gold one and barbecue the black one).
Cheep Cheep!
I immediately fell in love. They were so cute. Little chicks sleep a lot (like any baby thing). But they never liked to miss a beat, so they would try and stay awake. Eventually their little eyes would close and heads would slowly sinks down. As soon as their beaks hit the ground Whoop! Back up they would go and the whole thing would start over. We let them sit on the ottoman and peck at inconsistencies while we watched TV. Because Nugget and Barbecue hatched the first week of Febraury they obviously needed to be kept inside.
Chick Care:
We kept them in a glass terarium with a heat lamp. The first week they need to be at 95 degrees fahrenheit. Every week you can reduce the temperature by one degree until the outside temperature matches the tank. Your chicks will either huddle under the light if it is insn't warm enough or veer away if it is too hot. There is special food for baby chicks at any feed store and many hardware stores. You can't feed them adult food because the calcium levels are too high. I found that the crumble was the easiest for them to eat. The chicks grow crazy fast! Everday their feathers change a little. This picture wasn't a particularly flattering stage, but either was age 13.
Chick Care:
We kept them in a glass terarium with a heat lamp. The first week they need to be at 95 degrees fahrenheit. Every week you can reduce the temperature by one degree until the outside temperature matches the tank. Your chicks will either huddle under the light if it is insn't warm enough or veer away if it is too hot. There is special food for baby chicks at any feed store and many hardware stores. You can't feed them adult food because the calcium levels are too high. I found that the crumble was the easiest for them to eat. The chicks grow crazy fast! Everday their feathers change a little. This picture wasn't a particularly flattering stage, but either was age 13.
Creating the Coop
The six weeks inside gave us a chance to build the coop. I think our coop is kind of like a palace for two chickens, but they use the whole thing. The nesting boxes were intended to be on the top floor where the nail gun it. It is recommended to make each nest about a 12' by 12'. You want it feel cozy. Our chickens tested out all different laying spots (including under the spa steps). Eventually they decided that the landing on the stairway was the best nesting spot. They both lay almost everyday, but never at the same time. They sleep in the nesting boxes. Then they sit on top during dusk, look out the screen, and have "TV time" before going to bed.
The Final Product
We of course added walls, hardware, screen for ventilation and TV time, and roofing tiles. Attached to is a run for them. But honestly, I let them run around the backyard most of the time. They love to eat bugs, grass, and anything that moves outside. During the adolescent stage they need grow food. It is in between the chick food and the laying food. When I first let them outside to peck on the grass, I would watch them to make sure they didn't sneak through some hole or get swooped up by a hawk. I gradually let them out for longer periods of time. When they are 4 or 5 months old they have wings but not a lot of body mass. My husband let the chicken out when he was home for lunch one day so they could forage for the afternoon. When he came home Barbecue was on the fence calling for Nugget and she was nowhere to be found. He crawled up and was making "chicken noises" over the fence trying to call Nugget. A neighbor two houses down popped his head above the fence and said "Are you looking for a chicken?". They of course we illegal in the city at that time. We did get to meet a neighbor, but the moral of the story is, until they fatten up, they can fly, so keep them in the run!
All grown up
Within a few short months the chicks grew and grew. They are always within site of each other. Chicken are very social and must have a companion. Apparently if you have just one, it will not survive. I made sure to hold them everyday or pet them so they would stay friendly. Now I'm not sure if that was a good idea. Whenever I go into the backyard they call for me, and it is kind of annoying. They only do it to me, I have the mom complex.
This is a picture of them on the porch. They would come and tap their beaks on the glass door when they wanted a cracker. It just got plain rediculous, so my husband put a stop to it. That is another story.
This is a picture of them on the porch. They would come and tap their beaks on the glass door when they wanted a cracker. It just got plain rediculous, so my husband put a stop to it. That is another story.
The Eggs
At about six months old, in mid-July the eggs began to come! They were a few trial eggs that weren't so great, but now it is like clockwork. Between the two chickens we get a dozen eggs a week. As the chickens got bigger so did the eggs. They are rich and delicious! Plus it is always fun for our friends to go check for eggs when they come over! I highly recommend pet chickens!
Winter
Chickens playing in the rain
When the chickens are being bad, I first try and have a logical talk with them. I explain why they should not jump on the hot tub and poop. I explain why we don't want them squawking at seven in the morning. I also talk to them about the importance of laying an egg everyday.
However, sometimes this doesn't work, and we have to resort to more drastic methods of discipline. This usually involves the hose.
Before we built the chicken fence, Barbecue and Nugget loved to sit on top of our outdoor table like they were the kings of the castle. This meant when we went out for a nice summer meal on the the porch, we had to do some poop duty first. We discovered that the chickens hate being sprayed with water! They squawk and waddle away as fast at their little legs will take them until they find a suficient hiding spot or get out of the range of fire. Using this we trained them to stay of the furniture by spraying them with the hose. We also bought some awesome squirt guns that work as well.
We have barely had any rain this winter. Then Friday it dumped! I came home and found the chickens happy as can be, pecking around in the back yard like it was a sunny summer day. This baffles me because they can't stand it when I spray them with water, but they have no problem running around in the rain all day. They have a perfectly dry three story chicken coop! Crazy chickens.
By the way, it is the end of January and I have a dozen eggs in my fridge. The light on the timer is still working like a charm!! They are wildly enjoying a piece of stale bread in this picture.
However, sometimes this doesn't work, and we have to resort to more drastic methods of discipline. This usually involves the hose.
Before we built the chicken fence, Barbecue and Nugget loved to sit on top of our outdoor table like they were the kings of the castle. This meant when we went out for a nice summer meal on the the porch, we had to do some poop duty first. We discovered that the chickens hate being sprayed with water! They squawk and waddle away as fast at their little legs will take them until they find a suficient hiding spot or get out of the range of fire. Using this we trained them to stay of the furniture by spraying them with the hose. We also bought some awesome squirt guns that work as well.
We have barely had any rain this winter. Then Friday it dumped! I came home and found the chickens happy as can be, pecking around in the back yard like it was a sunny summer day. This baffles me because they can't stand it when I spray them with water, but they have no problem running around in the rain all day. They have a perfectly dry three story chicken coop! Crazy chickens.
By the way, it is the end of January and I have a dozen eggs in my fridge. The light on the timer is still working like a charm!! They are wildly enjoying a piece of stale bread in this picture.
The Chickens have flown the coop
I am sad to say that we are chickenless. Last week I came home and before I could even walk in the door, my husband said "You better come see this" and I knew it was going to be bad. Sad little Chicken Nugget was laying on her side unable to stand up. We really couldn't figure out what was wrong with her. So we made her a nest out of towels in a laundry basket and brought her inside so she would be warm. She wasn't eating or drinking and barely opening her eyes. Physically she was a mess. When I walked by talking she would perk up and try and get to her feet but couldn't. To make a long and gruesome story short she is gone.
I was surprised at how sad I was. I know she is just a chicken, and I eat chicken, but she added a lot of personality to the backyard and it is so quiet now! Every time I would walk in the backyard they would scurry over to the fence as fast as they can and be undeservingly eager to see me. Now, it is just quiet.
Poor Barbecue poked around calling for her for a few days. Then one day we went outside and then we walked into the basement. She let out the loneliest cry ever and we decided living alone was not a good life for her. Nugget and Barbecue had never spent a night apart. I actually read that chickens won't survive alone because they are such social creatures. We ended up finding family of a friend who has six chickens out in Shingle Springs and taking Barbecue up there. I have gotten word that she has integrated with the other hens and is laying eggs again!
So, we have gone from a house full of chickens to an empty nest. Sad.
I was surprised at how sad I was. I know she is just a chicken, and I eat chicken, but she added a lot of personality to the backyard and it is so quiet now! Every time I would walk in the backyard they would scurry over to the fence as fast as they can and be undeservingly eager to see me. Now, it is just quiet.
Poor Barbecue poked around calling for her for a few days. Then one day we went outside and then we walked into the basement. She let out the loneliest cry ever and we decided living alone was not a good life for her. Nugget and Barbecue had never spent a night apart. I actually read that chickens won't survive alone because they are such social creatures. We ended up finding family of a friend who has six chickens out in Shingle Springs and taking Barbecue up there. I have gotten word that she has integrated with the other hens and is laying eggs again!
So, we have gone from a house full of chickens to an empty nest. Sad.
