They Grow up so Fast...an Update on the Chickens

It has been awhile since I gave any kind of update on our little suburban flock.  The chickens are no longer the cute little fluff balls they once were.  They have passed through their ugly adolescent stage and are almost full grown hens now- just about ready to start laying.

Things I've learned so far about backyard chickens:

1.  They really have very agreeable personalities. Certainly, they're not the brightest bulbs in the box- but nice.  I never have to worry that they are going to be malicious to the girls.

2.  Chickens light up the backyard.  I really enjoy standing on the back patio, watching them scratch about and listening to their mellow (usually) clucking.

3.  They've really cut down on the bug population.  (Horray!)

4.  Once you get past the initial set up hassle and expense, they're even easier to have around than cats.

5.  There's something soothing about putting the chickens to bed every night.  Chasing them into their pen is a chore I almost never resent.  It reminds me of the old Green Acres sentiment that the chores are one of the best parts about living in the country.  So true. 

6.  So far there hasn't been a problem with any kind of smell.  That may be partly a reflection of the fact that we're in the middle of a drought here in central Texas, and the dry heat solves what might otherwise be an issue.  I guess I'll find out as we go along.

7.  The chickens really like fresh, organic produce.  This might be commendable if it were not for the situation of my garden.  They nibbled down all the leaves within reach and quite a few baby cantaloupes and tomatoes.  I was  ready for chicken noodle soup until my husband helped me install chicken wire around the perimeter.  Our relationship is restored.

Chicken Update: An Expanded Brood

We've acquired 3 more baby chicks since the last time I wrote about the chickens. (But that's all...we're not planning on expanding our brood indefinitely :-) Meet our happy, little chicken family:

1. Jane Red Star Hen. Someday, she will look like this: Red feathers with sort of white petticoats.
2. Wendy- New Hampshire Red. Someday she will look like this. Supposedly her breed matures more quickly, and she will be the first to give us our nice, tasty, organic eggs.


3. Miriam - Buff Orphington. Will look like this when she is full grown. We wanted to make sure to get at least one of this breed because the rumor is that these are the "cuddliest" chickens.

4. Minnie- Ameraucana

5. Mehitabel (long story) Also an Ameraucana. They will look something like this. The big reason for getting this breed is because they lay GREEN and BLUE eggs! Really! They are also called "Easter Eggers" for that reason.

The chicks are no longer living in a cardboard box, but they are still indoors. (in the computer room actually, and I can hear them peeping happily) I commissioned a craigslist fellow to build this brooder because I thought cleaning a cardboard box would eventually get to be a problem.

Meet Baby Chicks Jane and Wendy!

Overnight, M and G have turned into suburban farm girls. They are the proud new owners of two baby chicks. We're hoping to add three more by the end of the week; so eventually, we'll have a good little flock of egg layers.

This is Jane (of Jane Eyre and Dick and Jane association) -a docile little dear who likes to snuggle down and fall asleep in M's hands.
And Wendy (of Peter Pan ) it seems, is the more curious and jumpy of the two.
This is our family's first chicken venture (actually first animal venture of any kind). When I was growing up my family had one chicken that we kept as a pet (even painted her toenails red and had her wear a pearl necklace- poor thing!) but I'm really excited about the prospect of keeping chickens for the eggs (as well as treating them like beloved pets of course!)We will be fixing up the shed in the backyard to be a coop for our brood, but for now the little chicks stay indoors in a box under a heat lamp.

We live in a very suburban neighborhood within the city limits, but one thing I love about Austin are the liberal city ordinances concerning livestock. Chickens are no problem! So far, they're pretty inexpensive little creatures. I've spent under $30, and most of that was on the heat lamp.
I'll keep you updated as to how our little adventure turns out...Does anybody have any good chicken advice they'd like to relate?