All around this area at this time of year are the ads for feed stores and especially Tractor Supply announcing their Chick Days. I had written a post a while back describing my plans to build a bigger coop this Spring and I even ordered 16 new chicks of different varieties to raise and increase my current flock of 14 aging chickens. Well – the boyz got busy doing other things, work related things that actually pay the bills, and so we decided to hold off a year or two on the new coop. I cancelled my chick order with Cackle Hatchery, a little bummed, because I had picked out some beautiful breeds.
So… I’ve had to go in to Tractor Supply several times in recent weeks, and each time I stared at the chicks and ducklings and almost grabbed _just a few_, but talked myself out of it because raising chicks is work, and I’d have to create another brooder on the porch, and do I need more chores right now and especially without a bigger coop? The answer is no.. .so…. I was pretty proud of my restraint.
Yesterday on the way home from checking on our little cottage by the sea, the husband said “Let’s stop in Agway and get some of that dried cow manure fertilizer for the vegetable garden“.
I’m thinking that’s safe, they don’t sell chicks there, right?
Wrong.
Frasier’s wondering why mama won’t let him sample the chicken nuggets out on the porch.
I even left the store chick-less with the Mr… came home and thought on it for about 30 seconds more. Then just for the heck of it I browsed the basement to see if there were any big boxes down there that would suffice as a brooder for the time being. The Christmas Tree Box was sitting empty, because once you pull a fake tree out of it’s box, it isn’t ever going back in there the way it came out. So… I took it as a sign. Of stupidity? Possibly. But here we are, regardless.
Last night two of the chicks looked a little wobbly – they go through a heck of a lot to get to the feedstore at just a day old.. and then to their new home. I’m happy to report this morning all six look perky. These are what I brought home..
2 Light Brahmas…
2 easter eggers – which can come in any color at all, so those
will be revealed as they feather out.
One Buff Orpington
And one New Hampshire Red
Not as exotic or as large an order as my original order from Cackle Hatchery, but still good egg layers, hearty breeds, a nice edition to my flock.
Happy Spring!
