Scott's Prom 2010

Chicken Ghetto

We still don't have a chicken coop, and we haven't even started to build one. Time is running out. The nights have been warm enough that the first batch of chicks have been outside full time for two weeks, and the new batch of chicks will be inside for another month at least. Until we get a permanent home set up, this is our makeshift substitution:

a Little Tykes Playhouse


an adjustable baby gate

stacks of lumber and firewood
stumps for roosting

an old rabbit hutch and a broom for a perch

and yards and yards of chicken netting.

Sarah calls it the "chicken ghetto."

Welcome to the projects, baby.

It doesn't look that bad in person. The chicks are loving all the room to run and flap, plus there's a rotting stump that is chock full of insects.


You're still ugly. Grow some real feathers.

Opening Day at Knoebel's

Woo-hoo! Spring is back, and even though rain was in the forecast, opening day at Knoebel's was gorgeous.

Girls on a mission! Out of our way! The cotton candy awaits...

These kid-powered carts are always a favorite.

Cotton candy. The undisputed high point of the day.

Caught without my camera...

OMG Chickens

I posted about our six chicks a little while ago. What I didn't mention is that after doing some web research, I chose two more breeds and ordered 8 more pullets, 4 each of Barred Rocks and Chanteclers, chosen for their gentle temperament and egg production.

We received the email two days ago that our chicks were on the way, and the post office called early this morning to say that we could come pick them up! We quickly got the brooder ready and prepared to head to the post office, but before we could leave, the postman drove around the corner. Since we're early on his route, he decided to do us a favor and bring them out to us!

The box is here! We're so excited!

Wait a minute...that doesn't look like 8 chicks...

Let me check the invoice...what's this? Males included for warmth?

You mean we have 9 females and 15 males?

Baby roosters??? What in the world are we going to do with 15 roosters?

This brings our *little* backyard flock to a total of 30. =8-O

I don't know how I feel about the way they use male chicks as live "packing peanuts." With laying breeds, everybody orders the females, so most male chicks are unwanted. Sometimes the male chicks are dropped into an incinerator as soon as they are sorted by sex.


Just look at this sweet little fluffball.

Incidentally, when we opened the box and started to take the chicks out one by one to dip their beaks in water (dehydration is a big danger during shipping), they started peeping so loudly that the wild chicken was attracted by all the noise. She usually stays away from us and consequently, from the house, but she came right up to the door when she heard the peeping.

Chalk Zone

Sidewalk chalk was one of the girls' prizes at last weekend's family reunion/Easter egg hunt.

Aside from the two-foot-tall chocolate bunnies, the chalk was the hands-down favorite.

This picture is typical of the difference in their hairlines.
Natalie's hair always falls smoothly off the sides of her face.
Noelle's hair is always in her face.

This picture also illustrates the difference in temperament. Natalie is always twinkling and grinning, and Noelle is more serious, almost somber sometimes.

You have chalk on your face. Do I have chalk on my face?