The Girls Come Home to Roost

I knew, what I was getting into.

It isn't like I haven't done this before.

I know all about the work involved, the SMELL involved, and the commitment required.

So we're going to call it informed idiocy that I took my children to the local feed store to see the new arrivals.

And that, was all she wrote, folks.

I mean, please.

Technicolor chicks for pity's sake.

Cry salmonella and bleach wipes all you want. Remind me about the daily cleaning of the cage and the fear each morning that you'll wake to find that one's bit the dust. Go on ahead and say that they are only little for a short while, but they are big, stinking, eating, pecking, squawking bitties for decades. I know!

Trust me though, all reason goes straight out the window when you hold one, all feathers and heartbeat.

How could I not bring some home?

Six to be exact, two for each little Papa.

Luke has Hazel (the blue one) and Pearl (the lighter striped one)
James has Spike (the green one) and Tiger (the darker striped one)
Ryder has Maybelle (yellow) and Rosemary (orange)

We will keep them here at our house until they are big enough to go to Nana and Grumpy's ranch, where they will roam about, battling wild turkeys for dibs on grasshoppers.

Their little personalities are already shining through. Some are calm, some quite sassy. Some are real go getters and some are more the lounging type.

We take them out to the yard to peck and twitter a few times a day. They enjoy this immensely. They run as fast as their toothpick legs will carry them, argue over ants and peep their fool heads off if they find themselves far from their sisters.

They seem to think that Luke is the head hen. They follow him around, flapping and peeping like all get out.

After a frolic in the grass, they get plumb wore out. They will all of a sudden just stand stock still and close their eyes. So, we put them back in their case, and they clump together in one fuzzy little ball for a nap under the heat lamp.

It's like having newborns again. Eat, exercise, sleep, repeat.

In case you're wondering, as I did, the color comes from a natural vegetable dye. It will last for a couple of weeks. Those that are colored are kind of a Heinz 57 breed. The natural colored ones are Ameraucanas, which lay the pretty green and blue eggs.

So, I guess I can say in earnest now that we here at Blue Yonder have taken up poultry farming. Heaven help us.

Comments

[Sarah Jackson]

How totally fun! I would love to have a couple of chickens here. Enjoy your little chickies!!!

[Jade]

What a great deal! You can have them when they are babies and then send them away when they get to be teenagers. Hmmmm.... Makes me think of something else! ;)

Cute chicks!

[Stephanie]

Omigosh, I just heard about a woman who was fined for coloring her poodle pink with vegetable dye for fundraising for breast cancer. Seems where she lives, the law was written mainly to keep people from coloring chicks and bunnies and the like for Easter. Guess she doesn't live in YOUR state!

Gotta admit, color or not, those chicks are chic!

[Berlinswhimsy]

How exciting! We have been contemplating the poultry farming business here, too! ;-) I had no idea they dyed chicks Easter colors! What the?? Ah well, they ARE very, very cute!

[brit]

man, I hope no one eats those chocolate covered ones...

[Ellie]

We had chooks when we were kids (no dogs or cats, only chooks and fish!). My sister spent hours in their cage talking to them and petting them. They are such lovely little creatures to have. And in those amazing colours - WOW. That's much better than any fancy Easter Egg decoration.
Enjoy them.
(Watch out :: one of our babies was stepped on by my Mum - they thought she was Mother Hen. And another was squashed accidently by little excitable hands).

[Eren]

After reading this, S is lucky he doesnt come home to a few of these sweeties at our house. However I think the dog and cat might do them in the poor things. But I think you have the idea...like grandchildren, or borrowing someone elses little girl for the day...play with them awhile and hand em over to someone else. Have fun peeps! (I couldnt help it)

[Mandi]

I've never seen that before, only heard stories! My grandparents and you must be of like mind. They had six kids and every time Easter rolled around they ended up bringing home dyed bunnies,dyed ducks, or dyed chicks. I wouldn't have been able to resist either. unfortunately we live in one of those "I want to ruin everyone's fun" coveted community. Anyway so cute I can't wait till my kids wake up so I can show them. Happy Saint Patty's and Happy Easter!

[erin]

you are a much braver woman than i am!

[Tracy]

oh my. ohmyohmy. Baby chicks are quite possibly the cutest of all baby animals. Except baby ducks. And kittens. Oh well, you know.

I would actually like to someday live in the country and have chickens. Especially ones that lay green and blue eggs. I love those.

[emily]

no way! can't wait to see them as they grow, these new little (colorful!) newborns of yours.

[molly]

oh stop!! I'm a total sucker for things like this, especially when my children and little soft things are involved. You are going to get some beautiful eggs from the ameraucanas. Almost too pretty to eat. But maybe they'll be living out their days on the ranch by that time?!

I have a feeling the boys will remember this experience for quite some time.

[sUsAn]

Oh, how darling! I was at our local feed store just last Friday admiring the chicks (no Technicolor ones there though!) and wishing I could bring some home (not allowed to in our location-bummer). Enjoy your brood! I look forward to hearing more about them as they grow! :)

[Alicia A.]

They're so cute. SO cute! We had some chicks here for awhile (until they were big enough to go to Papa's coop) and the kids LOVED it.

Have lots of fun with them. Then the fun will overshadow the work. ;)

[lynne]

Oh my gash , i have NEVER seen coloured chicks before! How weird but definately cute. I have never had chickens but i guess there is always a first time for everything.....just not right now....lol

[Keri]

Awwww...they're so cute! And colorful! We had chickens growing up so I kind of hate them now, but even I, chicken-hater, couldn't resist these cute things!!! I'm hearing their little "peep-peep" in my head as I type. :)

[Cheryl]

This is cracking me up - exactly something I would do except now, having read this, I can have the chuckle and stand firm against any visits to the feed store - even out of nostalgia.

I think the sight of our 85lb shepahoula herding baby chicks in the backyard would be a great photo op BUT I shall resist ;-)

[joetta maue]

they are so cute and your images so great...
Have fun.

[jessica]

wow!!! when i grow up i want chickens.

i strictly avoid the feed store in spring for this very reason. i would come home with ducklings, chickens and baby bunnies. and then my poor husband would end up cleaning up after them!

[kristin]

i. have. never. seen. chicks. those. colors.

please. i would have done the same thing...you know i almost brought a baby goat home.

we just got a kitty instead.

[kcb]

If that feed store has baby llamas, I'm doomed!

[Mama Urchin]

So cute, and a little freaky in technicolor. I'm voting for Molly to get some around here and then we can visit them.

[k]

I want some! I think our Home owners Assoc. would flip! They already sent a official letter that our curb needed edging! It had grass hanging over the curb a whole 2 inches!!! Thank goddness we are renting and will buy some where else!

[k]

Make that Thank GOODness we are renting! I really need to learn to spellchick my post!

[Crystal]

Ack! I love them!

I remember vividly the smell in the chicken house getting the eggs in the morning. I never thought it was bad, just very distinct. I had forgotten how they get tuckered out and just close their eyes. What a great adventure you and the kids (and the chicks)are having! Thanks so much for sharing.