Finding Contentment

Our newest additions

The newest additions to our family are these six 1-day-old chicks. Hubby and I bandied around the idea of trying to raise a few laying hens here in the city and finally decided to go for it. First I pulled out a hatchery cataloge I had ordered and chose what variety we wanted. But lo and behold, that hatchery and every other one has a minimum order of 25! We felt that on our small piece of land and with close neighbors we could probably handle a maximum of six.

So Monday morning I started by calling one of our city's code enforcement officers and asking if chickens were allowed within city limits. He said there is a livestock ordinance but he didn't consider chickens livestock. He said unless the neighbors complained about smell or noise (we have a strict noise ordinance in our city), we would be fine. To combat possible noise issues, we decided not to get a rooster just yet.

Then I set to work calling every feed and seed and farm supply place around to see if I could buy chicks. Apparently, most places have stopped selling them (one said it was because of the whole bird flu thing). I found two feed and seeds, both about 30 minutes away, that still sold chicks. I went to the first one only to find that they a)only sold straight runs so I couldn't specify male or female and b) didn't have any layers in at the moment, just broilers (we don't plan on eating these).

The second feed and seed had just received 400 black sex-links and aracaunas in that morning. By the time I got there at about 3 p.m., they only had 20 left! You would think that with such a high demand more places would sell them!

I came home with four sex-links and two aracaunas. They are adorable, and a joy to watch. Hubby and the kids are all going nuts over them, and hubby can't wait to start building a chicken coop.

Until they are old enough for the coop, they are staying in my office. It's the only room in the house with a door with a key lock, so our toddler can't open the door. But I'm not locking them up because I think our 4-year-old would hurt them. This is why I have to keep them in a locked room:

This is Maggie, our 6-month-old cat. And this is why I cannot leave the chickens alone unless they are behind lock and key. Maggie tried to convince me she was just keeping an eye on the new babies for me, but I'm not sure I believe her.

Untitled Comment

12:22 AM, Thursday, April 26, 2007 .. Posted by meme21713

Your cat looks like he wants dinner or baby chick sitting...LOL....We have ordered chicks from books before and half were roosters. I did not know to ask if they were sexed...SOme hatchries do sex them for you....lol Learned a lesson quick.....Debbie

I just LOVE chickens and fresh eggs!

03:17 PM, Monday, April 30, 2007 .. Posted by millersgrainhouse

These are great pictures (the cat is trying so hard to look inocent!) as are the ones to the Strawberry picking...looks like fun! Y'all must not be too far from us. NC is a pretty wide-spread State though.

Would you mind telling me where you found the chicks? We need to get some soon too....and some bunnies.

Blessings in our Risen Messiah!
Donna

funny

10:07 PM, Tuesday, May 1, 2007 .. Posted by Chas

That picture of the cat and the chicks is just TOO cute. I don't blame you, I don't think I would believe her either,she looks too interested! :)
Blessings,
Chas

here chickie chickie chickie....

02:32 PM, Sunday, September 9, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

That has to be one of my favorite things, baby chicks and baby ducks....they are just little puff balls!

I am hoping that when we finally sell our house that we would have more space to have some chickens as well, I just like the idea of them eating all the bugs and what not in the garden.....

Where we are at in SC, although it is considered the country, there are covenants in order and will not permit chickens.....I cannot wait until we are in a new place.