The first dozen.

PS We should have three more girls by the end of tomorrow!!

All chickens, all the time.

Ten days ago, I became a chicken momma. My friend and neighbor Laura also became a chicken momma, and our chickens cohabitate in my backyard.

On St. Patrick's Day, we got up reeeeeally early and headed out at 6a.m. to hit up the Lebanon Flea Market and hopefully get first dibs on a couple of bantam-sized hens. Let's just say, I think that we're never going to buy chickens at a Flea Market again, for multiple reasons!

We both had a couple of breeds in mind, but there were very few to choose from. We both ended up with the same breed, ones that were not on our lists. Barbu D'Uccle (I've also seen them called Belgian d'Uccle), commonly referred to as "Millefleur" (thousand flowers). Barbu d'Uccles were created by crossing a booted bantam with a Barbu d'Anvers, and it's quite possible we have just straight up booted bantams with the Millefleur coloring. Not that it really matters.

Laura and I spend most evenings now sitting out in the backyard watching "the girls". Laura's chicken, Clarabelle, has turned out to be very social, while mine (Louella Imogene) is completely anti-social and tends to be slightly panicky most of the time (much like her mother). On to the photos!!

Louella Imogene:



Clarabelle:



Our attempt at "American Gothic" (no pitchfork available, so we used a rake).





Laura and Clarabelle:



Me and Louella:



Pablo meets the girls:



Spring nights:



Clarabelle eating worm treats out of Laura's hand:



"More worms, please!"



Louella being anti-social:



Clarabelle (L) and Louella (R) with Pablo in the background eyeing a squirrel:



Currently reading:





So far we love being "chicken tenders" - the only drawback is they poop A LOT and we have to change their bedding every day. They are still young, so not laying quite yet, but I think that's just around the corner (many start laying at 5-7 months). My dad is building us a big coop that he'll deliver sometime this summer - by then, we'll have our chicken parenting skills perfected and bring four more girls into the fold!

I've got tons more to update you all on... neighborhood gatherings, the bangs I finally got cut (!), my Pampered Chef party, and how I cut a chunk off of my thumb the other day. Fun! Hopefully I can get caught up next post!

Have a happy day!

Happy Chicken Eve!!!

Tomorrow Laura and I will be bringing our first two chickens home to their "starter home".



My dad is building us a bigger coop that we will probably have in just a few short months (considering my Dad lives 400 miles away, things just can't move very swiftly). Once we get the "big house", we will get the rest of our chickens.

I better hurry up and finish this book, huh?



One of my friends nicknamed today "Chicken Eve" and I love it. So here is wishing all of a you a very happy Chicken Eve!!

Many more things to catch up on, but had to post about the new "girls" we'll have tomorrow.

xoxox

Playing catch-up, part 2 (subtitle: "Immersed in chicken-stuff")

Last weekend (18th), the ladies of our neighborhood had our second official brunch. I started the facebook group last fall, and we are up to 94 members! It has been such a great way to get to know others. We had probably 50 people at this most recent brunch. I only took a few photos, and they were of the folks that were there, so allow me to use these pictures of the food instead that one of the other ladies took.

And that's not even half of the food. Imagine 50 ladies all bringing a different dish (or two) - it's impossible to even try it all. So much fun, though.

Recently, an ordinance was passed in my county to allow backyard chickens (hens only). Our brunch Hostess is our first "Legal" chicken owner in our 'hood! Meet Minnie and Mary:



I was very excited when the ordinance passed, as I have been wanting chickens for quite a while. However, I thought it was something I'd have to hold off on until Josh was out of school. I didn't know if I could take it all on myself.... Until Laura mentioned she wanted to share some chickens with someone, but didn't feel her yard was a good place for them. Thus, our co-parenting plan was "hatched". Our plan is to end up with six chickens, but we should have our first two by the end of March!

Our starter coop has arrived (soon to be painted a bright turquoise) and we are immersing ourselves in all things chicken - we have a lot to learn!



I purchased this over the weekend to adorn one of our (eventual) three coops):



I'm very excited! Expect much more chicken babble in the future.

Another thing I am excited about is SPRING. Here's how my little garden plot looked last week (just a little 4x4 in my backyard):



This will be the first year we can harvest our asparagus! I'm really looking forward to that.

I planned to clean it out yesterday, but I got a nasty stomach bug and could barely drag myself off of the couch. I'm also planning to find someone to till up a row behind my garage so I can plant some vine-y things like cucumbers and pumpkins and squashes.

I usually start my garden from plants, not seeds. However, we have a community garden in my 'hood and I am hoping to get at least one plot in it (preferably two), and I will be growing from seed over there. I think the plots are 4x12, so I would have a lot more room than I have at home. As a matter of fact, Laura (my chicken co-mom)took me on a tour of the garden the afternoon of our ladies' brunch, and I was surprised how much was growing in February (though it has been a mild winter).











I've already went and bought some seeds... so far I am most looking forward to planting these babies...



Ok, I think I'm caught up! Hope all is well with everyone in blogland. Any gardening or chicken excitement happening with anyone else?