For those of you looking for an update on the baby chickens, this post is for you! It's long, but packed with adventure! Thank you for the requests you've sent to me for farm updates. It's a great thing knowing that you're interested in knowing what's going on around here. It makes our life here seem a little less crazy knowing people are interested.
So to satisfy the chicken update requests I've been getting, earlier this evening Alan and I went out to the barn to get some photos of the
little rascals. Talk about a challenge! Ever been to a chicken rodeo!?
It was a hoot! Three chickens got away from us, one even ran out of the barn
towards the goats. Thankfully it didn't go under the barn (we may not have been able to get it out!) and we were able to catch it! After the excitement, we went back to the slap-stick photo session. Alan held the babies while I took photos. And let me just say, I didn't get very many "good" photos. The chicks move FAST. I have a LOT of "action" shots (um, ok, just downright blurry!).
Every single chick from our Ideal Poultry order is thriving! We're pleased as can be with the little birds! They're growing, like weeds! I am amazed to see just how BIG they're getting! The day the chicks arrived as day-old birds, they were so very TINY! Every last one of them, as cute as could be! We ordered Buff Orpingtons, Red Frizzles, and Red Silkies, and they sent along seven free Araucana male chicks for extra warmth during the shipment. The photo above is one of the Red Frizzles. Aren't it's feathers a RIOT!! And these little birds have the MOST personality, too! They zip around the brooding trough as fast as can be. They're always first in line at the feed dish when it's refilled, first to try out new perches, and first to check out the fresh grass put in their brooder tank. They are very curious babies, every one of them. All but one of the Frizzle chicks we received have the typical "frizzled" feathers. One of the Frizzle chicks has feathers that lay down like normal chicken feathers. It's still a very pretty chicken, and I'm excited to see how she grows up.
The chicks from our McMurray Hatchery order are doing well too, though we did lose 10 of them within the first couple of days of them arriving. The box they were shipped in had a lot more ventilation holes than the order we received from Ideal Poultry, and I think they just got too cold during their shipment. We ordered a whole BUNCH of different varieties from McMurray Hatchery. The little pullet (female baby chicken) in the above photo is just one of the varieties we ordered. She is a Buff Laced Polish Bantam. Her feather-do looks pretty wild now, but just WAIT! The feathers on her head will continue to grow nice and long into a big ploom of feathers, kind of like a Vegas Show Girl's feather headdress! We have two Buff Laced Polish Bantams, two Golden Polish Bantams (which are brown, red, and gold spotted with crazy head feathers), and two Crevecoeurs (which are black with crazy head feathers). They'll be fun to have around with their wild feather-do's!
As for the baby Turken chicks that Brown Manetta hatched out, five of them went to live with our post office lady. Her and her husband have never raised Turken chicks before, so we gifted the babies to her and her husband. I'm certain they're being spoiled rotten, just as though they would be if they still lived here. We did keep one of the Turken babies. It's growing up nicely! We've named her (we hope it's a her) Fancy Manetta. She's our only black and white Turken chicken and she has feathers on each side of her neck like a little bow tie. Since all of our Turken chicks are named after my dear friend in Oregon named Manetta, and since she's dressed in black with a bow tie, it seemed only fitting to call her Fancy Manetta. This is also the FRIENDLIEST chick! She loves to sit on my lap while I'm out on the patio. She'll stand on my shoulder, or even hunker down like she's going to take a nap. Every now and then, if I'm standing close to Alan she'll jump from my shoulder to his, and then back again. Fancy Manetta is a cutie, that's for sure. Our luck, she'll turn out to be a rooster.....
I had to LAUGH and LAUGH while we were out taking photos. It wasn't enough for her to just sit on Alan's hand, arm, or shoulder while I took photos. She actually jumped up on his HEAD!! Hahahaa!!! Notice the lack of FOCUS in this photo -- because at this point I'm laughing hysterically! Clearly I'm not very good at holding a camera steady when I'm about to wet my pants in laughter! I was able to take just one photo, and then had to intervene before Fancy Manetta decided to poop on Alan's head! What a crack up!!
On June 19th we're expecting another order of chicks from Ideal Poultry. I ordered them at the same time as the first order, but due to limited availability we've had to wait a bit for them to hatch and be shipped to us. We've got 10 baby Guineas, 5 Welsummer pullets, and 10 Cuckoo Marans on the way! The Welcummer and Cuckoo Marans lay really dark brown shelled eggs. Most of our current hens lay light brown shelled eggs, not nearly as dark as the little hens we've got coming! It will be fun to have even more variety!
Life on the farm is as crazy as ever... thanks for enjoying it with us!
PS: Do I see a sneak peek of a Fall/Winter Whipper Snapper stamp on this post!? I do believe I do! *giggle*
I love reading your animal posts! These chickens are adorable! How fun!
Posted by: Danielle | June 03, 2008 at 06:00 PM
I was so happy to see this update! I feel like I actually know a thing or two about chickens. LOL What a great variety you have... I can't decide which I like best!
Posted by: Lisa | June 02, 2008 at 05:01 PM
Omg i just have to comment on those pics & of course your sweet little chicks.....Just simply adoreable.I hope you will keep us updated with pics.I have added you to my blog so i can keep checking.
Fantastic pics & thanks for sharing :):):)
Posted by: Jeanjeany | June 01, 2008 at 12:21 PM
GREAT pictures, you two are having way too much fun!!! I am filled with joy, knowing that you are having such a great time on the farm. (I wish you could have Oregon weather in TX, but at least summer doesn't last forever! :D )
Thanks so much for the update, and I can't wait to hear about the next group of chicks that take residence at your menagerie! :D
Have a FABULOUS weekend!
Posted by: diane mcvey | May 30, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Okay, now I'm happy! I've had my "farm fix". I was getting a bit figity not seeing anything animal lately, but of course I just love the cards you make and your expertise at watercoloring with ink refillers. Okay, I'm good for the weekend...
Posted by: Barb Hardeman | May 30, 2008 at 05:16 PM
Anna: Thanks for the very fun post to brighten everyone's morning. That is really a fun pic of Fancy Manetta & the top of Alan's head. Hope he didn't get scratched! Would that cute chick w/the balloon be a fun new stamp? Happy Weekend.
Posted by: Troy Louise | May 30, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Love, Love, Love the update on the chickens! I do hope that Fancy Manetta doesn't turn out to be a rooster -- She is adorable! I wish I was closer -- I would take a couple of 'Manettas' off your hands. I love all the photos. Too bad you lost so many in the one shipment. :-(
Thank you for the sneak peek! I think I see 'leggings' on this happy chick!
Have a great weekend, Manetta
Posted by: Manetta Deggelman | May 30, 2008 at 09:58 AM
Thank you SO MUCH Anna for sharing all of this with us! I have learned so much with you...and have had a mighty fine time, too!
Posted by: Michelle Adams | May 30, 2008 at 07:59 AM
Love the farm update... the chicks look wonderful and how fun to have so many different ones!
Now to the sneak peak... unless it is that cute chick on Alan's head.. It is one cute chick holding a baloon, really cute!
Posted by: Michelle Oatman | May 30, 2008 at 07:37 AM
OK, I am NOT a farm girl! But I LOVE your farm updates and stories! I haven't told you, but I do! I love the vicarious farm-ness I get from your posts. I love trees and open spaces, but farm animals freak me out! No idea why... LOVE the Manetta on Alan's head -- he's such a good sport! :) Mary
Posted by: Queen Mary G | May 30, 2008 at 07:15 AM
OMG! They grow so fast! They're so cute! I love the little yellow pullet with the little puff on the top of her head!
Posted by: Michelle | May 30, 2008 at 05:12 AM
Thanks for the update! They look so sweet and can't wait to see the new ones when they come in! I think you should get some of the chickens like Martha Stewart has that lay eggs in pretty pastel colors? I had no idea they were so many varieties of chickens! Little Fancy Manetta even looks adorable at this age! I can't wait to see them in their adult plumage and colors! Love the sneak peek...she's adorable as usual!!!
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | May 30, 2008 at 03:32 AM
Reading your posts makes me want to live on a farm! Although I can just imagine all the hard work you put in behind the scenes! Great pictures, and I cannot WAIT for the Whipper Snapper release! I love love love Chicken Stamps!!!
Posted by: Lauri | May 30, 2008 at 03:23 AM
ROTF at Fancy Manetta on Alan's head...hmm...I wonder....if you were to crop the bottom of the picture just a teeney bit more...would Fancy Manetta look like she is hatching a great big Ostrich egg? LOL
Please don't tell Alan I said that but I am cracking myself up here (NO pun intended!)
Love the stories and so appreciate you both taking the time to take the pictures for us to enjoy
Sue
Posted by: Sue | May 29, 2008 at 11:31 PM
Your photos always brighten up my day, even when making cards seems too much (due to depression) your farm photos remind me about life outside my darkness. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Kathleen | May 29, 2008 at 10:46 PM
These are adorable little cuties!! LOVE the pics and the stories with them. The new stamp looks cute too!
Posted by: Dotty | May 29, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Anna,
I just love reading about the farm. Especially the chickens, since my husband has a soft spot for them. They are such fun animals! I do hope you get some pictures of all the differn't shades, sizes, and colors of the differen't variety eggs you'll have. That's one of my favorite things about having a variety of birds.
And the sneak peek is daaarling. Thanks for that! :)
-Bev
Posted by: Bev | May 29, 2008 at 09:03 PM
Those Red Frizzles are splendid! My hat is off to you and Alan for chasing down the chickens . . . a pig might be harder to catch, but at least it couldn't fly! Your blog is such a kick to visit. I always leave educated, cheered, and inspired to be more creative. By the way, I am going to need that stamp when it comes out (the striped legs and feet slay me)!
Posted by: Shellie Daniel | May 29, 2008 at 08:53 PM
How fascinating!!! I'm a city girl, born and raised and had no idea there were different kinds of chickens...just ones in the freezer dept. of the grocery store. I'm getting a kick out of your reports and pictures. I feel like I'm getting a real education. It's just so dang fascinating!!! Thank you for sharing your adventures with the farm animals.
PLEASE keep it up. LOVE YOUR PICTURES.
Posted by: Kerry Fitzpatrick | May 29, 2008 at 08:37 PM
Alan is SUCH a good egg!
(yeah, pun intended--sorry about that)
Posted by: Juliana | May 29, 2008 at 07:26 PM
Your pics are always amazing! Love the chick that went on Alan's head! Too funny! My son just learned about embryology in class. So he and his class raised baby chicks. He was so excited to take them home overnight! (We live in the city...so this was a pretty big deal!) : )
Posted by: Michele | May 29, 2008 at 07:01 PM
I so needed this adventure in farm antics! Everyone (except me) in my family is ill with fevers, aches etc AND I was in bad need of a fun reprieve! Hope you know what a difference you make in a gals life! Thanks!
Posted by: Beth | May 29, 2008 at 06:29 PM
So cute! I love all the pics and hearing the stories behind them. Please keep sharing them!
Posted by: Q | May 29, 2008 at 05:39 PM
Well, now you have me laughing! That Fancy Manetta is a hoot! Poor Alan...he'll have to wear a hat for protection around Fancy Manetta.
All the chicks that you've pictured are sooo cute! Can't wait to see the Buff Laced Polish Bantam all grown up. I bet she'll be gorgeous with her showgirl feathers!!
Posted by: Cindy H. | May 29, 2008 at 05:15 PM
Oh....how I envy you...we used to live in the country..back in the 70's...the kids grew up and married..we moved to the city. Of course we cannot have my beloved chickens. I have to tell you..we had a little chick one time that as soon as we got the chicks home from the post office..we opened the box..and the little thing perched right on my finger. Then as it grew..it would perch on my arm..then full grown..it would fly up to my arm...he was a heavy rooster...we loved that rooster...!!! Thank you for posting about the farm life...Love it!
Posted by: Dee (OkieDee) | May 29, 2008 at 05:03 PM
How cute they are!! Thanks for the pics, as always!!!!
Posted by: Marie - mariemc | May 29, 2008 at 04:14 PM