Residents!

Hmm... I guess the white trim with black polka dots isn't a hit after all! Good thing I didn't actually PAINT it like that before I found out it was such a bust of an idea! *grin*

I was asked to post a photo of what the perch ladder looked like when it was suspended from the ceiling -- there you go, Chris! There's a short chain above both of the outside legs of the ladder so the ladder is held up on both sides. Works like a charm! Sorry for the low quality pics -- it was early, I was using my point and shoot camera, and had to use the flash. Argh! But you get the idea anyway...

We knew it was going to be HOT today (in fact, we're at the beginning of a HOT spell), so bright and early this morning Alan and I added a layer of wood chips to the floor of the coop and moved the majority of the chicks into the new coop. We've still got the youngest ones in a brooder in the house. They need to get a bit older (and grow more feathers) before they can move out into the coop.

This is their first time on wood chips, and some were a little more comfortable than others. But after a short time, the babies thought it was a PARTY! The white and black chick on the left is Sweet Pea, the cute little white chick we had hatch from one of Olive Oye's green eggs. Dang it, I think it's a rooster. Poo! In fact, I think all of the chicks in this photo are roosters. Bigger POO!

 
The brown and black chick in the middle is Edwina, who is one of our farm hatched chicks (as opposed to store bought). Edwina is half Ameraucana and half Mille Fleur. The little dark brown frizzle chick on the right is another one of our farm chicks (yet to be named). She's half frizzle and half golden laced Polish, so she will have crazy curled feathers, and hopefully a plume of feathers on her head -- though I think if she does it will be small.

If you're wondering why they have bright green marks on their legs, that's how we marked them as we vaccinated them, so we could tell who'd been vaccinated and who hadn't been. Every now and then, Alan got a little carried away with the green grease crayon and they ended up with an entire green leg instead of just a green middle toe!

Here's another farm hatched chick, yet to be named. Every time I look at her I just LAUGH! She's half frizzle and half silkie. She's just the FUNNIEST thing on two legs!! Like the Polish chickens, Silkies also have tall standing feathers on their heads, but usually they're a bit shorter and not as "showy" as the Polish head feathers. Hers are a RIOT!! I think there are 5 feathers coming in. Hopefully she'll get a few more!

This is one of the bantam chicks we picked up at the farm supply store. She's the smallest of all the chicks, but she's mighty! She has big beautiful eyes!

"Whoa, is that my TOE?"

Peck peck peck peck peck peck peck peck peck...

This is a Golden Comet pullet (girl). I love this in-between stage they're in. Losing their baby fuzz and growing in their first feathers. They're so awkward looking!

Here's the cute little frizzled Polish again, looking for snacks...

Yup, still too scary...

Comments

[Jeanne]

That's my favorite time for the chicks too. Sweet little things, they look so "U-gly" at that stage, don't they .

And guineas are even worse, hahaha....

I love the little black with the feathers sticking up. We have a little hen that's half Silkie and half Buff Orpington. She's a beautiful little, golden, silky soft hen with extra toes, black legs and a major attitude. Nobody messes with Fuzzy! :)

[Lisa Hjulberg]

I just finished reading through the last several posts... I'd fallen behind on my blog reading... and thoroughly enjoyed following your chicken buying and chicken coop adventures. I actually think the polka dot trim and red door has possibilities... in the right shades of course! No doubt whatever you do it will be totally cute and wonderful!

[Lacey Stephens]

Thanks for letting us see your "babies". Since living on the farm is the farthest thing from me...more of a beach person...I find all of this very interesting! And that chick sitting on Alan's foot reminds me of my son clinging to my leg when he wants to be shy!
~Lacey

[Sandy Hill]

Every single one of them are adorable. I really am loving the one standing on Alan's foot, like no, I'm not getting off. You do such a phenominal job of capturing the moment with all of your adorable animals.

[Debby W.]

I love all the pictures of the chicks, they are each so special in their own way! Thanks for sharing - you always know how to make me smile!

[Donna Wilson]

My they grow up so fast! Love the pics.

[Cindy H.]

Oh, cute, cute, cute, cute!!! I'm so enjoying all your new babies - they're just the cutest :) Thanks for sharing.

[Barb Hardeman]

Wow! They are so gawky right now, they make me laugh. My little grandson thinks their wonderful and wanted to look at them again and again...anything to avoid bedtime...
You Coop is amazing and looks so roomy and spacious. I'm sure no 'coons will ever penetrate this might fortress!

[Manetta Deggelman]

Anna,
How lucky your chicks are to have a home with you and Alan! I love the photos! They make me grin and giggle!

[Andrea Wight]

Great pictures Anna! The first thing I thought of when I say the little Frizzle was Phyllis Diller. Ha!

[Kim]

I love your chick pics! They are all so cute!

[Erika M]

Goodness - I love all the pictures of the chickies! They look like they're trying to adust to their new home.

[Kelly S.]

I love the mohawk look on the one black one. You should name that one Moe. ;-)

I like what you wrote about the in-between stage too. As a middle school teacher, I know exactly what you mean. They are growing and changing so much at this stage. (Do chickens' voices change? ;-D)

Enjoy and thanks for sharing.

Kelly in Ohio

[Sandy Hulsart]

Anna, I just love your chicken escapades. It makes me want to convert my greenhouse to a chicken coop and get a bunch of babies. I think the little half frizzle/silkie lady looks like an Egyptian Queen with those feathers sticking straight up on top. Thank you so much for sharing all this with us.

[Carol Dee]

Look at those babies GROW ! They are going to love the coop. (Lucky little chickies)

[Sonya]

Hey Anna!

I love your blog! Your art is always inspiring, your photography amazing, and your stories endearing. Thanks!

You are in my top ten nominations for a blog badge! Come check it out here:

http://thepinkpaperpenguin.blogspot.com/

Keep Smiling! ~ Sonya

[Nancy]

Wow - can't believe that folks didn't like the polka dots! Loved them with the red door and they reminded me of your wooden rooster from the day before. I really like the idea of interjecting some of your personality into the coop with decorative painting ~ I'm sure you'll choose something you'll love ;)

[Toni K]

I love these pictures! They are so cute! i especially love the mohawked one! Adorable! They are such lucky chicks to have you.

[Rose]

I love your hen house! We will hopefully building ours soon and I am going to show my husband your ideas. Thank you!

[diane mcvey]

OMGosh, they are all SOOOO precious! Bless their hearts, they are at such a "teenager" sort of stage with the feathers and such...too cute! Love the green legs, too...haha.... :D
Thanks for the great pics, even if you think they aren't! I love seeing your "babies"...nothing better than farm life!!!

[Dotty]

Dang, these chicks are all so CUTE!! I can just imagine all the little personalities. Quite cute to see them checking out the new homestead, and the one on Alan's boot - just cracks me up!

[Mary G.]

I've followed your blog for sooo long (I actually live in Madison, WI and "shop" at the Creative Pals/Whipper Snapper store quite often!) I just had to take this opportunity, as someone with "Polish" blood...(don't admit that to everyone...way tooo many jokes around) to suggest that at least one of the "un-named" part-Polish chicks should be named either a Kowal-SKI, Zelin-SKI, Nowakow-SKI, Garbow-SKI...I think you get my point!) :)

Just my 2 cents! Love your blog AND your awesome designs!

[Danielle]

OMG they are just the cutest!!!

[Jackie]

What cute little chickies!! Love the ones with them on the boots!! Too cute!

[Tammy]

For some reason the dark one with few feathers on her head reminds me of Nell Carter from that 80*s sitcom! I love the chicks, and the one on Alans boot is the same chick from the first picture. Looks like she found her perch!

[Viv (VivLyn)]

The little chicks look so cute in their new home! Since you decided against the polka dot trim. Maybe you should paint the whole thing in a McKenzie-Childs style! Now wouldn't that stand out!!

[Robbie Rubala]

Suggested name for the Half silkie half fizzle - Curly Cue

Robbie

[Shellie Daniel]

Isn't that cute . . . standing on Alan's boot to stay out of the wood chips! This is the nicest chicken house! I hope you can take some pictures of the chickens roosting on their perch. That frizzle/silkie looks like she's in a photo shoot with fans going on her feathers! Thanks for posting photos.

[Janine]

I love looking at all these pics Anna... The chicks are gorgeous!!

[Michelle]

Love the PunkRock Chick! They're all so cute!