Five new girls!

Well, Frank and I had a little adventure today to go pick up a few new pullets (young female chickens that haven't laid eggs yet) to add to our aging flock. I found a lady on Craig's List who had some Barred Rocks, the same breed as the hens I lost this summer and wanted to replace, so we agreed to meet in the Seattle area for the hand-off. Of course, since we were down there anyway, we had to get some Dim Sum at our favorite place in the International District, but by 10:30 am we were at the designated spot to meet our new girls.


Well, we didn't actually get to see our new girls until we got home as they were in a cardboard box! So when we got home, we let all our existing chickens out to free-range, and we locked them out of their coop/run so we could let the new young girls out. They were happy to get out and eat some scratch and peck at the corn and cucumbers I put out for them. Shown below is one of the beautiful new girls! I really missed having barred rocks on the farm.


Lovely Laurel the chicken lady gave me an extra pullet!! The paler colored one is called a Cuckoo Maran and they lay chocolate colored eggs! I have always wanted one so this is a wonderful treat! In this picture you can see all five of the new girls (one is hidden behind the maran). They are already having a good time running around and pecking at stuff. It'll be interesting to see how the first time free-ranging goes! Hopefully they'll stay in the security of the coop and run for a few days when the others go out.


I just wanted to provide a little update on how much the baby chicks are growing! They are only 9 weeks old today and they look and act so mature already! Here is what I think is the only pullet on the left and a little rooster on the right. The little rooster pictured at the top of this post by my truck is a cocky little guy that we call "Neck Stretcher" because of how he challenges all the other chickens. We also refer to him as "Stew Pot" as that's where he's probably going to end up if he keeps up with his bullying behavior.


Luckily, there is another little rooster we call "The Peacemaker" who is so kind and intervenes any time he sees any of his hatch-mates acting agressively. I told him he can stay if he keeps up that nice behavior. He's the one at the top of the picture below. The chicken in front of him 'might' be a pullet because of some characteristics I'm NOT seeing on her. Keep your fingers crossed.


All in all it was a great day to get new chickens. We also brought up 10 pullets from this same farmer for another person in the Arlington area to save them a trip down. He got some buff orpingtons and some Rhode Island reds; both great layers of big brown eggs. So between us we increased the chicken population of Snohomish County by 15 new hens. May they all live long and produce many eggs!