Brooding.

It is so rewarding to see Dorothy using the hen house and nest box as it was designed.

They're Getting Bigger.

Pictured below are eggs two to four, number one having been eaten already. That's four eggs in six days and they are all from what we think is just one chicken (Dorothy). The eggs are getting incrementaly larger and more even in tone and color. (Not that you can tell from this photo.)

Crack'n the First Egg.

We ate the first egg! And it was
Good!





The yoke was more orange than store eggs and the whites had more structure, less watery than store eggs. The texture was creamy and wonderful. Ofcourse all of this could be in my mind; a mind that is over joyed at the idea of growing our own eggs. To paraphrase Michael Pollan, we enjoy food that is good to eat as well as good to think.

Dorothy Laid the First Egg.

We've deduced that Dorothy was the first layer. Today, the day after we found the first egg, she was frantically looking around the hen house and finaly settled down to brood the nest egg. She also has the largest comb and wattle, which I'm taking to mean that she is more mature.

An Egg!!!

We have our First Egg!

Don't know who laid it but I like to think of it as a collective effort.

I feel what is similar to the joy of becoming a grandparent, I would think, or at least a grandparent that plans to eat his grandchildren.

Eggs any day now.

The girls are just over 20 weeks old. Every morning is a possible Christmas.




Also after talking with the helpful folks at mypetchicken.com we found the we don't need and shouldn't use the heat lamp we built into the hen house. Welcome to Chicago winters girls.

The Eggs are coming & Winter prep.

The nest eggs are in the hen house, just a few more days and we should have the real thing.


The temp here in Chicago has dropped to aroud 60* today, fall is here and winter is coming, so we'er testing the heat lamp in the hen house.


Mumbi, Dorothy, & Natalie.


Belina & Natalie


The view from our third story apt look down at our little urban plot.

                                     

Hurray, they have names!! 

                        Billina                                

           

      Mombi    

                       

            Dorothy

They're here!!  What a surprise to find 3 chicks instead of 2.  When shipping, breeders will usually add a few extra in case of any losses... luckily, my 2 made it and brought a friend.  They look to be 1-2 weeks old.  Let the naming process begin...

Chicks are in route!  One Barred Plymouth Rock (yay) and One Buff Orpington!  Peep, peep...starting to build the coop outside, hurray!

The Chicks were due to arrive on Monday, May 11th, however there was a delay :(  They are now scheduled to arrive on Monday, May 18th... I have porcelain figurines to keep me company until the real chicks arrive :)

Almost Time!

It has been more than a month since my last blog.  The chick preparation has kept me busy.  I have everything I need to receive them.  A draft-free enclosure with access to fresh water and feed with the warmth of a heat lamp.  I purchased organic starter feed from WI.  There is no need for any calcium supplement (like oyster shell) because the chicks won't be laying eggs for a while.  Also, there is no need for grit either (small stones to assist in digestion that inhabit the gizzard).  Grit is only necessary if the chicks are eating anything other than the starter feed...I don't plan on introducing fruits, veggies or worms until they are pullets (a couple of months).

There may be a change in my order.  I was informed that the 'Barred Plymouth Rock' might not be available.  The 'Buff Orpington' is still on the way but I had to choose a

 back-up breed to replace the 'Barred Plymouth Rock'.  I went with the 'Black Australorp'.  

I hope I receive the 2 original breeds I picked out, however, at this point my focus is on my preparation and their healthy arrival :)   May 4th, 11th or 18th!   

The Chickens are actually happening!

It's official, the chickens are coming!  After a lot of homework (and convincing my landlord) I am getting chickens.  I've decided to create a blog to share my unique experience and inspire others.  

On May 11th, I will get my chicks (who will be a couple of days old).  I will brood them inside for about 6 weeks.  As soon as they get their head feathers (and when the coup is completed) they will begin their journey outside.

I will be getting 1 Barred Plymouth Rock (black & white) and 1 Buff Orpington (Red).

They both lay light brown eggs and are warm and cold weather hardy (a must in Chicago). Another nice quality, they are both mild tempered (we'll see).

There are so many great breeds of chicken, it was a tough choice.