Last Friday, the stork visited and left behind three bundles of joy.
Okay, my girlfriend who has chickens came to drop off three chickens.
I HAVE CHICKENS!!!
We did finally finish the coop. It is kind of a chicken mansion. Large enough for a dozen chickens at least. Six good size boxes filled with pine shavings. Two layers of chicken wire buried under fresh earth and going up the walls for safety. A fancy stone ramp at the brand new chicken door. An entire bale of fresh straw strewn liberally throughout the space. A beautiful multi-level roosting system with room for several birds. And new locks and updated latches at the repaired and renovated split door. The only thing lacking is color TV.
And now we have three chickens. Who are nesting on the floor in the straw. And filling their water dish with straw. And ignoring the roost unless I lift one up. But at least I got some eggs.
We did finally finish the coop. It is kind of a chicken mansion. Large enough for a dozen chickens at least. Six good size boxes filled with pine shavings. Two layers of chicken wire buried under fresh earth and going up the walls for safety. A fancy stone ramp at the brand new chicken door. An entire bale of fresh straw strewn liberally throughout the space. A beautiful multi-level roosting system with room for several birds. And new locks and updated latches at the repaired and renovated split door. The only thing lacking is color TV.
Allow me to introduce the cast of this animal circus.
First, we have Gandalf. We didn't name her, but I loved the gray and white reference, so we kept it. Gandalf is molting, and a hard girl to catch. She is also the leader of this motley crew.
Next, we have Leia and Darth Vader. They look similar, but one has a black bum, and the other has a white bum. Ironically, it is Vader who is the easy one to catch. We are enjoying the birds. I spent about half an hour with them yesterday, just watching them. I am surprised by just how much of a mess three girls can make, but being a girl, should I really be surprised?
We have not let the chickens outside yet. I am a little concerned about the whole free-range thing. Of course, if you think about it, it would be smarter to go ahead and lose one to a fox/ raccoon/ hawk/ chicken-eating deer before I get attached. But, I am a chicken.
My girlfriend gave me some great advice (other than keeping them in their new home for a few days before allowing them to venture outside.) She suggested opening the door, going inside and showing them the door, and then sitting back with a cup of coffee to see what they do. I am going to follow this advice. I will have a big mug of coffee. Otherwise, I might go chasing them down to beg them to reconsider the great outdoors.... That mug of coffee might just need to be fortified.
(Pity my son in a few years.)
My girlfriend gave me some great advice (other than keeping them in their new home for a few days before allowing them to venture outside.) She suggested opening the door, going inside and showing them the door, and then sitting back with a cup of coffee to see what they do. I am going to follow this advice. I will have a big mug of coffee. Otherwise, I might go chasing them down to beg them to reconsider the great outdoors.... That mug of coffee might just need to be fortified.
(Pity my son in a few years.)
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