Chicken Update

Once the new chicken coop was built, we turned our attention to replacing the little chicks that died in the fire.  Paul called every feed store in town.  They all were out of chicks and wouldn't be getting anymore this year.  So Matt ordered a batch of twenty five black Australorps from McMurray Hatchery.

We got a call from the post office on a Sunday afternoon letting us know that our chicks had arrived.  We hadn't expected them quite so early, so we were caught a bit flat footed in the preparation department.  Thankfully, the feed store was still open and Matt was able to go buy some chick starter.

Paul and I stayed behind to try to get the chicks to drink some water.  It was a hot day and the chicks, after having traveled for a few days, were definitely worse for the wear.  In fact, I doubted if they would make it.  It seemed like it took forever for the little chicks to "get" the drinking thing, but they finally did and then they began to perk up a little bit.  When Matt gave them some food, they perked up even more.

The chicks are now about two months old.  Matt transferred them from the shed to a safe place under the chicken coop about a month ago.  They are doing well there.  I've worried they won't want to roost inside the chicken coop when the time comes, but Matt assures me he'll get those chicks on the Macduff chicken program.

Paul has to check the chicks and their food and water supply a couple of times a day.  Hot weather is more dangerous for chickens than cold weather and we've had some really hot weather this summer.  This batch of chicks is definitely needed to replenish Paul's flock.  So far we haven't lost any of the chicks (that's a record for us), but we did lose one grown hen to a skunk a month ago.

We're hoping the new chicks start laying in the Fall, even though we got them so late in the year.  We certainly hope they don't hold off until next Spring, which may happen.  Paul is falling behind in chicken egg orders as the chickens' egg production is going down again.  The heat and some older hens whose production has declined are probably to blame.

Matt's brother, Trevor, would like to get some chickens of his own.  Matt has negotiated a promise of  about half a dozen old hens in exchange for the leftover weekly CSA box that Trevor usually has after all other boxes for the week are picked up.  Paul doesn't have enough eggs to spare for trading right now so the hen trade seemed to be a good solution for both parties.

Joel recently picked up on the fact that Paul was getting paid for the chicken eggs he sells.  Joel decided he wanted to get in on that action.  So he told Paul he wanted to help take care of the chickens.  Paul readily agreed to pay Joel a small sum for doing so.  Joel started off with a bang, running to the chicken coop every morning to let the hens out and helping to feed and water the chickens.  However, Joel's interest has waned, as is common for five year old boys.  So Paul is running his chicken business solo again, although I know he'd like another person to help shoulder the burden.  Maybe Jude will show an interest some day, but in the mean time, Paul diligently and uncomplainingly takes care of his chickens (although he does need a gentle reminder sometimes.  After all, he's only ten and there are so many other adventures a callin').