Backyard Farmgals

We got new chicks about two and half weeks ago, 25 peeping baby Speckled Sussex, and one unknown rare breed.  Murray McMurray adds a rare breed mystery chick to your order.  I think this is so fun, and a great way to get people interested in breeds other than the standard Barred Rocks and Rhode Island Reds.  There are many endangered and breeds that could use a little "advertising", most are great layers and can be used for meat.  Ours is likely a Blue Andalusian, the boys have named her "Miss Blue", and of course she is the favorite chick because she is different and easy to recognize.  We went with Speckled Sussex this year because my oldest farm hand is smitten with the breed.  He draws them non-stop.  You should have seen his face when he came home from school to hear his Sussex chicks peeping as he walked through the door.  He was elated and is still smitten.  He loves their "spots" on their wings.  The breed is out of Britain a...

Our peeps are now a week plus a few days old.  Looking at them throughout the week, you would think that they haven't grown or changed much.  However, I brought home some day old Australorps to add to the flock, and the difference between the week olds and newbies is remarkable.  The week old chicks are starting to feather, they are considerably larger and a lot more active.  The newbies spend more time under the light and sleep quite a bit more.  It is amazing how fast they grow! A week old Ameraucana next to a day old Australorp... these girls get big fast! A little bit about Australorps: they are the Australian take on the Orpington (get it...Austral + Orps), and they are HUGE!!!  These have long been one of my favorite heritage breeds, but I have never been able to get any where I live without ordering them direct.  A new farm store opened by us and they brought some Australorps in, and I immediately took twelve.  These lay brown eggs...

Little hands holding a Rhode Island Red Have you ever held a baby chick and felt how soft and delicate it is?  Chicks are one of my most favorite things in this world.  I love the soft fuzz, the peeps, the sweet little chicken toes, all of it!!!  No matter how much I love them, my kids love them more.  We surprised the kids with 12 new baby girls yesterday.  I had to share the pictures with you all. Will is elated!!!  He is my chicken whisperer, he loves his girls! The kids were elated.  We brought home four different breeds, three of each.  Ameraucanas, Black Sex Links, Golden Sex Links, and Rhode Island Reds.   Golden Sex Links A couple quick tips on new chicks.  If you are thinking of bringing some home, make sure that you have thought it through.  I have rescued far too many chickens because of poor planning on someone's part.  It was getting so frequent that someone would try to drop their chickens off, ...