Our chicks have arrived!

I have wanted to have my own chickens since I read this article at my favorite blog (Keeper of the Home) several years ago. Nonetheless, it always seemed like an adventure to embark upon when I had lots of land. You know, the farm you always dream of.

But then Jody and I realized we have a side yard that is good for nothing. It's shaded by a huge mulberry tree, so a garden and even a decent lawn is out of the question. It's really just good for dirt and weeds...

So we decided that chickens would be perfect!

We decided to get six chicks, three different breeds, from MyPetChicken.com. We got two Austrolorps, two Barred Plymouth Rocks, and two Golden Buff (Red Stars). Here is what they will look like when they "grow up." Ha!

Austrolorp

Barred Plymouth Rock

Golden Buff (Red Star)

We chose these three breeds based on a few key factors.

1. We wanted good egg layers. Some chickens breeds are good meat chickens. Some are good layers. Some are both. (And some are neither... just type in the word 'silkie' and you'll see a pet chicken that's pretty much just for looks. Ha!) We don't know what we'll do when they stop laying eggs consistently, but having access to fresh eggs is our primary purpose in getting them. 
2. We wanted docile temperaments. Some chicken breeds are known to be a bit more aggressive or domineering. We wanted chickens that could be somewhat like pets. We want them to be friendly with our dogs (if possible) and with any children they may come into contact with. 
3. We wanted chickens that are good in the wintertime. We did some research and found the breeds that fare the best during the cold months. These three were among them.

And then, there are just the reasons we wanted chickens at all.

1. Fresh eggs. Come on. Who doesn't want fresh food?
2. Entertainment value. Have you ever watched chickens? They're hilarious. Who needs a TV when you have this kind of entertainment?
3. A more holistic lifestyle. Since I found out about my auto-immune thyroid disease three years ago, Jody and I have begun to observe our lifestyles and make changes where we could. Baby steps here and there. Our diets have certainly changed. We've started caring more about what food we eat and where it comes from. By owning some chickens, it's nice to know that in a small way we're in control of where a key baking/cooking staple comes from.
4. Being neighborly. I have often wondered how I can "break in" to some of my neighbors. How can I reach out to them and extend a true hand of friendship? Chickens - and fresh eggs - have a way of drawing people out. They're a safe middle ground to talk about. So I've already decided that fresh eggs will be gifted to our neighbors in hopes of establishing some friendships!
5. Because we can. I know many areas do not allow chickens. Most suburbs have HOA rules and regulations that forbid people from having farm animals. In Englewood, however, there are no limits on the numbers of hens we can have. We could even have a rooster! 

So, this past weekend we bought everything we needed. They shipped yesterday all the way from Connecticut. And today, they arrived safe and sound! The Englewood Post Office called Jody, and he went and picked them up. Naturally, everyone in line at the post office was confused and marveling at the very noisy package he was there to pick up. Haha!

Here they all are in the brooder, which Jody constructed out of cardboard box. Pine shavings are on the bottom. We stuck a branch in there for a roost, if they want to get on it later. One water bottle contains medicated water (chicken gatorade, as it were, with electrolytes), and one is plain water. The chicken feed is in the middle.  

Bird's eye view

One of the Golden Buffs

One of the Austrolorps

Their food dispenser

The medicated water dispenser

Right now, the chickens are in their brooder in our back room. We anticipate them staying there for 4-5 weeks until they feather, at which point we will have set up the coop and the run in the side yard and will be able to transition them outside. 

This is only the beginning of the adventure, so stay tuned for further chicken updates! :)