After discovering the diagnosis that took out Spike, we knew we could only move forward with new birds that were immune to Mareks or vaccinated. We were lucky to find a local supply store that had vaccinated chicks. 🙂 We grabbed two Ameraucanas, two Buff Orpingtons, one Barred Rock. 🙂 So, without further ado, our new girls (official names TBA): Some candid shots: We’re so excited for the new flock members! 🙂 – Nicole
Thoughts After One Year as Chicken Owners
It’s hard to believe a year has passed since we picked up these little fluff balls that totally changed our lives. It’s been a year of chicks, ducklings, bantam adoptees, sick birds and eggs gallore. Never have I felt so helpless and so enamored with such tiny little things. I never expected so many life lessons to come from owning chickens. Now, I look back and see all the mistakes we made, things we really couldn’t have learned without learning the hard way. And I would not have traded a moment. Chickens have died, vanished, reappeared, had to be euthanized. Each moment has burned memories and emotions deep into my...
Chicken Chronicles: Of Sunny Winter Days
We’ve been super blessed with amazing weather here in the Pacific Northwest and we’ve had some great photo-taking days! I was thrilled to capture this darling: Oh, ducks: Girls are getting back to laying regularly: Thank you so much for checking out the pics! 🙂
Chicken Chronicles: The One Disease Backyard Chicken Owners Need to Know About
There are so many things in life you learn best by simply diving in. Our adventures in homesteading is one such example. That said, there is one thing I wish I would have known before I started raising chickens: one disease that is almost everywhere and yet often unknown to most hobby farmers. Spike’s Story: Spike was a Polish Tolbunt, a rare bantam breed that had the most beautiful coloring and quirky personality. He was bought and raised for a few months by our neighbors, who then realized he was a bit too loud for their backyard, which butted up to another house behind them. Since we have a...
Chicken Chronicles: In Loving Memory…
In nearly 12 months of chicken stewardship, we’ve come to terms with one stark reality: chickens are frail little creatures. Life is precious and fleeting, but in the sad moments that come with loss, so does the celebration of the happy moments. The realities of owning backyard chickens means that death is a part of this lifestyle. Most backyard chickens have a 50% higher mortality rate than caged chickens due to predators, disease, accidents. I believe their quality of life is higher, and I know my life is far richer because of each of these feathered friends. Most recently, we lost our beloved newest resident, Spike. He brought so much joy...