Di's Hen House or an Omelett a Day Keeps the Doctor Away!

This afternoon I was at a customers home for a preview, they are friends and I have been there several times before, when the subject changed to their chickens and the fresh eggs they collect daily. Mmmmm...fresh eggs, just look at those fresh eggs. I have always wanted chickens and really began quizzing them about care, costs, types, eggs and the bug but me. It was a solid bite. Yes, I know chickens are work but not as much work as a cat or dog. My friends leave their chickens when they go on vacation because the feeders are so big they just make sure they are full of food and water. They might ask a neighbor to gather the eggs or not. I would ask someone but I'm not sure if Patricia would gather them, she doesn't like chickens. She recalls having her toes pecked as a child then adding insult to injury she would accidentally step in their poop.

Soooo......Chuck was in the van on his way home from Paul, Idaho (I think Paul is a funny name for a town. For instance; have you ever heard of a town named Dan, Bill or maybe Dave? I rest my case. Now you know why Paul, Idaho sounds so funny to me.) when I asked the big question; what would you say if the Easter Bunny brings me baby chicks in my Easter Basket? Surprisingly he isn't opposed to the idea! In fact he will help me build the hen house!

So as you can imagine my mind has been all a buzz exploring and searching out the details. I stopped in at High Desert Feed and talked to the owner about chickens. I can order all of them there but the Araucana. I talked to him about the cost of feed and what to buy. I looked at the baby chicks he had in the store (it will be 18 - 20 weeks before they begin to lay) I had a great time!

I came home and hopped on the internet to investigate further after making some decisions about the kinds of chickens I want. I called my friend Ellen Ethington who has chickens for the eggs, like I want. She and I talked about the varieties, cost and kind of feed. I learned so much from her. She invited Chuck and I to her home on Saturday morning to check out her hen house and set up.

My plan was to order the following chickens as babies and raise them. If I did this I wouldn't collect any eggs until August 15th or around there. Ellen suggested I start reading the paper as she says people will be selling their chickens about this time in the paper. If I get one who is at least 20 weeks old I will have instant eggs!

These are the chickens I'm going to get and I'm not sure if they will be baby chicks or older.

This first one is the classic Rhode Island Red. She will lay a brown egg and is a heavy layer and is ok with harsh winters. The black and white one on the right is a Plymouth Barred Rock Hen. She is just pretty and a good brown egg layer too. Next week I will know more, in fact we will have the hen house planned and the chicks will be ordered.

This hen is an Araucana. She will lay large bluish green eggs. She is an exotic breed and good layer as well. I've checked with several local order houses and they are unable to sex the chicks so I would have to order them in what is called a straight run. (Meaning I don't know if I'll get a pullet or a cockerel) I don't want a cock (or a rooster) as they are noisy and stir up the hens. Ellen told me I might be able to buy a fully grown one from one of her sons, I'll ask.

This one is one of my favorite, she's a Light Brahma. All of the information I've read about this breed really makes me want to have a couple. They are very gentle and friendly to people. I saw photos of them with little children and being carried around. If I get two they can be Evelyn & Jillian's pets when they come to see grandma :) I can hear Shaunie and Ben freaking about all the diseases that come from chickens even as I write this. The Brahma is a heavy layer laying about 350 eggs a year and will lay in the winter when the days are short.

I'm sure you all remember Foghorn Leghorn, the cartoon rooster? Well I am going to have one of his women. The hen is a White Leghorn a smaller, skittish chicken who is the heaviest layer of all laying big white eggs every day. No hen house is complete without at least one of these girls.

I would love to hear your comments on this one and I promise not to baaawk at any of them.