Sunday, February 13, 2011

Chicken Update

I think the last time our chickens were on this blog, they were still chicks.  I thought it might be interesting for some of you, even those who are not named Anne, to see how they are doing.  I have found out that my cousin Anne is a really good chicken-picture-taker.  They never stop moving!  All these quick little movements make it hard to get a good shot. 

Well, our chickens are not as pampered as hers, but here are two representative pictures of them.  The rooster does have a name.  Amanda named him Jumper after she noticed a certain behavior pattern of his.  The hens are just called hens. 

All our hens and Jumper are Barred Plymouth Rock chickens.  We are also hosting four other chickens this winter.  (Snowbirds!)  There are two Comet hens, which are red and slightly smaller than the Barred Rocks, and then there are two Silkies, a rooster and a hen.  I am not a fan of the Silkies.  They just look weird to me.  The Comets are nice, though. 

The chickens had been pretty consistently laying about three eggs a day for most of the winter.  We were pleased at that, as we had been told they might not lay any.  Now that the days are getting longer, there are usually eight eggs out there each day.  There is one chicken, maybe two, laying really big eggs.  All the eggs are brown.

I like the chickens more now that they are grown, although usually I prefer baby animals of any type.  The chickens have so much character!  Out of the farm animals with which I have made acquaintance, I would definitely say chickens have the most pizzazz.  :)

2 comments:

AW said...

Well, we all have our little talents. Mine is apparently chicken photography. HA!

Love the chicken pics though. The barred rocks always look so pretty.

I didn't know you had silkies too. When did you acquire them? They are great little broody machines. If you are wanting ot make more chickens they are the best incubators and are generally great mamas. I love them, even though they don't look like chickens. Mine have great personalities. :)

What happened to all your extra roos? Were they tasty? :)

Dare said...

I think sunlight would help with the chik-pics, no?

The silkies belong to Jason's mom. She did not have her housing ready for winter, so her comets and silkies are living here. I think your silkies are pretty, but I don't really care for these two. They always look dirty, and the rooster's comb looks like a badly healed wound to me. I love the barred rocks! I am so glad we got them.

The extra roos are, um, mostly still downstairs. Except for one, which is thawing in the kitchen. They have been pretty tasty, but definitely not plump and meaty. They are no Tyson chickens.

I hope we can come see you when we are down south. I'd really like to see your chickens in person (never met them, you know!), and see what you are up to on the house. What is your schedule like the end of March?