Twelve Chickens and Two Ducks: Chirp, Chirp!

I'm so happy to announce the addition of baby chicks to our family!! If you follow me on Instagram, you've already seen my little flock growing but let me properly introduce them to you here.

Their birth story begins like this...

I've been wanting my own flock for some time now (read the beginnings of the bird envy here) so after much research and prep, I decided a definitive yes on my babes. I knew I would get them from the TSC since they are local and allotted me the perfect amount to start my flock. I called daily to see if they had arrived yet. I'm sure the people at the TSC were very tired of hearing from me each-and-every day and were thrilled when my persistent stalking of the chicks was over! They hatched on a Tuesday and finally arrived at the store on a Thursday. I went in to pick them up with a big smile of a new Mommy!


When I arrived, they had various tubs of chicks. The one marked with "pullets" had black and yellow little bundles of fuzz. I thought I would get three of each since the minimum is six. When I got assistance in wrangling up my chicks, the TSC sales clerk said only the black ones were pullets. With that, I purchased six black hens to take home. The car ride home was a real treat as they pecked at the box and chirp, chirp, chirped all the way home! Once home, in the brooder they went.

Later that afternoon I went to pick up the kids and decided to take them by TSC with me as I had forgot one item for the chicks. While there, I had a conversation about the black vs yellow pullets. The sales clerk (different from the original) said they were all pullets. Kimmie really loved the yellow ones so out the door we went with six more chickens for a total of 12. Oh, and two ducks. Lord, help me!

All twelve little chicks and two ducks ended up in one brooder together! Our first brooder was a big storage tub--nothing fancy. We put it in my father-in-laws workshop so they would be safe from predators (like my cat). There are a couple of things I realized about owning poultry right away...

1. They grow fast! 
2. They eat A LOT! 
3. They need their water changed as soon as you put it in their brooder.

The first week was a learning experience for this new chicken Momma but I've enjoyed it! The joy that these little chicks and ducks have brought my kids is amazing. I love that they will get to grow up with a chicken family!

More to come on my experiences and what I've learned about chickens!

With love,

Reynie

Around Here

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind! I had a short week because hubs and I were leaving to go to a trip to the Bahamas. More to come on that later... But I was trying to cram everything I normally do in a week into three days. That makes for some hectic times! And on top of that, I was in the office every day because I was holding a configuration session for a new software product my company is implementing. I love those sessions because of the team work efforts you go through to configure a system, but at the same time, it was a bad week for me. The drive time alone takes time out of my day to get stuff done! ugh. But once I hit the beach... all was good!

Hi, Bahamas. I love your pretty blue waters and always 70ish degree air! And it's just me and hubs...

Besides the Mommy-Daddy trip we had, we also got our new flock. These little guys have been so much fun! I have lots to update you on about these little girls!

And while on vacation, I had conversations with our breeders about our new pup that will be coming our way mid-April!! My little Will is so excited about his new dog-dog!! He will be a Brittany Spaniel and will be very loved by our family. Really excited! Here is the proud Mom and Dad!

But of course when hubs and I got home from our trip, the kids got sick. Nothing like trying to take care of your sick babies while digging through the piles of work email that compiled while gone. The life of a working parent is never easy! Heck, the life of any parent is never easy!! 

This virus has been brutal on my littles! One threw up all over my bed Wednesday night and then the other started running 103.7 fever and then when I thought the first one was better, the fever started with him. They have logged some serious sleeping and TV watching hours this week! Thank goodness I do have the luxury of working from home so I can keep them here when they are sick. While they are sleeping, I get my work done. And when they are awake, I just try to hold them. Poor things!

Nonetheless, it has been a long couple weeks making it all juggle without dropping any balls. Thank God for beer or I might not make it through some days! Blessed through it all though!

More fun stories of all the exciting stuff of vacation, chickens, and dogs to come though as I want to make sure I don't lose the good stuff!

With love,

Reynie