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