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Sunday, September 07, 2008

Chicken Update -

The chickens are now four months old. In honor of their birthday and larger size, I recruited a friend to come over and help me clip their wings so that they could safely roam and range throughout the backyard (I didn't want them 'flying the coop' and ending up over the fence in the neighbor-with-the-scary-bulldog's backyard).

As a tiny flock, they cautiously began exploring this wide, new territory.

They are excellent at completely cleaning up under the bird feeders (no more errant sunflowers and millet plants).

They also *lurve* the french sorrel -

This is Pearl - one of my supposed Blue Laced Wyandottes... erm, yeah... Don't know *what* she is, but I don't think blue lace comes much into it... She *is* rather wyandotte shaped, contrasting neck feathers and blunt-tailed, but doesn't have the feather lacing.

This is Jet, the other 'Blue Lace' - ha! I don't think think she could look any more like a common barred rock. There are wyandotte versions of this, but not with this comb or body shape. I'm totally unimpressed with the chick-typing at the feed store.

And this is Jasper - the Americauna (the blue-green egg laying type). She is a hoot - literally. She is constantly vocalizing. A very chatty bird. All three are very sweet and are doing their absolute best to eat every insect in the backyard.

Wyandotte wannbe, Pearl, has absolutely the most fluffy chicken bum possible! It resembles a fluffy, downy pillow.

They are ridiculously gratifying to watch out the studio window. The only thing that would make it better would be to have several more. (maybe next year).
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And now back to our regular programming.

16 comments:

natural attrill said...

They are beautiful! such lovely colours.
P.x

Karen said...

Lovely chickens!
Pearl looks just like our hen Maria! I'll have to post a picture and show you sometime. :)

Merisi said...

Absolutely delightful flock! :-)
My favorite picture is the feathery chicken bum, love how gracefully her legs look. *giggle*

P.S.:
I added information regarding the thatched hut on my Sunday post. It is a replica of a shephards' shelter.

Jennifer Rose said...

Very nice looking birds :) Fresh eggs are great to cook with. One of my friends has a pet rooster, and he follows her around like a dog :p

roz said...

Aren't they lovely! I can only imagine how addictive collecting them would be. Precious.

Anonymous said...

You chicken people (*ahem*Tabers also*cough*).

As if all these different kinds of chickens actually exist... if you had cats, you'd probably say the orange ones were different than the brown ones.

Get a grip, people! They're just CHICKENS!!

Next thing you know, you'll start claiming there are different kinds of COWS. SuuUUUUUurrrre...

andrea said...

Really entertaining post, Tara. And they're so pretty!

d. moll, l.ac. said...

What a sweet trio. absolutely a Barred rock you got there not a Blue Lace. They will give you some great eggs with all that nice garden foraging. What about giving them Flax seeds when they are laying for Omaga enriched eggs ? Chickens have so much personality.

Gretel said...

I'd far rather have your lovely chickens than your scanner. :)

Anonymous said...

The not-Blue Lace just might be a hybrid Araucana. Who cares, if she lays well!
Of course, I'm pea-green with envy, Tara.After the holiday I'm ramping-up the chooks campaign!

Christine Mercer-Vernon said...

hi tara, we raised chickens growing up and i just adored them! every spring we hatched new one's. i lived on fried egg sandwiches...yummy!! these are soo cute!

Soozcat said...

Personally I like the way they gang up on Mia. :)

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Gosh, they are beautiful aren't they?? Such wonderful color. You must draw them!!

They remind me of an all girl singing group. Like the Supremes.

Elizabeth said...

I am very impressed with your most decorative and lovely chickens.
In fact I'm green with envy.

Kim said...

What beautiful chickens you have. I'd like to get some attractive ones next time, but my old rescue hens do have a certain charm, despite being called the 'ugly birds' by my Brother in law! I'd also like to get some that don't dig or wreck the garden ;)

Kim x

Hayden said...

What beauties! It must be a joy to watch them wandering busily around the yard...