I don't believe it... Michael and I ordered pet chickens today! I am so freaked out! I have never taken care of chickens before in my life! Sorry for the juvenile excitement, but I can't think the last time I was more nervous and excited about something!
So, anyhow, we ordered four Salmon Faverolles females. They'll arrive as chicks, and we'll raise them. We actually have a big cage that we bought for the rabbits, who NEVER use it, which will be perfect for the chicks, until they're old enough for a coop. Apparently this takes several weeks.
I realized last night that we'll each get to name a chick. I'm rather stuck on Chloe right now, as these are French ladies, whose breed originates about an hour west of Paris. The Favorelles are very docile birds (important because of our children and rabbits). They are supposedly prolific egg-layers and even lay eggs in winter. They are an heirloom breed, I suppose (if that's what is meant by 'rare'), which is nice, as nearly all the eggs in the country are produced by a single breed. The eggs should be a cream color. I can't wait!!!!
I do worry, though, a bit. I'd like to let them roam freely about the yard, but our neighbors have a small garden... I wonder if the chickens will cross the privacy fence and invade the garden?
Anyhow, we'll see how it goes. Oh, we may not get our chickens for months. We have to wait until they have four females to send us, which is an undetermined wait. Meanwhile, we'll build our coop, read, and anticipate!
The primary motivation for getting the chickens is simple...ethical and humane egg production. Foremost are the inhumane factory farm conditions, but we do try to buy free range or cageless eggs, which doesn't guarantee much. Also, though, I found out tonight that most egg-laying chickens are slaughtered for dog food and the like at 12 months. Surprised? Well, they're the lucky ones. Most meat birds in the supermarkets live a full 14 weeks! Note that chickens have a normal lifespan of 5-11 years (up to 16 years).
My concern is that our birds won't lay many eggs after the first couple of years (normal decline). So, I'm hoping that we'll feel comfortable with ordering four more or so at that point. Hopefully 8 chickens won't seem too much. My Grandmama had a lot more than that in her chicken coop, I believe!
I do think ahead, eh? I think our four hens should keep us busy with the whole hen experience for a while, though!
It may seem like forever before we actually get them, but I'm a little relieved, actually! It gives us lots of prep time.
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