Sunday, March 27, 2011

Meet the Girls

I'd like you to meet the newest additions to Mandyland


Henrietta is a Buff Chantecler. She's on the small side, but, if she follows her breed notes will be gentle and a good layer. She tends to hide under her sister hens. When we took them outside while Chad prepared their box, she crawled up my wide legged sweat pants and snuggled down next to me, nothing poking out but a little bit of tail feather.


Miss Clucks is a Buff Orpington. After the first few hours, we could tell that she's already head hen in this little flock. Her breed is known for being good mothers. They're also known to go broody quite often. Which would have been a nice bit of information to include in the breed notes at the Hay and Feed. She doesn't seem to mind that Henrietta sticks to her side.


Cutie is a Black Sex Link. A cross breed, these hens are known for being good layers. As for our particular little one, she's already proven herself to be curious and adventurous. She was the first to explore their box, the first to jump off the sidewalk and into the grass, and the first to jump into Joseph's lap.


The girls are currently hanging out in a clear Rubbermaid bin on the counter, a heat lamp keeping their "brooder" a toasty 90*. We can't stop watching them. The whole family ate dinner staring through the clear walls of their little home, watching them eat, preen, peep and fall asleep.

Like babies, they fall asleep at the oddest moments. Henrietta face planted into the feeder. At one point, Miss Clucks stood, looking out at us, her eyes getting heavier and heavier until she fell sideways into a slump.

To say we're excited to start this new adventure would be an understatement. We're pretty much giddy.

Except Chad. He's more resigned than giddy.

Although he did name Miss Clucks.

32 comments:

Carri said...

I LOVE THEM. I love little baby chicks! Love! And then they get to the awkward teenage stage... and before you know it, they will be making breakfast! :) That is, if broody Miss Clucks lets you at the eggs.

Sarah Diggs said...

how exciting! I LOVE my chickens and it never gets old watching them.

Sarah Diggs said...

how exciting! I LOVE my chickens and it never gets old watching them.

jessica said...

Oh my gosh, what is next? You do it all!

Miri said...

They are so sweet! I love chicks... maybe one day when I'm as organized as you we'll get some :)

Klbubert said...

Wow I can't believe you finally did it! They are pretty cute at this stage.

Mad Woman behind the Blog said...

Okay, I'm seriously considering adding chickens to our family. This bunch is too cute.
And I hear it's HIP to be CHIC....ken owners.

MiMi said...

I just know these chicks are going to be causing some major mayhem and antics! So cute.

mandyland said...

I know! They're so cute and fun to watch. I can't wait until they're old enough to lay eggs!

mandyland said...

Oh please! I'm SO not organized. At least, not as organized as I was BEFORE kids. lol

mandyland said...

I STILL can't bake. lol

Maxine said...

Even once they are older, you remember them as chicks and still love them. Ours all come to the fence when they hear my voice and we can still sit in the coop with them and have them take food from our hands..of course we can still pick them up. I don't have all of ours named except the lone survivor of the mass murder, Red, the rest are all the same breed, so Red is unique...but not favorites. LOL

mandyland said...

I'm so excited! I've been wanting chickens for three years now and this is the first year Chad moved a centimeter on his stance. So I took his centimeter and turned it into a yes.

mandyland said...

I so hope Miss Clucks defies her breed's convention and doesn't brood!

mandyland said...

Oh lady! Keeping chickens is as trendy as big sunglasses - especially in your neck of the woods! lol

Seriously, though. The benefits of keeping chickens are multiple: eggs, bug free yards, eggs, compost, eggs, garbage disposals, eggs...Go for it!

mandyland said...

They have that look, don't they. Like they're already planning something. lol

mandyland said...

We're thinking of them as pets rather than farm animals. Hence the names and the fact that they're still in the house. lol

Kir said...

oh they are sooo cute and so fluffly. And I already like CUTIE and her adventurous personality. :)

Alex@LateEnough said...

Y'all are nuts. And I love it.

Cheryl said...

Mmm....chicken...

Sorry. Was that inappropriate? They are totally cute!!

CDG said...

Welcome, ladies.

Pictures of your thriving Coop de Ville will be eagerly anticipated!

Morgan B. said...

They are so cute I can hardly stand it! Congrats!

Carrie Meadows said...

No. Way. Cutest things ever. Just tell me they don't poop.

mandyland said...

They're like babies. All the do is eat, sleep, cry and poop. lol But so far, it's not too bad. And I keep telling myself my garden will love it after it has time to mellow out.

mandyland said...

Thank you! I'm so excited, you'd think I just had babies of my own!

mandyland said...

Once the Coop de Ville has finished the *eh-hm* construction phase, I'm taking pictures. It might be the last thing Chad and I attempt to build on our own.

mandyland said...

LOL...I have to tell you, it felt a little weird to eat chicken salad sandwhiches while they watched.

mandyland said...

lol Just think...another couple of years and you'll be getting chickens. At some point you'll realize that they may be great for tossing to the the zombies while you try to escape.

mandyland said...

She's one my three favorite. hehe

It's just hilarious how much personality they already have.

MyLittleMiracles said...

They are so adorable! I wish we could get some!!
You know what is so weird? I can't comment on your blog until someone else does and I can click on the little "comment" word. Strange huh?

mandyland said...

I'm so glad we fixed your comment woes! lol

And why can't you get some chicks? We live in an urban area and our yard is tiny.

Don't mind me, I'm trying to convert everyone to backyard chicken raising.

MyLittleMiracles said...

Because our HOA says we can't have any. =(