September 02, 2008
Chicks!
Half the reason I decided to blog again is that on Thursday just after returning from the beach I got fifteen baby chicks in the mail! I recently went to a workshop on raising chickens in an urban setting. The nursery that gave the workshop had several bantams running around during the class. This is a smaller breed of chicken. I decided they were for me. Most of the local places only sell chicks seasonally though so I ordered online (where many nurseries get their chicks too). The minimum order was fifteen so the chicks can keep themselves warm in the mail. It is a rough start to their life, they are born and then put in a box and spend a day in the postal system.
One of my chicks did not make it alive to my doorstep. And three others perished within forty-eight hours after I had them settled in the brooding box. This was quite difficult but the remaining chicks look hearty and I am hopeful they will make it. The bantams do not come sexed which means some of these will be roosters which I can not keep. Also I am only planning on keeping three hens in the end. If anyone local is interested in some bantams let me know! They are keeping me busy cleaning their box twice a day and just watching them peep about. The photography is kind of challenging in the basement and under the red lamp that keeps them warm but I will have more from these guys for sure.
Posted by Dave at September 2, 2008 03:53 PM