Very exciting. I ordered the chickens today. We’re going to get one hen each:
- Ameraucana
- Buff Rock
- Silver Laced Wyandotte
Talked at some length to the guy who’s actually doing the ordering from McMurray’s Hatchery. Dennis sounds like a very clued in chicken guy. We’re going to restrict ourselves to the three hens that Portland allows without a permit. It’s very tempting to go with a few more, as I’m told by many people that the city doesn’t care as long as no one complains, but given that this is our first shot with it, we’ll keep it small.
Actually had snow on the ground today although it was above freezing all day. Took a drive over to the bamboo store in town here and Pistil’s Nursery just to see what they had and found them both closed because, I guess, of the time of year (it was mid-day on a Monday). It kind of underlines some of my thinking on opening a store for the urban farmer here in Portland. The existing options are pretty frustrating.
We had an auraucana when I was a kid, and the blue eggs always impressed people. Even if Portland allows roosters (and I can see why they wouldn’t), they’re really kind of not worth it.
Portland allows you to have three hens and no roosters. I’d actually love to have a rooster, but then I like the racket they make. I can see where some of my neighbors might not.
Even though I’d love to think that I will be cold-hearted about the status of these birds, I suspect that it won’t take long before they all have names, and I’m paying the vet $300 to come and treat their $5 asses for Venkman’s Disease or whatever with chicken liver transplant surgery.
Except the thing about most modern chickens is that they are *really* dumb. I’ve known toads with more personality. Ours weren’t smart enough to come in from the cold, and would shiver on the roof of the heated, open coop until you shooed them inside. We had one smart one, though, and she did get a name: Chickarina. She survived several raccoon attacks.
Just think, soon you can toss your evil weevils into the chicken enclosure, and they will eat them and turn them into delicious fresh eggs!
“Just think, soon you can toss your evil weevils into the chicken enclosure, and they will eat them and turn them into delicious fresh eggs!”
Please let it be so.
Have your chickens arrived? We need an update!
Turns out that my chicken man has decided that it’s too cold for his supplier to ship to him. He seems to know his chicken business so I trust his decision.
I might break the law and order one more. He’s getting some cuckoo marans that sound too cool to pass up. Chocolate brown eggs.
Anyway, you’ll see pics when the girls arrive. I’ve got a rabbit hutch, heat lamp, and feeders all set up in the sunroom for them.