We’re really learning a lot about chickens as we go. I mostly wanted them for fresh eggs, and I didn’t expect them to be as much fun as they are! Now that they are free ranging, we can see how much they enjoy that freedom to be outdoors, just like our dogs enjoy the fresh air and wandering about in their yard.
We find ourselves making comparisons to the dogs, and even cats at times! They don’t love being picked up, and I’ve had many a cat who would squirm every time I tried to pick them up. Samantha didn’t love to be held when she was younger but now she loves a good snuggle. The chickens also slowly learn that it’s not so bad being picked up (not that I really snuggle them….because I don’t quite trust those sharp beaks too close to my face!).
When we go outside, they often follow us around. They also follow each other, and they seem to be pack animals just like dogs. We see them snuggling together many times, even when it’s been as hot as you-know-what out!
Now, before I snapped that last photo, almost all of them were snuggling together under that tractor. That is something else they have in common with other pets – avoidance of the camera! 🙂
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Truly enjoying the chickens! When will you get eggs, which answers the question which one came first! Love Dolly
Ha ha, I guess you are right about that! We may start to see eggs around the end of July, though probably not a lot until early fall.
Kudos to you Jan! I’m not sure I would be able to do this. Noting the chair….I do have someone that would be ‘cleaning’ that, and I don’t mean me! She would never come in the house, because it would be a smorgasbord!
LOL! That would be another reason to keep Luke and Cricket separate from the chickens. Just the other day I was walking the dogs and Luke stopped to lick something next to the driveway….yup, I’m pretty sure it was chicken poop! Ugh!
It’s great seeing you have fun with your chickens
We know a few folks that have chickens running around and the dogs too. Enjoy your new family members.
At first I wasn’t sure if we’d really think of them as family, but we definitely do!
your chicks know how to spend a super summer ;o)
They are definitely making the best of it!
Neat, Jan! Seeing them under the tractor though makes me realize you probably have to watch for them before doing things like starting the car or tractor, etc, know what I mean? Although I’m sure they are noticeable enough and also would move along before you did those things. Hey, I am thinking now though that you are getting to know them, and they are seeming kind of social, that it’s time-you should name them! Specially as they get bigger I bet you can sort of tell them more apart! 🙂
I think I might wait until they are full grown (another month or so, I think?), because they still seem to be changing quite a bit.
Yes, they love to hang out under vehicles, so we definitely have to watch for them, though I hope that an engine starting will always scare them away.
I’m also nervous about people pulling into the driveway and not knowing they’re around, so I ordered a sign (you’ll like it)!
Those are some good looking chickens!
Thank you! I’m so glad we got some different breeds so we have a variety. I can now see myself wanting to get more different breeds in the future! 🙂
Chicken updates are my favorite 🙂
I am SO glad you enjoy them, because I sure love sharing them! ♥
I think chickens would be funny too!
That’s very interesting and I’m sure you are learning lots!
Your socializing for these guys is to be commended. Chickens have only followed me around the barn area when I had a bucket of grain and they kind of terrorized me! But the thought of fresh eggs…oh swoon. Such a difference from the ones you buy in the grocery store.
I usually buy those free range, antibiotic free, etc., eggs at the store and they are not cheap! We do have a source for fresh eggs right now, but having our own is going to be so special.
A friend of mine had bad experiences with chickens that she was pet sitting once too, and she thinks we were crazy to get them! So far, so good….hopefully they stay this way.
My daughter raised chickens and so long as yo don’t wash the eggs, you can keep them out of the frig. Fresh eggs are so much more tasty, even when you buy grocery store free range and anti-biotic free ones. So jealous but thrilled you can do that.
How cool. Mom always wanted chickens. Did you chase any yet?
Snorts,
Lily & Edward
Only along the fence, but it was fun!!!
Woofs, Luke
Between the farming, the dogs, the cats and the chickens, you may not have time to think about using that lounge chair LOL! I love it when animals snuggle together, and your chickens seem quite content. 🙂
No kidding – I guess the only reason we even have lounge chairs is for the animals!! 🙂
I remember when our neighbors had their chickens – Callie and Shadow used to spend hours snuggled-up against the back end of our common fence, just mesmerized by the chickens. A few times I had to keep the girls in the house while I tried to catch the adventurous one that liked to fly over the fence and explore our yard. Luckily, she never got too far from the fence so I could see her before I let the dogs out! Callie and Shadow were both prey-driven in their younger years.
I hope these girls do not try to fly over the fence into the dog yard….that’s my big worry. But our fence is pretty high, so I hope they can’t (so far they can’t fly too high). Plus the dogs are patrolling so they know they’re in there and maybe that will deter them from trying.
Luke has gotten so much better, he rarely barks at them now, but he does still like to chase them away from the fence! They do keep the dogs entertained, that’s for sure!
All animals are amazing to watch and learn from.
When I was a kid, I used to feed a friend’s chickens in their hutch. They were white and had a very nasty temperament. I’m afraid that gave me a strong prejudice that chickens are mean birds.
But since then, I’ve learned that different breeds have different temperaments. And while my friend’s chickens may have been good layers, they’d never win Miss Congeniality awards.
So keep the pictures and stories coming. You’re doing your part to help my confront one of my oldest prejudices.
I will do what I can to change your mind! I do think breed makes a big difference. When choosing, I considered how good layers they were, how cold tolerant, and then definitely temperament. Only the Rhode Island Reds were said to sometimes be bad-tempered, but so far ours are good.
This might influence you – one of the other breeds we have, the Buff Orpingtons (the yellow ones) have been called the “golden retrievers” of chickens! 🙂
SO cute. I enjoyed chickens a ton, and was sad when we left the house and had to get rid of them. I made the man who came and took them promise, he would not kill them.
I really didn’t expect to enjoy them so much, it’s definitely a bonus!