We have chickens again.

A few months ago we decided that we wanted to get some baby chicks, pullets to be exact. So, we started making plans and two weeks ago we got serious.

Baby Chicks 1

We cleaned out a shed, put up a fence, and did some other work to get ready for the chicks.

Baby Chicks 2

As you can see, the kids were all a huge help.

Inside the building we sectioned off a smaller area for the chicks that had heat lamps to keep them nice and warm.

baby chicks 3

After we got everything ready, we went to a local tractor supply store and purchased 30 pullets, 15 Black Sex Link and 15 ISA Brown.

They packed up the chicks in to-go boxes that looked like giant happy meal boxes. :)

Baby Chicks 4

The kids were so excited because we haven’t had chicks since the spring of 2006, which was before Joseph and Janna’s time.

In case you weren’t aware of this, we used to raise chickens for eggs, that we sold to local customers, and for meat.

When I found out I was going to have a miscarriage in September of 2006 we decided to sell everything. My husband was getting his master’s degree and we made a quick decision because we felt like we just couldn’t handle them anymore.

In hindsight, we probably should have kept everything, but I think it worked out alright.

In 2009, we got a few hens that were already laying and put them in a dog kennel. We gave them away when I was pregnant with Janna.

Anyway, we are at a point in our lives where the kids are getting older and the oldest three are able to help with the chickens. The timing seemed right again.

Baby Chicks 2013

This is what the chicks looked like the day we brought them home. They were already a couple of days old at this point.

Baby Chicks 5

This is what the chicks looked like a week later. You can tell they are growing, just look at their wing feathers.

Today when I was checking on them they looked even bigger.

We did lose one chick on Easter Sunday, but so far all of the other 29 appear to be healthy.

While it will be a few months before the chicks are big enough to lay eggs, I am looking forward to watching them grow and eventually having our own eggs.

Do you have any chickens or other farm animals at your home?

  • http://www.facebook.com/rachel.espino.9 Rachel Espino

    How fun for you all! I am sure Janna is just hilarious to watch around them. We pick up 22 chicks and 2 ducks on Friday. This will be added to our existing 9. You have a very nice set up in your barn. I wish I had a barn like that.

    • http://www.blessingsoverflowing.com/ Jackie

      Yes, it is fun. How exciting that you are getting more birds to add to your flock. Are you getting layers and meat birds or all layers? I have never raised ducks. What will you do with them? Have fun!

  • Svetlana

    This is ace - I live in a big city and won’t have this opportunity but I love the idea. Apparently the yolks of these home-reared chickens are extra bright and make cakes look really lovely.

    Although…a horror story from my ex’s mother - they lived in the country and she had chickens to look after when she retired…she climbed in to clean out the coop one day and ended up squashing a bunch of the chickens! My rubbish ex’s building skills came to light, the top floor of the coop fell in!…Now when I see home-kept chickens…. *cringe* Poor guys!

    • http://www.blessingsoverflowing.com/ Jackie

      Yes, the yolks are definitely a darker yellow and the eggs do taste better. That is so sad about the chickens.