Awwwwww, you're killing me. I have tried so hard to resist this spring but alas, I too am defeated. I'm getting some hatching eggs from Velvet's brood and here we go again..... After last year's non-stop insanity, I promised myself a little more self-control. Are we all hopeless? Say it isn't so.

It really is such fun and I really believe that the chicks bond with you and are much more tame...

Yeah, right, Sheila... Like you're really wanting us to talk you into moderation! LOL

Enjoy your babies and rid your vocabulary of the phrase "too many chicks." ;-)

One of the chicks has curled under toes so dh and I have been making little "slippers" to straiten them out. She is now on her 5th pair in the past two days because she keeps getting them off. Now I think we have it down pretty good, using double sided tape on the soles seems to prevent slipping. I think in a couple of days her toes will be good. I've already seen a marked improvement in even 1 day.

Maggie, you'll be hearing from me later this summer, I agreed to have the roo's processed, I know it's going to be tough on me :( I do plan on trying to find homes for the fancy ones though and I also would like to "try" keeping one ;)but for now I am going to enjoy the little peeps.

It's interesting, most people ask me what I'm going to do with all of these chickens and when I tell them the plan for the roosters they look at me like I have three heads? Then I ask them if they eat chicken, and they say "well er yeah". I reply with the usual free range, humane treatment response. They still think it's odd, or gross.

-Sheila

Ooh, mucho cuteness!!! :)

Mine are due to hatch on the 14th.....I've been talking to the eggs to get them used to the sound of my voice. *G*

Shiela, people who have never tasted the difference between supermarket chicken and home-grown are just like those who don't know how wonderful eggs from your own hens taste...I pity them, they are REALLY missing out. :)

Velvet ~:>

I know what you mean, Sheila, about people looking askance when the subject of butchering comes up! Sigh. To me it seems inconsistant to eat meat themselves and then criticize those who raise and process their own meat. Contimue to give them the explanation and don't let them guilt you.

One rooster is not usually a problem. In fact a good one can be a help in settling squabbles among the hens and watching out for predators. They are also beautiful and amusing. If you do decide to keep one, pick one that treats the hens well. Some will find little treats and call them over to share... other young batchelors run in a pack and are interested in "just one thing."

I think the absolutely best thing about keeping a roo is that when a hen goes broody you can let her hatch out chicks. It's a lovely thing to watch, a momma hen with her babies popping out from behind her wings. I'll miss that this year. BUT! it looks like my American Buff goose is broody. If she's still on the nest tomorrow I will give her some goose eggs. Goslings are just the best! Hope yours hatches.

Maggie, I can only imagine how adorable a broody hen is w/her chicks! I have wanted a roo from the beginning of this quest but my quiet neighborhood had been scaring me off. I have been sending eggs over to each abutting neighbor periodically in hopes they might cut me a little slack (they have no idea what I've got going inside right now!). It's really the night time crowing I'm the most concerned about. They're city people that were utterly shocked to learn we had chickens, they thought we were nuts so I really don't want to address the roo idea head on, if I had with the chickens they never would have been open to that idea (not that I needed their approval, they are legal, I just want to be a good neighbor).

My plan is to pick an Americauna, Marans or Welsummer roo of the bunch. The funny thing is I've got a goose egg and a bunch of duck eggs in the bator from a friend and someone said "don't worry about the roo's, the ducks will drown out any crowing, LOL!". I have a lot to learn but I find this experience so much fun and very interesting to share with others.

I teach art classes and have 20 students and their parents coming to my home every week. The kids are so excited after class to see the chicks, last week many were able to see them hatching, and the parents loved it too. :)

-Sheila