Filed under: Chicken Little
I have been very neglectful in updating my blog, and I apologize… You won’t believe how big the chickens have gotten! And yet, I still can not tell for certain what is a hen and what is a rooster. I have my suspicions though…
In the meantime Nico and I convinced our friend, Larry, in helping us build a chicken coop – a plan created over beers and which turned out to be a four-day project! Lucky for us, Larry is a woodworking wizard, and assured us he enjoyed the entire process. (thanks, Larry!). Lo and behold, we created the awesomest coop ever. Siding has yet to be done, and we don’t have a run yet. BUT.. we have a sliding 2nd floor, a nifty nesting box, and an eco-roof (yes, I said ECO-roof!) …and a lot of chicken p@#p in the yard.
The chickens are LOVIN’ the outdoors. They lay sideways in the sun, and sleep. It’s fun to watch them chase after stuff that floats through the air, and then chase after whomever has the prize in its beak. Here’s a picture of my BIG birds!
Filed under: Chicken Little
The first time I saw this I freaked out! Then I realized it happens behind my back….all day long. The Japanese and Old English especially love to perch. I don’t worry anymore – they always seem capable of turning around and jumping back into the coop.
Filed under: Life
Some of you have asked me – or are probably wondering and afraid to ask me – what do I do with my time? Sometimes I wonder myself, but in a nutshell I surf the internet…a lot…., clean house, raise chickens, workout, study Dutch, and recently, take pottery classes! Not only does pottery require patience, skill and a little humor, it can be extremely time-consuming. I’ve spent a lot of hours in the studio this past week and 4 hours go by like you wouldn’t believe! Anyway, I was there yesterday to trim some pieces, and out from the kiln came my very FIRST piece! After throwing, trimming, [first] firing, and glazing (and not breaking it along the way..) it’s complete! I couldn’t be happier.
Do I sense a career move in the future?
Filed under: Chicken Little
Although the chicks are still [my] babies, they have reached the “tween” stage. I can’t believe how fast they grow! I swear a fairy sprinkles growth hormones on them at night because I see something new every day. First it started with seeing ears develop, then they sprouted fuzzy tails, then the red frizzles’ feathers began to curl….then the chicks started to establish the pecking order, to fly (I’m not joking – I’m afraid they are going to literally “fly the coop” one of these days!), and gosh darn it, they are just_getting_big!
At week 1, I weighed Kung Fu Panda, the grey japanese, and Bruce, the white silkie. KFP was 20 grams, and Bruce was 33. KFP was the shrimp and Bruce was a monster! Today is week 3, and KFP weighs an admirable 66 grams and Bruce weighs 135!!!
King of the.... feeder??
Filed under: Chicken Little
Okay, okay, so Bruce doesn’t saunter over until the VERY end….but here’s a good look at our chicks from a chick’s-eye view.
Filed under: Chicken Little
The two red frizzles and blue old english go at it to establish the pecking order. They just started this today…I can only imagine it gets worse! Keep watching, the two Frizzles hold a staring contest that lasts for quite some time!
Filed under: Chicken Little
Nico and I have some unfortunate news: we lost two of our partridge cochins. One last night and one the night before. It certainly is sad, but we also want peace for the sick and weak birds. It has been unnerving the past couple of days observing the chicks, especially the two cochins. I’m worried about their health, are they eating enough?, and then begins “the pecking order” – literally. But today is Day 3, and I am hopeful that these birds will make it!
I went back to Pistils Nursery yesterday to share the fate of the one cochin and my observations of the second. I thought about picking up another partridge, but after looking at some photos and talking to the employees (which, by the way, I think it’s a requirement for them to love chickens, because they are so enthusiastic and educated!)…I chose a very small, doubtful-looking Grey Japanese. And after losing the second this morning, I’m going back to Pistils to pick up another Japanese – if they have it! I think there was only one left yesterday afternoon.
Pistils didn’t even charge me for the chick. In fact, they originally suggested me taking two Japanese! I was standing in line, ready to pay, when the lady who had been helping me asked, “Is there anything else you need?” And I motioned “no” and said I was in line to pay. “Oh no, no you don’t pay” and waves me off. That was really nice, I thought.
So here are some more pics of the peeps! I’ll be back soon with updates on their blossoming personalities and how the pecking order is arranging itself.
Nico and I have been anxiously awaiting the day that our chicks would arrive. It’s been 6 months sin
ce we first toyed with the idea…a joke, really, that turned reality when we realized that chicks – for us – were the perfect pets. For one, how can you resist the adorable, fuzzy chicks? …which grow into, well, adorable, fuzzy hens?!? Not only are they docile pets, but they produce fresh organic eggs, fertilize your lawn, eat your leftovers, and provide endless entertainment.
It all started with an innocent visit to Pistils Nursery on Mississippi Street. And there she was – a beautiful and ridiculously funny-looking white silkie. I had never seen anything like it before in my life! And it was love at first sight.
After some research and serious thought, we came to the decision that chicks would make a wonderful addition to our home. I surfed sites like mypetchicken.com for interesting breeds, and read articles on raising them. I set aside 4 weeks to stay close and not travel…when your chicks are so young and fragile, they need constant care. But the hardest part was actually getting the breeds that I wanted! You can order online, but even then each breed has its own availability and the dates may not overlap. Pistils Nursery places weekly mass orders, and you choose from what they happen to have in. They don’t normally take requests, but I was set on white silkies, so weeks ago I asked them to try adding some to a May order. When one hatchery couldn’t fulfill this request, another one did! I couldn’t be happier. Of course, there was no guarantee they were mine – I had to beat the crowds and be first in line! I pretty much STALKED Pistils for three days, but they were really sweet about it and totally understanding.
Luck was on my side because not only did the white silkies come in, so did fun breeds like red frizzles and partridge cochins. I got three of each!
Stay tuned for updates on how the little ones are doing…
Filed under: Life
One of my most favorite things to do in Portland is the Oregon’s Potters Association’s (OPA) Annual Ceramic Showcase. It’s at the convention center and it’s FULL of different galleries where local artists set up booths that display their goods which are for sale. It’s more than just pottery – there’s woodworking, metal works, textiles and jewelry. Certainly my favorite – and largest – gallery is the pottery… there’s probably about 100 booths?? Or so it seems! Just to walk through it all takes a couple of hours. The best way to see everything is to take a very systematic approach of walking up and down the aisles, one by one. This way you make sure to see everything. Sometimes I take a quick glance and breeze past a booth, but most often something incredible catches my eye and I mosey on over to see what else tickles my fancy. Browse, touch, talk excitedly…and if you decide you want it, place it in your basket and move on to the next! The artists are there too, so you can always start a lively conversation with them. More often than not they are thrilled to talk to you and, surprisingly, they’re not weird (well, c’mon – combining the adjectives ‘OREGON’ and ‘ARTIST’ you would think otherwise). However, a handful may think they’re too good for you and give you the evil eye when you pick up their $300 bowl (but… I WAS wearing a bright pink “little miss bossy” t-shirt and jeans, so maybe I would too *<:O) …anyway, it’s a blast and total must-see!
So this piece is by James DeRosso. I have lovingly named it “monster”. I talked to James and he told me that he does parties! Quote-un-quote: “Instead of a clown coming to your party and honking a horn, I come over and we make monsters.” Sweet! I totally want to do this one day. He brings the materials to your place and you all make monsters. Then your creations are fired and delivered at a later date.
I start pottery classes at Georgie’s next week. I’m so excited, especially after all the inspiration I received from strolling the booths yesterday!
