Boom Chicka Boom, Ten New Babies
August 2, 2008|Comments (19)
One of the reasons (and there are many) that I just love country living is that purchasing chicks is a regular activity. Yesterday, after picking up the beef tallow trimmings from our butcher (for soap making, tutorial on Monday), we stopped off at the old train depot that is now a farm supply store. They had Araucana chicks for sale and so we picked out ten of the most adorable little fluff balls that you have ever seen in all of your born days.
Did I mention that Araucanas are known for having huge ear tufts and no butt? They were actually bred to look that way. Ameraucanas are known for having beards and tails. Amazing! We like them because they lay blue or green eggs which look pretty. Around here you’ve got to be functional and pretty.
Except for Gunny Bunny, because he’s just here for my amusement. Yesterday, we turned him out in the backyard (which is fully fenced with chain link topped with hot wire). He was delighted with his new found freedom and happily hops after us as we walk through the yard. He races from his food tray over to the chickens’ food tray and actually socializes with the big chickens. He is officially a free range rabbit. I can’t wait to do that with the meat rabbits we’ll get this summer.
I also wanted to show everyone Josh’s homemade fly trap which hangs off of the chick house. Josh made it with a 2-liter bottle, duct tape, 550 cord, and bait. For the bait, you can use wine, soda, Kool Aid, or anything with sugar. You must mix in a little vinegar though or you will trap bees (at least that’s what our research showed). The field testing continues but so far this is a success.
So, folks, we need names. Please tell us a name for a chick. We’re all winners here. We’ll use the first ten names that you come up with. All of them are female. Feel free to get your kids involved.
