Chicks
As it turns out, our chicks were slated to be delivered today, not shipped today like I thought. The post office caught me completely by surprise when they called at 6:45 this morning. Fortunately, Robyn was able to get right over and pick them up (I was at work). Most everything was ready for them except water, and the brooder was still cold because the lamps weren’t on.
After some trials and tribulations which I expect she’ll write about tomorrow morning, she had them settled by 7:15 or so.
I’m not sure what I think about McMurray hatchery. I’ve heard nothing but good things about them, but we were short three chicks in the box, and there were two dead ones. To make it worse (not that this is the hatchery’s fault), one of the dead ones was a puffy-headed one — the ones I was looking most forward to. As a result, we’ve only got 22 chicks, as opposed to the 27 I anticipated. Further, these chicks seem less lively than last year’s, though Robyn says they seem the same to her.
Humorously, the ones that we are short are White Orpingtons…the ones we were going to kill and eat. We ordered 12, but only have six or seven.
Either way, they’re cute as hell, and since I don’t really have anything else to say, here are some pictures.
Most of the gang, trying to get away from the scary man with the camera.
More of the group. The dirty-colored one in the center is a White Orpington, and the
one above her is a Golden Polish (the other Golden Polish died on the way).
A Delaware (yellow) and to the left, a Rhode Island Red
The fancy Golden Polish.
The other crested breed, a White Crested Black Polish.
The Don King of the chicken world.
A White Orpington fell asleep against the feeder.
An Ameraucana (like Frick and Flappy), surrounded by Rhode Island Reds.
Don King looks for a contender.
Everyone enjoys the water.
She looks dressed up for a night on the town, doesn’t she?
Among the chickens that I grew up with were some White Crested Polish hens and a few Polish/Banty crosses. My special pet was a Polish/Banty little rooster with a black crest, named Rooster Cogburn. He used to ride around on my shoulder, until the neighbors got really sick of crowing. I thought it was very funny that one of the hens took up the crowing baton after we gave him away. Take that, neighbor!
I just don’t get how something so damn cute, can grow up to be so darn UGLY. lol Enjoy! Will they be shipping you replacements or are you asking for a refund?
How exactly are they shipped? I realize it’s by mail, but what kind of container are they in?? You probably talked about it and posted a pic when the first batch arrived, but I really don’t remember!
Very cute looking little things - sad that some died in transit
Wow, they are so cute (ditto that they grow up to be ugly). You got a ton of them!
Aww, you’re going to kill & eat them. :’(
Too cute! Thanks, for the pics, Fred.
What a cute brood of chicks! I know the company can’t guarantee safe delivery of all of the chicks, but what is the reason for having 28 listed on the packing slip when only 24 were shipped?
The chicks are cute, but the grown birds will be beautiful! There are no ugly chickens on Crooked Acres.
Honestly, the only ugly chickens I’ve ever seen were ones on chicken farms. Your bitchez are lovely, Fred. I’d also like to know if the hatchery will be refunding your money for the ones they didn’t ship.
So cute. Just in time for Easter
I got another look at the pig pictures, and I can see what you mean by “soulful eyes” on the smaller, darker faced pig. He is actually cute, whereas the other one looks mean.
Re: the encrypted egg within egg; At this time of year, so close to the Spring equinox and the earliest full moon prior to Easter for the next two hundred years, I feel the episode is a ’sign.’ Think of it!!!
Blue egg in a blue egg! And among all those unusual brown eggs! And ‘delivered’ in an unusual location–fresh yet!!! And presented to a “Robyn” (as in Robin’s egg blue!)And more, yet; hams on the hoof! And still more; more adorable chicks!!! You and your lovely wife are transformed from the folks I grew to admire years ago, and reinvented yourselves into truly rural aristocracy. You do indeed, ROCK!!!
Your “Biggest Phan,”
Sammi
Hi Fred - Do me a favor please and let Robyn know something? I haven’t been able to open Bitchypoo in several days. It takes so long to load it times out. Was getting slower and slower, and now I can’t get it to open at all. I know nothing about computers so don’t know if it’s her or me or ??? But I have high speed - everything else opens “instantly”, so thought I’d let you all know in case there’s a glitch somewhere. I miss reading her!
Thanks for any and all help,
Barbara