Cheep! Cheep! Sounds like chickens.

I have memories of feeding the chickens when I was a little girl (like 5 or 6) and my gram sending me out to collect eggs, of my mom having to comb chicken stuff out of my hair because I'd spent the day with the hens in the coop, and I remember my parents had the meanest rooster on the planet - used to chase me down and peck at my ankles while I rode my bike. Even still, I was excited at the thought of finally having a place to have my own chicks.

After 25 years, my sailor and I are finally settled - no more moving - and have put down roots in the Pacific Northwest. Our Haven is perfect for everything we want (including room for chickens). I was elated to find our property had a ready to go chicken coop that only needed a bit of cleaning, painting, and minor tlc. Thank goodness because our To Do List is full enough with building a greenhouse and raised veg boxes for the garden, not to mention mending fences.

This is our coop and run. The coop section is the back half. The front half is a shed. Eventually it will be part infirmary and nursery area, but for now it's just a shed. I'm keeping the brooder in the house for now. It's easier to keep an eye on them.
The next order of business, now that the brooder is done, is to get the coop and run ready. See the rectangle area, once upon a time, it was a run. We're going to extend it behind and out for more space.  

We live in the middle of nowhere, next to a state park. and have to worry about wolves, coyotes, bear, bobcats, weasels, you name it. Needless to say, we're going to be extra careful with the run area: set in concrete, hardware cloth, solid construction.

Here they are . . .
The first batch of babies, five Giant Cochins, are just about two weeks old now (Did I mention that I've been busy?) 

This is what they looked like when we got them home. 




This little bit was alert from the get go. She's turned out to be the guardian, and rivals Diva for pecking order #1. Let's just hope she's not a he. 

Look at that face!





The second batch are about a week old, we got them last Friday. Five Orpingtons (two buff and three that look like blonde chipmunks). 











If things go well, I want to add five more to the flock - golden Wyandottes come in in about a month. We'll have 15 in all. That's enough for a start.


I have to say that I am SO thankful to have found Back Yard Chickens
and The Chicken Chick  while doing my research. They've been so full of relevant and helpful advise. I highly recommend stopping by for all things chicken.