If you’ve been following this blog, you know that we got hit hard by predators last summer. Half of our flock (including all of our spring chicks) were killed (murdered) by a combination of coyotes, raccoons, and fisher cats. It was a rough blow that still takes my breath away.
But a decreased flock, of course means that we’ll be getting chicks this spring (silver lining, perhaps?) I recently got an order form from our local feed store and this time we’ve decided to get a total of 9 chicks:
- 3 New Hampshire Reds – maybe it’s out of a sense of loyalty, but the NH Reds are some of our nicest flock members.
- 3 Barred Rocks – sturdy and jolly little hens and of course we’ll be rewarding our Gimpy for surviving her attack last summer by giving her a bunch of new sisters – Yeah!
And new to our flock this year, we’ll be getting:
- 3 Silver Laced Wyandottes
I don’t know anything about this breed. I only like how they look (and I’m assuming that if they are sold locally then they will be able to endure our sometimes brutal winters.) We used to have a Silver Spangled Appenzeller Spitzhauben who was a true love. And while she was sleeker and smaller than the Wyandottes, the black and white patterns are similar. It will be a pleasure to have “coloring book chickens” in our flock once again.
Order these online at MyPetChicken.com
Beside these chicks I’ll also be on the lookout for some Black Copper Marans and believe it or not, I want to get a few button quails. (I know they have to be kept separate from the flock, but just think of the stories I’ll be able to write about them!)
How about you? With the season slowly turning away from winter, it’s time to start thinking about spring chicks. Which ones are you planning on adding to your flock?
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Wendy Thomas writes about the lessons learned while raising children and chickens in New Hampshire. Contact her at [email protected]
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