You know how sometimes pictures don't truly express what you were feeling at the moment?
This one does.
It perfectly captures my reaction to the Easter present I got this year.
Shock, surprise, fear, glee.
What could a cardboard box hold that would create such an extreme reaction?
This ...
And not just one ... a bunch of them.
Now I'm sure you have questions so I'll answer a few off the top of my head right now.
What are those things, Karen?
- They are live Peeps. They're chickens.
Did you always want chickens?
- Yes.
You must live in the country.
- Um, no.
Then you must have a big yard.
- Um, no.
Do you have any idea how to take care of chickens?
- No.
Will your chickens lay eggs?
- I hope so. That's the plan.
Do you like eggs?
- I'm actually allergic. Just kidding. Yup. I like eggs.
Do chickens have to live in a chicken coop?
-Yes.
Do you have a chicken coop?
- No.
Do chickens make a lot of noise?
- I dunno.
What kind of chickens are they?
- Mutts kind of. Rhode Island Reds and 1 that's a cross between a Rhode Island Red, a Columbia Rock and an Ameraucana.
How many are there?
- Six. Problem is I only have room for 2. Once I know if they're male or female I'll pick out two females and then I'll have some chickens to give away.
But not this one ...
Or this one ...
Or this one 'cause he has such a cute bum.
Or any of the ones that are cute. Uh oh.
So how did this come to be exactly? How did I end up with 6 chickens in a cardboard box on my counter Easter morning?
As I've mentioned before, my boyfriend is a very conscientious present buyer. It's remarkable really the things he picks up on.
Turns out I've been talking about chickens a lot over the past few years without even realizing it. Mentioning that I'd love to have a chicken. Talking about how much fun it'd be to go outside and bring eggs in from our own chicken. I'd show him blog posts from Pint Sized Pioneering where Jenn keeps chickens in her urban backyard. I'd mention how the side yard would be the perfect place to keep chickens.
So I guess he figured ... Karen wants a chicken.
Now here's the thing. I DID want chickens. But never in a million years would I have gone out and bought myself some chickens to keep in the backyard. Especially not without some kind of plan. And a coop. And a plan. He on the other hand would.
I apologize for sounding like a proud, new mother but I think they're the most beautiful babies in the world. I don't want to completely inundate you today, so I've saved some of the best pictures to show you on Friday. I'll also have a short little video of the day the chicks arrived for you to watch.
I imagine there's going to be a huge amount of hijinx and hullabaloo with this new hobby. A lot of hullabaloo indeed.
And by hullabaloo, I mean chicken poop. Crap.
Emie
My DH did this about 10 years ago except I got turkeys... and I didn't want them.. HE did!!! We live on some acreage but didn't have a pen for them at the time. We had 5... once full grown, the largest one was 68# live weight.... He thought they'd be pets and follow him around the yard... but they didn't.
Thanks for a fun post, Emie
Karen
New mother love!!! It is so sweet, as are the chicks. Enjoy the journey.
mimi
They're GORGEOUS!
I think I had the same look on my face when I saw what was in the box!
When our rabbit died, i wanted to use his run for chickens (it was originally a chicken run, toblerone-shaped)- hubby agreed, provided I would look after them! That was the end of that!
Jennifer
Don't suppose he got you a " chick cam" so's we can all watch them grow up? Also are u allowed to keep chickens where you live?
Heather
Oh, there is a cool coop in BHG's summer 2011 issue of Do It Yourself.
Karen
Heather - Thanks! I'll go out today and look for it! ~ karen
Heather
Yay!! I hope that was a real reaction, so awesome.
Anyway, my Mom has 3 chickens and they are awesome. Not only because of the eggs but because they actually make nice pets and are very sweet. She has two Rhode Island Reds and a Wyandotte. I think your new girls will bring you much fun and happiness.. and eggs. Enjoy!! and good luck choosing :)
Karen
Heather - Oh, it's a real reaction! My bf was smart enough to make sure he had a camera ready when I came into the kitchen. My mother and sister happened to be at my house at the same time so I think I'm looking over at one of them. Yup. Definitely a real reaction. :) ~ karen
Shauna Rudy
I'm desperately jealous! I, too, have been talking about getting chickens for years, but instead I got a scrappy, prey-driven dachshund/terrier so I'm out of luck. This is the coop I coveted (http://www.omlet.us/products_services/products_services.php?cat=Eglu+Classic&subcat=The+Eglu+Classic). I think your pick suits your home perfectly. Keep us updated please, on the highs and lows of urban chicken farming!
Theresa
I love Chickens but I'm sure the dog will eat them. So now I can live out my chicken dream vicariously through your chickens. I also dream of bee keeping but the children shreik and threaten matricide so I'm waiting.
Any chance now that your chicken dream has come true you're having visions of honey?
Karen
Theresa - Funny you should mention it! I did a show on a beekeeper about 10 years ago and have been wondering about keeping bees ever since! I *definitely* don't have room for bees. :) ~ karen
Theresa
maybe that can be my arguement - you are letting us in on your chicken adventure - the least I could do is let you in our beekeeping adventure. Let you know if the naysayers waver :)
marné
Maybe you could find someone with a little land that would let you keep a hive there? An avid gardener would greatly benefit from a hive :o)
(I'm a part-time chicken/duck/bee keeper)
marné
Oh, and the Ameraucana will lay blue-green eggs, if that makes the decision easier :o)
The first year I got chicks I spent every spare minute with them, just watching them peep and poop and eat. Even now, I love just relaxing by watching them peck and scratch all over our yard.
Karen
Marne - The chick is only 1/4 Ameraucana so the chances of it laying pretty eggs are slim. I'd like to get an Ameraucana tho! Cochins are beautiful too. ~ karen
Norell
I think we all need to have your BF write a post on your blog to show to our BFs and Husbands so they can learn the secret your BF has learned. I've been married for 30 years and my DH never seems to pick up on my hints. I don't like to put a photo with a circle around it for him to see - I want him to listen and pick up the hints. If there is a way for me to get him to actually listen to me - I would love to find it.
BTW, I adore your chickens. I have been wanting some for years, but have to wait until we move into the country. Thanks for making me smile!!!
shauna
He he he he. You've never had chickens before have ya??? Ps they get bigger... So does their poop!!
Karen
Shauna - No. No chickens. But I have had a horse. Which is an animal with a fairly large poop. I'm pretty sure they don't poop as often as chickens though. ~ karen
Anita
Yay live peeps! 6 won't be that hard to clean up after - for my senior thesis I took care of 30 quail and that was quite a stinky endeavor. They are ADORABLE when they are chicks though! Have fun with the peepers!
Karen
Anita - I'm stunned at how much poop 6 little chicks can produce. If I had room for 6 I'd keep em all. But I don't. :( I want happy chickens so I don't wanna crowd em. ~ karen
Anita
Crowding chickens is definitely not a good idea! I'm not sure about chickens specifically, but male quail have this habit of fighting to the death if they're kept in close quarters. I enjoyed the three weeks of adorable huddleness while I could, before the boys got too rowdy!
Faz
THEY ARE ADORABLE!
Karen
Faz - Thanks! I know. I almost couldn't get the post written because I keep going to look at them. They're a time suck. ~ karen
Pati
You have the sweetest man Karen....he tunes right in!
Have fun with the new peeps. I'm sure they will be fun and entertaining.
I grew up having to collect the eggs everyday..Liked the hens but we had a rooster that would chase you..he was pure evil! Let's just say he met his maker when he chased my Mom one to many times...there may have been a 2x4 involved...but anyways. I hope we get to see the whole journey with you :)
Adrienne Audrey
I want! I want! so adorable!
Shasta Halliburton
This is by far one of the most adorable and awesome posts I've read as of yet! I've just recently started following you and I've gotta say, there is never a dull post! Thanks so much for sharing this. Honestly, I'm totally jealous as I too want some little chickens of my own. Unfortunately apartment life doesn't seem to agree with me. Soon. Very soon.
Karen
Thanks Shasta! I love getting new followers. :) If you want a chicken in your apartment just tell my boyfriend about it. He'll have one at your doorstep in no time. ~ karen
Jennifer
They're adorable -- props to the BF for major blog fodder to come...
P.S. Can't wait to see the pool noodle wreath you make with those bad boys.
Karen
Jennifer - That's *exactly* what he said. You'll never run out of things to blog about now! I seriously hope people are interested in backyard chickens because I imagine they'll pop up every couple of weeks. ~ karen!
Rebecca
Karen - You have my vote! I can't wait to hear what you have to say about backyard chicken raising.
Laura Watt
the chicken poop will be good for the garden.
Oh, and zomg! I am so jealous! Are you going to build one of these awesome coops?
http://www.dwell.com/articles/coop-dreams.html
Karen
Laura! So funny! That is the *exact* coop I'm using as my inspiration. Holy crap! What are the chances you'd pick it? I in fact emailed the guy you see in the photo there and his wife asking for the plans for it but he isn't able to give them to me right now and I need the coop RIGHT now. He was really nice and send me links to a whole bunch of other coops. ~ karen
Jenn
Just make sure you have enough perch space. Prime requirement for happy chickens is a good night's sleep on a roomy perch.
This is a blog I've been reading lately: http://www.hencam.com/henblog/
Karen
Thanks Jenn! I'll go have a look right now. ~ k
Shauna
I LOVE that coop!!! It would go with our craftsman house perfectly and we also are looking to put one so the run runs along the side of our house. Let us know if they are able to sell the plans, we might be interested too.
gf
Thank you for brightening the end of a long crappy day. I laughed so hard I nearly blew beer out my nose when I saw your reaction photo.
Karen
gf - Glad I could help. :) ~ karen
daily decorator
That surprised look on your face is hysterical! When I bought my house it came with 11 chickens! Our coop is empty now but we keep thinking about getting more one day. Have fun!
Kate S
AH SO CUTE!! We hatched chicks in an incubator in 3rd grade, over march break some of the kids got to bring them home to look after, but I had two cats so I wasn't picked. It was a very sad day, one which I still hold against my now passed on kitties. I look forward to chicken updates! Good Luck!!
-Kate