Last week we went to a cookout at my friend Emily's house, our kids are very close in age so it's always a good time. Well, they have backyard chickens. Sebby was entranced.
Ever since we bought our house last spring, we've occasionally talked about getting our own flock, because well, farm fresh eggs are the bomb.
A little research on my husbands part lead us to Portage Bay Grange, the place for urban farming in Seattle. We decided it was time to take the plunge. We have a big yard for chickens and a long weekend, so why not, right?
Portage Bay Grange typically updates the poultry for sale every Friday, but they also encourage you to call or stop in for the up to minute roster. We took a look at their list and made some decisions after researching breeds. We wanted chickens that would be good with kids and would be decent layers.
Here's what we decided on for our flock:
Ameraucana, Welsummer, Gold Laced Wyandotte, Silver Spitzhauben - hatched 5-24
Partridge Cochin, Cuckoo Maran- hatched 5-18
If you know anything about Spitzhaubens, you know she will be our wild card. That's okay!
Our baby chickens were placed in a little brown takeout box so they could have a safe ride home.
The great thing about Portage Bay Grange is they really are a one stop shop for urban farming in Seattle. Something tells me that I'll be going to them for more than just chickens! No goats or sheep though. Even though they are allowed in Seattle, I'm just not ready for that yet!
Our basic chick set up includes a feeder and waterer, organic chick feed, scratch, a brooder (aka rubbermaid bin) some bedding and heat lamp.
A short drive later and the chicks were home.
Meet our backyard chickens
We knew we had to get a Milo (aka Tree Cat) proof set up FAST. We have industrial shelving in our kitchen, so we cleared off our food storage bins and set up a brooder with the heat lamp on there. Chicks grow pretty quick, so this is definitely a temporary solution until we get our coop built.
They seem pretty happy, cheep cheep cheeping away. We'll have to get started on our coop and run this weekend. I'm thinking we'll make it out of pallets, since we have a source for them, though I've been searching on Pinterest for fun ideas.
I think when we clean our brooder out today I may try and get individual pictures of them. It's amazing that I can see the growth difference between today and yesterday!
Leila
I am totally jealous! I asked hubby if we could get chickens and he says it's against city ordinance (I will be doing my own research to verify that!). I proposed we moved to the "country" (if there is such a thing here in the desert). I'm bound and determined to get my way and have chickens! I'll be looking to you when I do!
Sarah BB @ East9thStreet
I am so excited for you!! I have wanted my own chickens for some time because the eggs just taste so much better when you can control what they eat. I've heard that giving them different herbs will make their eggs taste sweeter. You have to try it and let me know!
TheMaven
Ooh I will have to read up on the herbs tip! Thanks!
Amanda @ The Frugal Greenish Mama
I totally can not wait to hear about it! We have chickens and the chicks are so much fun! We always purchased our baby chicks but last summer we came home from vacation and one of our beloved hens was gone. We thought something got her while we were away. A couple of weeks later she showed up with eight chicks! It was our first time having one hatch her own. My children love our chickens and they are so easy to keep!
I hope your children enjoy them as much as ours have!
Chrystal @ Happy Mothering
Fun! We have a buff cochin and it's so docile. It's actually a roo and it lets my 3-year old carry it around like a doll. They grow FAST. Ours are 6 weeks old this weekend and they are huge! I'm planning to move them outside this weekend. Also, Scratch and Peck offers a non-GMO feed that's corn and soy free, and they're located in WA. Our chicks love it!
Danielle
I am so totally jealous! Have you seen the coops that are on wheels so they can move around? I'd do one of those if Joseph ever let me have chickens. And the ideas on pinterest for an herb garden on the roof? Oy... I've daydreamed about chickens for so long. Can't wait to read more!
Jean Parks
Whoa, talk about gaining tweeps to follow you! 🙂 No, we don't have chickens here, the only animals nearby are the neighbors 😉 I'm assuming you've got chickens so you can have fresh, organic eggs? How much do you think the eggs will cost you per dozen over time?
TheMaven
We definitely got them for eggs! I guess I'll have to do the math on the eggs cost over time, won't I? Sounds like the opportunity for a new post!