Why Birds, Kids, and Jesus?
Well Birds because apparently I am a crazy lady who decided that I needed to purchase 22 baby chicks with no experience whatsoever to raise for eggs and meat. Kids because I have children ranging from 3 to 15 and they are a large reason why we decided to buy a farm in the first place. And JESUS because the good LORD knows I couldn’t do it without him.
Since I recently came home from our local Tractor Supply store with 22 baby chicks in a brown box, I have been googling my eyes out. It came to mind that if I document what I learn maybe someone else will be able to learn from my blunders.
First lesson learned: Do not buy chicken’s on a spur of moment decision just because your husband finally had a moment of weakness and agreed to let you bring “some” home.
Thankfully Tractor Supply graciously showed me all the supplies that I would need to get started and sent me home with brochures full of basic need to know information for raising chickens. When we got home I moved the chicks into a larger plastic tote full of bedding, food, and water, until I could get one of our watering troughs clean and dry.
Within a few hours our newest additions were set up in our garage in a large watering trough, complete with soft bedding, heating lamp, food, water, and a baby cakes pecking block.
In our new little flock we have 13 Asian Blue chicks and 9 Rainbow chicks. It has been 3 days since I brought them home and so far so good. They all seem to be adjusting well.
I have been reading so much information that I am dreaming of chickens in my sleep. I believe that my chicks range somewhere between 2-3 weeks old based on the information I have read online. They are just starting to get some feathers. The Asian Blues have already doubled in size in 3 days and have twice as many feathers than when they came home. They seem to be a bit aggressive and definitely curious. The Rainbows have not changed much so far but seem to have a much sweeter disposition and a bit more shy.
I am very excited to start documenting our new adventure. I will continue to upload pictures of their growth and progress and write about what I have learned and the blunders I am sure to encounter along the way. I am open to suggestions and advice if anyone wants to chime in. All is appreciated. As I begin this new adventure I will have to remember that ” Through Christ I can do all things.” Phillipians 4:13.