My chicks are actually 11 days old today. And they look very different (already) than they did at day 1. I will post a pic tomorrow. Unfortunately, my cell phone is in my desk at work (hopefully).
The name of my blog may be inaccurate as I haven't actually built a chicken coop yet. Sigh. My 6 baby chicks are still in their brooder (which is actually a Rubbermaid bin with newspaper & pine shavings & a heat lamp). In my living room. With no windows open, as the drafts are not good for the chicks. Did I mention that it is around 80 degrees in the house tonight? Refreshing thunderstorms (and some tornado activity), but I can't open my windows.
So, what made me come up with this crazy idea? I'm still not sure myself. I do have a busy/crazy household. We have approximately 7 adults (and I say "adults" loosely), 2 dogs, 2 cats and now 6 baby chicks. In the city. The 7 adults are myself (mom going through the longest known divorce proceedings in history), my boyfriend, my brother, my two teenagers (both in college, but living at home & working as well), my son's best friend, and my daughter's boyfriend. Oh, and most nights, my boyfriend's father for dinner. That is 8 that I cook for most nights. Not to mention now adding in changing the water bottle for the chicks around five times a day. Man, do they make a mess of it.
I guess I figured that my life was crazy anyways, so what was adding 6 chicks to the family? And I could use the eggs. Unfortunately, I only found out this week that it can take 4-8 months before the hens start laying. My boyfriend did say that he would buy me 3 dozen eggs a week if I wouldn't get the chicks....that didn't work.
I've been told that I won't be able to stand the smell by around 3 weeks of age (the chicks, that is). That gives me about 10 days to get the coop and run built for the babies. My goal is to do it as "green" as possible - using all recycled materials (where possible). I have stockpiled some pallets, and hope to use them for the majority of the coop. Will probably need to purchase roofing material, windows, vents, insulation, etc. And definitely more chicken wire for their run. I will blog pictures & plans as I proceed.
wish me luck. I think I'm going to need it.
