Raising Chickens!

Wow, it's been a while since I last blogged. We have so many "started" projects, I guess I've been waiting for one to become officially "finished". -I think that's just the perfectionist in me.

So to push away from perfectionist, here's the latest project we're hoping to finish soon. ;)
(Sorry this could be long)

Our adventure all began when we found these cute little guys by our house... I know what you're thinking, these aren't chickens and this post is suppose to be about chickens! Yes, these are baby rabbits. I fell in love with them and was heartbroken when they ran off. -But they still hop by in the backyard sometimes to say "hi".

I asked -begged- Danny for some bunnies for Easter, he said no, they get too messy. So I got wise, and asked for a baby chick. Just one. To this, he said yes. We got 6. And eventually 7. :) 

 Here we are at Atwoods picking out our new chicks!

I wish I could tag them like on Facebook, but these are their names in somewhat order from top to bottom: Chickita, Chickadee, Eggita, Chickalatte, Brigitta, Henita, and soon to come La-A (la dasha).

 After 4/5 weeks of being cooped up in 2 large buckets (like previously shown) with a heat lamp, our lil chicks finally had enough feathers that they proved they were ready to go to their outdoor house. Well, the growth of feathers as well as them physically telling us by flying out of their cage any chance they got, ha, and not to mention the smell! They make MUCH better outdoor animals!!

                       

Occasionally, the chickens will jump up on our shoulders. Typically this is fun. On this day, Eggita jumped on me and decided it would be fun to peck at my face. In the last picture she actually got my eyelid!!! And look at her, looking straight at the camera proudly after doing that. 

And now for the sad, unfortunate facts of life: 

On the second day out in their new happy home, Henita was found dead. We believe from a heart attack. The next day Danny found only chick legs from one. :( A day or two after that, Danny went out to check on them before work. When he got out there he heard them chirping like crazy and he saw this massive owl IN the chicken coop. He was as tall or taller than Danny's knees, with he's wings spread out. And that mean, beautiful creature had already eaten 2 other chickens. -We suspect that this (the owl) is what caused Henita's heart attack, just surprised he didn't eat her. 

We've since made the chicken coop as animal proof as we can until we can get back to finishing it. (Remember we also have many indoor "unfinished" projects too). And I can proudly say that our other 3 chickens are still hanging in there strong! They are fighters...and fast!! -great for free range!

R.I.P. Henita, Chickadee, Chickalatte, & Chickita

Photo on the left: Chickita; Photo on the Right: Chickalatte (black with brown), Chickadee (yellow), Henita (standing tall on the right)