Silkie!

The Blue Silkie chick is shaping up to be quite a charmer! Timid at first, she is emerging as a leader of the group of smaller chicks. Silkies as adults are known to be very tame and friendly. Remember "Florida Lady" in "The Natural History of Chickens." What was her chicken's name? Snowball? Anyway, that shows how silkies can be the definition of a lap chicken. Silkies are unusual in several other ways. They have fluffy, hair-like plumage and as adults develop a stunning turquoise lobe. The five-toed, feather-footed, crested breed was well-developed in China by the time of Marco Polo's exploration of that exotic land. Silkies are also known as one of the broodiest breeds. This combination of unique characteristics has made Silkies very popular. They are so popular that we at Lucky Cluck didn't want to order one! But now we are happy to have her in the flock.

Down to One

Sadly, one of Penny's chicks has vanished. The remaining chick is doing fine, however, and is starting to get her flight feathers.

Contest of the Century

The essays are in and, once again, they show the creativity and sincerity of the fine people who wish to be part of Lucky Cluck Farms. This is the second essay contest at Lucky Cluck. Unfortunately only one essay can win its author a co-op membership. We, as voting members, are grateful for the high level of interest and effort put into these writings. A winner will be announced at the end of the week. The lucky winner will be able to choose one of several fabulous chickens.

The Departed

Well, they are not departed yet. Here are a couple shots of near-pullets that will be moving from Lucky Cluck to Todd's coop. He has proposed setting up a coop that will be a satellite of Lucky Cluck Farms. Such behavior is, or course, encouraged. The chick above is a sharp-looking silver-penciled Wyandotte. This Barnevelder is very friendly (or hungry) and will lay handsome dark brown eggs someday.

Chicken Party Revisited

That's right. I am finally getting around to posting pictures from the first chicken party for 2007. The evening started with visits from some very special friends. Becca was quite enamoured of this Old English Crele bantie rooster. Tala leaves a gift on Matt's lap. A combination of the classic games Marco Polo and Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Pin the Cock on the Hen had comical results. Contestants attempted to pin the tiny bantie roosters in optimal mating position on the large Jersey Giant even as she tried to allude their advances. Linda-directed "Giant" proved very elusive as Khem attempts to apply his rooster. We all attempted to transition from egg to Super Chicken as the evening came to a close.

Venturing Forth

Penny, our banty partridge wyandotte, successfully hatched two beautiful chicks in early April. Today was their first real adventure out of the nest box. Their primary feathers are just coming in through the fuzzy down that covers the remainder of their bodies. Penny had to fluff up and growl at the other hens that were very curious about the biddies.

WOW! Check out these chicks!

Penny has hatched two adorable chicks! One hatched today and the other just yesterday. She is sitting tight on them but the chicks are happy to come out and enjoy a meal worm or kernel corn.

Those awkward teenage years

No, I am not talking about Kent. It is the chicks that are at the awkward stage. But they are also very lively, entertaining and ready to jump up on your arm! They have grown A LOT since last week!

Portraits of Near-Pullets

Ah the time of chickdome is brief. In just a scant period of a couple weeks our chicks are already feathering out and bouncing, like over-heated popcorn, to the top lip of their brood box. I had a chance to shoot a few protrait shots before they lose the downy chick-ness of thier heads in favor of a more adult plumage. A Quail Belgian Bearded D'Anvers and Appenzeller Spitzhauben are shown above. A silver-laced Wyandotte. An Appenzeller Spitzhauben.