We’ve decided on the chicks’ names!

Following the theme of songs named after women (our first girls are Alberta, Jolene, Clementine, and Mercedes), here are the names for our new girls:

Layla (blue andalusian) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_L-0Ryhmic

Lola (blue ameraucana) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LemG0cvc4oU

Eileen (white leghorn) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc-P8oDuS0Q

Gloria (golden cuckoo marans) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=355Fk8drgZE

Joanne (white marans...my aunt insisted, and apparently there is a lady gaga song) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uoz0MWW-OpI

Mrs. Robinson (easter egger) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C1BCAgu2I8

Ms. Jackson (easter egger) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYxAiK6VnXw

Suzanne (salmon faverolle) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cf1bnEb5Rs

The White Leghorn

Meyer Hatchery’s White Leghorn Chickens are a commercial strain of white egg layer selected for their superior performance. Leghorns were developed in Italy and brought to the United States in 1835. They are likely the most popular breed of laying chicken worldwide. Leghorn’s are very economical because they produce close to 300 eggs per year, yet consume small portions of feed. Although Leghorn Chickens are sometimes noisy and flighty, this solid white, streamlined bird will be the most efficient egg producer on the farm.

Average mature weight: Roosters 5 to 5 1/2 lbs., Hens 4 lbs.

Characteristics Class: Mediterranean Origin: Italy Comb Type: Single Egg Color: White Egg Size: Large Production: Excellent Matures: Very Early Bird Size: Small 4 - 5 1/2 lbs Broody: No Hardiness: Heat Tolerant Personality: Active & Skittish

The chicks are coming tomorrow! However, they had a problem hatching enough of the Silver Spangled Hamburgs, so I can’t have one of those which is a bummer, because I really wanted one (I’ll just have to wait until another year). The people at Meyer Hatchery were super helpful. I got an automated call and text that my order couldn’t be completed as-is, so I called the customer service number and didn’t have to wait at all. The man on the phone suggested several breeds that were available as replacements, including some that were listed on the website as sold out. After discussing temperaments with him, and what my coop/run was like, he suggested the calm and docile Salmon Faverolle. Casey says she looks like a Suzanne, so Suzanne she shall be! I also was told that my extra (free) chicken will be the White Leghorn, which is one that I wanted but they were sold out at the time!

Salmon Favorelles:

Salmon Faverolles Chickens were originally bred by the French for meat and eggs. Faverolles lay a slightly tinted egg and are great layers through the winter. Faverolles are very gentle, do well with children, and can become affectionate with their handlers.

Faverolles chickens are characterized by their beards and muffs as well as feathers on their feet and legs. Faverolles also sport a fifth toe! Salmon Faverolles hens have a rounded appearance and are a light salmon brown color with creamy white breast, beard, and muff. Roosters have white neck feathers, a black beard and muff, and a reddish/salmon brown back with black breast, body legs and primary tail and wing feathers.

Faverolles are considered to be a threatened breed by the Livestock Conservancy. They are an excellent sustainable heritage breed, laying 180-240 eggs per year.

Average mature weight: Roosters 8 lbs., Hens 6 1/2 lbs.

Characteristics Class: Continental Origin: France Comb Type: Single Comb Egg Color: Creamy Tint Egg Size: Small Production: Very Good Matures: Early Bird Size: Heavy 6 1/2 - 8 lbs Broody: Occasionally Hardiness: Cold Tolerant Personality: Affectionate & Gentle

I ordered Chicks today

In the week of March 13, they’ll come in the mail at work (plus some for a co-worker since the minimum order is 15)l I am beyond excited. I was able to order all the breeds I wanted except for the black copper marans (Meyer hatchery won’t have any until the summer) but I did order a couple other variety of marans. In the following posts, you’ll see my bucket list of chickens, all coming in the mail. Yes, I’ve had a Blue Andalusian before, but she is my favorite, so I needed another. The silver spangled hamburg is the most beautiful tiny non-bantam chick I’ve ever seen, and I can’t wait to see her scratching around and being a boss. I didn’t realize they’re prolific layers, so that’s a plus. I’ve ordered two variety of marans, and the Meyer site describes them as “gentle” so they’ll be good in the flock. The Blue Ameraucana is by far the most expensive: over $20 for a day-old chick but I cannot wait to see those beautiful blue eggs, and to fluff her little feathery beard. I’ve got two easter eggers heading my way - hopefully green eggs! I did want a white leghorn but they were sold out  - I will get one another time from Tractor supply, but not this year. My white marans will be my beautiful white chicken, but with eggs that taste better. 

So sad I won’t be getting one of these now! Another time...

Silver Spangled Hamburg  Hen, Chicks, and Eggs

Silver Spangled Hamburg Chickens are streamlined birds with stunning plumage: silvery-white feathers with black streaks and spots. Silver Spangled Hamburg roosters have a graceful poise, with long, flowing tail feathers and white hackles. Hamburgs are small, active, and very good at flying. They excel in free range environments. This breed of chicken features rose combs topping their heads, and hens are non-sitters that prolifically lay 4-5 white eggs weekly.

Average mature weight: Roosters 5 lbs., Hens 4 lbs.

Characteristics Class: Continental Origin: Turkey Comb Type: Rose Comb Egg Color: White Egg Size: Small- Medium Production: Very Good Matures: Very Early Bird Size: Small 4 - 5 lbs Broody: No Hardiness: Cold Tolerant Personality: Active

White Marans  Hen, Chicks, and Eggs

Meyer Hatchery’s rare White Marans Chickens are among our top sellers and for good reason. Marans have a gentle and friendly personality and are quick learners. Combined with their inquisitive nature, these gals will certainly keep you entertained with their antics. The Marans breed is known to lay the darkest brown egg of all the poultry breeds making them quite desirable in the backyard chicken keeping community.

We are so thrilled to continue work with this beautiful bird. Currently, we are breeding our Marans lines toward the French standard which is a feather legged variety; however, we do not guarantee each White Marans chick to express this gene.

Marans are great dual purpose breeds. White Marans Hens lay around 3 to 4 speckled dark brown eggs per week. Males can be processed around 16 to 20 weeks.

Average mature weight: Roosters 7 lbs., Hens 6 lbs.

Characteristics Class: Heavy Origin: France Comb Type: Single Egg Color: Dark Brown Egg Size: Large Production: Good Matures: Bird Size: Heavy 6 1/2 - 8 lbs Broody: Yes Hardiness: Cold Hardy Personality: Calm, Quiet, and Gentle

Golden Cuckoo Marans  Hen, Chicks, and Eggs

Golden Cuckoo Marans are a very rare feather pattern of Marans Chickens. Marans are well known for their dark brown eggs and the Golden Cuckoos will not disappoint. The Golden Cuckoo looks similar to the regular Cuckoo Marans, but has showy Golden bars against white on their head, back and hackle feathers. A desirable trait with this variety is that the females tend to be darker than the males. This can make them easier to sex upon hatching. Our breeders contain both feather and non-feather legged birds, your chicks could be either type.

Average mature weight: roosters 7 lbs., hens 5 1/2 lbs.

Characteristics Class: Not Recognized Origin: France Comb Type: Single Egg Color: Dark Brown Egg Size: Medium Production: Good Matures: Fast Growing Bird Size: Heavy 6.5-8 lbs Broody: Yes Hardiness: Cold Hardy Personality: Gentle

Easter Egger  Hen, Chicks, and Eggs

Easter Egger chickens are our most popular kid pick! Great for family-friendly flocks, these chickens are good layers of colorful eggs that can range from olive green to turquoise blue and occasionally rose or brown. Like their eggs, these chicks will grow into adult birds that vary widely in feather colors. And if amazing feather and egg color wasn’t enough, Easter Eggers are also extremely docile, and heat and cold hardy. Though they are favored for their eggs, they are a dual purpose breed and are large enough to be used for meat. Meyer Hatchery's Easter Eggers are a mix of bearded and non-bearded.

Average mature weight: Roosters 5 lbs, Hens 4 lbs. Also available in a smaller, bantam variety.

Characteristics Class: All Other Breeds Origin: United States Comb Type: Pea Comb Egg Color: Blue/Green Egg Size: Medium Production: Good Matures: Moderately Early Bird Size: Small 4-5 lbs Broody: Yes Hardiness: Very Cold Hardy Personality: Active & Friendly

Ameraucana  Hen, Chicks, and Eggs

The Ameraucana breed of chicken was developed here in the United States in the 1970s. The breed’s most striking features are their slate or black legs and the fact that they lay blue tinted eggs. Ameraucanas always have both beards and muffs. Their pea comb makes them a great bird for colder climates. They have a quiet and calm personality and will be sure to attract attention to your flock.

Ameraucana Chickens are not to be confused with Easter Eggers, as they are a pure breed and also not to be confused with Araucanas, which are rumpless and have tufts.

Average Mature Weight: Rooster 6½ lbs., Hens 5½ lbs.

Characteristics Class: All Other Breeds Origin: United States Comb Type: Pea Comb Egg Color: Blue/Green Egg Size: Medium Production: Good Matures: Bird Size: Medium 5 1/2 - 6 1/2 lbs Broody: Yes Hardiness: Very Cold Hardy Personality: Active and Friendly

Blue Andalusian Hen, Chicks, and Eggs

Blue Andalusian Chickens are gorgeous birds that originated from Spain and arrived in the US some time between 1850 and 1855. They are recognized for their long flowing tail and hackle feathers, large combs and wattles, and large white earlobes. They are not well suited for cold climates, but do handle the heat quite well and they thrive in free range environments.

Blue Andalusian feathers are a slate gray edged with a narrow black line and roosters tend to be black along the tops of their backs. Like all blue fowl, they produce black and splashed offspring as well as the blue color. Splash tend to be white with black or blue splashes.Andalusians lay 165+ large white or slightly tinted eggs annually and are known as non-sitters. Andalusians are active yet gentle.

Average mature weight: Roosters 7 lbs., Hens 5 1/2 lbs.

Characteristics Class: Mediterranean Origin: Spain Comb Type: Single Comb Egg Color: White Egg Size: Large Production: Good Matures: Early Bird Size: Medium 5.5 - 7 lbs Broody: No Hardiness: Heat Tolerant Personality: Active & Talkative

Cool view from the outfield! #letsglow @colafireflies (at Spirit Communications Park)

Made it out to a @colafireflies game tonight! I'm still counting it as opening weekend! (at Spirit Communications Park)

I love when beers are served in the glasses they're meant to go in! #conquestbrewingcompany #hoegaarden (at Moriarty's Irish Pub)

About to see Alton Brown! #eatyourscience (at Koger Center for the Arts)

Blown and dyed goose and chicken eggs! #happyeaster

Beautiful giant goose eggs from Kathy to dye for Easter!