Quickwitter

Nov 04

“Europe” ChicksSurprise babies©Laura Quick So, while I was traveling in Europe, “Dude” my house sitter thought it was cool that one of the hens became broody and started sitting on a clutch of eggs. These 8 chicks, of unknown parentage, are the result. They are cute as can be and thriving, though I really didn’t need any more birds. Since I don’t know what breeds they are, I’m not certain that I can sex them as chicks and I’m already maxed out on roos. Side note: The gold chick on the far left has feathered feet and looks like a Buff Brahma - a plus as they are my favorite breed.

“Europe” Chicks
Surprise babies
©Laura Quick

So, while I was traveling in Europe, “Dude” my house sitter thought it was cool that one of the hens became broody and started sitting on a clutch of eggs. These 8 chicks, of unknown parentage, are the result. They are cute as can be and thriving, though I really didn’t need any more birds. Since I don’t know what breeds they are, I’m not certain that I can sex them as chicks and I’m already maxed out on roos. Side note: The gold chick on the far left has feathered feet and looks like a Buff Brahma - a plus as they are my favorite breed.

Oct 27

Six for a Saturday Afternoon

  1. I missed the Friday Tumblr outtage entirely as I drove round trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco which killed an impressive amount of time  (350+ miles each direction). Now, I may have to drive back again…such is my life these days. Family. Oy! As an aside I can’t recall the last time my sister and I had a civil conversation. Every call recently has devolved into a screaming match and ends with her hanging up on me.

  2. I’m shuffling chicken pens…this may or may not be a big mistake, more on that in the next day or two. I’ve done this with hens several times, but never with roosters…If I end up going back north immediately, this could spell disaster.

  3. In the 6 weeks I’ve been away, rodents have discovered the house to be a huge playground with a dog and two l-a-z-y cats to scurry around. From the *gifts* they’ve left behind, I can tell they have been EVERYWHERE. Now that I’m here again, the big ole party is at an end and they are being forced to choose - the can move on to greener pastures, or head on over to rat heaven. HEPA mask to wear while disinfecting the house is the order of the day. Gross.

  4. I still have no hot water, but I now have a new hot water heater in a box out in the yard, so I’m *this* close to having hot water again. Yeah. Rethinking my insurance carrier as my deductible is $1000. $1000? I can’t think of a single thing in my house that would cost $1000 to replace, or that my insurance *would* replace. I trust that they have considered this as well. On the upside, having no hot water has gotten me back to the gym - at least to take a shower :)

  5. “Dude”, my neighbor thought it was cool that one of the hens got broody and started sitting in eggs. As a result, I have 8 new chicks. 3 yellow, 5 black. Figuring out what species they are is tougher than it seems. Two could be Buff Brahma crosses which would make me very happy. Brahmas are the BEST birds…

  6. Driving up and down Interstate 5, the most boring drive ever, I’ve had lots of time to think about my friend Evan, who died back in August. When we were in high school his key club installed signs along the freeway identifying the crop being grown. There’s still a stretch where the signs are still hanging. It’s bittersweet seeing them. He buried in CA. I may make a trip to say goodbye.

Jun 19

Chicks! ©Laura Quick So after all is said and done 11 hatchlings + 4 Ameracaunas - the Brahma Mama is busy raising all 13 of the chicks.They are:3 Female Gold Stars / Golden Sex Links (red)3 Male Gold Stars / Golden Sex Links (yellow) - 2 to freezer camp1 Female Black Star / Black Sex Links (solid black)4 Australorps (black and yellow - not definitely sexable until 4-6weeks of age)+ 4 Ameracaunas They spend a lot of time using Mom as a boat. And when I come to visit them, they jump off her like fleas. It’s pretty darn cute :)

Chicks!
©Laura Quick

So after all is said and done 11 hatchlings + 4 Ameracaunas - the Brahma Mama is busy raising all 13 of the chicks.
They are:
3 Female Gold Stars / Golden Sex Links (red)
3 Male Gold Stars / Golden Sex Links (yellow) - 2 to freezer camp
1 Female Black Star / Black Sex Links (solid black)
4 Australorps (black and yellow - not definitely sexable until 4-6weeks of age)
+ 4 Ameracaunas

They spend a lot of time using Mom as a boat. And when I come to visit them, they jump off her like fleas. It’s pretty darn cute :)

Jun 17

Brahma Mama and a couple of Gold Sex Link Chicks I had three broody hens so I bought some fertilized eggs and gave 10 to each hen. This week they started hatching. This is the best Mama in the bunch, and my favorite breed - a Buff Brahma. Though the chicks look like they could be hers, they are actually Golden Sex Links - a breed that is a cross  - Rhode Island Red hen and a Delaware White Rooster - the chicks are red (female) or yellow (male) I also have Black Sex Links (cross of Barred Rock Hen and Rhode Isand Red Rooster) and Australorps. So excited to see the eggs hatching. ©lauraquick

Brahma Mama and a couple of Gold Sex Link Chicks

I had three broody hens so I bought some fertilized eggs and gave 10 to each hen. This week they started hatching. This is the best Mama in the bunch, and my favorite breed - a Buff Brahma. Though the chicks look like they could be hers, they are actually Golden Sex Links - a breed that is a cross  - Rhode Island Red hen and a Delaware White Rooster - the chicks are red (female) or yellow (male) I also have Black Sex Links (cross of Barred Rock Hen and Rhode Isand Red Rooster) and Australorps. So excited to see the eggs hatching. ©lauraquick

May 29

Danish Brown Leghorn - 4 weeks ©Laura Quick This is a Danish Brown Leghorn, considered by some to be the most beautiful breed of chicken, you wouldn’t think so from this photo. I think that chicks reach their full gangly teen potential at about 4 weeks. They are busy losing their down and replacing it with feathers, and little eating machines that are growing like weeds. SO they look ratty and their feet are too big and they are starting to sprout combs and waddles. So, here’s a chick only a mother could love.

Danish Brown Leghorn - 4 weeks ©Laura Quick

This is a Danish Brown Leghorn, considered by some to be the most beautiful breed of chicken, you wouldn’t think so from this photo. I think that chicks reach their full gangly teen potential at about 4 weeks. They are busy losing their down and replacing it with feathers, and little eating machines that are growing like weeds. SO they look ratty and their feet are too big and they are starting to sprout combs and waddles. So, here’s a chick only a mother could love.