My Pet Chicken Delivers Chicks to My Farm

June 6, 2018

My Pet Chicken Delivers Chicks to My Farm

It’s always so exciting when chicks arrive at the farm.

As you know, I’ve been raising chickens for many years. Not only do I love keeping them for their fresh, delicious eggs, but I also enjoy learning about the different breeds and varieties. Last week, founder of My Pet Chicken, Traci Torres, and her social media manager, Forest Clinton, came by for a visit. They brought 50 rare breed chicks to add to my flock. From the moment they arrive, I make sure they’re housed properly, fed the best, most nutritious foods, and have enough room to roam and range happily. Chickens are not difficult to keep, but it does take time, commitment and a good understanding of animal husbandry to do it well.

Here are some photos - enjoy.

: Everyone at the farm loves to see the new chicks when they arrive. Here is one crate of babies ready to be moved into the coop. I’ve been getting chicks from Traci Torres for many years – they are always so beautiful and healthy. These chicks include a mix of Frizzled, Sizzled, Crested, and Naked Necks. http://www.mypetchicken.com

: Traci brought a total of 50 rare breed chicks to the farm. In this box – a smooth feathered Serama, a Frizzle Serama, and a Silkied Serama. Serama chickens are beautiful lightweight birds and prolific egg layers.

: Whenever we have chicks at the farm, one of my four coops is set up just for them. Dawa, who cares for all the outdoor birds, gently picks each one up to inspect it and introduce it to food and water.

: By this age, they are all familiar with waterers and feeders, but it is still good practice when they’re moved to new surroundings. Most baby birds are lost because they don’t eat or drink. This is a Jersey Giant chick. Jersey Giants are pretty, good-natured and layers of brown eggs.

: Here is a Super Blue Egger – a breed exclusive to My Pet Chicken. It is a lovely yellow chick now, but will grow to be white-with-black-flecks throughout. The Super Blue Eggers are friendly, curious, and best of all, extremely versatile.

: Usually after one chick finds the water source, the others will follow, but be observant and make sure they are all able to access their water and food. This is another Super Blue Egger chick.

: These chicks all have clear eyes and are very alert – signs of good health. These Super Blue Eggers will start laying eggs in about six months – their eggs are huge and light blue in color.

: This group of chicks includes a Welsummer, Jersey Giants, and a Silver Spangled Hamburg. The chicks with less of a yellow puff on the bellies are Heritage Barred Plymouth Rocks – one of the most popular dual-purpose chickens on small farms today. Both roosters and hens are very pretty with feathers decorated in alternating bars of white and black.

: It is always so nice to see such a strong and energetic group of babies.

: On average, about 10-chicks can consume approximately one-pound of chick starter feed per day. A good chick starter feed will contain protein for weight gain and muscle development, plus vitamins and minerals to keep them healthy and to build their immune systems.

: Within a few minutes, the chicks are ready to explore their new surroundings.

: These are baby Silkie mixes also from My Pet Chicken. They are a little older, so they have access to the outdoors. Once the chicks are about five weeks old, they are placed in a bigger enclosure where they can roam freely outside the coop.

: Here are the Silkie mixes enjoying their new yard. Silkies are among the favorite choices for children. This group will have varying colors, both bearded and non-bearded.

: And here are the beautiful Sebastopol goslings I got from breeder Brian Tallman in Pine Plains, New York. They’ve grown quite a bit since they arrived last month. Sebastopols are considered medium-sized birds. They are also very affectionate and kind-hearted with others in their group, or gaggle.

: Both males and females have pure white feathers that contrast with their bright blue eyes and orange bills and feet. The plumage of the head and upper two-thirds of the neck will remain smooth, while that of the breast and underbody will become elongated and well-curled when full grown.

: At my farm, I have a large variety of chicken breeds that are really interesting to look at and fascinating to study. These adults are wondering what all the fuss is – don’t worry my dear chickens, it’s just a new batch of excellent egg layers.

: Here is a gorgeous Coronation Sussex from an earlier My Pet chicken delivery. These birds are great layers of tinted or light brown eggs. I’ve always had enough egg-laying hens to provide me and my family with fresh, nutritious, organic eggs all through the year.

: Here are more hens from My Pet Chicken including Ameriflowers, Blue Favaucanas, and a frizzled hen from the Fun and Funky hatching egg collection. Inside the coops, hanging feeders are filled with organic layer feed. It provides the hens with protein, which helps them lay strong and healthy eggs.

: Chickens prefer to roost on high levels. In their fenced enclosure, the chickens are provided ladders and natural roosts made out of felled trees. Inside the coop, they have ledges in front of their nesting boxes. As you can see, my chickens are very happy birds.

: This is a Porcelain d’Uccle, a sweet and friendly breed. These hens are layers of tiny, creamy colored eggs.

: Twice a day, early morning and late afternoon, the adult birds are given cracked corn. They also eat plenty of vegetable and fruit matter.

: And, don’t forget – I have two Pomeranian guard geese that keep watch over my flock. They are very protective and very noisy, especially when greeting visitors.