A Diverse Flock’s Joy

Our Rhode Island Red hen reminded us of the joy our flock of diverse breeds gives us

 

Years ago, we’d order a batch of chicks all of the same breed Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks, Light Brahmas, and Buff Orpington’s were our favorites We’d end up with six or eight pullets that all looked the same By studying them carefully we could sometimes find slight differences in their feathers or combs that helped us tell one bird from the other but it took time

 

Switching to a diverse flock gave us a new joy Since each bird looks strikingly different from

Raising Chicks in the Winter

Years ago, we were newcomers to backyard chickens with a problem Chick catalogs came in the winter They were fun to read as snow drifted outside We’d decide what breeds we wanted and place an order for April delivery That date was a problem April and May were ferociously busy We needed to plant the vegetable garden, mow lawns, and try to find time to go fishing Back then our two small children had many late school year events to attend Squeezing in time to brood chicks was challenging

After a few harried