I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the spring chicks. I have been reading over all of the hatchery catalogs this winter, trying to select the best breed for our climate and one that is a dual purpose breed, for both meat and eggs. I went back and forth and finally decided on buff orpingtons. The problem is, you have to order a minimum of 25 chicks for them to be safely shipped through the mail. The next problem is, I don't get home from work until well after the post office closes.
For the last few weeks, I have been cruising our local Tractor Supply's shipments of chicks, hoping that some buff orpingtons would come in. No dice... So, unable to contain myself any longer, I bought a dozen chicks that looked healthy, but no one could tell me what kind they were. The very nice man at Tractor Supply patiently debated with me, comparing the chicks to the breeds on the poster they had there, trying to figure out what they were. I was satisfied that I would just call them Tractor Supply Surprise and bring them home. Before leaving, I got a feeder, waterer, large metal tub and some chick starter.
Once home, I started setting up their little chick oasis. I had turned my back for only a second, when I heard a commotion. I looked over to see a guilty looking boston terrier, attempting to make off with one of the to go boxes of chicks. Luckily, none were injured and I had taped the box well before leaving the store, afraid I'd have loose chicks in the car on the way home.
Once I got them set up with their feeder and waterer and heat lamp, I quickly realized that I underestimated the size tub that I would need. What to do, what to do? Well, I had an extra bathtub we never use, so I got them set up in there.
The next week, we went to the Co-Op to pick up some pig feed and I noticed the sign for chicks. Unable to help myself, I went into the chick room and found a tub of Buff Orpingtons!!! I quickly picked out a dozen, with my husband shaking his head the whole time. "What are you going to do with them?" he asked. Simple, we have another bathtub!
For the last few weeks, I have been cruising our local Tractor Supply's shipments of chicks, hoping that some buff orpingtons would come in. No dice... So, unable to contain myself any longer, I bought a dozen chicks that looked healthy, but no one could tell me what kind they were. The very nice man at Tractor Supply patiently debated with me, comparing the chicks to the breeds on the poster they had there, trying to figure out what they were. I was satisfied that I would just call them Tractor Supply Surprise and bring them home. Before leaving, I got a feeder, waterer, large metal tub and some chick starter.
Once home, I started setting up their little chick oasis. I had turned my back for only a second, when I heard a commotion. I looked over to see a guilty looking boston terrier, attempting to make off with one of the to go boxes of chicks. Luckily, none were injured and I had taped the box well before leaving the store, afraid I'd have loose chicks in the car on the way home.
Once I got them set up with their feeder and waterer and heat lamp, I quickly realized that I underestimated the size tub that I would need. What to do, what to do? Well, I had an extra bathtub we never use, so I got them set up in there.
The next week, we went to the Co-Op to pick up some pig feed and I noticed the sign for chicks. Unable to help myself, I went into the chick room and found a tub of Buff Orpingtons!!! I quickly picked out a dozen, with my husband shaking his head the whole time. "What are you going to do with them?" he asked. Simple, we have another bathtub!
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