So it all started when I read in some stack or other that egg prices had doubled. The next time I went to the grocery I checked and was shocked to find eggs at $6 instead of $3. “That's it!” I told myself, “I'm getting my own chickens!”
The old me would have have raced off, checked out Uncle Henry's — Maine's version of Craig's List — stumbled onto some free chickens (or ducks, or goats) in danger of being eaten, and brought them home. Which is how I ended up with an accidental litter and 10 angora bunnies at one point.
The new, wiser version of me instead spent a week researching, including buying 2 overpriced handbooks on backyard chicken keeping and not too many hours perusing websites on same. I must be insane. I already have more critters than I can care for and still have reasonable time for me.
One week later, back at the grocery, a light bulb turned on and back I headed to the egg section. “Yup…Just as I thought!” Turns out I had been thinking “dozen eggs”while looking at the 18 egg price. Eggs had gone up 20% or so, not 100.
Phew! I have way too many critters. But I kept on reading about chickens, just for fun because I do love the winged dinosaurs already in my life. I can always get chickens in the future if shtf arrives. But what if I can’t? What if there's a mad rush. What if there's no gas and none within walking distance.
I read and read. I settled on Barred Rocks as my best choice for when the time came good foragers, good camouflage, predator savvy, friendly. I searched around my place for useful items on hand. A small tree for a roost. A leftover plank for a better roost. Feeding pan. Etc.
And there were 3 free barred rock hens, still laying, in Uncle Henry's. On a whim, I emailed. Nobody responded.
Phew! This is for the best. Back to reading. I stumbled on a website with breed reviews. Each review ended with the same statement: “if you think this breed is for you, you may be interested in:” followed by a list of links to a few other breeds.
Which is how I discovered the endangered, heritage breed, Buckeye chickens. Great foragers, good camouflage, gentle, “dual purpose” and — unique in this respect — mousers!
Yes, they are known for killing and eating mice and moles! And I have been secretly counting the days til my Luna leaves, not because I don't love him but because he won’t allow any cats here and mice are a chronic battle.
I wrestled some more. I prayed and got my worst answer: A simple No and I would have been relieved. Yes and well, my calling.
Instead “Do whatever you want. It doesn't matter.” Worst because it seems nothing I do matters much.
I found a breeder. With only 2 in the entire state (that I could find, anyway) she was just 40 minutes away.
Yes, they've been here 2 weeks now. They are 4 months old today.
Introducing Roodolph, Hennessy, Hencate and Henrietta:
And it's turned out my prayer was right. They haven't made a bit of difference…in my workload! Easy, easy, easy 😁