We’re Getting Broody!

April 18 2011

So our babies will be arriving soon!  On Weds to be exact.  They are coming from Frey's Hatchery Ltd in St. Jacob's Ontario, not far from Kitchener-Waterloo.  Believe it or not, they can schedule when the chicks hatch! In Feb when I placed the order at the Feed Lot, the lady there told me we'd get them on April 20th.  "How do you KNOW that?!", I asked.  She looked at me like I had 2 heads...  Obviously I'm a Chicken Newbie. 

So tonight we got our brooder all ready.  I've did lots of research on the web and we'd decided that we would try to use things we had around the house as much as possible (reuse and keep costs down otherwise these will be the most expensive eggs in Prescott Russell!)  So we are using an old Rubbermaid contrainer, left over burlap, chicken wire we already had and newpapers for litter and a broken cabinet door for part of the roof.  We did have to buy a heat lamp (they need to be 35C to keep warm.. there goes the electricity bill my hubby said), a feeder and special waterer (so they wouldn't drown!).   

We decided to put the brooder in the garage.  As we mentioned before, we have 2 cats. Our house is also mostly open concept, so the only doors really are to bedrooms and bathrooms, and as much as I think I will love my little girls, I don't really want them in my bedroom peeping all night.  Or smelling for that matter.  Sorry!

With the heat lamp I'm sure they will be fine, plus we can be sure our kitties don't find them at all. 

Here are a few shots of us creating the brooder. 

My son "rinsing" the tub by throwing a water balloon at it.  

 My daughter showing off the heat lamp. 

Almost finished brooder. Here we are adjusting the temperature with our oven thermometer. Our first try had the temp over 45C!  opps too hot for our little gals

Our chicks come in 2 days....

I am excited.... and nervous! 

What if it all goes pearshaped? 

What if they all get sick and die?

What if they live for 5 years?!

  

Will they be as comical, funny and interesting as people's blogs say they are? 

What if I LOVE them?! Can you fall in love with a pet chicken like you fall in love with your pet cat? 

Will I become the Crazy Chicken Lady? .... to be continued....