Goldie at four weeks

Buff Silkie week three

Here’s my silkie chick at week four, she is about a third bigger than last week.

For a name I am thinking about Goldie if she’s a hen, or Nugget if he’s a cockerel.

S/he has been living in our coop for most of the week, the weather is mild here so she is doing just fine with her two siblings and the Mystery Bird (probably a dark cornish)

The interesting thing is that they all crawl under Cornish at night and Cornish spreads his/her wings and let’s them all under. A very sweet bird that cornish.

This week we ordered more chickens, this time from Murray McMurray. I am getting a dozen Buff Orpington Pullets and a cockerel.

Buff Orpingtons

One time years ago at our Hamilton County Fair the poultry judge was asked to describe the correct plumage color for this variety. Taking out his gold watch he said, “That’s the color for Buff Orpingtons.” And pure gold they are, symbolic of great value and high quality. Introduced from England in the late 1800′s, they became one of the most popular farm fowls in this country. These are large, stately birds of quiet disposition. Easy to dress for the table they are white skinned, plump, and juicy, a beautiful eating bird. Their heavy, full plumage make them excellent winter layers, shelling out brown eggs right through cold weather. They also make excellent setters and mothers. These “Golden Beauties” have been one of our most popular varieties for years and years with their glistening plumage and pinkish white skin. Baby chicks are a soft light buff color.

They are due the first week of April. I can’t wait until this is the scene in my brooder.

My roomate has ordered 6 pullets and 6 cockerels of the Dark Cornish breed.

The name Cornish indicates the origin of these handsome birds in Cornwall, England and they belong to the English Class. At one time they were known as “Indian Games” because of the use of both Old English Game chickens and Asells from India in developing this breed. They are unique because of their thick, compact bodies, unusually wide backs, and broad, deep breasts. These super meat qualities have made the Dark Cornish a truly gourmet item to raise for eating. The hens are nice layers of firm-shelled brown eggs and wonderfully hardy. This variety will come as close as any to rustling for themselves under rough conditions and also make good setters and mothers. Another very distinctive character is the close fitting, rather hard textured feathers with unusual lustre and brilliance. The close feathering and compact build will fool you on weight. They are always much heavier than they look. Baby chicks, all purebred and from the same strain, can vary greatly in color from a light reddish buff to a darker reddish brown with dark markings on the head and sometimes a dark stripe on the outer edge of the back.

Brooder Light

Yesterday we bought a brooder light, previously we just used a desk lamp with a standard light bulb…

I am really looking forward to raising my egg layers, and it is really exciting to see my silkie growing up…

Now if only we could have some nice weather here….

3 inches of rain before dawn

Aloha!

Hapuna at Sunset