Sunday, July 10, 2011

Introducing…

Rhoda, Ruby and Roxanne!

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We brought the girls home yesterday morning at about 11 a.m. and left them alone for the better part of the afternoon to get used to and allow them to explore their new digs.  They were kind of jittery and did more squawking than clucking and each time we checked in on them later in the day, the squawking got less and less.  They seemed to be settling in.

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The girls were three of several Rhode Island Red hens that shared a coop with two huge roosters who liked to have their way with them as you can tell by the lack of feathers on their backs.  We were assured that the missing feathers will grow back in about three weeks time and I sure hope so because bald chickens aren’t the prettiest sight.

When we checked in on them later in the afternoon, guess what we found?

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A huge brown egg right in the middle of the floor on top of the wood shavings!  It must have just been laid because it was still shiny.  I guess they hadn’t found the nesting boxes yet.  We were told that it might take them as long as a week before they start to lay again on a regular basis because of the stress of the move.  Believe me girls, I know just how you feel…about moving, i.e.  *wink*

We’ve been doing our homework…

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and have found that chickens love their greens.  We had a fresh salad last night for dinner and brought out the discarded leaves of lettuce and cucumber peels.  They ate every drop!

These gals aren’t the neatest housekeepers but I’m sure they’ll learn.  No quilts for them until they learn to take care of their digs!

Kaarenheartname

60 comments:

Sunnybec said...

Wow, we don't keep chickens but lots of our friends do and I know from them it usually takes a week before they start laying again, they must really love their new home. Hope it tasted good!! Linda x

WoolenSails said...

What a thrill to find your first egg.
I am bad, I like mine white and clean, lol.
Though from what I have heard, most of the store ones are old eggs;)

Debbie

Monica said...

They look to be making themselves quite at home. What a fun distraction they must be for y'all.

Jeannie Marie said...

I don't know if I will survive my move I'm blogging about, but I'm impressed one of your girls left your such a gift! I'll be watching as I may be keeping chickens myself in my new digs.

Flo @ Butterfly Quilting said...

Congratulations on your first egg!! how exciting.
I must admit though, cleaning out the hen house was my least favourite thing to do when I was young growing up on the farm! But the fresh eggs will be worth it!

Heartsdesire said...

Congrats on the new additions to your family. And to get an egg so soon, wow. Perhaps they could have just one small quilt for bestowing you with such a gift.lol

Me and My Stitches said...

Awwww...congratulations - you're a proud mama! I bet they will settle right in - they have such a nice place to live!

Jocelyn said...

What fun!! I loved reading about Judy's chickens on Patchwork Times. She had to give hers up because of a move, but now we can follow along on your adventure :-)

KaHolly said...

How much fun is that!!? I used to have chickens and just loved going out to collect eggs, especially on a cold morning. I'd hold a warm egg up to my cool cheek and it just felt so-o-o soothing! ~karen

Candace said...

Now this is proof that you and Mr. Painted Quilt have really "nested" in your new home, Kaaren! - lol! The girls are adorable and I'm sure with your love and care will produce for you for a very long time!
Cheers!

Gra said...

hahahaha!!!! Great post! WONDERFUL egg!!!

Irina said...

we keep 4 hens as well and they're great fun!yours are beautiful

Vroomans' Quilts said...

How wonderful to have a first egg! Oh, bald chickens, poor dears - maybe they will find comfort in not being harrassed.

Sandi said...

What a delight to find another post from you today.

I see a story quilt happening in your future about these chickens.

May you have many eggs to share with family friends.

sunny said...

Oh my gosh - I would have been so thrilled to see that first egg. What a fun new venture you're taking. Perhaps they will at least need a small wall hanging quilt to make the place more cozy?

Siobhán said...

Congrats on the first egg! ;) Best of luck with your new endeavor.

You remain in my thoughts & prayers!

Susannah said...

Nice meeting Rhoda, Ruby and Roxanne! Great names!

Susannah

Abby and Stephanie said...

I'm just imagining the sweetest little primitive wool Christmas stockings for the holidays. How nice they treated you to a fresh egg already! Have fun getting to know the girls. Great names.

Ruby said...

Glad to see you posting. I envy your chicken coop. Mine have to get by with a lot less! Love the names (wonder why) and I have a sister named Roxanne!

I enjoy this magazine a lot!

http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/

GerryART said...

And, You got the coop-warming gift egg.
hugs

ann said...

I love the red chickens. I am glad you got the girls I was wandering what happened with the feathers Glad it will be OK Take care

Shawkl said...

Well, I'm not a "Hen-esta" but if you already have an egg...I'd think that at least one of the girls is settling in just fine already!
Kathy
www.shawkl.com

Chris said...

An egg on the first day! Good job, gals. Love their names. Chickens also like to peck around the yard for bugs. We had one rooster (Jeremiah) and Henrietta 1 thru 36. They had free range of the yard behind the barn and at dusk you could always find them marching in a line to go up the ramp and in their door. There's nothing like fresh eggs, and if your lucky - double yolkers.

Joy said...

Love your gawjus chooks, and they'll be back to their normal full feathered look in no time :o). Love the names too .... ours were Marnie, Emma and Booh.
Oh I'd love to have chooks again but Mr JP isn't too keen. Congrats on your first egg too - they're clearly very happy with their new digs :o).
Big hugs,
Joy :o)

Sheila said...

Kaaren, it appears that the girls love their new home. Probably like that they don't have those roosters around any longer. Have a good week, Sheila

DebbieM said...

An egg already!! Wow, you must be fantastic at raising chicks!! I know absolutely nothing about it, but you must have given them the love they needed. You saved them from the nasty roosters so they rewarded you with the "Golden" egg!! You'll be in my thoughts and prayers on the 20th, Kaaren. Noting but good wishes coming to you from Dixie and I. :)

Mad about Craft said...

I so want to keep chickens. Our current garden isn't suitable but maybe in the future.

marina said...

I bet that was a thankyou egg for rescuing them from the pushy rooster. Perhaps if you put a 'dummy' egg in the nesting boxes it will encourage them to lay there. Love their names.

Gail said...

Karen you are so lucky. I would love to have chickens and Rhode Island Reds are my favorites. Nothing prettier than a plump little hen. Fresh eggs are the best too!

Bet you end up with more than three hens too!

Liz said...

Oh I miss my chickens, too many foxes around here at the moment. They look very happy in their new home Kaaren. Hope you're feeling well and you're spirits are high..
Take care..
Lizzie
xxx

Sandy said...

Love the names you chose. Those poor hens...I bet they are glad they are away from those crazy roosters! ;o) That is one beautiful egg!

SueB said...

Love the chickens. The will get used to their new home fast and give you eggs for your reward for there home.

Elyte said...

My friend has three hens and they have minds of their own. I hope that you all become firm friends and that you never want for eggs again. Take care.

Shari said...

Welcome to the girls! I'm sure they'll settle in and they've already given you an early 'thank you' with an egg! What does Mac think of them?

Sue said...

Those chookies must be so happy in their new home. They'll love all your kitchen scraps too....just remember to totally crush the eggshells so they don't think eggs are good to eat.

LONA said...

Such a fun post--thanks.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Oh, the joys of chickens! And you know I love mine. But good housekeepers? Not happening. Sorry. Better keep the quilts for the human kids. LOL

Allie said...

HOW EXCITING - your girls are gorgeous - I'm sure they'll settle in and start demanding quilts in no time, lol! And an egg already, honestly Kaaren, that's wonderful! They must be feeling quite comfortable.

Jenny's Place Online said...

Kaaren, you must be 'eggstatic' with the egg..lol... Hope all goes well for you :) Best wishes, Jenny

Elinor said...

Hi, Kaaren !
Congrats for the new members of your family ! I loooove them !
I would like to have chikens like yours. And fresh eggs, too ! ;-)
Thanks for introducing these lovely girls !
Hugs from France,
Sylvie

Carol said...

I hope you enjoy the new members of your family. An egg already how wonderful.

Nancy said...

Congrats on your new grand-egg!!!! Did you make it a quilt? ;o) all grands need a quilt.

Hugs!

Anonymous said...

Kaaren, love your chicken names. I sure do miss my hens. You will get hours of enjoyment watching their antics. One suggestion, I would set the water tank a bit higher. They like their water the same level as their backs, or so we were told. Good luck with them! Beth from Alberta

Elzaan said...

This is so exciting! I am sure you'll be enjoying them and their "produce".
And you even got your first egg! How cool is that?!

Ter'e said...

I WOULD HAVE BEEN SCREAMING AND DOING THE HAPPY DANCE OVER THAT BEAUTIFUL BALD BROWN EGG.

Way to go, girls. I wonder which one laid it.

I am SO EXCITED for you!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kaaren,

The girls look beautiful, even with missing feathers. Hope you both were able to share and enjoy the egg. Very hot here today. I'm not doing much outside. Have a great day.
Dianne

Vickie said...

The girls are great! I think messy is okay as long as they keep laying for you!!! Congratulations on the egg!
Take care!
Vickie

ScrapCar said...

Very nice blog! I wish I never got rid of my chickens :(

Pat said...

OMGosh!! Thay are so cute and fresh brown eggs so soon. Good luck with the girls!

Amy R said...

Love your new girls~

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh I love them!

Sandy said...

Congratulations on your first egg! We always had chickens but when we decided to sell our dairy cows a few years ago we were tired of chores and all the chickens went as well. But this year I got my husband 12 black sexling baby chicks which turned into 20 because the company sent extras. They are now very happy 3 month old chicks. I haven't found any scraps that the chickens won't eat. Enjoy your new additions. Sending prayers your way and hope you are feeling stronger.

edie said...

Those are three lucky chickas! Don't you love the color of the egg . . . okay, Kaaren, what paint color most closely matches the egg color? Have a super day! Hugs, edie

Sandy said...

From the looks of their backs I'm sure those girls thought it was the least they could do to thank you for getting them away from that rooster!!! Bless their hearts! Enjoy the egg.

Shelley said...

I just know you will sail thru the biops no problem at all. I am praying that they reveal definite answers so that you can move on to the next step whatever it is. This time of waiting is hard, believe me, I KNOW! But, I think its also a time of mental and emotional preparation. Love the egg...I see a future Friday Freebie inspiration there lol!

JessicaSews said...

Well there you have it... your first fresh egg! What a happy find!

Sending Best Wishes to you and hubby.

Stina Blomgren said...

Kaaren...
Just catching up on all my fav blogs.. and UGH!!! Your news were no fun news to read... made me sad to read ... but you sound so full of hope and that is the best medicine!! Wish you all the luck and sending you a big hug .. no lots of them... you just take care.. and enjoy your lovely feathered friends!!!

Linda said...

Kaaren, I have been thinking about you lately and I'm soooo glad to hear that you are keeping positive thoughts and going forward. Love the post and your hens. All the best to you and mr PQ.

Khris said...

Isn't it funny how you call them "brown" eggs...here in Oz that is the normal colour of all our eggs. I was dumbfounded when we visited the States and found all the bleached white eggs....thought they had been dropped in a bucket of bleach...lol
Hugs Khris

julieQ said...

Well, what pretty ladies you have there! enjoy!!