Friday, June 4, 2010

Meet the Girls

We need help naming our new chickens! We’ve had them almost a week now, and so far all know is that this one is Stella. She has a big white star on her chest. Stella is a Speckled Sussex.

This chick is the biggest, bravest and bossiest. She’s a Cuckoo Maran. Finally there’s the yellow one – Miss Ameraucana.
These girls are 7 weeks old. They’re pullets – or “teenage” chickens. They won’t be laying eggs for another few months, but I’m so glad they’re here! The poor dears have been a little confused, though. On the first two nights we had them, we were out until after sundown. When we came home, they were huddled in the dirt in the back of the run. The S. man stood by with a flash light while I climbed in there, grabbed them and put them up in their roosting spot. (I do wonder if the neighbors witnessed any of this and if they did, what they thought we were doing!) Another night had them roosting up in the trees.

Last night Miss Big and Bossy refused to go up the ramp with the other two. Poor thing ran around and around bawking and bumping her head trying to fly out. She really wanted to stay outside playing, I guess. An hour later after it got dark I went back out to check. All had made it upstairs… and I heard the sweetest sleepy little clucks.



During the day, they love ranging around their little yard. It’s fenced in to keep certain interested parties at a distance. (Thanks to Mr. & Mrs Squirrel for the bricks!) My biggest worries now are raccoons and cats, because they climb. I’ve never seen raccoon in our yard, but there are quite a few stray cats in our neighborhood and they wander through sometimes.

CHICKEN CAM TIME!!


Some of the names in the hat are: Lily, Gretchen, Clover, Maude, Gypsy, Bitsy, Macaroni, Cookie, Dolly, Goldy, Queenie and Buffy. What do you think makes a good chicken name?

16 comments:

TALON said...

They're lovely! And I loved the Chicken Cam - lol!

I love your choice of Stella - that seems a good chicken name.

And I'm thinking maybe Henny Penny? Or Rosie? Yeah, I suck at chicken names :)

Anonymous said...

how about Rue McClanaHEN? Or, in recognition of one of Rue McClanahan's most famous rolls - Blanche - maybe for the big bossy one? (although on the show - that would have been Maude/Dorothy).
w

beth - total mom haircut said...

I'm liking Bitsy a whole lot as a chicken name. Bitsy and Maude. They can cluck around together.

Lorilee said...

Congratulations on being a new chicken mom! I love the way they scratch with both feet! My current chickens are named Lily, Holly, Blossom (all black and copper colored feathers not sure of the breed), Madeline, Matilda,(Ameraucanas) Buffy,(Buff Orpington) Scarlett,(Production Red) and Gretl(Barred Rock).
Blessings,
Lorilee

garden girl said...

Aw, they're so sweet! I'd love to have a few chickens.

k said...

We used to have chickens and a cat. Georgia was terrified of the grown chickens - too much like raptors or something.
I have no chicken names. None.

JGH said...

Talon, I was at a tag sale yesterday and found a book called "Henny Penny" ! An omen?

Wendy, that's so funny because Maude was one that I thought might work for the gold one. And Blanche would go great with Stella a la Tennessee Williams. Speaking of southern writers, how bout Eudora...

Beth, I love Bitsy too. But I'm afraid it sounds too much like Betsy, the name of my dog. She's jealous enough as it is.

Thanks, Lorilee - love the names you've chosen.

Garden Girl, I've wanted them for about 10 years, no kidding. I hope I manage to keep them alive for a couple.

K, that's what I'm hoping. That the neighborhood cats will be terrified!! But there so little now, I don't think that's likely.

PamHMG said...

Love the chick cam. And the hoop house is so cute. How bout the name Gertrude? Can't wait for a visit this summer....

our friend Ben said...

Yes, yes, yes, go for it, Jen!!! Our own Buff Orpington is Stella, so of course we approve. For your others, how about Emma and Lizzie, Jane Austen heroines?

Erin said...

Oh, I love Maude. Something about it is just so cute and ... chicken-y. Love the chicken cam!

tina said...

They are just the cutest little teens!

Bangchik and Kakdah said...

Lovely girls you have there.... and next time the big and bossy refuse to get it, say things like "there will another day to play". haha.. cheers, ~bangchik

Pix E. said...

Since they're girls I suggest flower names like Daisy, Rose, Tulip, Petal, Violet, Nigella,

patti said...

You would LOVE my friend the Irishwoman--she raises free range chickens and is ordering some Swiss polka-dot brand JUST TO ENJOY looking at 'em!
Isn't that cool?

GLAD to be back at your blog!
Patti

dennis said...

Dennis likes the names Denise, Deni, and Denetria

dennis said...

Dennis says St. Brigid is the patroness of chickens.