Nothing Like a Nice Bath...

When our chickies were a few months old we discovered one of their favorite past times - dust bathing. Turns out it is actually a natural way to ward off various pests and to beat the heat. We also think it's rather amusing to watch. It always makes me smile when I catch them during a "bath."

I hope this clip brings a smile to your face!

All you fellow chicken-keepers, try to keep a patch of dirt or sand box available for your little friends, especially during the warmer months.

And if you have a garden, don't let them near it! In my experience, chickens are world-renowned destroyers of gardens.

*Music courtesy of Beck (probably).

The Beginning...

My dreams of keeping chickens were born in the early months of 2010. It all started when I borrowed a copy of R.J. Ruppenthal's Fresh Food from Small Spaces from the library (By the way, this is an AWESOME book for anyone who is looking to become a little more self-sustainable but lacks the space!). I sought out the book in order to expand my vegetable garden when I flipped to the chapter on raising chickens in your backyard.


Twink (Rhode Island Red) and Moo (Golden Comet)



I was instantly captivated by this intriguing idea. Never once had the idea of keeping chickens in the city crossed my mind. I began talking to my husband about the prospect of owning chickens and researching extensively online. It seemed as though I would never win my husband over - he continuously rolled his eyes and shook his head at me - until one day in early Spring he consented. :) We began discussing breeds and the best way to house them and the rest is history!

On Mother's Day, my family surprised me with a chicken tractor (a mobile chicken house/run) that my husband had constructed himself (with help from our girls). I was ecstatic! We went to a poultry farm in Germantown later that day to pick out our two pullets (young hens).

We named them Twink and Moo.