Don't worry about us chickens

I became responsible for my tiny flock in April of this past year. I opened up an old Breyers ice cream container filled with hay and out pooped, new to the world, six lil guys all with their own personalities. Not knowing who was a hen or a roo I gave them all unisex names. After months of guesswork and finally a crow: I am left with Ducky:named because the first thing she did was jump into her water dish, loved it and remained, Fuzztop (obvious) and Peewee named because she was the youngest at only one hour old when I got her.

Now, that they are full grown and prolific layers despite everything I read about Bantam Silkies. I still worry about them but not nearly as much. Having a raccoon visit their pad really creeped me out. The holes and trenchesthis thing dug. I'm convinced he used our shovel. It was only recently that I learned chickens can really take the cold in ways I didn't know. Here I was with the heat lamp but mine actually enjoy the freezing temps. I found them yesterday enjoying the cold wind. Okay then. As long as they don't get wet, they can take really low temperatures.

What is funny is seeing how huge Ducky is. That's my fault. When she was five weeks old she came down with a cold. I didn't know it was a cold though and thought she was dying. I stayed up with her for a few nights, into the wee hours, trying to nurse her back to health. As a result, she sort of "flourished". Her extra poundage helps keep PeeWee warm. PeeWee has never broken the habit of trying to crawl under a wing. She is constantly looking for a "wing" to crawl under. Fuzztop isthe more independent hen and refuses to be carried and wants to perch on your hand instead. She'll ruffle her feathers and try to fly and make a huge commotion unless you allow her to stand on your arm or hand while you escort her..

They seem to be enjoying their first winter. For Christmas they are getting a new and improved pad. One with a pvc roof, critter proof floors and better insulated. Josh at www.mobilechickencoops.com makes the best chicken coops ever!