05/31/2026
SUNDAYS WITH SUE: Just when we thought we would not get more chickens, we changed our minds! Its been several years since our 12 year old chicken passed away. This particular chicken, Peanut, spent her last summer days relaxing next to our old lab on the garage floor after two generations of comrades went before her. With sliding garage doors that open on both ends (one being out to the garden), we humans hang out there too!
If you are wondering why no chickens before this, there are few reasons, but first and foremost were rodents, namely rats, that set up shop in around the coop and boldly entered all areas including the garden and the house! We literally built a hardware cloth fortress around the coop and spent a summer trapping them in the garage. So far, no sign of rats!
The Avian Flu outbreak in large flocks has been a concern, however, many friends seem to have had no issues revolving around the virus. It was a book seen on this page written by a U.C. Davis professor that gave us the push and safety guidelines we needed to consider getting chickens, again. “Doctor Cluck’s Backyard Chickens“ by Maurice Pitesky, professor of Cooperative Extension in the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine, and veterinarian Evan Adler “advise readers on choosing breeds, setting up a brooder, diagnosing disease, understanding nutrition and making compassionate end-of-life decisions.”
It occurred to us that we really did miss the peculiar, at times quirky, antics and unique personalities of chickens. Already, hours are spent observing their clucking, chitty- chatty four month old behaviors! Somehow, their presence is grounding - unless you are the household dog who does not seem sure whether they are squirrels with feathers or competitors to contend with!
The chicks have a wonderfully secure roost to go into at night. Instead, the first night, they chose to teeter on top of its door! Paul attached a thicker perch and they seem to prefer that over the cozy roost - crazy! Paul built an in coop spa where the girls can take their daily dirt bath. Dirt baths are important for cleaning the chickens feathers.
Food in metal containers are kept inside the coop where rodents can not enter. As they age the chicks will be given opportunities for outdoor forages and will be monitored. Stall mats cover the bottom of the coop which we hope will be easier to clean.
I’m sure there will be plenty of stories about these three New Hampshire Reds. Oh yes, there’s those wonderful eggs! We asked family members for suggestions of names for the girls. The response was overwhelming - too many good ones! More on that later. Have a great week!
