2017 chicks

I have Frizzles on order again through Houle's, like last year. They are supposed to be in on May 19.

But I saw via Twin Cities Chickens that True Cost Farm had some Egyptian Fayoumis and Black Minorcas available. They were two weeks old, and I got three.

What a difference between day-old and two-week-old chicks, though. These chicks are so flighty. It may be the breed. It may be lack of bonding when they were tiny. Anyways, they're breeds I've never had, so I'm excited to have them. Since they're exotic breeds, I decided to give them plain names.

So, here are Donna, Barb and Linda enjoying their first day in the sun and their first worms.

It's minus 5

But friendship knows no temperature bounds. Ayd Mill Road keeps Blanche company and keeps her warm, even in subzero wind chills.

There have been a lot of posts on our Twin Cities Chickens google group lately regarding cold weather. Favorites include:

• Check under a hen's wing to determine if they are warm enough
• Add gallon jugs of hot water inside the coop to raise the temperature
• Wrap the run in plastic to encourage them to still go outside (essential for Blanche)

I have another to add: All that food in your freezer that is no longer identifiable? Bake it on a cookie sheet and serve it up warm to your hens. You get a clean freezer and the chickens get a little warmth in their bellies.

It warms my heart that Blanche has someone. We all need somebody, right?

Blanche and friend. If anyone has a name to suggest that is better than Ayd Mill Road, please let me know.