Seven Lessons In Seven Weeks

It has been 7 weeks now I’ve had those baby chickens. Well, they aren’t babies any more. They were babies for about a week and then they grew and grew and grew. Wow. They really do grow up fast. I don’t guess I’ve ever witnessed anything like it before.

I have learned many things from those chicks by welcoming them into my farm, my home, and my heart. Today I’m going to share Seven Lessons I’ve learned in Seven Weeks from my Sixteen Chickens.

Now when you read this post, you might think I’m boycotting using apostrophes. Nope, I’m not. This crazy blog program deleted them all. So Im going with it. And maybe I should boycott them? Just for the summer?  Lazy days of summer and all. Okay, Im in.
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  1. Mary Rauch says:

    I’m pretending I cannot understand what you said about the chickens and their personalities. I LOVE to eat chicken. Sometimes I tell my friends that if there were only two things (Chicken and Strawberries)to eat in the world that I might well be a happy woman. Of course a little Kentucky bourbon wouldn’t hurt, for medicinal purposes you understand.

  2. Teri Schneider says:

    After reading about the rocking chair I had a hearty laugh! That is so awesome! The chickens will love the extra space to roost and it makes it look so cozy inside. My chickens love fruit too. Last year, they thought they died and went to heaven when I gave to them the watermelons out of the garden that hadn’t ripened in time. If they could smile, I’m sure they would have!

  3. Mary says:

    Hi Rebekah, I also started raising chickens about 6 weeks ago but I’m still living in the city. My son and daughter-in-law gave me 6 of their chicks to get started. My "City Chicks" as I call them are so much fun to watch. I totally understand now why chicken scratch is called scratch…they each have to scratch the ground and do a little dance while pecking at the scratch while eating. I love to listen to the "girls" when they announce that an egg has been laid. There is so much more I could tell you of the fun of raising chickens. Also, nothing beats having fresh eggs.

  4. Joan says:

    Oh yea!!!! I so needed to hear from you and the girls and maybe one Roo – he will be fun too. Your ‘coop’ is looking marvelous – lucky girls I’d say and a place to sit and enjoy them. I love hearing about your learning experience. My son lives in the Black Forest in CO. – maybe you heard of the fire – well he got the family and horses out but the girls had to be left – oh yes I so wanted to try to sneak in during the mandatory evacuation and get them but he said they were running around like only chickens can – ‘the sky is falling’ – well his home was spared and so were the girls – we thank God and ask Him to comfort those that lost everything – he has one girl that LOVES to TALK – and when they got home she really gave him the whole story – LOUDLY but wouldn’t leave his side – oh yes love the animals but LOVE the GIRLS. Thanks again for the super rest time this afternoon – now I must get back to doing something. God Bless

  5. Pat says:

    Your blog about the chicks is so enlightening (and funny). I have learned things about chickens I didn’t know. I think its amazing that people are raising chickens everywhere, in the city, in the suburbs, as well as in the country. Although I live in an apartment (can’t have chickens), I manage to grow most of my own herbs and have a tomato plant. I frequent the farmers’ markets every weekend (we have many in the Boise ID area where I live). They actually begin in the middle of April and go through fall (one goes until Christmas-time). I, along with some of my friends, have been trying to eat as local and organic as possible and have found that the food tastes so good, and I’m sure it is so much better for us. Anyway, good luck with your chickens. Keep us posted as to their progress.

  6. Mary Beth Schwarz says:

    Your hen house is so lovely! Only the best for your chicks including insulation. The girls will love it! What laughs your story has given me tonight. Every animal I have been around has a special personality so your chicks are just like most animals with their little quirks. I think if you love animals they respond to you and are able to show you their natures. You will enjoy seeing the old rocker in the hen house and i will give it that homey feel. Mary Beth

  7. Nan Roberts says:

    I love these lessons. I aspire to have chickens this summer. I want to eat them. I also want to have bunnies and eat them, but I bet you I’ll be like you and not be able to. I love Barbie Cochin. Of course you do outdoor chicken daycare. WHat else?
    The rocking chair you can use to sit in and rock the chickens. How nice that will be.(well, there will be that chicken bedding, but still, you’re used to the smell by now anyway.) thanks for sharing and inspiring and encouraging.

  8. kay says:

    Looks like something I would do….building around a chair. Enjoy!

  9. Vivian says:

    Oh I do love the baby chicks. I get them every spring and enjoy all their lovely personalities. One trick I learned is to have space in the coop for a chair but don’t leave it in the coop. It will get yucky because the birds will use it. Also if you grow lavender in your garden you can harvest it and put the dried stems and flowers in your coop it will keep bugs away and makes your coop smell fresh. I mix it in with pine shavings. There is nothing in the summer that beats a good chair by the coop and a nice glass of wine. Have fun and enjoy. Vivian from http://www.gardengatelavender.com and http://www.womenfarmers.org.

  10. Brenda says:

    Well you will just need to take a piece of newpaper out with you when you visit to put on the chair seat before you place your seat upon it. And your girls will just sit there in your lap while you talk to them. One or two will claim it for thier night time roost. It will be the the queens spot! Love all that you learned in 7 weeks. It is all true! I lost 2 of my old hens this spring I am down to 8. I needed chicks, but I wanted a vacation during chick time. No insulation in our hen house but I do hang a light when it gets below freezing. Happy Hen days!

  11. Denise says:

    Love reading your post, had a good laugh over your lessons, very funny and relevant too. Love what you’re doing with your farm too. Look forward to reading more posts 🙂 take care.

  12. Lynda says:

    I am so happy to have read all your 7 weeks of lessons. It made my face and my Heart smile. I laughed out loud about the chair being built inside the coop. My Grandmother raised chickens and she said it was one of the highlights of her life, that is next to raising her children. I want to raise some Girls of my own. Soon very soon…. Thank you for your accounts and keep the wonderful words coming…

  13. Nancy says:

    I Loved reading your post about your chickens. I too have started raising chickens I started off with 6 little Buff Orbingtons, they were just so cute and fluffy but yes they grew so fast and then became 5 Roos and 1 hen. We have been able to find homes for 4 of our Roos and now our Henry is so happy with his little Millie and there will be 7 new hens for him it was so nice to watch the two chickens get to know each other and Bond they hang with each other all day isn’t Love Wonderful

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Country Living Update

I remember when we went to see a farm (a farm we didn’t buy, not this one), the real estate agent took us there and told us that there were “big molecules” on the farm.

My husband and I looked at each other with a look that we’ve used for more than 20 years. You know the one, right? As soon as she was out of ear shot, we cracked up about that comment.

That was before we knew anything at all about “big molecules.”

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  1. JoEllen says:

    I feel so good when I read your everyday happenings and I always find wisdom that I can use in my life in suburbia. Even though there is a lot of work on your farm, it looks idyllic! I love the random surprise flowers, your freshly mowed fields and your farm critters. What lovely pictures. Even though a lot of us wish we were where you are, we can all learn to be joyful and to "bloom where we are planted". Am looking forward to your next adventure.

  2. Joy says:

    When you plant flowers, you plant hope. Not just for yourself, but for generations! We began our little farm (in a new state) from scratch with snippets and starts of flowers from new friends. The stories we’ve heard and the memories we’ve shared, helped with our adjustment to a new town. What a great way to make new friends!

  3. Jan says:

    A few years back, I shared to an online friend that I was having a LARGE mouse problem and that they were eating my tomatoes. He told me to JUST get a couple of snakes (I can’t remember the type) and problem solved…He even said that he could get me a couple! I have no doubt that the snakes would work, however I would be levitating over my garden and not be able to weed. Good job with accepting the value of the black snake!
    I am so happy that you have some beautiful flowering surprises! With more space comes more possibilities…

  4. Joan says:

    I too feel good when I read your happenings. They so remind me of my younger life and the joys of the farm – one never needs to be bored on a farm – if there aren’t projects waiting to be done there are projects being thought of to do AND then just the all around wonderfulness of the hay fields, wild flowers, cultivated flowers – GOD’S love. Thank you for sharing – oh I’d still get barn cats – BIG BARN CATS – I learned how to make big noise, carry a stick, never reached into anything dark and ALWAYS looked up, also got to wearing a big hat, at least it would fall on my hat not my hair – YES cats are much more to my liking but I admire you for letting it stay. Thanks again – GOD BLESS

  5. Sandy says:

    Purple flower…maybe wild flox, at least that’s what I call them. Spring is an insane time, I think where ever there is "real" winter, not tropics winter! We have a cabin on a lake and a city home, we are completely insane with all the work! Too cold yet for gardens, so that is not done. Love it all though!

  6. Kristy says:

    My husband told me a story about a corn farmer, who paid big bucks to have an exterminator get rid of the mice in the barn. His wife found a mouse in the house and took it to the barn, so it could live happily ever after. The farmer was livid. I don’t know if the mouse was in the house because of the exterminator or if all farm buildings are subject to them. You might still want a cat for the house, because I suspect your snake phobia would reoccur if you considered a house snake.

    Besides, what is a farm without a cat?

  7. Rebekah, I’m glad you are able to deal with your snake. I too hate snakes, there was one in my chicken yard the other day and my husband assured me it was a garter snake, harmless, except for the fact snakes like to eat your eggs and baby chicks, (just saying) my husband use to take the big black snakes and kings snakes and relocate them since they are considered good snakes, the king snakes anyway because they eat all of the bad snakes and mice I suppose. I agree with the other lady I believe the purple flowers are some type of wild phlox. I would still get a couple of barn cats if you could, they usually dont bother the chicks. oh and now for the whole point I was writing, and this may sound a little goofy, but the way you can tell if your chick is a roo or not is pick it up blow on the feathers on his/her backend and you will see a slit, if it is horizontal it is a hen, vertical it is a rooster. (I know it sounds a little gross but that is how the guy at the farm store told me how to sex your chickens.) and it has always proven to be right for me. just saying. oh well we shall see….Be Blessed and keep having fun on your farm. Neta

  8. Brenda says:

    Everything is looking wonderful! The hen house is certainly big enough to house all your hens and more. The snake….no thank you mam. I move away from little Garter snakes we have around here until they move on. Your flowers are beautiful, I think the purple may be Phlox. Enjoy your farm life and the wonderful summer months!

  9. Rebecca says:

    I am so glad you decided to try raised beds. I love ours and it is so much easier and we don’t have to have a big ole tiller, I can do the garden myself and not wait for my husband to get home from work to till the garden.

    My chickens are laying eggs like crazy, can’t wait to see what happens when yours start laying, it will be so much fun to gather the eggs.

  10. donnaa says:

    I think your purple flower is Dame’s Rocket or Rocket. It blooms the same time as the Peoney-here in Indiana-the Flox bloom later in the summer. Peoney’s are my favorites but the spring rains usually keep them from lasting long-so I do cut them and bring them in to the house. I have bouquet that is has purfumed my living room for the last couple of days but is sadly fading now.

  11. Carol in NC says:

    Congrats on the snake tolerance. I hate mice with the same passion that you hate snakes and was happy to have a snake around, even though I would still jump ten feet back at the sight on one. Our old farmer neighbor told us once that those big black rat snakes would drive away the venomous ones. Not sure if that’s true but possibly, because we never saw any poisonous snakes. And you know NC’s reputation for rattlesnakes. Or do you? Maybe you didn’t want to know that! Sorry. Yep, I know you’re exhausted but it’s a good kind of tired! And such a sweet pic of your sleeping daughter.

  12. Shery says:

    I’m still tittering out loud about the child you grew in your raised bed :o) Oh, and your little Roo-maybe. If ‘his’ comb is significantly larger and perhaps pinker in hue, he is probably a he.

    Keeping up with the demands of a farmy/ranchy life is as you said, exhausting. But, oh what a splendid kind of tired. Rather than going to bed with anxiety or a too busy mind, you don’t want to think about ONE more thing. Sometimes I feel like a log crashing into my bed … T – I – M – B – E – RRRRRR :o) Love the photos and the update. If there is any fresher and more invigorating fragrance than than fresh cut hay, I dunno what it is!

  13. Sarah says:

    Your large bush is some kind of Rhododendron (say that 5 times fast!), not sure what kind. Beautiful though!

  14. Marion Armstrong says:

    Your pink flower is Dames’ Rocket. We have a lot of it on our property. I think your bush is an azalea. It is beautiful, and so are the peonies. They do come in pink and a type of red, as well as white. Enjoy! Before they open completely, you can pick one and dry it;and it will look like a rose. Cool!

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