The Squawk's First Bantam Chickens

It's time to start writing again...the kids went back to school today!

At a family gathering this weekend, my sweet Uncle Don asked me why he hasn't seen a post from the Squawk in awhile. The simple answer is—I'm in a writing slump. Writer's Block is a true condition, one that I'm suffering from right now. After I applied to more writing contests this spring and summer, I was disheartened when I didn't make the cut for any of them. I decided to put my "pen" down for a bit this summer.

But, now that I have a little bit more time on my hands, I might as well give an update on the Squawk Flock.

While I was getting my kids on the bus this morning, I had some of my "newbies" follow my to my car. Who are my newbies? If you've been following my post for awhile, you know I have a small addiction to collecting chickens. This summer I've added 48 chickens to my flock. Yes, you read correctly....I went from 70 hens to about 118. Before you call me crazy or think I should be sent to the chicken loony bin, I decided to double my flock since my older chickens have slowed down laying eggs. I needed to add younger egg layers to my flock, because I'm having a difficult time keeping up with the supply and demand of farm fresh eggs. I hate turning away new customers because I don't have enough eggs to hand out.

Three of my four babies who were pecking my toes while I was taking this picture. I guess my toes look like worms, haha!

Four of my newbies hold a very special place in my heart. Their broody mama, who has raised them for the past two months, decided the chicks didn't need her guidance anymore so she abandoned them. Although they are old enough to take care of themselves, they have chosen me as their new broody mama. Everywhere I walk around the yard, I have to watch where I step because they love to walk around my feet. When I call out "BABIES", they come running towards me. At night time, I have to carry them to the "Big Girl Coop" because they don't want to leave their "Baby Coop". As they get older, I know they will eventually stop following me around...but I have to admit, I love being their temporary mom.

My other newbies were a surprise to me. I got them from the clearance bin at Tractor Supply this spring. The clearance bin doesn't have labels on the chickens, it's just a hodgepodge of the leftover chicks from the other bins. These chicks turned out to be a mixture of different types of Bantam chickens. Bantam chickens are miniature chickens, about a quarter of the size of a normal chicken.

If I would have known these chicks were Bantams, I would not have purchased them. I've always heard that Bantams are small attack birds that don't lay any eggs. My Bantams have turned out to be the exact opposite of those rumors. They are the sweetest birds, and in my opinion, they are some of the prettiest birds in the flock. I have just a couple of them laying eggs (about the size of a robin's egg), but these miniature chickens are sticking around because they have such great personalities.

Jack Attack, looking fierce out in the woods.

My new Bantam rooster's name is Jack Attack, but he's really just my sweet talkin' man. He loves to be talked to when I feed him sunflower seeds, he loves to crow like he's a rough and tough rooster, and he is a endless flirt with the ladies...even though they are triple his size. Although I don't keep all the roosters that come my way, I immediately saw that Jack Attack had to stay because he is so charming.

My chickens look like Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen, haha!

Three of my Bantams are sisters. Their names are Betty, Judy, and Rosemary because they remind me of the "Sister Song" from the movie, White Christmas with Bing Crosby. They have fancy feathered feet that make them walk like they are swaying to a song. These girls have blue polka dots on their white feathers and some blue feathers on their feet that look like feathered boas. Betty, Judy, and Rosemary always wait for me to walk them inside the coop at night because they are ladies. So sweet!

Judy, isn't she beautiful! Look at those huge feathers on her feet.

Meet Princess Diana, my very first Silkie. Silkie chickens do not have normal bird feathers. They have tons of fluff, like the baby chicks. Her feathers cover most of her eyes, but that doesn't stop her from getting around. I may have to trim her fuzz at some point, but she is still warming up to me touching her. Because of her silkie feathers, she cannot fly at all. The other chickens can fly about 10 feet up in the air, but Princess Diana just does a lot of jumping to keep up with her flock. It's amazing, but because of her jumping ability, she is able to catch the most flies out of any other chicken I have.

Bantam chickens are better at being "pets" but they've fit into my coop very well. I'm hoping their tiny bodies do well during the winter months, especially Princess Diana with her body of fluff.

I hope all my readers had a wonderful, relaxing summer! Now we get to look forward to Fall, colder weather (YES!!!), apple cider, pumpkin pie, and beautiful color changing trees!

Thanks for reading my Country Squawk,

Kelly