My friend Jackie sadly lost two her of her girls recently. She lost Annie just before Christmas and Rosie yesterday leaving her with only two girls. Jackie had been thinking of getting some more girls in the spring but now felt she wanted to get some more as soon as possible so that her remaining girls didn’t stay at only two for too long.
I knew of somewhere local that used to sell chickens and as Jackie doesn’t drive I offered to take her there today. Jackie phoned them and they didn’t have any chickens at the moment. As I had only one lunch delivery today my husband offered to deliver it for me to free up my day if we needed to go further afield. Jackie started researching and came up with a farm in Windsor, half an hours drive away, which had young chickens for sale up to point of lay.
I put my dog crate and pet carrier in the van and collected Jackie at eleven o’clock this morning. Because some of the roads were flooded we had to take a longer route but found the farm after passing it and turning round a few times.
I had to stay strong and resist the urge to take any chooks for myself but Jackie says I can be auntie to her new girls. The chooks were all beautiful but we both fell for the same two breeds, a really pretty speckled star and a bluebell.
Willow Court farm
The guy caught the speckledy first and Jackie instantly came up with name Shadow for her which I thought was lovely. He then caught the bluebell and after inspecting them they were in the dog crate and we were on our way back. As we left the farm Jackie decided that the bluebell would be named Willow, appropriate as she came from Willow Court farm. I thought this was also a lovely name and we both agreed Shadow and Willow went well together.
Back at Jackie’s we put the dog crate in the separated part of the run that would be the new girls home during the integration period. Clover and Bonnie voiced their displeasure at having new girls in their garden.
Clover
Bonnie
Shadow and Willow in the dog crate
Shadow is in the foreground and has very long legs. Before long the new girls stepped out of the dog crate into their new home.
Shadow and Willow venture out
Willow finds the log
Shadow
Willow
The new girls were soon scratching and pecking happily in their new home seemingly unaware of the old girls shouting about it.
Now the fun of the integration begins. I had to leave for home but will be checking up on the new girls as often as possible. I am honoured to be auntie to these lovely girls and to have been present at their arrival to their new home.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
What a good day ! They are such lovely girls and I just love them .
It is also great to have a chicken friend whos eyes don’t glaze over when chickens are talked about 🙂
I had a really good day too and I also love having a chicken friend that feels the same way I do.
Oh, soooo pretty. I can’t wait to get more chicks in the spring. I’m REALLY hoping to have a broody and give her babies to raise.
I know what you mean, it took all my will power to remain chicken aunt and resist for myself. I look forward to your next babies though and live out my chicken dreams through my lovely chicken friends. I can’t have more as I have many as I have space for but if I had more space I would have more chooks in a heartbeat. I have to remain practical and I do have a lovely flock but oh my! chickens are so additive. That is lovely thing about sharing through our blogs, we can enjoy our collective chicken adventures. Long may it continue, I am so happy that we can come together and share.
Oooo, nothing better than getting new chickens! Hello, Shadow & Willow 🙂 x
I agree. It was really hard for me not to be tempted but I will share in the pleasure of these girls.