It was a fun family Easter weekend, while in the Hatcharium six Gold Laced Wyandottes and a little Lavender Orpington were busy zipping out of their shells.
I’m pretty sure the Orpington is a boy, he displays all the qualities of a natural leader. Chickens tend to conform to stereotypical gender norms, although we have had one or two hens who bucked the trend. Our rumpless Aurcana Sparkles, while still a pullet, used to kick any rooster who tried any funny business with her hatch mates. We thought she was a boy; when she laid her first egg, we had to drop the “Mr.” from her name. She is a fierce mom too.

Liza, the border collie husky cross, is fast becoming a great LGD – livestock guardian dog. When we are outside, she is too, and on duty in the winter field. When a winged predator flies over, and the roosters growl, Liza leaps into action, dashing after the hawk or raven, barking “get away from my chickens!” Such a good girl.
Chance? Well, sometimes he copies Liza, but most of the time he just acts like a chicken.

Special Operation Chick Landing went off without a hitch last night just after 0900 hrs.
Subject one, Alsty broody. Location-layer coop. Status-sitting on 9 just hatched olive egger chicks.
Subject 2-Silkie broody. Location-barn. Status-sitting on 5 just hatched silkies n’ polish.
Objective-achieve adoption of 18 incubator-hatched chicks between these two mamas.
Results-SUCCESS. Each mama took 9 without a murmur, and this morning both were pleased as punch with their impressive broods.

Little Silkie hatched her first brood yesterday, 5 out of 7, not bad for a newbie.
I had hatched a batch the day before, so last night after dark, since I knew she had room under those fluffy skirts, I took her out three Black Copper Marans chicks.
This morning, the little mother of eight was proud as punch, and fiercely protective.

I sold my first house chicken the other day, a tiny day old White Silkie. The late twenties woman and her partner have a very small yard, and wanted an unusual, indoor pet. They have done their research and were ready for the little one. And they don’t much care if it is a girl or a boy, that’s also a first, usually chick gender is the top concern.
I’m sure this won’t be the last house chicken that starts life here on the farm.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/25/silkie-chicken_n_5200292.html

What is flat, feathered and growls when disturbed? Alsty the broody Alsterier. Her eggs are due in a week. This is her first clutch, and so far, she is doing great.