Gangsters, ragamuffins, muffins, munchkins

Our fierce warriors, terror of the chicken yard! Something happened, and their mama abandoned them when they were barely 3-4 weeks. She pecked and fought them, they fled. Timing was good, if it was winter time, they would be in the garage under the heat lamp. They spend several weeks under a massive pear tree, hiding from any possible danger and big chickens. They survived their vulnerable motherless stage.

First, they were cute, with their baby fluff and all. Then they started losing their baby cuteness and went patchy bald. Farmer Boy started calling them gangsters, I called them ragamuffins. Farmer Boy also called them munchkins at one point. "Muffins" stuck with them. They are about 3 months old, and they look big and strong. They come running out to great Farmer Boy and me. They recognize us, they talk to us, they come and sit with us. It is really heart-warming. Some chickens grow up and forget the bond they had with us. Some chickens remain our "doggies", they follow us around, they remember us, and they trust us when we handle their babies. I wonder what it will be like with our muffins.

Thousands of chickens die in a fire at a Stanwood farm

From Komo News:

Thousands of chickens die in a fire at a Stanwood farm.  

"...The three buildings - each about 60 feet wide and 600 feet long - burned to the ground with chickens inside.

Firefighters estimate the damage at $2.2 million...."

I can't even imagine the devastation.  When you are a farmer, it's not just your livelihood, it's your life.  I am sorry to see another farm disappear.  Recent floods and other emergencies have been claiming farms all over the state.   I strongly believe in local farms, their simple and direct connection to every aspect of our lives.  

Recently, when Farmer Boy wanted me to stop our organic share from Terry's Berries, I said no.  Buying organic fresh produce from a local farm is not just a whim or trend for me.  I am putting my money where my mouth is.  Buying local and local organic products (produce, eggs, meat, etc) is my political stand.  I do not know whether this farm was organic, but it is local.  The less we have local farms, the less we are connected to the reality. 

Chickens are stars of Sunset, April 2009

(Elizabeth Jardina with her chicken Ruby, Sunset Magazine April 2009, Photo: E. Spencer Toy)

Sunset Magazine published a short article about growing laying chickens - How to Raise Chickens.  It is short, sweet, and good for beginners.  I would warn though - you don't have to buy a coop, you can build one very easy and fast. There are many resources of building a chicken coop online.  Also, the article doesn't mention that they need a roost inside the coup, not just "... a secure hen-house with a roof to sleep in...".