In January of 2022 my small flock of four Legbar and Legbar mix hens were the victims of stray dogs (RIP Missy, Osgoods One and Two, and River Song.) I was heartbroken and just couldn't face up to trying again as it was also about this time that I started having issues with my back. Finally got the back at least mostly sorted (statin drugs were the culprit,) and had just a notion that I might try again as part of the rejuvenation process of our veg garden which had been severely neglected while I was "down".)
Fast forward to late February of this year. I received news that my sister had passed which left both me and my husband devastated. The next day we were running a few errands which had to be done, trying to keep some semblance of normality when my husband says "Want to go by Tractor Supply?" "Sure," says I. I thought it would distract me from - stuff - at least. And there they were. Crested Cream Legbar chicks. If it had been any other breed I would have resisted (I wasn't set up for chicks or chickens after all,) but I had never seen CCL's at Tractor Supply before. So I came home with six chicks and scurried around in something of a panic getting my chick brooder, plate heater and feed and water set up. Sadly, one did not make it through the night, no doubt due to the stress, but the five left did fine and went out into their new run that I've spent the last six weeks or so building. If I was younger and my back were better it wouldn't have taken so long, but I think it's an achievement as it is.
Placing pavers around the perimeter is about the last thing left to do. They went out just today after spending a couple of months in a pet playpen which served its purpose as a stopgap measure until I could get this run built. Since they pretty much look alike everybody has a legband until they earn names. So at the moment they are Purple "Rain", "Skye" blue, Chartreuse, Pink, and Orange - I haven't thought of good color themed names for them yet.
Fast forward to late February of this year. I received news that my sister had passed which left both me and my husband devastated. The next day we were running a few errands which had to be done, trying to keep some semblance of normality when my husband says "Want to go by Tractor Supply?" "Sure," says I. I thought it would distract me from - stuff - at least. And there they were. Crested Cream Legbar chicks. If it had been any other breed I would have resisted (I wasn't set up for chicks or chickens after all,) but I had never seen CCL's at Tractor Supply before. So I came home with six chicks and scurried around in something of a panic getting my chick brooder, plate heater and feed and water set up. Sadly, one did not make it through the night, no doubt due to the stress, but the five left did fine and went out into their new run that I've spent the last six weeks or so building. If I was younger and my back were better it wouldn't have taken so long, but I think it's an achievement as it is.
Placing pavers around the perimeter is about the last thing left to do. They went out just today after spending a couple of months in a pet playpen which served its purpose as a stopgap measure until I could get this run built. Since they pretty much look alike everybody has a legband until they earn names. So at the moment they are Purple "Rain", "Skye" blue, Chartreuse, Pink, and Orange - I haven't thought of good color themed names for them yet.
