Chicken Aunt

My friend Pegi has joined the backyard chicken movement and recently got 7 adorable chicks. I'm so excited--I feel like I've become a sort of chicken aunt.



Her husband built a beautiful chicken palace next to their garden shed and my girls are jealous. They originally planned on getting 6 chicks, but the feed store threw in an extra one. I guess it's the updated version of the baker's half-dozen. Although lately she said one of the chicks has been acting strange and is a little larger than the others. This could become interesting....

The Chicken Palace

The chicks are growing fast. They are Black Australorps, a large heavy breed from Australia. Apparently this breed is the Australian's take on the Orpington breed (my Roxanne is a Buff Orpington). They are friendly, gentle and winter hardy. They also hold the world's record for the most eggs laid in one year - 364! With my inconsistent layers who seem to drop an egg only when they feel like it, I can see that hen envy could become a real problem for me.