Hangin out with the chicks…

Yep, one Gold Sex-Link, one Maran, and one Rhode Island Red. I got them at two weeks old so they won’t be in the brooder (a box with heat lamp) in our kitchen for more than about 4 weeks. Yay! What should I name them???
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Here’s what I’ve designed for a portable coop and run so far. It’s using the old rabbit hutch as a coop for them to lay, and then building a predator proof run from 2×4’s and wire mesh walls against it. Exciting stuff, huh?

We’ve got a great little backyard, as you can see from these photos of Lil’ E and his new bud from the “child-swap” situation, Finn. All it needs is a few chickens!
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Why raise chickens in your backyard? BackyardChickens offer these reasons:

• Easy and inexpensive to maintain
• Eggs that are great tasting and nutritious
• Chemical free pest control
• Fun and friendly pets with personality (yes, you read that right)
• Free fertilizer
• Weed Control
• Uniqueness- Be the cool person in town that grows their own eggs!

For more information about raising backyard chickens, check out the following links!
BackyardChickens.com
MadCityChickens.com
Livingscape Nursery; Chicken Fest (where we got our chicks!)
Urban Agrarian blog
wiki-How; Keeping Chickens in the City
The City Chicken
My Pet Chicken