Chicken Fever

My first batch of fancy chicks was ordered in January.  I have been forcing myself to wait until closer to their delivery date (they ship March 12) until I call the post office here in town to let them know to expect a peeping package.  I have literally had to sit on my hands to not pick up the phone.  I'm SO excited!

Then it gets better.  There were some breeds that I'd wanted, but couldn't find a matching delivery date, so I wrote them off.  Thanks to Teresa splitting an order or two with me, I'm getting them!!!  Granted, they'll come later than my first batch, but that might actually work out better.  So tonight, folks, I'm going to drag you into chicken fever with me.  The pictures you are about to see will be what I get to see every day.  I hope you can handle the gorgeousness.  Of course, these are all in addition to my wonderful Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orpingtons, various bantams, and my ever-prized Yokohamas/Phoenixes!

Double Laced Barnevelder hen.  I'm only getting one since they're rather pricey.  Photo from powerpoultry.co.uk

Black Copper Marans hen.  Ditto on the pricey.  You can tell I got the pic from poultrykeeper.com.

Welsummer hens.  I'm getting 2 since they didn't break the bank!  Photo from 2mooses.weebly.com

Silver Laced Wyandotte hen.  I think I got 2.  Photo from mypetchicken.com

Jersey Giant hen.  They're HUGE so I'm only getting one.  Photo from urbanfarmonline.com

Easter Eggers (I think I'll get 4) for blue/green eggs.  Photo from www.cacklehatchery.com

That's my first batch, plus the 5 Cornish cross meat birds that I want to make sure I can slaughter before I get more.  Now for the second batch that will get here in late April.

Speckled Sussex--I'm getting 3.  (Peter, I'm sorry, but I couldn't find Dorkings for this year!) 

Photo from www.feathersite.com

2 Anconas are on the list.  They're supposed to be terrific white egg layers.  Photo from fwi.co.uk

And, just when I gave up, I actually can get Faverolles!!  THREE of them!

YAY!!  Obviously, from poultrykeeper.com again.

And, if I find that slaughtering isn't a problem (and I really don't think it will be), I'm considering these for my meat birds:

Freedom Rangers (aka Label Rouge).  Photo from www.backyardpoultrymag.com

So folks, I sure hope you're ready for plenty of updates on the baby chicks.  I simply can't wait.  Plus I'll get to look at (and look after) 2 batches of cute fluffiness at first.

Photo from citygirlfarming.com (almost sounds familiar, doesn't it?)

Brace yourselves for lots of pictures.  I love my little feathery babies and I hope they become egg MACHINES :D  You'll hear about it one way or the other.  So, do what I'm going to do--take 2 aspirin and think about chickens in the morning.