Early Autumn

Here it is early Autumn.  Where did the Summer go?  The mixed flock of Barred and Buffs are doing well.  Today all 17 hens were moved into the block hen house.  It offers larger accommodations with more protection from the elements.  After they are allowed to identify their new digs as home, they will be allowed to free range.  At least one of the Buffs has started to lay.  The egg being much smaller than what the Barreds are now laying.  It is amazing to see how these hens have grown.  They have such gentle personalities making them even more enjoyable.  I never seem to tire watching them scratch around and how they interact with each other and me.

 Here is one of the Barreds figuring out where she wants to lay her egg.  So many choices . . . what is a girl to do?

The Barreds at six months are laying consistently.  We have been getting anywhere from 5-8 eggs a day.  Some of the people I work with have been buying eggs.  So there are always fresh eggs with good turn over.  Last weekend was the first batch of deviled eggs I made with them.  Yummy!

Finally a Yard Full of Barreds & Buffs!

The day finally arrived when the remaining Buffs could be added to the already established flock of Barreds. This all started the end of February, 2012 and here it is close to six months later and all the chickens are all together. Wow! We have a lot of chickens. 8 Barreds and 9 Buffs.



They seem to all get along as well as a hens can. Pecka, the rather large Barred hen definitely let the newbies know she rules the roost. At two months behind the Barreds, the Buffs are similar in size but still have that juvenile look about them. It appears they are all going to do just fine!

We are getting 7 eggs a day now from the Barreds. One can definitely appreciate the quality of egg they lay. Fresh eggs actually taste like eggs. I didn't realize what I was getting at the store was so tasteless until now.

I like the contrast in coloring between the two breeds and I am very pleased with their development and dispositions.

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