Day 0ne, 100 days later.

"Today's the day!", I said to myself on a bright morning in late July. I  padded over to my MacBook, usually reserved for schoolwork any other time of year, and opened Craig's List. I had already researched hardy breeds for my climate, and decided on the prettiest. I found a backyard farmer in Rhode Island and pressed his number into my cell phone. I asked if he had any Americaunas, or Orpington's, or Barred Rocks perhaps? He answered yes to all the above and said they would be ready for pick up in 3 days. That's when they were due to hatch. I thought it a tad early to pick up the chicks the day they were born and expressed my concern. He answered matter-of-factly, "Oh no, they'll hatch tomorrow or the next day latest, then you can get them the day after. How many do you want?" I answered four because the new henhouse that I purchased on EBay had arrived and was suitable for three hens (so the ad professed). My research cautioned against buying the number of hens you actually wanted, because "you will lose up to 25% of them, for sure".

Friday could not arrive quickly enough for several reasons. I picked up my daughter at the train station in Providence (who I always love to catch up with). She was coming home from University for a birthday break. We scooted over to parts unknown in the far reaches of Rhode Island and picked out our four peeps. We would each name one. I chose Violet for the grey/blue Orpington,  my husband chose Bonnie for the light Americauna, and our daughters chose Gert for the dark Americauna, and Meggy for the Barred Rock. I am still not completely convinced that Meggy isn't a rooster just waiting to let a crow go.

So this is where our story begins...

Have you begun your life with hens? Where are you raising your girls? I'll catch you up over the next few posts because I'd like your ideas on how you are keeping your girls warm and dry this winter.

In the meantime, stay tuned for the girls' wedding adventure, and the incredibly sad loss of our Gert.

Our peeps, and few more for a friend.

Bonnie and Violet