Portland Peeps

Oregon Food Bank Update

2007-06-14T21:12:00.000-07:00

Work continues at the food bank: we're almost done with the coop and the chickens are getting big and ready to move in ASAP. I'll post a pic as soon as we're done....

2007-05-24T17:38:00.000-07:00

It took 16 hours and 4 trips to Home Depot but it was worth it! Rosie and Roxie now live in a deluxe coop that I estimate to be worth at least $13,000 by todays Portland home prices ($250/sq ft x 52 sq ft).

It's pretty nice: Tin roofed coop, clear plastic roofed run, interior loft - there's even a vinyl floor ($6). They had better lay some tasty eggs!

Food Bank Flock

2007-05-11T15:05:00.000-07:00

I'm a foster parent for these 3 chicks who are destined to be the beginning of the Oregon Food Bank's Learning Garden flock. I got them at Burns feed in Gresham a week ago and will soon be handing them off to an OFB employee to raise for a few weeks. After that a team of volunteers will build coops and care for them and, next year, 9 more. The plan is to use them as an educational tool for clients to teach them the basics of keeping chickens. The at risk teens from the Cultivating Community Program and I will also work with them.

Almost Full Grown!

2007-05-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

Rosie and Roxie are now about 8 weeks old and have been living in my greenhouse while I plan my coop and run. I let them out for a few semi-supervised hours of weed nibbling and insect eating a day. They both can fly a few feet in the air now but not high enough to escape the fence. They're a little wary of me but after I chase them down they can be held easily. The most interesting thing for me is how docile they are at night. You can handle them very easily and they seem to almost enjoy it. This would be a good time to inspect them or medicate if needed.

New Digs

2007-03-25T14:35:00.000-07:00

I went to the feed store for straw and decided to upgrade the lady's accommodations. They're growing fast and the big tub looked smaller and smaller. The new brooder is about 30" long and I believe is called a 'stock tank.' I've also added a little perch but I think they're too big to use it already. The new larger space is great fun for Rosie and Roxie and they are spending more time scratching in the straw. I've stopped using the rags, as well. I'm also enjoying the less frequent cleaning. The screen is to keep them in: Rosie has been experimenting with little flights. She never gets more that an inch or two off the ground.

2007-03-22T18:08:00.000-07:00

Feathers! You want, we've got 'em.

The chicks are less fuzzy by the day and are getting some 1-2" long feathers. I'm letting the temperature in the tub down slowly as the feathers come in by angling the light more.

They're getting friendlier as well. When I change their litter (I need more straw) they hop up onto my hand and perch on my finger. Very gently with warm little feet. Rosie hopped out of the little box I put them in while cleaning. She was exploring the table but let me put her back without a hassle.

They're now eating a little lettuce. Roxie especially likes ripping little chunks off as I hold the leaf in my fingers. Rosie is still unsure about the whole thing and only pretends to eat it while Roxie goes at it.

Local Chiken Events

2007-03-12T16:59:00.000-07:00

At Pistils Nursery on Mississippi Ave:

Sunday, April 15th, 1:00-2:30pm
Urban Chickenkeeping with Holly Howard, urban chicken consultant. Find out more about the joys of hens in the garden + keeping your birds happy + healthy.

Saturday, May 5th, 1:00-2:30pm
Urban Chickenkeeping with Lizzy Caston, authoress of PDX Chickens. Learn about the delights of city flock keeping from a true chicken maven!

Days 4-6: Steady Progress

2007-03-12T16:52:00.000-07:00

Well, Roxie and Rosie are getting a little bigger each day. I've added a little straw to their litter for variety, as well as a nylon and rubber dog bone for a perch.

I'm thinking about the coop design and whether or not to buy something pre-made or build it myself. Maybe buy the henhouse and build the run.

Day Three: Socks!

2007-03-09T17:54:00.000-08:00

They're getting a little bigger, don't you think?

I've started adding an old sock into the tub every other time I change the litter. Yes, a clean sock! Should add a cozy spot and a little variation to their terrain. They've also been pretty willing to roost on my fingers so I also added a little plastic thing that they can get up on.

Rosie seems to be at the top of the pecking order - she pecks at Roxie occasionally when they're feeding. It looks like she'll be the boss unless things change. I did see Roxie return the favor today so there's hope for power sharing.

Day Two: Housekeeping and Heat

2007-03-08T12:34:00.000-08:00

My strategy to use soft, strong shop towels on the bottom of the tub worked really well this morning. I was able to lift out the soiled sheets easily without disturbing the girls much. Replacement was easy, too.

The temperature had climbed in the night to about 95 degrees in there (should be 90) so I've been adjusting the position of the heat lamp. There are pockets of warmer and cooler in the tub depending on location, so the birdies should have been able to adjust. I may need to move the lamp from the rim of the tub to a tripod or something else to get some additional distance. I'm trying to keep the food and water in a cool zone with a little room between for the chicks to hang out in.

The Breeds

2007-03-07T21:33:00.000-08:00

Both breeds are supposed to be great all-around birds. Large farms specialize in either eggs or meat, so these multi-purpose types are usually kept on small farms and as pets. They are both known to be friendly and good layers.

Rhode Island Red Hen, left

Barred Plymouth Rock Hen, right

(links to Wikipedia)

Day One: Rosie and Roxie Arrive

2007-03-07T21:09:00.000-08:00

I went to the local feed store after work and picked up some chicks! Rosie, on the left, is a Rhode Island Red and Roxie is a Barred Plymouth Rock. I picked up the chicks and all of the supplies for about $60. I probably could have spent less but I wanted good quality.

Aren't they cute! They're only 2 days old at this point.

I'm keeping them in the heated basement away from the dog and the cat. They live in a large plastic tote with shop towels on the floor. They have a feeder and a waterer in there with them. There's an overhead heat lamp to keep everything a toasty 90 degrees for the next week or so.

So far so good, though I did have to push their beaks into the water to show them where it is (the books told me to, I swear). They are eating and don't seem scared. The frantic peeping from the car ride home has stopped and they're pretty quiet.

Welcome!

2007-03-07T21:07:00.000-08:00

I'll be posting about my chickens and others in Portland.