+/- Windy Nights on the Beach

Minus:

Reeeally hard to get a fire going.  We had to improvise with using a bucket as a wind shield.  

Plus:  

You get the beach all to yourself!

Success just in time, because the bucket was starting to melt.

Never realized an end of a burnt firewood resembled the design on sand dollar so much.

#BeautyInNatureWhenYouPayAttention

And of course, kids + beach no matter what the temperature. #SpringBreakRules

PS: The husband and I are having a debate on who started the fire on this windy day.  He said he's glad I "utilized" his method.  I asked him if he knew the name of the person who developed the telephone. The answer is "no"  because all that matters is the person who brought it to market : Alexander Bell. That's right boys and girls, the only thing that matters is execution and first to market.  Mark Zuckerburg > Winklevoss Twins.

Time To Get Everyone Acquainted

On the third day, we decided it was time for all the kids to get acquainted.  We figured it was better to bite the bullet early on and deal with the discord now.  Rather  than lure the chickens into a false sense of sovereign.

We gingerly dropped Cosmo into the run. Chika was definitely more nervous of the two.  

Boom Boom got right in there.

Pretty soon everyone went about doing their own business.

Then came the human kid introduction. 

Next step: Free Range.  

 Cosmo's thought bubble: This ass does not smell like a dog.

Chickens: "Damn....this whole yard is ours?"

 See what I mean about Boom Boom being the more aggressive one?

What I've learned today is chickens are very methodical.  I sat out there for most of the day in part out of curiosity and in part out of fear for their safety. Our yard is a rectangle and they started to peck in one corner of the dirt border and made their way all around the perimeter by the end of the day.  Except for a minor foray when they were first let loose out of their run. They did not zig zag or get distracted in any fashion.  They stuck to a pattern of pecking at every square inch of the border like two hands of a clock and made a full "circle" by the end of the day. At 7:26PM, Boom Boom stood for a few minutes on our deck (the 12:00 position if you will) then proceeded to go into the coop on her own and found her way to the upstairs nesting box.  Chicka?  Well, that is another story and one that I don't have time to report right now because it's Sangria time.

Urban Farming

Cooked breakfast with our first eggs and used spinach from the veggie garden.  

Feeling industrious and ready for The Hunger Games.

For the record, I didn't taste a major difference between these and store bought eggs.  

Chicka escaped the coop and got some Free Ranging time.  Hopefully, we will feel comfortable soon about letting them roam all day.  At this point, I am not confident they won't be easily spooked and fly away.  

Our Chickens Arrived Today

Meet Chicka and Boom Boom.  

Chicka is a Buff Orpington and Boom Boom, on the right, is an Ameraucana)

 I selected these breeds based on temperament and looks.  The Orpington has been described as the Scarlett Johannson of hens. I guess because they're  knock outs. And I'll have to agree!  Although if you ask me, Boom Boom is much more distinguished and exotic looking. And she lays blue eggs.  I think they are both gorgeous. 

When we opened the box upon arriving home, there was an egg waiting for us!

They were very nervous the first few hours.  We tried holding them and  enticing them with "Scratch" - which is akin to potato chips to humans - but they were not having it!  At one point Boom Boom got loose and it took my husband 15 mins to corral her.  I wish it were easier to upload videos because I got scolded to put the camera down and help.

They clucked quite a bit when the doggie came around.  Otherwise, they were pretty quiet.

  I was proud he didn't growl or bark at them.

It took a little over an hour for them to figure out the water system.  I chose the Brite Tap system instead of a traditional water dish because it's so much more sanitary.  With a water trough, all sorts of debris can get into the dish and the chickens can knock it over easily. I also like that there is no need to change it daily. The cooler holds plenty of water for at least 4-5 days.

By the end of the day, they were eating out of my hand.

I thought they slept standing on a roosting stick, but when I peeked in their coop before heading to bed, they were cuddled up in the same nesting box. It looks as though Chicka got in first,  then Boom Boom boxed her in. I can already tell that Boom Boom is the more aggressive of the two, even though she is smaller. They are so cute!