Meet the team
Note that the types of chicken and especially their genders, as shown in the table below, is purely due to a blend of healthy speculation and wishful thinking combined – somewhat inspired by their little mannerisms as they go about their little lives. Well, we know for sure which ones are Scot greys, they’re quite easy to point out – but not from each other! The rest is all guesswork, or wishwork then. So here goes.
Photo Name / Description
1) Barry
Because he looks like a strong, big Barry
Sussex rooster, named by Patricia
2) Milly Miracle
Because it’s a miracle she survived and recovered from a lame leg
Sussex hen, named by Jamila
3) Sunny
Because she was so bright and sunny, character in Grease Lightning
Sussex hen, named by Lacey
4) Sock
Because he slept in Markus’ hand in a sock for a full hour
Wyandotte’s rooster, named by Markus
5) Rockwell
Because he is the colour of rock and looks very strong (named after professor in a Ninja Turtles movie)
Wyandotte’s rooster, named by Will
6) Fluffball
Because she is so soft - Micaela's pet
Wyandotte’s hen, named by Micaela
7) Midnight
Because he is so dark
Scot grey rooster, named by Aylwen
8) Prince (originally called Tiara)
Because he has a little flower crown on his head
Scots Grey rooster, named by Patricia (may become Princess)
9) Stripe
Because he has a stripe on his head
Scot grey hen, named by Patricia
10) Carlos
Named after Carlos Santana
Scot Grey hen, named by Martin (may have to become Carlita?)
11) Ahlia
Because her gymnastics friend has the same name
Scot grey hen, named by Lucy
12) Mudcake
Because Markus was eating a mudcake at the time and it just fitted…
Scot grey hen, named by Markus
13) Blackie
Because she has a beautiful black colour
Scot grey hen, named by Micaela
14) Pansy and 15) Tansy
Because they look like twins (except for their eye markings)
Scot grey hens, named by Martin and Patricia
Socialising
The kids, and us too to an extent, spend a lot of time with the chicks. I must say, they are quite fascinating. We’ve set up a little enclosure in the shade of the climbing frame to introduce them to the concept of free-ranging at this early age. But we have to do this very carefully – there’s a hungry pied currawong doing the rounds. Frequently. So they never get left alone out there. So if ever you’re looking for either of the kids, they’re either at the brooder, at the little enclosure or somewhere in between – Micaela almost always, even when she has to get ready for school… It’s amazing how most of the chicks view the brooder on the patio as their home. All of them, except Barry with the attitude, make their way back to the brooder, even up the stairs, when they are turned loose from the little enclosure (always closely escorted by, I hope, a responsible human, who looks out for currawongs as well as where he/she is stepping.)

Patricia, Barry and Jet
With regards to the dogs, Jet is settling in nicely with the chicks, very gently, although he is very curious. We’re not yet trusting Jazzie to close to them too often, although she is also getting taught to leave them be. She just seems a bit too intrigued. You never know when that hunting dog instinct flares up. But mind you, even though she loves a good chase, it’s normally Jet who catches the wild rabbits. So we’ll see how that all pans out. These are all big breeds, so soon enough they will put the dogs in their place!

Jet, Pansy and Tansy
Well, we will have to see in a few months’ time how good our guesses were!
Very exciting! I too am interested in how your dogs adapt – I would love chickens, but I think our dogs are too silly and would bark at them all day (or worse)!
It’s the “or worse” we’re also concerned about, so we’re keeping them separate (for now) or under very close guard. It’s an amazing process for the kids to be part of 🙂
The class of 2018 !! 🙂
Big things to come from this little group of fast learners!
I think our Douglas would love chickens (very briefly). He was taught to chase birds out of the barn as a puppy, so now he thinks that is his job! If we ever did get poultry (I still fancy ducks to eat my slugs!) there would have to be a lot of lying down watching first. I suspect yours will be fine once they realise these are part of the pack, and not toys. Then they will chase off the currawongs for you. Is that a bird of prey?
Oh ducks to eat the slugs would really help here too (that’s another story shortly to come…) It’s not a bad job chasing the birds out – they could probably be taught the difference between birds and chickens? When Patricia was little, their dog used to have the job of keeping the ducks off the patio – so it can be done 🙂 A currawong is distantly related to a raven – and it’s notorious for stealing and eating small chicks. So it’s not a birdof prey as such, but a predator for sure! Wish I could post a photo here, but here’s a link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pied_currawong
Thanks for the link, a bit like our hooded crows, they are intelligent and can be quite nasty. Yes, I’m sure your dogs could help with those!
They’re so cute! What sort of incubator did you use? I’m looking into getting one myself at the moment.
Hi Susan, we use a Janoel Model 24 egg incubator, which I got from Poultry Australia (on-line). It worked quite well – a bit hard to clean, but I gathered they all are. The next batch are in! (Post to follow soon 🙂 )
Excellent, that one’s already at the top of my list! I’ve been doing a bit of research but it’s nice to hear from people who’ve had success with it. Looking forward to seeing how your duck eggs go!