Oregon Food Bank Update

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....

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

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!

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

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.

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

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!