Pullets in Paradise!

The Garden in Paradise cheerfully welcomes new residents...

3 sweet little pullets, or baby/young hens typically less than a year old.

Now we have Pullets in Paradise!!!

These lovely little babies came to join us when they were just 3 days old. 

At 1 week, they were already quite active and demanding! 

Many of you know I come from midwest farm country.  However, my family engages in crop production, dairy cows, and hogs...not chickens.  Although my husband has enjoyed a 'farmette' with goats and chickens, I personally had to conduct a bit of research to find out more about our feathered friends.  Here's the scoop:

Rhode Island Red - Penny
Loveable little Penny was my personal choice...she's the larger of the three girls and is very sweet and calm.  I read that Penny will be a hardy producer of brown eggs, even under the worst conditions, and would be a wonderful mother if permitted to have chicks.  Quite popular, this breed is probably the best known in the world and is the Rhode Island state bird.  Mature hens grow to be about 6 lb and roosters can grow up to 8 lb, which explains Penny's larger size.

Black Sex Link - Gina
Research tells me that Black Sex Links, or Black Stars, are hybrids...a cross between a red rooster (Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire) and a female Barred Rock breed. Black Sex Links are typically friendly chickens and very productive brown egg layers.  I don't know if speed is typical of this breed but Gina is quite fast, even at her early age.

Ameraucana - Cameron
This adorable ball of fluff resembles an owl, doesn't she?  After some research, I've found that Cameron probably isn't a true Ameraucana, but rather a breed that does not conform to any specific type, which is also also known as an Easter Egg Chicken, since they lay green and bluish eggs.  This breed originated from blue egg laying chickens, but has 'evolved' into primarily green egg layers. Regardless of her pedigree, Cameron has a friendly demeanor and seems a natural leader of the flock. 

These little ones are growing much faster than I expected, although my more-experienced husband knew better.  They are outgrowing their indoor pen as I speak, forcing my hubby to build an outdoor pen/coop.  We live in a farm-friendly community so the girls are not unexpected or unwelcome by the neighbors.  However, we'll have to keep a keen eye out for raptors as well as fox, coyote, bobcat, and even raccoons...all who might enjoy the girls as a tasty meal.

As a side note, the dogs and Lola seem to enjoy the new additions...no one feels disregarded!