The Newbies

A week after Coco, the ex-battery hen died, I went out and bought some new additions to the flock. I originally wanted seven in total but things didn’t work out the way I planned.

Ever since I had decided I wanted to keep backyard chickens, I had always wanted an Araucana breed. This breed has a unique eggshell which is tinted a bluish-green shade. I decided this was my opportunity to get one. I searched everywhere and found one lone Araucana from a breeder out in Hoe-O-Tainui,Tahuna - Central North Island (is it just me or can you not pronounce that either?). She had promised all her other Araucanas to other buyers and only had one left. I had to act fast!

I happen to drive out on the wettest, stormiest day of Winter (it felt like). Can’t believe how far ( about 3 ½ to 4 hrs round trip) I had to drive to collect one bird. She had better lay some beautiful and tasty eggs!

Very long story cut short, I ended up with the Araucana and an Andalusian because you can’t just bring one chicken home and introduce it to the others. All hell will break loose!

Meet the newbies!



Now you can’t just throw them in the run without a protected introduction. They will need to be isolated but in sight of the others for a week or two to get the elders used to the newbies. Notice the upside down box under the coop? Yeah, that’s their classy hotel for the next few weeks. Hey, at least they are being protected from the Winter elements and the older hens…. for now!

Stay tuned for their progress.