Chickens!

Pat and I had a road trip today to procure our new hens. At the advice of the wacky chicken lady, we got four different breeds. Her rationale was that if you get all the same, they all stop laying at the same time. I don't know if this is true, but we like the idea of four distinctly different birds.
Let me introduce you to our new flock. Starting at 12 o'clock is the Barnevelder, a breed from Holland, which Kristen will name when she meets her. At 2 o'clock is Goldmember, or Goldie, a Wellsummer, also from Holland. 6 o'clock is the Silver Penciled Wyandotte, named Wynona, an American Breed. 8 o'clock is the Marans, from France, named Charlene.
I have looked at pics of these hens when they are adult and all are beautiful in their own way. They all lay some shade of brown eggs.
When we got them home and released them into their new home, they seemed fine and went into the house. Lucy was very curious about them and I think, scared them to keep them in the house. I put the dog inside and we sat and waited for them to come out. (I wanted to make sure the birds were settled in before we left). They couldn't find their food, so Mom suggested I put some in the yard. I dribbled a trail from the house to the feeder and within about 30 seconds they were all pecking away at the feeder. They found their water too, and seemed to be settled in, so we headed home.
They are young, about eight weeks old, so they won't lay for a while, but we are looking forward to getting to know our new pets and having them supply us with fresh eggs. Oh yeah, the manure for the compost bin, too.