Pet of the Month

The Hawkins Family Chickens

Canyon Creek Neighbors! We’d like to introduce you to your friendly neighborhood chickens: The Hawkins Family Chickens. Enjoy!

My name is Niki Hawkins and my husband is Andrew. We have two boys. Teagan is in 7th grade at North Junior High and he turns 13 years old in November. Rhett is eight years old and is a 3rdgrader at Canyon Creek Elementary. Our family pets are fi ve chickens named Honey, Sunny, Barbie, Dumpling, and Noodle!

My friend who watches our chicken when we’re out of town says I have two sets of twins: One “set” is Honey and Sunny and they are Buff Orpingtons. The other “set” is Barbie and Dumpling and they are Speckled Sussex. Last but not least, Noodle is a mutt often referred to as an Olive Egger because she lays green eggs.

I bought our chickens as two-day-old chicks from Roach Feed & Seed in Garland. We got our chickens on St. Patrick’s Day in 2016. We’ve had them 1-1/2 years. We originally had six chickens . . . but Pepper turned out to be a rooster. Although roosters are allowed in Richardson (as long as no one complains), I didn’t want cock-adoodle-dos in my backyard! Pepper now lives in Boyd, Texas.

After a few months of having the chickens, with the help of friends, my husband built an awesome 6ft x 12ft chicken coop for the girls. It keeps them safe from all those bobcats. I try and let them out to play every morning and sometimes in the evening.

We’ve lived in Canyon Creek for 19 years! Our street & neighbors are great! We love the close community of Canyon Creek. It’s doubtful anywhere else in Richardson compares to our neighborhood. We bought our house from a friend of my Mom’s (we’re the 2nd owner) and it’s unlikely we’ll ever move. What other neighborhood can you drive your golf cart to dinner, cruise around on Halloween, or join the 4th of July parade?

Our chickens are so much fun! I think I’m much more amused by them than the rest of my family! When friends and I sit outside enjoying wine, they love to join in. They’ve been known to hop on the table and steal our snacks. Growing up, my Grandfather raised cattle and chickens in Missouri. He had two large chicken houses with a combined total of about 30,000 chickens. He’d laugh if he could see me with my girls.

Chickens make great pets! Most are friendly, they’re pretty low maintenance once they’re a bit older, and best of all they are pets that give you breakfast! Yes, I often have a lot of eggs. I have sold them but usually eat them or share them with friends. But everyone asks about them!