The Chick Feed

My, What Big Feet You Have! We continue to be in awe of how rapidly the chicks are growing! The Brahmas have a definite T-Rex look to them.  The chicks look us in the eye, can't help think of the raptors in Jurassic Park sizing up the people! Creepiness aside, the chicks are really sweet. Their individual personalities are a hoot! Daisy, Violet, Marigold, and Petunia readily perch on our hands, arms, and shoulders. I had a weird moment with Daisy, she started preening my hair!!! We sectioned off the corner of the porch with foam boards. The chicks love to perch on the top of it, amazing balance! Here is Violet sitting pretty. We try to pick up each chick daily so they get used to us. The chicks eat clover and herbs out of our hands. I have to admit, I look forward to these hand-feedings. I am mesmerized.  While we are in love of the chicks, our cat thinks otherwise. Understandably so, Honey is stalking the chicks.   The chicks are initi

They're Growing! The chicks needed more space; we added a third box. We call it the Triplex. Verbena in the tunnel Petunia on a perch   We continue to be mesmerized by the chicks. We watch the chicks explore their home. We love their curiosity.  Lily sitting on my chair Myrtle found a new perch Violet laughing at the empty pool. Where did all of the chicks go? Now that all of the chicks can fly, the containment pool no longer worked. We sectioned off part of our porch and lined the floor with newspaper. The chicks like their new space. Petunia landing on the divider  The chicks get a few treats each day. They love raw oatmeal, sesame seeds, dill, and parsley. They scratch in their food, sending it everywhere! Hence the tray.  The chicks love clover, thankfully we have a yard full of clover and dandelions. I knew we kept weeds for a reason!  The chicks play chase and keep away. 

"I'm flying!" The chicks are getting their feathers already! Violet has emerged as the first flyer. She and Petunia can fly out of the open brooder bins! We put the chicks in an empty baby pool while we clean the brooders. Petunia and Myrtle eating chick feed.  Violet and Lily drinking water. Lily checking out Myrtle The chicks love their herbs!   Marigold can fly too! Petunia, Daisy, and Marigold sleeping in my hand. It was night-time, so the red light is more noticeable. The red light is a heat light to keep the temperature at 90 degrees this week. The temp was 95 the first week. The temperature gets lowered 5 degrees each week. Good night sweet chicks

Little Tweets We've been so wrapped up in the chicks that I haven't shared any updates, many apologies. Check out Marigold watching Lily preen herself. It's amazing what the chicks know what to do. Here is a bird's eye view (haha) of our brooder (the place the chicks live for the first 6-8 weeks until they get their feathers and thus are coop ready). We got the idea from this awesome site,  Fresh Eggs Daily . A plastic box, shelf liner, and a wire fence frame in the lid keep make up the brooder. There is a tunnel that leads to another box. It took the chicks one day to travel to the other box. Here comes Daisy through the tunnel with Lily watching.  I came across the book   Fresh Eggs Daily  in the Spring when we were investigating renting chickens. Oh yes, you can. Check out them out,  Rent the Chicken . Renting chickens didn't make sense for us, but I could see how it would work for others. Here's another place that rents chic