Showing posts with label Baby Chicks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baby Chicks. Show all posts
Thursday, May 17, 2018
Monday, April 30, 2018
It's Already April!
And we have three new chicks and ducklings.
Which are keeping us REALLY busy! You're told that ducks are messy but you really have NO idea just how messy they are! It's rather insane.
Kim and I are hoping they'll be going outside. Soon. Very soon. We're hoping for warmer weather and for growing feathers.
Saw this in our backyard this afternoon.
Some rabbits, and eleven deer on our walk today!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Chelsea meets The Chicks
Kim got brave this week and allowed the chicks to run free with Chelsea in the yard. You'll notice Chelsea got rather "barky" but otherwise didn't try to hurt anyone. I think she wanted to actually play. Tootsie seemed the least affected by Chelsea's antics. Tootsie also seems to be the friendliest chick so far.
They're growing so fast. They love being out in the yard but they're also very calm and well behaved so far. Staying basically in one spot makes them happy. We'll see how long that lasts. And if you can see one chick, you can see them all because they hate being separated. That's how we round them up, put one chick away and the rest will follow. The coop will be completed next week. I let them spend time in there during the day when I'm too busy to supervise them in the yard, but the chicken 'house' is not quite ready for them to sleep inside at night.
Also our cat Ebby seems to understand that the chickens are not for her to eat. Kim said she laid down at his feet one afternoon while he was tending to the chicks and she didn't even bother looking at them. Not that I would trust that mouser-girl very far with my little babies.
They're growing so fast. They love being out in the yard but they're also very calm and well behaved so far. Staying basically in one spot makes them happy. We'll see how long that lasts. And if you can see one chick, you can see them all because they hate being separated. That's how we round them up, put one chick away and the rest will follow. The coop will be completed next week. I let them spend time in there during the day when I'm too busy to supervise them in the yard, but the chicken 'house' is not quite ready for them to sleep inside at night.
Also our cat Ebby seems to understand that the chickens are not for her to eat. Kim said she laid down at his feet one afternoon while he was tending to the chicks and she didn't even bother looking at them. Not that I would trust that mouser-girl very far with my little babies.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Evil Chickens
Had the chicks out in the yard again last night for a while.
Don't they look as if they're up to no good?
Have a great Fourth of July everyone! (I'll be working.)
Don't they look as if they're up to no good?
Have a great Fourth of July everyone! (I'll be working.)
Friday, June 19, 2009
Chicks on the Town
Well, not really.
Just in our back yard. The weather cooperated during my weekend and so I introduced them to the great outdoors.
The first time they were a little wary and didn't move around too much but they warmed up to it by day two.
I'm surprised at what a "unit" they are. They do everything together. Eat, sleep, walk around. When Kim held Tootsie on his lap the other day Ginger was obviously calling to her. They "talked" back and forth until we returned Tootsie to the cage.
In the photo above you can see Tootsie's comb forming.
Is it just me or does Ginger have the prettiest feathers?
And look at the striping forming on Tootsie.
Jelly Bean looks as though she's wearing a boa.
And finally a short (less than one minute) video of them.
Just in our back yard. The weather cooperated during my weekend and so I introduced them to the great outdoors.
The first time they were a little wary and didn't move around too much but they warmed up to it by day two.
I'm surprised at what a "unit" they are. They do everything together. Eat, sleep, walk around. When Kim held Tootsie on his lap the other day Ginger was obviously calling to her. They "talked" back and forth until we returned Tootsie to the cage.
In the photo above you can see Tootsie's comb forming.
Is it just me or does Ginger have the prettiest feathers?
And look at the striping forming on Tootsie.
Jelly Bean looks as though she's wearing a boa.
And finally a short (less than one minute) video of them.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Chick Update
In just two weeks,
From this:
(Tootsie is on the left)
To this:
(Tootsie is on the right)
They're getting feathers and everything! Ha ha. They are so cute; growing and happy. Starting to look like real chickens. And act like them, too. They like to fly occasionally when I'm changing them. We've given them a bar for roosting but so far they're not impressed. They have quite the curiosities, checking out everything we do. Chelsea is still trying to lick them through the cage.
The weather is supposed to be warm and in the 80's for my weekend. I'm hoping to be able to get Ginger, Tootsie and Jelly Bean outside (inside a wire fence and with strict supervision) for their first taste of the world outside our spare bedroom.
Kim is working on the chicken coop which they'll need in about three weeks. He's not a carpenter so he sweats each step but whatever he builds always turns out great. I certainly am happy with his finished projects. I'll post some pics when it is completed.
From this:
(Tootsie is on the left)
To this:
(Tootsie is on the right)
They're getting feathers and everything! Ha ha. They are so cute; growing and happy. Starting to look like real chickens. And act like them, too. They like to fly occasionally when I'm changing them. We've given them a bar for roosting but so far they're not impressed. They have quite the curiosities, checking out everything we do. Chelsea is still trying to lick them through the cage.
The weather is supposed to be warm and in the 80's for my weekend. I'm hoping to be able to get Ginger, Tootsie and Jelly Bean outside (inside a wire fence and with strict supervision) for their first taste of the world outside our spare bedroom.
Kim is working on the chicken coop which they'll need in about three weeks. He's not a carpenter so he sweats each step but whatever he builds always turns out great. I certainly am happy with his finished projects. I'll post some pics when it is completed.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Little Chickies
Quick stop at the house to see how things are going with the chickens, the garden and with Kim.
Here is our brooder set up. It is Bruno's old kennel. And a warning; when Kim and I walked into the spare bedroom one of the chicks was missing. The bottom has too large of openings and it had gotten out. Not a huge deal since Kim keeps the bedroom door shut but we'll probably have to line it.
Here are all three. We've decided on names.
The Barred Plymouth Rock on the left will be Tootsie, the Wyandotte in the middle is now Jelly Bean and the Araucana on the right is Ginger.
(I'm sure everyone's been waiting with baited breath for that info.)
Anyway, I cleaned Tootsie's little butt off today, I was afraid she was pasting up.
("REAR END "PASTING UP": Sometimes the stress of shipping causes the manure to stick to the back of the chick. It is important to remove this daily. Pull off gently. Or better yet, wash off with a cloth and warm water. It will disappear in a few days as the chick starts to grow. Make sure the chicks have access to water at all times."
from Strombergs Chickens)
Although our chicks didn't ship from anyplace this is still a condition to monitor.
Some sleepy little chicks.
Kim said Chelsea has been very interested in the chicks but not aggressive. Well, she changed her tune when I was here. Seems she's trying to say, "Look what Dad's gone and brought home while you were gone! Just look at this!"
She'll have to adjust.
Here is our brooder set up. It is Bruno's old kennel. And a warning; when Kim and I walked into the spare bedroom one of the chicks was missing. The bottom has too large of openings and it had gotten out. Not a huge deal since Kim keeps the bedroom door shut but we'll probably have to line it.
Here are all three. We've decided on names.
The Barred Plymouth Rock on the left will be Tootsie, the Wyandotte in the middle is now Jelly Bean and the Araucana on the right is Ginger.
(I'm sure everyone's been waiting with baited breath for that info.)
Anyway, I cleaned Tootsie's little butt off today, I was afraid she was pasting up.
("REAR END "PASTING UP": Sometimes the stress of shipping causes the manure to stick to the back of the chick. It is important to remove this daily. Pull off gently. Or better yet, wash off with a cloth and warm water. It will disappear in a few days as the chick starts to grow. Make sure the chicks have access to water at all times."
from Strombergs Chickens)
Although our chicks didn't ship from anyplace this is still a condition to monitor.
Some sleepy little chicks.
Kim said Chelsea has been very interested in the chicks but not aggressive. Well, she changed her tune when I was here. Seems she's trying to say, "Look what Dad's gone and brought home while you were gone! Just look at this!"
She'll have to adjust.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Chicks and Grandkids
Our three chicks have arrived. Actually we picked them up today from Dunlap Nursery in Caldwell. Aren't they gorgeous? Why are baby chicks so darn cute?
We have an Araucana, a Barred Plymouth Rock and a Silver Laced Wyandotte.
So far the Araucana seems to be vying for the top chick position. She is the largest so that may make a difference.
The next largest chick is the Barred Plymouth Rock. At least I think that's what she is. The employee at Dunlap's pointed out the breeds very quickly. So I'm thinking this one is the Rock.
That leaves the Wyandotte as the smallest chick.
I'm so excited. They're so darn cute. Our brooder is set up and ready to go with water, feed and temp up to 95 degrees. With a nice soft sheet for their first night.
Only I won't get to watch them.
I'm babysitting.
The grandkids.
OK. Not really grandchildren at all. (Don't want to offend actual grandparents and grandchildren.)
But, so far, these two are the closest I come to having grandchildren.
I'm babysitting my son's dogs for a few days. At his house.
Yeah, it's a bachelor's house alright. Opposite side of town from our house. Seemed easier for me to come out here than to bring the dogs to our house so they could terrorize Chelsea, Ebby, the garden, the koi, the chicks.
I think you get the picture.
Here's what I'm dealing with.
Yeah, Scarface and Bruno. It's gonna be a lotta fun.
We have an Araucana, a Barred Plymouth Rock and a Silver Laced Wyandotte.
So far the Araucana seems to be vying for the top chick position. She is the largest so that may make a difference.
The next largest chick is the Barred Plymouth Rock. At least I think that's what she is. The employee at Dunlap's pointed out the breeds very quickly. So I'm thinking this one is the Rock.
That leaves the Wyandotte as the smallest chick.
I'm so excited. They're so darn cute. Our brooder is set up and ready to go with water, feed and temp up to 95 degrees. With a nice soft sheet for their first night.
Only I won't get to watch them.
I'm babysitting.
The grandkids.
OK. Not really grandchildren at all. (Don't want to offend actual grandparents and grandchildren.)
But, so far, these two are the closest I come to having grandchildren.
I'm babysitting my son's dogs for a few days. At his house.
Yeah, it's a bachelor's house alright. Opposite side of town from our house. Seemed easier for me to come out here than to bring the dogs to our house so they could terrorize Chelsea, Ebby, the garden, the koi, the chicks.
I think you get the picture.
Here's what I'm dealing with.
Yeah, Scarface and Bruno. It's gonna be a lotta fun.
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