We decided that 5 chickens were simply not enough, so yesterday we headed over to Belle Feeds (where we bought our chicks last year) and picked out 10 more pullets (female chicks). If I remember correctly, we chose 5 Barred Rocks, 2 Aracaunas, and 3 Rhode Island Reds. Hopefully none of them will turn out to be a rooster (Speckles was supposed to be a pullet), because there is no way we could keep two roosters together here.... and that means one of them would have to become dinner....
They are just the cutest little rascals ever! They are so new to the world, everything is an adventure for them. I could just sit and watch them for hours as they learn how to drink, find pockets of spilled food, and peck at anything and everything (eyes, wings, poop). Little busy-bodies, fluffy and soft as can be.
For their new home, we set up a large Rubbermaid bin with a thick layer of hay on the bottom, a long red feeder, and a stainless waterer. A heat lamp is suspended over the bin, and can easily be raised or lowered, depending on the chicks needs. It's easy to tell if they are uncomfortable: too hot, and they will all spread out and remain very still. Too cold, and they will all huddle together right under the light. Just right, and then will be moderately spaced, moving fairly actively, and busily investigating their new world. They do have to rest sometime, of course, but usually a few rest at a time, and the rest are up and about.
The water has to be changed a few times each day, because they poop in it a LOT. I also check on them 5 or 6 times a day, just to make sure I have the heat lamp at the right height, to make sure they haven't spilled their water, and of course to laugh at their little antics. They won't be this small for long! Pretty soon they will start growing, lose their fluff, and become very ugly adolescents caught in a less-than-flattering, half-feathered tween stage. Chickhood is all too short!
awwww, they are super cute. Brings me back to my childhood growing up with chickens. My sister and I would each adopt a chick... I think the poor things ended up in doll clothes a few times, but grew up to be well-adjusted chickens nonetheless!
Posted by: Karla | May 14, 2009 at 04:22 PM