Long Overdue Update

Gee - It's been too long since I updated this. Dennis has almost completed the outdoor run for the chickens. The roof isn't on yet, but we have been letting them out in it anyway. They will only have access to the outdoor run at night, but they are going to be really well protected against predators.
While Graham was visiting he spent a lot of time out in the hen house with the chickens and he's a little "Chicken Whisperer". The chickens would hop up on his lap or shoulder and perch on him. They seems to really like the guy.
One of the Buff Orpingtons I named Cheerio because it liked to eat Cheerios so much when it was a chick. Graham named the other one Biscuit and it really seems to fit her. We're thinking about Reba or Ruby for a Rhode Island Red. It's still difficult to tell them apart.
Seems I might have gotten one rooster in the bunch. Although I requested all pullets, they can only be 90% accurate. I'm posting a picture of the Silver Laced Wyendotte that I think is a rooster. I really don't want a rooster around so I'm going to try to give it away to another local chicken farmer.

I'm really happy with the chickens. They seem to complete the farm.

Chicks are in the Hen House!

Dennis finished the hen house and I moved the chicks last Monday. They will be four weeks old tomorrow and growing like crazy. I love sitting in the hen house and feeding them treats. I ran out of their favorites - strawberries. They've moved on to zucchini and seemed to get pretty excited when they see me coming. I sit in the hen house and they like to perch on my arms and legs and sometimes my shoulder and head.

Here are some pictures. As you can see - they're getting lots of feathers. The Buff Orps are my favorite. They are really soft and love to be petted!

Updated pics - Chicks are growing.

The chicks are growing so fast! Here are some updated pictures. The first picture features the only chick that has a name so far. Her name is "Sparky Sparky Boom Chick". Megan and Hannah named this chick because she seems to be leader and is the boss so far. She is named after the Combustion man in the Avatar series. He has phenomenal powers and will use them if he has to.

When I come home from work I like to take the chicks out to play. I put down an old terrycloth towel and take 3 chicks out at a time. I try to hold each one and talk to them a little bit to get them used to me. Today I fed them a treat of crushed Cheerios - hey had a blast. it was especially exhausting for them.

Chicks are online...

I left the chicks home alone yesterday for the first time. Just to be sure there isn't too much partying going on I have a web cam on them today....

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/suzyschicks

Baby Chick update

Sadly, the baby chick who was very lethargic did not survive. I tried to feed her sugar water and food through and eye dropper but she was just too weak and passed away last night. The remaining eight are thriving. I can't believe how much they have grown in a just a few days.

We put a worm in the brooder and it was hilarious to watch them running around trying to steal it from each other. They are very curious about anything new to the brooder and are always in each other's business. Dennis built a little roost for them. and we're still waiting, but I have read they will eventually roost and line up in their "pecking order". Right now one of the Wyandottes seems to be the boss of the brooder. It will be interesting to see.

They're here!

The chicks are here. Dennis, Tessa and I picked them up today around 1:00 p.m. at Mt. Healthy Hatchery. They were really making a lot of noise all the way home, but seemed to calm down once they were in their brooder. One of the Buff Orps seems a little bit lethargic and the others are kind of picking at her a little. I'm going to keep my eye on the situation and maybe separate her if I need too. Here are some pictures....