BABIES!

We almost had a delay this morning as the farm store employee wasn't sure if our chicks were coming in or not. But they did come in and we drove off to fetch them.

As soon as we entered the building I could tell the chicks were there - there was the sound of hundreds (probably not that many actually) of peeping baby chicks.

There were five varieties split up between two large tubs, covered over with a lid and a heat lamp shining down in.



Jeremy and I took turns scanning through the mass of fuzzy bodies looking for just the right ones. We were deciding our fates! What will these chickens be like when they grow up!? Loners? Bullies? Popular? Time will tell...



We got our chicks secured in their little cardboard box and then we had to drive home. Right now the chicks need to be at about 95 degrees - so as soon as we got in the car we cranked up the heat. The chicks were peeping incessantly and tumbling all over the box every time Jeremy had to stop and it was getting hotter and hotter in the car.


(Our ten babies: 2 Welsummer, 2 Speckled Sussex, 3 Rhode Island Red, 3 Americauna)

We finally got home and put them right on top of the radiator with a light and a heater blowing on them. The lamp in the brooder box didn't work (we found out last night) so we had to get a new one on and heating up. You can tell when they're cold because they all huddle up together at the warmest spot in the box.





We got them some water and taught them how to drink. This involves sticking their beaks in the water and after a time or two they get it. They are now feeding themselves and getting water on their own. They grow up so quickly!