Great Growing Girls!

At least, I hope they are all girls.  I understand id'ing gender for a chicken is not fool-proof.  Even the experts can miss one as they do it so quickly.  I spoke to my uncle's sister yesterday and she told me of the six she got, only 2 were actually hens.  YIKES!

Now we have one girl, Bossy Bertha, that I might believe was mis-identified.  She has always been unafraid.  The last to sleep.  Holds "her"self taller than all the others.  Pounces on all the others.  Flaps "her" wings at us when we are in the brooder box.  We always know by her behavior which one is Bertha.  Yet, I'm practical.  I know if Bertha is a Bert, that chicken will get swiftly repurposed, as eggs won't be an option there.  Still, I really hope we have enough girls for a flock.

Big-girl feathers, starting to overcome the chicky-fluff.

So, chicken update, week 2:  The girls are growing rapidly, and getting their big-girl feathers.  They are almost twice the size they were to begin with, though that makes sense; think of how fast human infants grow in proportion to their lifetimes.  So, our girls are getting fluffier.  We put them in a large tub when we clean the brooder box (bless DH for being willing to do that without even asking me to -- I would and have, but he's been on top of it).  Said tub is also a catch for firewood so there is all kids of chips and dust and dirt -- the girls love fluffing around in it -- dust bath!  Guess that's why they say not to house chickens in a dirt-floor outbuilding with your tractor/mower, huh?

They watch us as much as we watch them...and come
running when we open the lid.  I think they know there is
a snack to be had (only the starter feed, at this point).

We've been hand-feeding them daily (just a little bit of the starter feed) so they are used to our hands and being around us.  We do not hold them unless necessary though, as they still seem so fragile.  We occasionally let the kids do this, too.  DS2 asks daily if he can feed the chickens -- he's still enamored with them.  DS3 wanted to do it too -- he kept giggling, saying it tickles.  We emphasize that they have to just hold their hands very still and let the chicks eat.  It's really fun, as the chickies are comfortable enough with us now that they climb right into your hand or on your arm!  DS1 was feeding them today when one did that, and he was so startled he dumped the feed out of his hand. :)  FYI, always wash hands before and after handling chickies or anything in their house.

I moved the brood light back a wee bit, too, trying to get them acclimated to the temperatures around here.  We have the perches still, though they are often found perching on the feed box, too.  They can now stretch to the top of the box/lid when motivated, and still spook if curious Tula, GSD, comes too close.  They are learning to fluff their feathers out and get comfy, and most sleep perched somewhere.  They still snuggle with each other when sleeping, but move about enough when awake that I'm not concerned they are too cold, just affectionate.

This is the side the nesting boxes will be in.

Just a few more weeks until they can start spending sunny afternoons outside ~ then on to the coop!  DH spent most of the weekend building said outbuilding.  I'm truly blessed beyond measure when I watch him start with a picture and some 2x4s; before I know it he has a plan and is framing walls.  He did that with our house, too, so the coop is just on a smaller scale.  This coop is looking to be around 4x6', with 3 small windows and a shingled roof.  We will be able to walk in to clean it out, too.  I think the nesting boxes are going to have a lid for outside access, too.


In watching these babies grow so rapidly, I'm reminded of how each life on this earth is made by intricate, Divine design.  How wonderful is it to watch a living thing grow, knowing it will be for the purpose of providing nourishment for our family -- it gives a whole new measure to thankfulness!  We are excited to share another level of self-sufficiency with the kids, while teaching them to recognize that it is all ultimately provided by our Father first.  There is something to be said for the slower pace of life ~ it's relaxing, to be sure.  Sometimes you need to just sit back and watch the chickens peck the ground.