Category Archives: Chickens

Still didn’t like the coop at night (feeling cooped in perhaps) but went to bed fast. Next day opened the gate and they came out for fresh water and food. I came back a couple of hours later and they were hanging out in the enclosed part of the coop. This gives me hope that they will love their coop someday soon.

I let them out for an hour to play. I watched them follow each other around. If one bird was doing something the others follow. When I was done I picked up butters and put her in the coop. She didn’t like it but the others wanted to see what she was doing and soon followed. Suckers.

Rolling in the dirt

All of them sat on my lap soaking up the sun until one would step on the others. It was a nice moment.

Butters liked to be on the towel sleeping next to me in the sun.

It was so warm, and the chicks have all their feathers, so I thought it would be a great day to go outside. We had a great time. They rolled in the dirt, eat clover, and used me as a jungle gym.

At the end of the day I couldn’t but them back in their box. They now tasted freedom. It was warm and it felt like it was time. My chicks are now hens ready for fresh air. I put them in the pen. No problem.

It was getting dark so I put them in the closed area and they freaked out. I put water and food in nesting beds. They chirped like they were under attack. I went into the house grabed sheets to keep the coop extra warm. I reread the books. This was the time, but they would chirp when they heard me wanting out. I went on line and found others with the same panic. http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2467068

I went back out and they had fallen asleep. Reading the blog above helped me feel like they would be ok.

I let the chicks play outside for a couple of minutes.  Their new coop is waiting for them when the weather warms up.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

3 1/2 weeks old  – 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Bodies full of feathers

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

They are growing so fast!!! Only 2 weeks old and their feathers are coming in. They are trying to fly so they needed a bigger box.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I picked these types for their laying and reputation for being docile. They already have personalities.

The black Australorp, “Austra”: very shy.

The yellow Red Star “Butters”, sooo sweet, she jumps into my hands.

The white Easter Egger with black spots “speck”, at first she was aggressive but now is the second snuggler.

The brown Easter Egger “roost”, very aggressive and flighty.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

How cute can you get?

We bought 4 chicks from mypetchicken.com. We want them for pets, fresh eggs, fertilizer, and also to help with the compost. They all survived the trip; one Australorp, one Red Star, and two Easter Eggers.