Day out in the Grass

Yesterday we took the chicks outside to play in the grass. Since it was so warm outside we figured it would be a good day to see how they do. Since they can fly, we had to carry hem out in a box and put them under a laundry basket.
I was so afraid of one of them flying away and getting caught in the dogs mouth or Scooters arms. They didn't!

Hilary's friend from next door helped me and Hilary dig worms and my compost pile was filled with baby worms. You can see in he below picture of dirt that we made massive holes in our quest for worms. So we took a block of dirt filled with those worms and put it in there. The chickens went bonkers for them. They love to peck around for bugs. The instinct to hunt and peck amazes me even now. They scratch the ground with their giant claws and peck at the ground. Everytime they find anything that they like they chirp very ;oud and pick it up. Then the others try to steal it so they run around in circles chasing each other trying to get the item. It is like little kids with toys or candy.
We found one big worm and Goldie (who is the dominant hen) caught it and was chirping loudly as she drug in running in circles to keep Paige and Blondie from stealing it from her. It was really fun to watch.

Today we broke ground on the

hen house location. And the ground is being graded to level so that the hen house and the chicken run will sit on the brick perfectly. It is going to be a very nice coup. The hens only need 4 sq feet of space each so 12 sq feet total but they will have the hen house which will have 3 nesting boxes and 12 sq feet inside and 32 sq feet of grass and dirt for the run.

I attached a picture of what it will look similar to.

I am very excited to get that finished so that we can sit outside and play with them. Now I need to get a couple rolls of grass to lay out on h dirt part to give them some grass to play on. I don't want it all dirt. :) They will have a good home.

Chick Pic's

Hilary and Goldie. Just a girl hugging her baby bird.
We added a perch to the brood cage and Goldie learned right away how to use it and loves it. She was flying all over the brood cage, so we had to add something to keep her off the watering can and from tipping the food jar over.

Just a chicken and her natural roosting abilities

We took the girls outside for the first time. Here they are picking worms and bugs and eating stuff from the ground.

Just a girl holding her babies.

They do really lover her. They let her hold them. Here they were crawling all over her. She enjoyed it so much that even when they pooped on her she didn't mind. She just talked to them so gently like a little mother.

Paige needed a hilly hug

When she can't roost in a pole, she roosts on Hilary's leg.

Hey Blondie. What are you doing over there?

Worms, worms and more worms!

We like to roost.

Pictures of our baby chicks

Hilary and her babies.

New additions to the family

Last weekend we took the plung and got some new baby Chickens. It was a surprise for Hilary for Easter and let me just say that she was very surprised and excited. I think I hit Super-Mom status for the day.

We have 2 Easter Eggers named Goldie and Blondie, which will lay blue, green, or pinkish eggs and 1 Blue Grey fluffy little girl. I didn't know anything about the 'breed' of the 3rd bird, but she was too cute to pass up. She is a Blue Andalusian. According to Wikipedia, she is a rare bird if she is blue/gray and is a good layer. She is my favorite. Her name is Paige.

I have always wanted to have chickens and think baby chicks are probably some of the cutest little creatures. They have this way of light peeping or chirping when they are happy. It is relaxing and nice to hear. They also talk to each other with their little peeping. It is very sweet.

These little birds have almost doubled in size already. Goldie (striped bird) is flapping her wings and trying to fly out of her brooding box. She wants to perch so I need to get them a little perch for the box.

These little girls lay down in their box and fall asleep. It is very cute when they sleep. The fall asleep in Hilarys hands also. She really feels special when they fall asleep in her lap.

Blondie (yellow bird) gets scared when she is being held, but the others seem to like it enough. When we take Blondie out to hold her, Goldie stands up as tall as she can in the box looking out at us and calling to Blondie. It is definately a scared and worried peep. Then if we talk to her, she will calm down again.