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.