New addition

barred rock chick...aka Spot

chicks at 2 weeks

The black australorps did not arrive from the hatchery so I decided to get a chick that is the same age as the other chicks.  Our new addition is a Plymouth barred rock chick.  They often have a spot on the top of their heads so we are referring to her as Spot.  She must not have eaten much food at Orchleins because she ate non stop for the first day she was here.  The introduction of a new chick was strange.  The 3 chicks looked at Spot and she looked at them like they were from another planet...  However, the chicks had a change of venue last week. We had new windows installed downstairs so I had to move them into the bathroom closet upstairs during the installation.  I think that helped them all transition together.  They are all sticking together just fine.  When I transported them back downstairs Bixby made the discovery.  He has become very interested since fried chicken is his favorite food!  He stood watch over the door for quite a while to see if he could get a better look.  It is amazing how fast they are growing.  They are starting to get their wing feathers and trying them out with some short flaps and quasi flights across the brooder box.

The chicks are here...the chicks are here!

The chicks finally arrive on March 15th.  I hope the Ides of March is not a bad omen!  I brought home two buff orpingtons and a speckled sussex.  The latter was a surprize as I was told that they would not get this breed.  I think they just get what they get.  The black australorps didn't arrive so I will try for one of those next Tuesday.  The chicks are doing well, eating, drinking and peeping!
Today could have been a disaster for them. I checked on them this morning and all was fine.  I always check to make sure the cats are not around before I open the door to the bathroom where they are kept.  However, when I went home at lunch I stopped to check on them before going upstairs.  I heard a cat but didn't see one but when I opened the door there was Gus.  Luckily for the chicks Persians are not very active.  He was just laying on the floor squeezed between the door and the brooder box.  The cover for the box had been disturbed but Gus is too fat to be able to jump up in such tight quarters.  I will definitely have to be more careful in the future. Sorry girls!