Friday, February 29, 2008


Day 2: Baby chicks

Well the first day was a little hectic, but Pop has built a new brooder. Hopefully the chicks will be a little safer. The one weary traveler is hanging in there but it does not look good. The boys came to hold the chicks and take a few photos. Life on the farm is good .
Day 3-4
Too cold out in the barn, so in the house the chicks go. Back to a cardboard box safely in the pool bath. Pop really does not believe this is necessary but gave in to my whining. I explained the story I heard about a snake eating 12 baby chicks in one feeding, raccoons and the weather was just too cold. The chicks are doing great in the house. The weather has warmed up so maybe back to the barn in a few days. Although we sleep much better with them in the house. When they were in the barn I had a baby monitor in the stall with them, so we could run to their rescue if anything had tried to eat them. It is amazing the amount of noise a baby monitor can pick up in a metal barn when the wind blows.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Oh Cluck!



Feb 23, 2008 Today was an exciting day... new chickens arrive this week. We had spent weeks preparing for our chickens, thinking they were older. We had built a grand chicken coop, prepared the nest and feeders and protection from predators. Early today thought I would call and see if there was any idea of arrival date. Also wanted to follow up we had everything ready for our new little ones. After a short discussion I am sure the kind lady on the other end realized I did not know we were recieving day old chicks...... new game plan. I assured her there was some mistake I had ordered older chickens so I would not have to suffer the lose of small baby chicks. She pulled my order "Mam yes you ordered day old brown laying chickens and they will arrive today or tomorrow". Ok we can do this. No more had I hung up and the post office called to say the babies had arrived and would I please hurry down to pick up the little ones. So off to "Chicks r us " I go, the local feed store. Grap small waterers, feeders, new food and heat source. Run by the post office and pick up the babies. Leave babies in the car to keep them warm, set up homemade brooder of cardboard and duct tape, food and water. Finally time to open the box and see how many made the trip. Much to my delight they had all survived! One little weary traveler but I gave them a little pep talk and we are stating the long road to egg laying 101.