2 weeks old

The gals are two weeks old... wow!  I am not sure we would ever truly appreciate and understand how quickly chicks grow and develop if it weren't for us pursuing this interest and living in the moment!  The 10 chicks continue to do well and most of all, they continue to grow... and grow... and grow!

We continue to talk to and handle the birds each day.  Some welcome the interaction more than others.   Some quietly nuzzle into your lap, while others make much noise in hopes that you will return them to the warmth of the brooder box. 

Lexi is a natural with holding the birds - our Jr. Chicken Whisperer

There are 2 chicks that are the curious ones of the flock - our White Rock and our Barred Rock (or as Linc likes to refer to her, "our Hard Rock" - lol).  These two will almost immediately approach your hands and hope that you have some food to share.  Today, Lexi was interacting with the birds, and the White Rock approached her, and then as she went to pet it, the chick leaned in towards her for a nice back rub!  Lexi was tickled!  She had pet a chicken that didn't try to run away!  At that very moment, she declared - "This is my bird - I am going to name her Vanilla!"  So, we have our first bird named!  And to think, Vanilla wasn't even one of our brainstormed ideas.  Just goes to show, the best ideas are those that present themselves in the moment. 

Presenting Vanilla (White Rock)

Our other outgoing bird is pictured below.  She has not been named yet.  Although I think she will be a magnificent Sparkle Glitter, Mike has grown particularly attached to her and is refusing to refer to her as Sparkle Glitter.  So, we will wait on her name... either Mike will give in, or just like with Lexi, the perfect name will present itself when the time is just right!

Very friendly Barred Rock

We trimmed wings again today.  The girls are enjoying running after one another and taking flight (not more than 1-2 inches off the ground.  It is not so much the sight that is nerve wracking but the sounds of the wings that cause me to close my eyes for very brief moments and pray that this is not the time they have some strange streak of luck and lift off out of the brooder.  I do believe for piece of mind, we will be fitting the top of the box with a screen next weekend.  I took a video of this new playful behavior this evening - hoping tomorrow I can post the footage.

We also raised the water dish, in hopes of alleviating the problem of them scratching it full of wood chips throughout the day.  So far, so good.  We also discovered if we bury things in their wood chips, they love uncovering their finds.  We have placed a pink plastic bowl upside down that we then cover.  Anytime we return to check on them, it is fully uncovered and they are taking turns perching themselves on it.  If no one is on top of it, then they are likely all standing around it taking turns pecking at it - to hear the noise it makes.  (Another simple treasure.)