Feathers

Barred Rock

The chicks continue to grow. They have all begun to scratch - still very comical at this age!  They have also begun to climb on top of the feeder and attempt to jump down with wings flapping.  Again, comical, as long as we get in the habit of keeping their wings clipped.  Soon enough that comedy could turn to horror!  haha

Trimmed wing

The chicks are growing right before our very eyes - literally!  I left for school and the feathers were not nearly as full as they were by the time I got home!  Mike and I decided to give a go at trimming the right wing, to aid in hindering their aerodynamics.  Certainly they cannot escape the brooder just yet. However, being that they are housed in the basement, the last sight I want to witness is coming home to chickens running loose in the basement when they have "Flown the coop!"  

So, as we continue to work on handling each chick daily, we also trimmed about 3 chicks today.  Mike was the brave scissor holder and it was actually a very easy task.  Catching the speedy critters was much more challenging than the trimming of the right wing feathers.  So check that new experience off - we can handle the wing trims as needed!

 I have also become the pasty butt wiper on duty.  Ewww.... gross at first, but now it is just like changing a diaper as new parents. You know it needs to be done, so you do it.  Only 2 of the 10 chicks are having issues with this condition.  I keep offering this responsibility to Lexi, but for some reason, she keeps declining - she doesn't know the fun she is missing!!  From what I am reading, this chore should only last another week and half.  Once the baby chick fuzz is replaced with feathers, I am hoping I can remove this duty from my To-Do list!  lol 

Buff Orpington chicks

Lexi successfully held and released a jersey giant today.  Yesterday she held a golden with my help.  Today, I caught a fuzzy little black chick and handed it her.  She was very gentle and ever so proud! I then let her attempt to release the bird back into the brooder after several minutes and she was amazing!  The grin from ear to ear was proof enough that she was well aware of her job well done!  

Ella got her first shared hold of the speckled sussex.  She informed Lexi and I that she knows how to be gentle from holding her hamster in the preschool classroom.  Judging by the giggles released as the baby chirped in her hands, this experience may have out ranked the hamster!  

Way to go girls!  You will be great farm hands with all your enthusiasm and patience!

(Linc is still content talking to and petting the heads and backs of the chicks, so we will leave it at that for now. ) 

Visitors

Our chicks are officially 2 days old today!   

They have had quite the busy afternoon with visitors (neighbors, friends, and family).  It is fun sharing our new friends, but they really aren't doing too much just yet.  Like babies, they are really good at eating, sleeping, and pooping.  I think it is fun to see such fluffy little creatures, but since they are so young, they can't be handled by outsiders too much yet.  If nothing else, our visitors today will be able to say they saw them at their cutest.  From what we gather, they will grow quickly and enter their awkward stage all too soon!  

We swear they are getting taller, but I think it is more of them stretching out more today.  They are also much faster today and not so willing to be handled.  We will keep working with them though, so that they are used to human touch.

The pecking order is still being decided.  Today the Rhode Island Red was subdued and no longer in everyone's face.  They were all getting along nicely today.  The Speckled Sussex has begun scratching - quite comical to watch her cover her siblings in pine shavings as her legs get going!  Below is a close up of her.

THE BIG DAY

The big day is here and we are officially suburban chicken farmers!

Pick up day at Meyer's Hatchery

We have 10 ever so gorgeous chicks living in the brooder.  They are all so fluffy and so petite.  I have to admit that my heart melted as I handled them this afternoon.  When we got home, we needed to dip their beaks in the water and then the food.  It was quite an amazing sight to see them drink for the first time since being born!  It is fascinating that one sampling and they know what to do!

Day old Buff Orpington

The kids are tickled pink with our new pets and chomping at the bit to get their hands on them.  The rule tonight was only Mom and Dad could handle the little gals since it was a stressful day for the little ones.  Tomorrow, we will begin to teach the kids how to handle them (when a grown-up is present) and pray that they realize how fragile these babies still are!  

Day old Jersey Giant

They are already establishing pecking order - with our Rhode Island Red (not pictured above)being quite the bully!  She is pecking on eyes and toes of whom ever allows her to!  We are in the process of coming up with a name that represents her not so nice dominance.  Mike and I found ourselves watching tonight, wishing another chick would take her on and put her in her place.  

We have a diverse flock:

2  Jersey Giants (who resemble fluffy penguins at the moment)

1 Speckled Sussex

1 White Rock

1 Rhode Island  Red

1 Barred Rock (resembles a fluffy falcon - and tallest of the flock)

1 Golden Buff

1 Columbian Wyandotte

2 Buff Orpingtons

The house is now filled with the sound of peeps and well - nothing says Springtime like the sound of baby birds!

Heroes

As the house falls asleep for the night, I sit here to reflect on the weekend.  I was fearful of the full moon (Super Moon), simply after experiencing a doozy of a Friday, but the weekend turned around and ended on a great note!


This afternoon we received our first correspondence with our newest Herobox.org soldier.  Two weeks ago we decided to adopt our 2nd soldier through this great organization.  My extreme couponing is still going strong, and we needed to find additional deserving people to share our finds with.  (This family can only use so much deodorant and toothpaste.  Plus, the kids enjoy having someone to share their artwork with. ) So we mailed out boxes on March 7th.  And today, Tino wrote us the following email:

Hello Adams family. I just want to let you know I got your package today and I'm very thankful. It truly shows that they're people out there who really apprreciate what we are doing for this country. I'm currently in Afghanistan and  I've been on the frontline for a few weeks now and today my platoon and I came back to our main PB (Patrol base) to recharge and take the fight to the Talibans. As soon as we got back, I got your box and I shared it with my fellow marines in my platoon. They were all happy and the Peeps were gone in less than a minute lol. I also want to thank you for the card because it put a smile on my face when I saw it. :) Once again, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.OORAH ADAMS FAMILY!!!

So, we are already discussing what types of treats to send in the next box!  It is much more fun and rewarding  to send these care packages when we receive these appreciative notes!  Sure, we are still making deliveries to our local assistance shelter, but when we can correspond with these brave soldiers, we, as a family, gain so much in our lives - lessons that I hope our kiddos will ALWAYS remember... I know I cherish moments like this by keeping them very near and dear to my heart!