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.)

Spring Break

Time certainly does fly when you are having fun!  In fact, this whole week we were on Spring Break and I am shocked by how quickly the week has come to an end.  Backpacks are packed and ready to start a fresh week of school.  Dinners are mapped out for the week, and both Mike and I are sad to see our time off come to an end.


We had a great week.  Nothing fancy - just a simple week together as a family to recenter ourselves and enjoy each other's company. Sure, warmer temps would be have been ideal, but we made the most of our week and trust that soon enough Spring will indeed arrive. 


When I asked them their favorite memory of the week, it was unanimous  - our trip to Schwebel's Bread in Solon, OH.  While there, we toured the factory (hairnets and all!) and watched the entire process - from dough to packaging!  

Thursday they were making hamburger buns.  The kids' eyes were so large as they watch the fine oiled machines and conveyors work effortlessly to make bread for consumers. (I must admit that Mike and I were fascinated by the process ourselves!) The tour even ended with the excitement of walking into the back of an actual semi truck being loaded for delivery.  Now, anytime we pass a truck on the highway, Linc quickly announces, "Hey, I was in the back of one those at Schwebels!"  We each left with a loaf of cinnamon raisin bread that morning! 

 So, dinner that night was easy - we celebrated our day with PBJ on the special bread... something Mike and I have learned over the years: simple treasures are often the sweetest!

It's Here... It's Here....

We worked feverishly in the yard yesterday to get the location ready. We had sticks to clear, land to level, and a fence to be dismantled for the coop's arrival.    We made the most of the 40 degree day and started the fire pit up to add some warmth to the chilly springtime air. In a matter to of minutes, we were making progress.

As Mike took a portion of the fence down, we discovered a secret storing ground for acorns.... sorry Mr. Squirrel!  It was cute to see the piles stacked in the posts - one of those ideas that seemed great at the moment I bet, until Mr. Squirrel needed to them attempt to get them out of storage!  LOL

The coop arrived this morning! The doorbell rang at 8:05am, and there was our new addition in the driveway, waiting to be unloaded!  It is perfect!  We asked them to place linoleum as flooring (on top of the plywood), to slightly ease the cleanouts.  Our chicks will be living the life in their Coop De'Ville!  The windows will face South for prime daytime sun!

It is our hopes that in the next week or two, the weather will begin to warm ever so slightly, and we can begin work on their fenced in run.  We have some time - but with Spring, comes rain - so we would much prefer to have this completed sooner, rather than later!

Day 6

Today is day 6 for our gals - tomorrow morning they will officially be one week old!  

I thought it only seemed right to post some new pictures.  You have to see their wings!  We have had some more visitors this weekend, so I am going to venture to say that the chickens are getting used to humans.  

Linc even decided it was time for him to hold his first chick!  He loved every second of it, but when done he felt he needed to tell me that "those chickens need their nails trimmed."  We explained that we had no intention of the doing that - wing trimming and butt wiping was plenty of pampering for these gals for the time being!  haha  He calmly replied, "Oh, okay... I guess they weren't too sharp, they will be okay."

We also took a trip to Home Depot today to pick up a square doll rod so they may begin roosting.... we have been experimenting with heights, but for now, the majority prefer it right on the ground. For tonight, they seemed to prefer to just sleep next to it, and use it as pillow!  lol

SUN-day

We decided to take in some sunshine this morning with a trip to the Akron Zoo.  Yes, temps were in the high 30's, but we bundled and only stayed about an hour.  Actually, we bought a family membership via Groupon.com a short while back (amazing deal!), and it needed to be activated by the 30th. It was a great time - we even got to feed the penguins!!  Then to warm up, we spent some time with the jellyfish exhibit.  We will spend many more days there this summer!  

After posing for such a wonderful picture, Ella had to exclaim - "Hurry up, it smells like salmon in here!"
(Ella remains a comedian waiting to be discovered!)

Feeding the penguins - all smiles!

Jellyfish