Mr. Moon constructed a bottomless box with a chicken-wire lid on it (to prevent hawks and owls from bloody chick-snatching) for the baby chicks to learn about the outside in. We transferred them from their inside cage to the outside box and at first they all froze which is good instinct. And then they all unfroze and clustered up together next to the side of the box. Click on the pictures if you want to see their pretty faces.
But within a few moments, they were making tentative forays out into the big wide world of dirt and leaves. And bugs. BUGS!!!!! Tasty bugs!Within a few more moments (things happen fast around these chickens) they were ready to gather back together for another rest period. Here they are, posing with the betony:
And Mabel/Maynard, always the most advanced chick of all, has already discovered how to do that chicken-wallowing-in-the-dirt thing. Look carefully- you can see her/him, settled down into the dust with her/his wings spread for a nice little relaxing dirt nap.
I swear, I could just stand there and watch those babies all day. Why is this? I have no idea but I feel almost as proud as I did when my real babies went off to kindergarten the first time, little backpacks on their backs, wearing new shorts and shirts and sandals.
Okay. Not really. But sort of.
My Zoe (okay, and me....me, too. I admit it.) loves this post. She loves baby chicks. She found one of those fuzzy tweeting chicks in her Easter basket and she carries it everywhere. She just compared it to the "real" ones in the photo. Hers is deceptively lifelike and she's very pleased about it.
ReplyDeleteThey are so cute! What a good idea and execution that outdoor box was. Daddy's a smart man. And that Maybel/Maynard is a heck of a chick. Thanks for those pictures.
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ReplyDeleteI love the outdoor box. I could do with one somedays.
Bantam chicks are so pretty. We used to have them. Their differences in colour and pattern are like our beach stones.
http://www.glasseyalley.com/167
http://www.glasseyalley.com/166
spamword: holvis
Elvis' healthier cousin?
Ms. Trouble- That makes me so happy to think of your little girl looking at my chicken pictures. Honestly, they're easy pets. So far. You might want to consider getting a few. You're Old Southern Lady genes would probably kick in and tell you what to do with them.
ReplyDeleteHoneyLuna- Aren't they darling? And yes, your daddy is one smart guy.
Ms. Jo- I think my porches are outdoor boxes. You have beach stones? We have shells. And that's a good guess on what "holvis" means. Or perhaps it's a Lebanese dip not unlike Hummus. Or a Jewish treat not unlike Halvah. Or some mixture thereof.
Ohhhh....we had chickens right here in this yard when I was little. It taught me all kinds of things about life...and death. We had the most vicious rooster. It was a daily struggle to get those eggs collected and come out intact. I really should get some. I'm hesitant though. And I'm not a hesitant kind of person so we will wait a bit more. I'm sure we are meant to gather eggs again soon enough. Both of my kids love to look at blogs with me AND they love my blog because they are the big stars there.
ReplyDeleteI could hear Mr. Moon either finishing up the box or working on the coop. It won't be long!
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as adorable as our newborn baby kittens!
ReplyDeleteMs. Trouble- I think it's very nice that your blog is not one that is going to cause your children to have to go to therapy when they are teenagers. Know what I mean? They ARE the stars and that's so cool.
ReplyDeleteMs. Fleur- He's working like a madman on it.
Maggie May- Almost all babies are cute. Or at least we perceive them as so. I'm sure this has a lot to do with evolution and why we don't kill the young.
Those are the prettiest little chicks ever! I like the white one with the head stripe. Does he/she have a name?
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea with that box. Mr. Moon is so smart!
Lady Lemon- That is Suzie. Unless it's Al. Still can't tell about the sex of these babies yet. She/He's a cutie, though. You're right.
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