Did you know chickens can fly? Ours are whizzing around in their brooder as if they were parakeets! This only happens at two weeks when their wing span and body size are just in the right portion, by next week, it will be over, or shortly thereafter. Grown chickens do fly but not very high, they loose that capability with their body size and weight.
Since last week feathers have sprouted. Tail feathers can be seen and the wing feathers too! I do not have names for them yet but can identify each one by their personality, size, and coloring. Their Brooder will hold the twenty five till this Friday. After that, I will divide them into two brooders for another two weeks. Two mobile coops will be their home after that. By summer we will have the coop in the barn done. I am thinking of putting in a window in Iggie's stall so he can watch over their coop at night (just kidding!). I'm also hoping they might help me with the mice in the barn, Buckeyes are known to chase and catch mice (and sound like a dinosaur too!).
This little one is the smallest, by nightfall she is pretty tired from keeping up with the others and falls asleep in my hand. Her need for the flock is strong, and trying to separate her may cause too much stress at this young age, so I keep my eye on her.
They love to have their brooder cleaned, they get all excited and scurry around checking out the changes. Fresh water is also a joyous occasion, you can almost feel their glee!
To the joy from the simplest things.
~ Deb
*Last time in Barn Stories: New Additions
