Tuesday, September 13, 2011

T-Birds- The Chicks While They are still Chicks!

With the rate that these little peeps are growing, plus the fact that I am working part-time now, you will be lucky to see pictures of them before they start laying eggs. I am feeling silly posting these shots that I took last week because they are double the size! No joke!

I will use these shots to talk about the breeds we have though. They will be good for that. No one minds a coupla cute little baby chicken photos anyhow.

So, above is a sweet specimen of a Black Australorp. They have pretty speckled faces and will most likely grow to be completely black. I am not so sure because many of the wing feathers that have grown in over the past few days are bright white!

These guys are sweet and seem to be the most mellow. We have 5 of them and they all have different markings on their faces. They consistently sleep together in a cozy Australorp pile.

Here are the Buff Orpingtons. We love these guys. They are easy to hold and super curious which makes them funny to watch. They are kind of like the cool older siblings of the bunch. They do everything first, get all the neat stuff first and are bigger with the most feathers. But they love all their little siblings and when they are older will probably sneak them into R-rated movies and protect them from bullies. Just kidding. They are just cool.

The two biggest Buffs fly right out of the brooder and like perching on the window sill. Today one flew up at my neck trying to perch on my shoulder. He kinda got tangled in my hair. That is when I discovered they have pretty good claws now too.

Here is one of the Cuckoo Marans. I feel like this little group of six are the spoiled celebrities of our little chicken world out here. They are always squawking and freaking out. They are picky about being held too. Only Colyer seems to have the touch. It involves being bundled in his t-shirt and rocked a little. Then they fall asleep. When they wake up, they flap around and make a big fuss.

The one above, now has a comb developing and full wings that are about 3 inches longer. The growth just amazes me! Well, she wouldn't look at the camera and refused to stand on the same spot that the other guys did just minutes before. So choosy! They lay the dark chocolate brown eggs with speckles and expect special treatment. I guess I don't blame them. I know those eggs are gonna be my favorites.

This one settled on hanging out on the Dish Network receiver that was left in the workshop. I think we want to sell that thing. (Anybody need a receiver? Selling cheap. Call me.)

Well, regardless of breed or temperament, these guys are settled and a wonderfully special addition to the fam. In two more weeks they get to move into the coop and will start their new lives as teenager chickens. They will have access to the outdoors under a covered run and as they acclimate to outside temps, they will be released into their big enclosed run.

Even at this feverish pace, I can't help but be excited about it all.

Have a good night!


3 comments:

  1. They are so adorable - will your children be able to part with them from being inside? Sometimes I wish we could take the summers and go to Corfu, Greece and let the kids just run around with the animals like Gerald Durrell did. But you seem to have the perfect balance of both. ARe you enjoying your part time job?

    xoxo michele

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  2. Thanks for posting this! I've been curious about those lil chicks!


    Digi

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  3. Aren't they sweet? I wish the chickens could just free range around the property but we have a dog that would hunt them relentlessly. Someday maybe. :) And the job is going well! Just gives me less time to stare at the chicks.... ;)

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