Field Trip!!! (with pictures)

[tarragon]

We finally had a day that felt like spring this week, so I took my 5 week old babies outside for their first trip to the great outdoors. They were mightily unimpressed! After placing them all in the grass they stood frozen to the spot, completely silent. I believe they were thinking "Nobody move. Don't panic. Just stay together and it will all be over soon." Eventually they managed to nibble a little grass and move around, although all movement was done in a clump. Silly chickens.

 

[Cpntherfan]

awwww they look like they are havin a ball

 

[StevenW.]

Looks like they having a great time!

I see a cockeral!

 

[Nicole01]

Looks like the perfect first outing! Nice pictures.

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

I remember taking my mixed flock out for the first time and they all huddled together and moved around their run as a single unit. It was so funny. I think it's totally normal.

 

[Chickiegirls2]

ooooohh theyre darling!!!

 

[tarragon]

Quote:
They must hide their enthusiasm well, I was expecting a bit more delight in finding some real grass under those weird little rubbery feet.

And I'm sure you must be mistaken, you are just seeing an overly developed comb on a bird that is quite unmistakeably a pullet. Really. Truly. I mean it.

(I am a great believer in denial and false hope)

 

[Wildflower_VA]

Mine did the same! To go from an enclosed, non-fear-inducing brooder to the great outdoors all at once must be mind-boggling to five week old peeps. Mine kept hiding behind the big box I carried them out in. Mine were younger, but at that same stage of "so ugly they're cute" when they went out the first time.

 

[secuono]

Lol, they so do not get it...

 

[Hopeful Peacock]

Mine are about the same age and they began huddling too. However, now they all willingly enter the cat carrier for transport to the great outdoors. They fly and flap around, RUN!, dust-bathe, and go back into the carrier when they're cold or tired. Maybe if you transport them in some kind of box, and leave it there, they can come out of their own accord and have a safe place. They may be happier about it then - just an idea.

And which one do you think is the cockerel, Ducklover1? Because I have a cuckoo marans that I am kind of suspecting is a cockerel, who looks almost exactly like one of these.

and, tarragon, just out of curiousity, are these cuckoo marans? plymouth barred rocks? dominiques?

Thanks!