fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[RoyalChick]

So, it's done. I cried.

There's a verse in the Bible about God knowing every sparrow that falls to the ground, they are not forgotten. I find that comforting.

I decided to keep myself busy this afternoon, so I did some rearranging of the second coop. Naomi's bunch aren't roosting yet, but they don't need the brooder, last night they all slept in the wheelbarrow, filled with straw.

Brooder out. Nice damp soil underneath with insects, scratch, yum.

I wanted to add something the chicks can use as a launch area to the roost, since the hens block access from the wheelbarrow. I used an upside down plastic tote and a small tree trunk I got from the burn pile.
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It's jammed in tightly, and I added a concrete block, so it won't shift. The chicks were exploring the area, one even walking up the trunk. Good. They might be able to flutter up to the roost from that position.

It also gives them some escape routes and hiding places when the adults enforce the pecking order.

I added fresh straw to the wheelbarrow, and Abigail decided to rearrange it. Silas needed to observe, and supervise.
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I reset the blocks under the feeding tray, so it doesn't fall off. The chicks took advantage of some fresh feed, but scattered once Esther bum-rushed them (she's in the bottom left corner)
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I keep some feed in the coop, stored in Folgers coffee containers. Since the brooder was no longer available as a table, I placed two containers in a bucket, underneath the tarp area in the back of the coop. It won't get rained on, there.

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Taking a rest from play.

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[fuzzi]

Brutal today.

I went outside early this morning and cleaned both the large waterers.

The water wasn't very cool, but the hens seemed to appreciate it.

Then I did some watering, mainly of my berry bushes. By then it was 10am, and I was hot, so I skipped my usual Saturday morning errands in order to cool off. I stayed inside, and sorted my filing pile.

About 1pm I went outside to check the chick waterer, but brought some chilled canteloupes. It was interesting...

All the hens backed off and allowed the week old chicks first dibs. That's Zaccheus watching over them as they gobbled the cool and moist melon.

Their waterer was filled with dirt, so they were probably thirsty, but it was good to see the adults acting selfless, whether or not it was intentional. Most of the adults were panting and holding their wings away from their bodies.

The chick waterer was cleaned, refilled, and the chicks went over to drink. I removed their feeder, yesterday, as they're eating with the flock.

In the second coop I noticed a similar situation, with panting adults allowing chicks first dibs. The older chicks can access the adults' waterer.

Naomi making her presence known!

When that piece of melon was mostly gone the chicks discovered the last piece I'd placed on the feed tray.

I'll check on them again at dusk.

 

[fuzzi]

Looking at Naomi's bunch, I think they might be this breed:

 

[fuzzi]

One of the boys, five weeks old.