MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

The busiest flight path is from the top of the heat plate to the grey feeder way over there.

Oh, nobody died. But some very restorative naps were had.

And how is it the grey mousie toy has no poop on it after two days, while the water gets pooped in many times a day? The mousie has a bell at the end of its tail and every now and then it gets tinkled by a chick, very sweet.

 

[LozzyR]

Exploring the new house.

3, 2, 1... Poop!

The wooden blocks were steps that turned out to be entirely unnecessary. And I made a mesh flip up lid for the nest compartment to let more light in. At this time of year they have both shade and direct sunlight all day.

Those little wing feathers!

 

[MaryJanet]

Those little wing feathers!

There are some tail feathers sprouting too

 

[RoyalChick]

There are some tail feathers sprouting too

It is amazing to me how fast those first feathers grow.
So cute.

 

[BY Bob]

They've doubled in size in a week! There's a ruler attached to the outside of the bird cage for checking their size.

From this, I assume they're thriving.

Just preparing a video of them in the new little coop. They take off from what I consider to be 'quite high up' and fly down to the next level, across at least 75cm.

That's great! They need flying practice.

 

[BY Bob]

Exploring the new house.

3, 2, 1... Poop!

The wooden blocks were steps that turned out to be entirely unnecessary. And I made a mesh flip up lid for the nest compartment to let more light in. At this time of year they have both shade and direct sunlight all day.

They are so adorable!

 

[MaryJanet]

I'm deliberately and knowingly attempting to stay emotionally detached from the chicks, until I know who's staying and who isn't.

That's not the same as neglecting their care and well-being, which I would never do. I'm also happy to see them thriving.

 

[MaryJanet]

I brought the chicks back inside last night because it was going to be a rather chilly night and I don't yet trust the heat plate's power supply. I'm sure it'll be absolutely fine but I just want to observe for a few more days before trusting it overnight.

They seemed relaxed about coming back in. It's probably good for them to take their changes a little slower, so night times inside will be fine.

 

[MaryJanet]

It's a week later and I continue to hold the view that I made the right choice in attempting an adoption once the hatch had failed. I would move heaven and earth for Mary. She is such a wonderful hen.

I found answering people online mostly exhausting and time-consuming, and by far the worst part of the process. Especially when it descended into insulting and offensive territory, like when advice comes in the format of instruction or exhortation (and it was always to superciliously inform me to do something I was already doing), or when my character came under discussion. So many egregious assumptions were made. I'm not made of time.

So I won't be sharing the next hatch in a public format. It'll be trusted old friends who already know something of the hens' environment and back story, not to mention my own character. People who know the context so thoroughly, they have no cause for assumptions. People who spread more cheer than presumption or assumption.

 

[RoyalChick]

It's a week later and I continue to hold the view that I made the right choice in attempting an adoption once the hatch had failed. I would move heaven and earth for Mary. She is such a wonderful hen.

How is she getting along MJ?