New Chicken Mom's First Five Days

[Steam Powered Chicken]

Wednesday I got the call. And almost began hyperventilating.
I had been squealing randomly with joy for a week prior to this call. Imagining the fluffy little poofs that were on their way. Dreaming of far off eggs... But here I was, with a house guest (She is living her chicken dreams through me since she can't have them where she lives), in the middle of a snowstorm in Wisconsin, being told that indeed... the babies were delivered and ready for pick up.

The day before was clear, the day after..... and the day after that clear as well.
Of course.. they come when the world looks like the inside of a snowglobe and the roads are ice rinks.

So I hiked up my big girl drawers, and took to the road with my faithful friend, and a blanket to retrieve our girls.

When I got into the Post Office I found I had to wait in line. I didn't really... wait so much as tapdance from side to side like a toddler with a full bladder. When it was my turn, I stuttered, stammered, and finally squeaked out that I was there for my chicks. After I gave them all the forms of identification that they required, I was handed a battered and wet box that was full of angry cheeping. Too afraid of opening it there, I bundled it up in the light blanket, and carefully made it back to the car.

Luckily we all made it home in one piece, and we opened the box to find my eight girls alive, unharmed, and huddled in a tight ball in the corner of their tiny nest box.

Since then they've survived:
- a cleaning of their brooder box (how many times a week or month should I clean it???)
- getting full of poop cuz of the paper towels for their first day. (I changed them every two hours and it was ridiculous.)
- eating wood chips (I put them down before bed time because I was afraid of what would happen if I slept while they had paper towels full of poo)
-not being big enough to eat from the feeder or waterer when on bricks, so wood chips everywhere. (Thank heavens they can now, but the ones who like to scratch still make it a thing. XD)

-establishing a pecking order
-being visited by friends who watched their antics.
-the power going out (we put in hand warmers and hot water bottles till it came back on).
-my ineptness in helping the two with pasty butt. (Their vents haven't been closed, just poop around their bums, and it's been really hard to get it off, and I'm scared of hurting them, and oh god why did I think I'd be good at this?!?!?!?!)

With that said, I'd like to introduce my little ladies and a bit about them.... I'll give each a post on this thread. <3

 

[Steam Powered Chicken]

This is Cecelia or Cecy the April Witch!

<3
She's a Exchequer Leghorn and will lay lots of lovely white eggs!
She's the smallest of our brood and though little, is feisty! She won't let any of her bigger sisters push her around or leave her out, though she is a little shy. (Also, I'm certain she's trying to escape the brooder cuz she likes to peck at the walls. V says she's trying to eat paint cuz she's a dummy... but I think she's just wanting to explore the world!)

 

[Steam Powered Chicken]

This is Miss Amelia Merriweather VonPeck.
She is one of our five Easter Eggers.

This gal has tiny wee eyebrows that seem to question everything that I do, say, am... She's happy to be part of the crowd, and follows what the others in the flock are doing. She does, however, seem to like the small wooden airplane in the brooder and is often found hopped upon it dreaming of the day she can take flight.

 

[Steam Powered Chicken]

This is Consuelo!
She is another of our Five Easter Eggers, and I'm excited to find out what fun color egg she will lay!

I also won't lie... she might already be making herself a favorite, as she's the friendliest chick of the bunch, brave, and full of personality. She is known to settle down when held and nap in your hand without making a fuss. Her cute little merled pattern makes her stand out. Curious and brave she's one of the first to try new things, check out new items in the brooder box, and doesn't need anyone to follow or show her the way. (Also, look at her cheekies! They are so poofy! And doesn't she seem to smile????)

 

[Steam Powered Chicken]

This is Poppy Farrah Haight!
She's another of the Five Easter Eggers!

This petite girl is OBSESSED with the digital thermometer. It's her favorite friend. She sleeps with it, she sings to it, she cuddles it, she pecks at it, and she poops on it. All with the utmost love and devotion. She's another little shy lady, but unlike spunky Cecy, she gets picked on and I think she is on the bottom of the pecking order.

 

[Steam Powered Chicken]

Introducing Beatrix Electa Cogsmith, another of our Easter Egger Ladies!

Beatrix has a lot to say! A Lot. She's always peeping, and I think is gossiping to all her sisters about everything I'm doing wrong as a chicken mom. She tends to be in the middle of every chicky huddle... telling her tales... I ONLY WISH I KNEW WHAT SHE WAS SAYING!!!

 

[Steam Powered Chicken]

This is General Grimmeldahyde Peeper.
AkA The Grimm Peeper
AkA Grimmy
She's a French Copper Marans, which means she'll lay us some lovely dark chocolate colored eggs.

She's got plenty of personality, a sweet pair of feathery boots, and lots of ambition. She's happy to do her thing, explore, learn, and live her best chicky life on her terms. This spunky girl keeps me smiling as she happily tries out things first (Unless Consuelo beat her to it!), and often gets the reward of finding the best treats.

 

[Steam Powered Chicken]

Introducing Theodosia Messalina Gearhart!
This is our sweet little Wellsummer Chick!
She'll be laying us some gorgeous dark brown eggs with speckles!

I love her eyeliner and widows peak! She's just so cute! Out of the group she's the one who reallllllly LOVES to scratch. She is always kicking up the pine shavings and covering everything and every chick in them. (It's pretty impressive really) She seems to have a sense of humor about her, and always seems to be cheerfully about any task she's after.

 

[Steam Powered Chicken]

This is Margeaux Yves St. Poulet!
She's the last of our Easter Egger Ladies!
(I'm dying to know what color she will lay us!)

Her cute little freckly face makes me smile every time I see it. She's also a bit of a bully, and will cut a chick who looks at her wrong, steals her toy, or tries to eat something she thinks is hers. (Seriously, she drug one of her sisters around the brooder by her wing for stealing "her" wood chip.) I think she's just trying to make her place, and will mellow out with age and maturity. She's too cute of a chick to keep acting bad, right?!

 

[LeoPig]

Wow!!! They are so adorable! I bet you will have lots of fun with your little fluffballs!Good luck!