Thank you all for the warm welcome and tips! The sand idea is fantastic and I will definitely do some research into it has the little ones get older here in the next few weeks.
Oh, on that note, my wife and I picked up a RIR and Ameraucana, though I doubt it to be a "real" one. I had gone to the farm feed store expecting to buy a RIR and Barred Plymouth Rock, but was basically talked into the Ameraucana by not only a few workers at the store, but a couple of patrons. Everyone raved that they were delightful and produced extraordinaryly delicious eggs. So, we shall see!
I'm still a tad bummed I didn't pick up a BPR, but might look into retrofitting my coop to make enough space for 1 more. We'll see!
Again, thanks everyone, and I'm sure I'll see you around the forums!
There is a lot of confusion between ameraucana (don't even know how to spell it right) and easter eggers, but truth be told unless you are showing them it really doesn't matter. Both lay beautiful eggs often. I happen to prefer backyard mutts because of coloring. There is this thing called chicken math, we are all effected and soon you will be too. Don't be bummed that you didn't get the one you wanted because you will end up with more. Don't forget to join your state thread listed in post #2.
Tell your wife welcome too..I have a feeling she will be a big part of all of this. She will fall in love with the chickens, and then your little one will grow to love chickens..in fact, baby chicks and children make for great photo shots!
Haha, yep, my wife is already taking to them like a mother to children. As soon as she wakes up or comes home from work, she checks on them. Last night, she took them both into her lap and watched TV with them. They thanked her with a couple bowel movements, of course!
Both are already starting to try and fly - by running and flapping to shoot from one end of the brooder to the other. I don't think it'll be long before they are able to gets some lift! I've attached some (not very HD)pictures below. Anyone have any idea how old they are? I'll take a couple of better shots this evening.
So far, so good! Here's a couple of shots from the Chic Cam!
They look to be less then a week old. Tell your wife she can wrap a paper towel around their butts and put them between her breasts (heads poking out). They will sty calm, warm, and happy there. The added bonus is that all their movements will be in the paper towel and not on her. When they are standing steady and used to her she (or you) can drape a paper towel between her shoulder and the couch and let them sit or "roost" on her shoulder.