Happy Easter All!
We've been enjoying Aratoo, the sneaky little cuss. He got out of his quarantine pen and went on walkabout. Then he got out of the main pen and landed in the baby run. Uncle Blackie (who really is uncle to more than half these 48 chicks) tolerates Aratoo. Blackie body-slammed the fence to break up an altercation between Aratoo and a Barred Rock hen. Blackie scared them both off and stood there like "ah, order has been restored!" I think Aratoo has found his pen to live in.
Now what Nadine didn't tell you is what ELSE she sent me home with... THREE kittens. DH was not impressed. Oldest Daughter picked a Calico. Son picked a Ginger Tom (with white tummy and feet) because he was reminded of our dearly departed Oliver. Middle Daughter picked a "solid black" younger kitten. Kitty has a teeny white throat blaze and tummy spot. I was all for the older litter because they would almost be ready for solid food.
The kittens have finally forgiven us for not having real mother's milk. They are all teething and want to spend a couple of minutes chewing on the bottle nipple. When they get down to business, they really suck down the milk. We are still measuring in mililiters, but the Tom takes the record for most intake in one session (slightly more than 10 ml). I love the way he "smiles" when his tummy is getting full and all is right in the world! He was also the first to purr. He is starting to try to play. This evening he was snuggling my hands and rolling around in my lap. Middle Daughter suddenly yelled "Look at your shirt!" The stinker had pooped on me. The girls are now calling him the Ninja Pooper!
DH plays with the babies when he thinks no one is watching. I knew kitten cuteness would prevail! Thank you again, Nadine!