[The Shire] Our growing flock!

[newchickychick]

Bahaha it was SO funny. This morning I went in to do morning checks, make sure everyone's doing well, change out feeders and waterers, etc. And I was working first on the bigger chickie tent, and heard that noise and I was SO confused. I ran over to the chickie brooder thinking the littlest baby got STEPPED on or something by one of the bigger ones. Which, wouldn't really warrant the loud noise it was, but I was certain someone was hurt. It was silent. So I went back over to the older babies and kept working on tending to them. I heard it again so I ran back over! Silence again. So I'm standing there just like: and slowly inch back to the bigger babies. But I leaned over to peer at the tent. The MOMENT I look away, there it is again! Finally I was finished with those babies and went over to the baby brooder. This little black chick with a BRIGHT pink comb ruffles up, puffs up, pulls his shoulders back, and sticks his neck way out and makes THAT noise. I was in UTTER disbelief. I was torn between laughing and worrying something was wrong with him because I'd never heard of a chick so young crowing. I ended up going back for my phone to try to catch it on camera, and then THAT guy started doing it so I was able to catch it. They were having a BLAST with it. It was so unexpected but they sure all seem happy, so I can't complain. It was definitely ADORABLE.

I have never seen a 3 week old crow, OH MY GODDDDD that's so cute HAHAHHA

 

[thistlewick]

Bantam crows are CUTE AS HECK too

I don't want Bantams - but everytime I'm at an auction or swap they're always going off and it's so cute I just cannot!!!

 

[newchickychick]

Bantam crows are CUTE AS HECK too

I don't want Bantams - but everytime I'm at an auction or swap they're always going off and it's so cute I just cannot!!!

We were GOING to wait until next year to get Bantams, but my husband took me to TSC the day my grandfather passed to get my mind off of things. We were looking for ideas based on the prefabs there to try to figure out ways we could build a fun 'treehouse'ish inspired Bantam coop. Then I was like "you know they've got Bantams in today right?" and he went in, stared at them, quietly went 'crap' and we left with 12. He's the reason we got Silkies too! I was surprised they were on his want list but no complaints! It turns out neither of us have very much impulse control.

 

[newchickychick]

Phewh. Nasty rainy day again and outside coop got the flies. We deep cleaned it out, and I mean majorly (this time I lead the charge to show kiddo and hubby how I do it...). Got some products I saw recommended by folks on the forum to dust in the coop under the bedding to see if it helps. :[ Those sweet babies. Thankfully no sign of any flies ON them at least! But ugh. Gross! I'm going to be doing REALLY close checks on them to be sure no one gets fly strike. Thankfully they're all quite clean as a whole so that definitely helps, but need to figure out how to keep that run more dry.
For the big run, we're going to have drain rock surrounding it and some good landscaping to keep rain from pooling up like it does around the run. We've never had this much rain in SO many years. Driving me batty!

Little roo's still doing his proud little crows. What a goofball! Really hoping he ends up a gentleman so we can keep him. One of the Mille Fleur D'uccles is already a jerk (picking on other chicks). I made sure they've got great feed protein % wise, but added some extra vitamins to their water for tonight to see if it helps. Little fusser! Everyone else is doing really well and everyone else is mingling nicely, so hoping it's just him with some vitamin issues and not just being a born-rude boy from the get go.

Praying we can wrap up the coop tomorrow and move the babies in. Rain rain, go away!