Today is Independance Day

[shellyga]

My chicks are out of the outside brooder/grow pen and part of the flock now. We had not intended to put them out until 12 weeks of age based on advice from a couple of fellow BYCers.. but it just happened while we were cleaning the pen out.. lordy can 17 chicks create alot of "fertilizer" in a short time! The weather is mild, although a bit windy so we had let the chicks out in the coop as usual - big chickens out in the yard doing their free range thing - While we were struggling to keep them in and clean at the same time.. a few big hens came in to watch our cleaning efforts. They looked the chicks over.. a peck here or a peck there was all we saw. DH and I agreed to leave all of the chicks out - even his little "special" chicken that seems to yet grow a full set of feathers and is dwarfed by all other hatchmates and just see what the flock was going to do. My biggest worry was our Rooster (Buford).. but he was the most accepting of all.. my DH has a theory about that but I shall not share it on this family friendly site

A couple of my Buff Orpington chicks are following him around with their own brand of hero worship already. We wondered what Buford would do with any little roos that we know are in the mix since we hatched these out from both our eggs and shipped eggs. We don't notice any singling out but I guess that would come as the little roos mature and become interested in the hens. The main agression came from the hen that was at the bottom of the pecking order which we expected. She (her name is Red) kinda went a little crazy because everywhere she turned.. there was another chick.

And while I want to

because our babies are growing up so fast.. I

beacuse I don't have to clean that brooder pen for a few more weeks until we move the next batch out..

Just wanted to share our excitement.

Shelly

 

[Lark Rise]

 

[obaan1]

I'll be watching for the fireworks tonight. (Isn't that how you celebrate independance day?)

 

[shellyga]

no fireworks at night.. chickens are sleeping..

Shelly