We had our first chicks delivered Monday. Loving them!
Stopped at Pet Smart with my 5 yr old after soccer practice to get Pine Bedding for the chicks. (been just using the paper towels). Of course, can't buy just ONE thing, we end up looking at Hermit Crabs. I brought two home from Key West for him back in October, but one died a couple of months ago. So as he is picking up a replacement friend for "Tony Stewart" (guess how his shell is painted?) I see they sell very small crickets in little self-contained boxes.
So impulsively I pick up a box, having heard how many of you give them to the chicks.
So I get home, check BYC and realize I should probably wait at least another week before I give them to the chicks. Ok, no prob, I'll just leave th box in son's room and wait, or just set the crickets free tomorrow, no biggee. Did I mention the Brooder (a REALLY big Rubbermaid Garden box with the lid removed) is in son's room?
Later on I'm in the kitchen making dinner, and I hear that I-know-I'm-probably-in-trouble-but-if-I act-really-sorry-maybe they-won't-kill-me voice say, "Ummm, Mom?"
"Yes, Holden?"
"Um, ya know the crickets?"
"Yeeees??"
Meanwhile, husband, who knows nothing of the impulse cricket purchase says, "What crickets?"
"Umm, I umm, tried to open the box and it exploded."
So I jog into the room, and there are two of the (I think) 1 or 2 DOZEN that were supposed to be in the box, left. I glance at the chicks and I can see that at least two crickets landed in the brooder....and they (the chicks, not the crickets) are very pleased.
What are you going do?
I laughed, told son the crickets would find their way out (our house is drafty enough they probably will) so he wouldn't freak out about it, and sprinkled some chick grit on the paper towels. Which I was going to do anyways, as they kept miraculously pulling the pine chips up around the edges of the paper towels and I am afraid they might eat some.
Never a dull moment around here. I swear if these chicks survive our inept handling they are going to be Super Chickens.
Stopped at Pet Smart with my 5 yr old after soccer practice to get Pine Bedding for the chicks. (been just using the paper towels). Of course, can't buy just ONE thing, we end up looking at Hermit Crabs. I brought two home from Key West for him back in October, but one died a couple of months ago. So as he is picking up a replacement friend for "Tony Stewart" (guess how his shell is painted?) I see they sell very small crickets in little self-contained boxes.
So impulsively I pick up a box, having heard how many of you give them to the chicks.
So I get home, check BYC and realize I should probably wait at least another week before I give them to the chicks. Ok, no prob, I'll just leave th box in son's room and wait, or just set the crickets free tomorrow, no biggee. Did I mention the Brooder (a REALLY big Rubbermaid Garden box with the lid removed) is in son's room?
Later on I'm in the kitchen making dinner, and I hear that I-know-I'm-probably-in-trouble-but-if-I act-really-sorry-maybe they-won't-kill-me voice say, "Ummm, Mom?"
"Yes, Holden?"
"Um, ya know the crickets?"
"Yeeees??"
Meanwhile, husband, who knows nothing of the impulse cricket purchase says, "What crickets?"
"Umm, I umm, tried to open the box and it exploded."
So I jog into the room, and there are two of the (I think) 1 or 2 DOZEN that were supposed to be in the box, left. I glance at the chicks and I can see that at least two crickets landed in the brooder....and they (the chicks, not the crickets) are very pleased.
What are you going do?
Never a dull moment around here. I swear if these chicks survive our inept handling they are going to be Super Chickens.
