Five baby chicks came in the mail on April 20, 2012.
(and what a fiasco that was! The Cleveland post office is NOT used to getting live chicks in a box coming through their doors. After two days on the road, and several hours later, they were delivered by a mail carrier that wasn't our usual mail carrier doing his best to make sure they got to us. I'll tell that story another day!).
They were born on Wednesday, April 18.
We made the chicks' brooder out of an extra used pack n play (baby's crib) that someone had given me. It served quite well for them. Very luxurious quarters, and it was fun to watch them grow.
They are a variety of breeds. Two Rhode Island Reds, one Barred Rock, one Americauna, and maybe an Aricauna (still not completely sure). All ladies, no roosters. Named by one of the boys on our street, they are: Grandma, Mama, Sista, Auntie, & Bre-Bre.
We spent many a hour with Baby Rosemary, watching the chickens.
She was quite fascinated by them to say the least!
Sitting in front of the brooder was a popular place for Rosemary. We called it "chicken tv."
She was quite entertained!
Here Rosemary has quite the look of surprise as Grandma flew out of the brooder and landed on her chair. Grandma is very friendly and very curious!
A very happy "chicken tv" watcher.
As the birds grew bigger, they began roosting on the sides of the pack n play. Their curiosity brought them to hop up every time you sit in the chair next to them. They didn't mind gentle petting. And it was good to handle them regularly, as to get them used to that, in case they needed any kind of special care. They even would hop up on your arm if you'd let them, as you can with our friend Beth.
Finally, by the beginning of June, the day came when they made it clear
that they were ready to go outside
and start free ranging!
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