The chicken babies are doing very well so far! If yesterday was about resting from being born and the journey that followed....taking the first samples of water and food....and being cuddled by Ali, Evelyn, Erin, Natalie, and I.....then today is like watching "reindeer games." All 5 are testing their legs by running a 24 inch dash, bumbling into one another, pecking at the sides of the brooder, and then doing a face-plant in the pine mulch for a nap. They are beginning to nap as a group as well as individually.....and also look to each other for good ideas about kicking little bits of mulch behind them (as they'll do outdoors to scratch for bugs and such), when it's a good time to eat or drink, and where there are fun things to peck.
Physically, they are already changing--everyone but Gladys Bunny and Poppy had lost their "egg tooth" by this morning. We can see the beginnings of different feathers growing from the tips of their wings. And they are not quite as wobbly on their legs as yesterday. Camilla and Gladys have the loudest, most insistent voices so far....but it seems the alpha position is still up for grabs...but who knows exactly when these things already begin working themselves out??
The new brooder that Erin built for them is working out very well--it's secure, has features here and there that we would only know to include after raising our own babies a couple of times, and gives the chicks plenty of space to grow into. Thank you, Erin!!
Hugs and congratulations to all!
