A Thirty Minute Outing

The weather was warm today so Joey checked the yard for foxes, raccoons and other predators.

And then set the chicks out one by one.

Setting them carefully in a safe spot.

They perused the yard for bugs and just whatever they could find.

All of them stayed really close to home while kept an eye out for foxes and such. And then it was time for them to go back inside after their 30 minute outing. And then Joey's spring chore began.

He put soil in the tub the chicks were using when they were smaller.

He opened twenty disposable diapers and put them in the pockets of a canvas shoe rack. His mommy and grammy helped him put soil in each pocket.

Joey carefully decided which seeds he should plant. And even picked a few from his grammy's stash of seeds.

Once all the tomato, cucumber, lettuce and herb seeds were planted in each pocket Joey watered each one. He left his mommy and grammy to do the labeling.

 

Now that his chores were done Joey went for a ride. He had to get in his fun time because his grandpa would be home soon to start the foundation for the hen house.

The Chicks Go To School

This morning three chicks got to go to Joey's school. Joey's mom put them in a tote with bedding, food and water.

                Hark, JoJo and Eleanor being toted by Joey's mom.

Now that the chicks are ready to go, Joey's mom is wondering how she got herself into this predicament.

Joey's mom follows through with taking the chicks to Joey's kindergarten. Off they go. I wonder what Joey will have to say about the visit with the chicks in his classroom?
 

Even though we were careful to select pullets (notice not so bumpy comb on Merida) when purchasing the chicks, we may have still ended up with a...

Rooster! Yes, we think Penny is a rooster. This chick is bigger than the other two Rhode Island Reds. When you raise chickens, this is something that you have to take into consideration when buying your chicks. 

Roosters are very noisy bright and early in the morning. More than one rooster in the flock can cause a lot of fussing and fighting.

  

Spurs can leave a quite a wound on the rooster's victim. So, if you want to raise chickens, go into knowing that your pullets could be a rooster. It's so difficult to tell the difference between male and female baby chicks until they are several weeks old.

Every day Joey carefully handles each bird. They are very tame and love spending time with Joey.

                                 

                                                  Joey singing to Sassy.

                                            Joey singing to Beaker.

                                            Beaker loves it when Joey sings.

 

                                              Joey thinks Zoey is the nicest.

                           Zoey and Joey are bonding so much
                                         that she feels comfortable perching
                                         on his head.

                              Sometimes Zoey stays perched 
                              For way too long.

                                               The chicks are so gentle that
                                               Joey's teacher said he could                                                                                                bring them to school in a few
                                               days.                                 

Chicks At Three Weeks Old/The Awkward Stage

                                                                      
                                Eleanor 

                                One week
                               

 

                                Two weeks

                                Three weeks


                                                                     
                                JoJo

                                One week

                                Two weeks

                                Three weeks

                                                          
                                Zoey

                               One week

                                Two weeks
                            

                                Three weeks



                                Beaker

                                One week                      
 

                                Two weeks

                                Three weeks

                                                                                                                              
                                Sassy

                     One week

                     Two weeks

                                Three weeks 


                                               
                                Hark          

                                One week

                                two weeks

                                Three weeks
                                


                                Merida

                     One week

                     Two weeks
 

                                Three weeks



                     Penny                        

                                One week

                                Two weeks

                                Three weeks
                            


                                Belle

                                One week

                                Two weeks

                                Three weeks

Joey has had the chicks for two weeks now. They are now three weeks old. Most of the downy is gone and new big girl feathers are coming in quickly. All nine chicks are healthy and happy. You're doing a great job Joey! They will be living indoors for a few more weeks. That gives Joey and his grandpa very little time to build the coop and hen house. But with Joey's help, grandpa will get it done in no time.

From The Wash Tub To The Big Bin

Joey has managed to keep all nine chicks healthy and happy. They have just been upgraded to a bigger warm living space.