Is that a Blue Splash Wheaten Ameraucana? We aren't sure. But we do know that she is bound to be a beauty with those auburn and blue feathers.

Eleanor sets herself apart from the other chicks. This is the stage at 8 weeks or so that they start to act like high school girls. They start defining their cliques or best friend more aggressively at this age.

You can see the difference in Eleanor and the Rhode Island Red chicks. That dapple of blue makes her stand out.

They are still young enough that they all still get along for the most part. Every now and again we catch one of the chicks taking a quick peck at JoJo's eye. But, she is quick to dodge them and holds her own. We still haven't found the real leader of the pecking order yet.

Today Joey was a little distracted from the chicks. His mommy found a catherpither (caterpillar). Joey wanted to keep a close eye on it for fear that one of the chicks would eat it. He loves his bugs and insects.

Here's Joey demonstrating how all of God's creatures need nurturing and protecting.

Even though Joey was fascinated with the catherpither, he still kept an eye on his chicks. This is their favorite hang out spot. It's the same tree that Joey will be building a tree house with his grandpa.

Grammy is keeping an eye on the chicks while Joey and his mommy get some bike riding lessons in for the day.

Each and every day Joey gets a little braver. Raising chickens is much easier than learning to ride a bike.

Once the chicks were put back in the bin, Joey went back to his playing with is catherpither.

The Chicks At 6 1/2 Weeks Old

Today is picture day. Each chick will be gathered up to pose for a picture. Then while Grammy cleans their bin all the chicks will get some free range time.

Beaker

 Sassy

 Zoey

 Penny

 Belle

Merida

Eleanor

Hark

JoJo

When Joey gets home from school the weather should be a lot warmer. All the chicks will be able to free range for several hours with Joey close by to protect them. 

 It wasn't long and Joey was home from school. And of course Zoey was anxious to see him.

 Joey got all the chicks out and let them soak up some sunshine.

 Joey and Zoey spent some time in the soon to be hen house.

 Joey and Zoey discovered all kinds of roaming room in there.

 And the Joey saw an ant hill. For fear that Zoey would eat the ants, Joey grabbed her up so she wouldn't see them. We're not sure what we are going to do about teaching Joey that the chickens are going to eat bugs. It's the circle of life.

 And then it was time to go back in the bin. Zoey and Joey are always reluctant to separate.

Fun With Chicks and Friends

Joey showing his friend the structure of the hen house.

No time for play with the green machine. Time to teach the chicks about bugs and worms. It is devastating to Joey that the chicks will eat such things. He loves bugs and worms.

Moving right along on the hen house and coop. Grandpa worked and worked while Joey played all day with the chicks with friends, cousins and neighbors.

 The chicks are soaking up the sunshine.
 

By nightfall Joey's grandpa had the plywood on for the roof.

Chicks At 5 1/2 Weeks Old

These photos were taken April 2, 2014. The chicks are five and a half weeks old. They are getting more color and definition in their markings. Their ears are becoming more noticeable too.

Beaker and all the black and white Plymouth Rocks are very gentle and friendly.

Belle is true to her clique with the other Rhode Island Reds. She is the only RIR with a black tail feather.

Eleanor (Ameracuana) is the beauty of all the birds. Her red and grey feathers make her look elegantly hand painted. She loves being the pretty one.

JoJo is slowly replacing her downy with her big girl feathers. She looks a little rough right now, but we are all anxious to see just exactly what she will look like when fully grown. We still aren't sure if she is an Ameracuana or a Cornish hen.

Merida is probably the most stand-offish of the RIR hens.

Penny is definitely a rooster. He is bigger than the rest of the chicks and he is starting to realize that he is the ruler of the roost.

Sassy is still the baby of the bunch. She is slower to interact with the rest of the chicks. She gets pushed around a lot by the other chicks. JoJo is usually quick to comfort her though. She is a Plymouth Rock and has been struggling to thrive. But seems to have caught up to the rest of the hens in size and strength.

Zoey is Joey's favorite. She is the easiest to handle and the most cuddly. Plymouth Rocks must be gentle simply by nature.

Hark at times reminds us of a turkey. She is an Ameracuana and we are anxious to see what she will look like.

Joey and Zoey have really bonded. they are being closely supervised by Hark.

Another quick photo of Joey and Zoey trusting each other.

Getting Structure

Joey safeguarding the hen house are while his grandpa and mommy continue to build it.

Joey's mommy and grandpa are moving right along on the structure.

Joey's mommy is using tools, she has never used before.

Grandpa sure is brave to stand so close to Joey's mommy while she drills.

Joey sitting on the floor of the hen house introducing Zoey to her soon to be new home.

The chicks are no longer afraid of the grass. It took some prodding but we got them away from the sidewalk.

Joey and his mommy encouraging the chicks to stay together and walk to the hen house area.

We got all the chicks gathered up again so they could be put back in their bin. But JoJo was nowhere to be seen.

 We finally found her blending in with the peacock lawn ornaments.

 

                   All the chicks are safely back in their bin.                                                                                                                             

Joey can continue to safeguard the chickens by keeping the bobcats, lions, bears and foxes away from them with his handy dandy fly swatters.