The chicks, as they near a month old, are sadly chicks no more. At least it means we’re one month closer to fresh eggs.
The molting process is hilarious for some, less painful for others. They are quite the crew and their personalities still shine. Though they still like to peck when you stick your hand in the brooder, they will also hop up on your hand or forearm for a better roosting position.
They no longer fit nicely in the palm of your hand — and they have certainly been testing those new wing feathers (though there have been no “successful” escape attempts yet.)
Bossy is still the smallest, and she’s lost her sharp attitude and is far more docile:
The Golden Sex Links, Goldie & Locks, are certainly the most hideous of the bunch. I feel sorry for the poor dears — they were the slowest to develop, even though they are among the oldest of the batch. And they lost their soft gold for that darker fawn brown. I know they’ll come out lovely, but boy, the awkward in-between phase is rough on the girls.
Penguin is getting wider and taller and losing her white feathers. Soon she’ll be all black… which will make her name ironic, I guess.
Gandolf used to be the smallest, but has caught up with the pack. She’s also one of the noisiest and pushy-est now. Still, that pretty speckling means she might be one of the prettiest. We shall see…
Foghorn has mellowed out a bit and maintained her slender build. She looks like a full grown bird, just condensed.
Blondie is still the most calm of the bunch, but she’s growing wider and fluffier without getting much heavier. And her feathers are the softest – I’m interested to see her growth!
We toss in a handful of forage each night, and you’d think it was Christmas! Penguin’s favorites are the dandelions:
Can you hear the “Aaaaaahhh” from the heavens as they look upon all the lush greenery? Gandolf is stunned …
Ever the suspicious one, Foghorn is one of the first to attack my camera when I stick it into the brooder for closer shots.
The Silver-Laced Wyonettes, Ashley and Mary-Kate, are the heaviest and widest of the bunch (I also rarely get any shots of them because they insist on pecking my camera, my hand, my rings, my arms… Good fun.)
Another 2 to 4 weeks and we’ll start moving them outside and I’ll post pictures of their coop (and the building of it) soon!
Urban homesteader and former rodeo queen,
Nicole
Recent Comments