May 12, Day 11

We almost had a crisis this morning. Hilda went out to do the morning chickie chores. We've been moving the chicks to the green storage container while we clean the box. We have a second heat lamp over it to keep the chicks warm. Hilda moved one of the Brahma to the green container, then remembered that she hadn't plugged in the heat lamp. The outlet is not far away. It could not have taken even a minute for her to turn the lamp on, but when she returned, the chick was perched on the edge of the container. Luckily, she returned to the inside. "If she'd gotten out," Hilda said, "I have no idea how I ever would have caught her." We are now being careful to keep ALL boxes covered with screens. We're also thinking of getting a net, just in case. I don't think I've ever mentioned that we are keeping the chicks in the garage. There are lots of hiding places out there.

Our littlest chick looked better this morning. She didn't seem to be eating at the feeder, though. She pecked around in the pine chips near the feeder where there was likely to be a good deal of food. Chicks do not eat neatly.

Pat and Nancy came over to see the chicks in the afternoon. Nancy wanted to be sure to see the chicks while they were still cute. Also, they had not see our basement apartment since they helped us move on March 26. 

Nancy with a Dominique

Pat with a Brahma

<><>

Chicks with chicks

We have been waiting to name the chicks until their personalities come out. (I have to laugh when I read articles reporting on scientific studies that try to experimentally demonstrate that animals have personalities. Really, haven't those researchers ever owned a cat?) I have proposed naming the chickens after TV chefs. We decided that the littlest one would be Sara. Also, the brown Araucana will be Ina's Outrageous Brownie because she (the chick) is chocolate colored (I've been calling her "Brownie" all along), and she is outrageously fiesty. She settles down pretty well after she's caught, but catching her is another thing entirely. (If you are looking for a brownie recipe, Ina's Outrageous Brownies are awesome. Jane made them for Terry's retirement party and described the recipe as "three pounds of chocolate and a cup of flour.")