Now I know that this title sounds a little optimistic but we've got Chelsea Flower Show this week and the sun has miraculously stayed all week. This was problematic today as, even with the windows open, it was too warm for the chicks in the greenhouse and they were open beaked and in need of the great outdoors. Until we have secured the house they are in we can't put it outdoors so we will need to sort that out this weekend. We can't have the babies over heating.
I opened up the greenhouse door but they didn't want to come out. Meanwhile the big hens were racing back and forth in their pen hoping to be let out so I opened their door too only to see the three babies hopping onto the step. Hey up, chickens should only be introduced in the evening, when they are most placid; popped onto an empty bit of the perch so they don't encroach on another chicken's space. So, here we are, five pm on the hottest day of the year so far and we have chickens ranging from weighing less than half a kilogramme to several kilogrammes, about to meet one another. I was right there to keep an eye and scoop one up if need be but there was no need to worry as Buck Bucky and Mega (Lola) raced past without a backward glance in order to get under the bird feeders for the free lunch.
For several hours they pecked at the grass tips and I stayed outdoors, swinging in the hammock and scanning the skies for birds of prey. Our little ones aren't aware of predators,. Mrs Bun even checked out the cat at close quarters despite being half it's size.
We ended the day with a quick check over of each little chicken, much to the consternation of Poppy who shrieked for all she's worth.
Here's a few photos of the chicks.
Poppy having a sit down.
Poppy and her pantaloon legs! She looks like she has shorts on.
What the Dickens? Poppy escaping over the chair.
I opened up the greenhouse door but they didn't want to come out. Meanwhile the big hens were racing back and forth in their pen hoping to be let out so I opened their door too only to see the three babies hopping onto the step. Hey up, chickens should only be introduced in the evening, when they are most placid; popped onto an empty bit of the perch so they don't encroach on another chicken's space. So, here we are, five pm on the hottest day of the year so far and we have chickens ranging from weighing less than half a kilogramme to several kilogrammes, about to meet one another. I was right there to keep an eye and scoop one up if need be but there was no need to worry as Buck Bucky and Mega (Lola) raced past without a backward glance in order to get under the bird feeders for the free lunch.
For several hours they pecked at the grass tips and I stayed outdoors, swinging in the hammock and scanning the skies for birds of prey. Our little ones aren't aware of predators,. Mrs Bun even checked out the cat at close quarters despite being half it's size.
We ended the day with a quick check over of each little chicken, much to the consternation of Poppy who shrieked for all she's worth.
Here's a few photos of the chicks.
The two little ones trying out 'loft living'.
Poppy teaches Mrs Bun the quickest way to touch down.
So now Mrs Bun decides to try it alone.
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