Peep Peep

Can you guess what we got this weekend?

Mike has finished the chicken book, & is almost done with the fencing around the coop (which won't be needed for at least a few weeks) 

It was time to pick up the chicks!

I arrived at Tractor Supply with my breed "wish list", complete with stars drawn next to the ones I really liked.  Unfortunately, they had the chicks split into just two groups: "Red pullets" and "Variety pullets".
So, we got four of each.  We'll figure out exactly which breeds they are once their feathers grow in (I hope!)


They are too small to go in the coop just yet.
Luckily we have a brooder (cage) that the house's previous owner left us in the barn.  We scrubbed it down with bleach & water, and then lined the bottom with cardboard & pine chips. The chicks need a heat lamp to keep them warm, and of course, feed & water.


We've placed the brooder in our enclosed back porch.
Once they're bigger and grow their feathers, they'll be moved out to the coop.



**I should note that there's a risk of Salmonella, so precautions must be taken in that regard.  And children under 5 years old should not handle baby chicks.**
That's probably for the safety of the child as well as the chick!
My 3 year old is just allowed to "pet" them (and then wash his hands immediately).
My 7 year old is a bit of a germ-o-phob anyway, so he's diligent about washing his hands after playing with them.  I have a bottle of hand sanitzer on stand-by as well! 


Anyways- I must admit that they're pretty darn cute.








It's hard to believe how loud they are.  We could hear them upstairs on the opposite side of the house!


So far, they're really easy to care for.  I'll keep you posted on if that continues!

In the meantime, all I have are some pics- enjoy :o)