We have friends that are being given 8 week old silkie and americanaus chickens. 4 in total, two of each. Since they are building a coop and fenced in area they thought they might like 4 more. The problem is they have large dogs and don't want the birds until they are old enough to go in the coop. But obviously it is better for them to be raised around kids and be handled and socialized.
Well, I LOVE babies, all babies. So I couldn't help myself. Jef was away, so there was no one to disagree and I thought, why not? It is only a short commitment and a great experience for both my daughter and I.
So my daughter called around until she found baby chickens that we could pick up yesterday. So we hopped in the Jeep and met our new summer visitors. They are 4 Speckled Sussex Chicks named, Peanut, Sammy the Savage, Ellie It and Snooki.
I had no idea when we were on our way that they were as young as they are. They were 3 days old yesterday.
When I was told their age I thought, uh oh, hand feeding - not fun. But apparently chickens are very different from parrots. They start eating and drinking on their own right away.
So it has been one day and all seems to be well so far. They are snugly and sweet. But very fast, shockingly so for me, who has a parrot that basically waddles when she runs. They sleep most of the day under their heat lamp in Rosie's abandoned crate which has been chick proofed and put in my jacuzzi tub that usually houses Rosie's preshower java tree. We have a corralled little play area for them where we can sit and play with them.
Rosie has been surprisingly fine with the new development. I brought her near the crate yesterday and explained who they were and how long they will be here. No complaints from the Queen.
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