They are here!!

Well the last time I was here I told you that chicks were on the way and you saw our progress on our coop and run.  I am very happy to say the build was a success and is now complete.

When I say complete I mean really complete.  Our chicks arrived on the 27th of April and spent 2 weeks in the house in totes in the bathroom and laundry room.  Why inside with such a nice coop you ask?  Well we live in Michigan and Mother Nature has a sense of humor it seems.

We thought that the babies would be able to go immediately to the coop but the day they arrived it was a blustery rainy day and we knew that the best decision would  be to keep them in the warm house.......  for a day or two.  BUT the weather had other plans.  Not only  did it rain but the temps dropped, and we even got a couple days of snow.  So the babies had to stay inside, which was okay for a week.

But 19 chicks is about 10 too many in one tote so we had to separate and divide into 2 totes and then into another room.  This was the 6th day and they grew so fast we knew what we had to do.

So bring on the next tote and lets let them have some room.  The chicks were much happier.  I did have 2 little chicks that had a bad case of pasty butt and one developed a prolapsed vent so I had to be very choosy who I put with who.  So luckily we have chosen 4 very docile breeds and it was not to difficult to choose.  We have Salmon Favorolles, Austrolorpes, Delewares and Speckled Sussex.  All very sweet girls for sure.  

Now the chicks are 3 weeks old and if you are at all familiar with chickens you know what little mess makers they can be.  Needless to say they needed to be moved to that lovely coop ASAP.  We love them but we didn't like the mess, the dust and the poop!  OH so much poop!   I had forgotten how much poop they can produce and with 2 brooders going ...... yeah  they had to go out.  

So when they turned 2 full weeks they made the move to the big girl coop.  We had a few pretty chilly nights but with the help of a little space heater and some dividing of the coop the girls did just fine.  Now they have full run of the coop and they are beginning to truly become chicken girls.  They love life and I love these little egg makers. 

 I can't wait for the day when I can take a little run out to the coop and gather some goods!!!    Some fruits of their labors this time....

But that is a few months off for now.....   If you have never had a fresh from the nest egg before.....  You have no idea what you are missing out on.  They are the best,.  and I know what my chickens ate and how healthy their eggs really are,  

Well until next time everyone, have a blessed day and we will see you soon.  Next time we will show you our garden and how it is progressing.   Be kind to one another and take care.  See you soon.

They are here!