Nicole M. Miller

The chicks, as they near a month old, are sadly chicks no more. At least it means we’re one month closer to fresh eggs. The molting process is hilarious for some, less painful for others. They are quite the crew and their personalities still shine. Though they still like to peck when you stick your hand in the brooder, they will also hop up on your hand or forearm for a better roosting position. They no longer fit nicely in the palm of your hand — and they have certainly been testing those new wing feathers (though there have been no “successful” escape attempts yet.) Bossy is still the smallest,...

As the chicks have nearly tripled in size, we realized the stock tank we purchased would not be big enough for thirteen chicks. So they moved into a 2x2x6 foot stock tank. Now there is plenty of elbow room! (And it’s much easier to get some pictures… which is the important thing, you know.) And then John decided that little Bossy was just the right size for his pocket… And she hung out in his pocket for nearly an hour, snoozing. Silly bird. More chicken mayhem coming soon. The has-been rodeo queen.
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It’s been a while since I’ve done some photos and an update on the flock — and I hardly even recognize them from day to day. They seem to have doubled overnight and tripled in food consumption. I’m pretty sure their 2-foot by 4-foot tank brooder won’t contain them much longer. They already have attempted to escape but are fat enough to where they can’t fit through the wires of the cage lid. Hawkeye (Amauracana) is the most massive of the bunch — with wild feather coloring that goes each and every way. She’ll be a big girl for sure. The molting process has been hilarious. They went from fluffy...