It's autumn, and the temperatures have dropped enough that I'm not wearing shorts when I go out to do chores. Time for long pants! Therefore I think it's safe to say these are some cool chicks:
We got our first look at these little guys this past Saturday (September 26th) when their mama, Peepers, brought them out from under the shed for the first time.
The Farmer and I weren't the only ones checking out the new chicks. Our matriarch ewe, Coconut, looked them over.
Then Cinnamon the goat had to give them a sniff.
And of course, the other chickens were curious about the latest arrivals, too. Peepers doesn't like other chickens to get too close, so she fluffed herself up and called her chicks to come to her.
The chicks are all different colors. My favorite is this one little chicken that is two shades of brown. He reminds me of a cross between a moorit colored Shetland and a Hershey's kiss.
I can't wait to see what this chicken looks like when it feathers out.
Now Peepers is often out of sight under the shed with her chicks. So last night when I saw two little chicks hanging out with the guinea keets in the goat pen, I thought a couple of her chicks had wandered off with the wrong group.
I scooped them up, and set to the task of coaxing Peepers out with my usual "Come & get it" call. Then I quickly put the two little chicks down with her.
Thing is, six chicks came out from under than shed. The two I added made eight. Uh-oh. How'd we get two extras!???
Peepers made it clear they were not HER chicks!
You don't belong to me!
She had the equivalent of a chicken hissy fit, squawking and clucking, and pecking at the offending chicks.
Bottom line? I have NO idea where these two chicks came from. I can't find any other hen with new chicks. The guineas didn't want them. Peepers didn't want them.
Guess they're mine.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Is she so deep under the shed that you can’t sneak them under her at night?
Is there a hen that you haven’t seen around for a while? Maybe one that is now hanging out near the Guineas? Maybe she’s the momma??
Poor little chickies! They can come live with me, though I think it’d be a bit of trek for them!
Ceecee, I’m afraid you hit upon the solution and the problem at the same time.
Cause putting the chicks under her at night might work, except she’s so far back under the shed I can’t even see her. And there’s maybe 8″ or so of clearance, so I’m not crawling under there!
And I haven’t seen any hen around the guineas. That’s just not done around here! The only time they are together is when I throw feed out in the morning and evening.
Rosie! I’d bring those little chicks to you if I had the $$$ for airfare!
Then I could see your neat new place!