We did it, we took the plunge we bought 10 little chicks Thursday. We went to eat at King's Hot Dogs and we were planning, how many we wanted, where we would put the coop, etc. We decided to go look at Tractor Supply in Rural Hall right behind King's Hot Dogs.
We looked for probably an hour. We circled round and round the chicks planning the food, water and storage until it was warm enough for them all to stay in the coop. We talked about it and I decided to buy them. We got a box and started putting the in it. We had researched the proper way to tell the difference between male and female. We had learned that male chicks feathers on their wings were all the same length. We think we have picked out one male and 9 females. However, this morning the two black ones pictured above were dead. They were very small and I believe the stress of the drive home was the cause of death or maybe they were sick when we bought them made them weaker. Who really knows. Josh and I were excited to bring them inside for our dogs Sassy (the toy poodle) and Ivan (the Pit Bull) to meet our new additions to our family. We sat the box down in our laundry room and Sassy didn't care. Ivan was interested but he was more excited to see us home. So we brought the chicks downstairs and began setting up their new home. This is where our puppies became very interested in the chicks.
Ivan literally cried. Tears ran down his face and he repeatedly whined and couldn't get enough of the little birds.
This picture (above) is hard to see, however, Sassy is smelling the bottom of their box as they are scratching the bottom of the box. That freaked her out and she ran away immediately after I took this photo.
Ivan with his big nose couldn't get his head at the right angle to see them well. He continued to whine and tears roll down his precious face.
Finally, he could see them. And it only made it worse for him.
Josh and I agreed to see what he would do. We let the side of the box down. Of course the chicks ran but as you can see from the picture about only one was brave enough to stay within reach.
This photo (above) is by far my favorite. Ivan is nose to nose to a chick. The chicks ran back after getting used to him. Now Ivan must go see them every morning and sometimes refuses to leave their box.
It truly is a sight to see. I would have never thought he would care so much for tiny little birds.
Our chicks have grown quiet a bit in the last 3 days. They love it when I hollar "here, Chick Chick." They all come running for food. One of the yellow chicks LOVES to roost on my hand. I have named our rooster 'Leroy', however, when he begins crowing and he is able to crow very well his name might be changed to Foghorn. As in Foghorn Leghorn. After some research tonight, I believe he is a Red Leghorn. The amber striped chicks I believe are Rhode Island Reds. The yellow chicks are growing white feathers now and growing rapidly so I believe they are white leghorn hens. And of course the black ones passed away.
My dad is helping plan our chicken coop. We are planning a fairly large coop in hopes to create a sustainable amount of eggs and eventually meat. BUT, these will NOT be meat I already have grown close to these chicks and it broke my heart that my 2 favorite passed away. Josh says we will go and get 2 more. We plan to put them between our house and Matt and Isaiah's house so they aren't too far from the house.
These chicks are my first ever. I have already learned so much, I can't wait to see all my chicks grow and produce some eggs for Josh and I. I am sure I will post more pictures at a later date to keep everyone updated. Because EVERYONE loves to read about chickens. LMBO.
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