23rd, 2 weeks old

I cant believe they are 2 weeks old. They still look like babies at this point but it is exciting to see their personalities and feathers becoming apparent.

Betty is still hilarious, seems to pose when i have the camera
Captain Hook is still making her special food cluck for them and sharing out the food, always giving the best bits to the babies.
They can totally hold their own withg the other ladies though, they get right in there


More Betty, gold lacing starting to show
Lulu, silver lacing starting to show, below
Queenie, the giant, Betty and Rose the buff lacing showing
and big old Queenie, such a sook, we're still sure shes a he

Tuesday 15th

We love watching our babies, especially when theyre being extra cute.
above, Rite the leghorn
Rose the buff Wyandotte climbed up for a look
Minnie and Lulu
Today was the first day we let the others get in close for a look. It was hilarious and apart from a few warnings from Captain Hook everything went fine.

Toast the wonder cat

We've had the big chooks out with the littlies for some time now and no worries. Then while we were out there two days ago, we decided to see how Toast would be with them. We know he is fine with our big chooks, but these are LITTLE ones that he could easily eat (if he could catch them, that is, LOL).

Anyway, he was fine. Took a look at them, turned around disinterested and jumped up on a chair and fell asleep.

As parents, Andy and I were still nervous and watched him the whole time. Very carefully.

But he was fine.

Yesterday was no different, well actually it was, he wasn't asleep and the babies got alot closer.....

What a good family cat! Now feeling a lot safer about having the babies all out without us being around. The only big problem is the cat next door, but Blah is very good at letting us know when it is around, so I'm sure I could get out there to scare it off in no time at all if there was a problem.

I may start housing them in with the big chooks shortly. Eeek.

Chick update

So it's been over 2 weeks now and my chicks are growing up fast. They are starting to enter that gauky teenage stage, feathers growing, getting taller, large feet, and appetites to be amazed at!
They have stopped being 'so cute', but are still ADORABLE!

I think I've mentioned before how much they love to hang out in the dried up grass clippings under our orange tree. Here, they're all taking some time out for a wee rest. Except for I think Saraie who is checking for any predators before settling down too.

Enjoying the dirt bath.

And a wider look at our back yard. Chicks and Blah rustling around in the foreground while Matt, Dan and their friends enjoy the tramp. Love it.

When they're not under the orange tree, they're cruising around on the grass. They have learnt great foraging skills from Blah and are constantly scratching around for little bugs and things.

Matt discovered a new way to attract the chicks to him. Grab Mum, put her in your lap, and wait patiently. Lange, our most adventurous was quick to take a piggy back on Mum much to Matt and Dan's delight.

I on the other hand went straight for the blatent bribery. Food in my hand. It seems to work a treat. Grin.

And hey, if food isn't forthcoming, they'll try and get some from the vege garden. Here's Saraie (scrunched up) checking out the strawberry patch.
Our babies have been a real treat for all of us. Now we just need to find a bigger coop/house for them to sleep in at night once they are grown up enough to join the others.

1 week old

Well it's been a week since our babies were hatched. What a week. Full of fun, surprises, adventure. I feel incredibly grateful to be going through this journey and sharing it with you guys!

So here is a photo of all our chicks. I must try and get one with them facing the camera. LOL.

Oh wait, I nearly have.....

L-R Fluffyhead, Grace, Lange, Bob, Sarie, Sunshine (Tuffy is under Blah).

Blah was looking around for predators, so they all copied. Too funny.

At night time, I always go and make sure they're tucked up safe and sound. The last few nights they are still peeking out from under Blah and it looks so cute I had to take some pictures.

Can you see the difference between the first and second picture????

Lange is hiding amongst Blah's feathers, on TOP of her! Too funny.

We're going away tomorrow (back Sunday) and have friends looking after them all, I bet they grow heaps between now and then.

4 and 5 days old.

This is Captain Hook when Sage is near. She trusts me and Kaya completely. Doesnt even blink if we are holding her babies and they are peeping but if Sage comes near......

(below) Rose is turning very blue at this point, very cool

and look how long/big their wings are already!

Classic Betty strikes a pose

all 6! Rita the blue leghorn having a drink

I made cheese today and used some of the whey to make porridge for the chicks. They LOVED it. Captain brought them out onto the grass and they had a lovely time

That Rita is a funny thing, she keeps her distance from the others

Betty posing again

I got Sage to sit and watch for a minute...before he rounded them up into the run again

and a wee snooze in the last of the sun before bed. I caught Gus looking fairly pleased with himself returning from around the back, you can imagine how I RAN to do a head count.. They were all there but im going to have to watch closely tomorrow.

3 and 4 days old (Sunday)

A big day for the babies, their first day venturing out of the yard. I shut the ladies out on the driveway and then opened the gate. the Captain was really happy, told the babies to come along and off they went. She kept them quite close to the gate

Here they are having a first scratch in the grass

Quennie's found something interesting. This is so his personality, gets caught up in a dream and forgets to watch where the others are

and our baby Minnie. We know shes 3rd out of the shell but shes so small and always first ready for bed at the end of the day.

Our friends Stella and Ruby came to see our chicks today, the boys LOVE showing them off.

Day 3

Today we learnt a lot more about our chicks.

They have lost their egg tooth. They are starting to get combs. They are starting to get wing feathers. They are more adventurous. They run like crazy. They eat and drink perfectly. They peck at worms, but haven't eaten any more since yesterday. They aren't afraid of our big chooks, and our big chooks are curious, but not aggressive towards them (although Blah did attack one of them for getting a little too close - good Mama). Some of them don't really like being held, and wriggle like crazy.

Here are some photos from today.

This is the chicks playground. As soon as they are 'let out' they head for this tree and play in the dirt and grass clippings under it.

Here you can see the whole 'family' hanging out in the backyard.

One of the biggies coming in a little closer for an inspection.

And making straight for the chicks food. She was gently redirected. Grin.

We often find the water and food being used as the ground.

Just adore how they drink.

This is Sarie. Our Blue Leghorn. When you see her with the others, you can see she has got a much narrower face now. It makes her easier to distinguish. She got 'lost' at one point. Just stood there calling out, looking for everyone else. Was very cute.

I have a question... Blah doesn't seem to talk to them much when they get lost like this. She talks to them when she finds food. But not really for much else.

She also fought one of them for food today. They were foraging as they do, one of them found something to eat, she grabbed it, and they grabbed it back. Was very interesting to watch.

I'm curious if these things are normal? Might have to do some more research.