Signs of Spring

One of the first signs of spring are baby chicks. I found an early arrival at Wilco Farm. Couldn't decide what to get even after reading an article titled "Pickin' Chickens" from the magazine Hobby Farms - so decided on 2 barred rock, 2 golden sex link, 2 black sex link, 2 Rhode Island red, and 6 Araucana (the ones that lay green eggs) - got extra of those for some friends who wanted only a couple each. Since chicks do better when there are several raised together (helps them keep warm) they are staying together for now. Lost one of the Araucana's the first night, but the rest are thriving, starting to grow feathers - which helps to insulate them - so I can't put them outside until they get them all. For now they are in an old horse trough in the greenhouse under a red heat lamp. Still a bit skittish - to tame them I pick them up every day and pet them and tell them what pretty feathers they have. Today they were introduced to some cracked corn for the first time. It's like candy to a child once they get used to it! Plus regularly give them a pinch of green grass - an introduction to their eventual life as free range chickens.