Day 52 - Silkies Adventure

The silkies are starting their own adventures now in the brooder.  We replaced the bottom with non-slip shelf paper to help Amber with her spraddle leg. She's doing much better. The wrap was removed 28 hours later and she's walking like a pro now!

My father wanted a photo of the babies next to a dollar bill to see how small they actually were. 

Jade asks "Hey, Amethyst.. whatcha think we can buy with this money?"

The chicks make a MESS eating their baby bird formula. It was added to their diet to help them grow strong. Of course they insisted walking in it while eating. Bath time anyone?

Amber isn't sure which way she needs to face - Mom, help?

After a conversation with R2D2, Amber thinks the X-wing is ready to fly now.

Amber, walking like she never had leg problems!

Amethyst taking a ride on the landcruiser.

Amethyst decided she wants to fly an X-Wing instead.

Amethyst - beautiful blue coloring already.

Jade isn't thrilled with picture time.

Jade tries out the landcruiser.

Jade feels much more comfortable flying the X-Wing as well.

Day 50 - Adding to the flock!

Today we decided to adopt 3 two-day old silkies and add them to the flock. Meet Jade, Amethyst, and Amber:

Jade - Amethyst - Amber

Jade and Amethyst - Not sure what to make of all of this...

Tiny Tiny Amethyst

Poor Amber and her Spraddle Leg

The girls checking out the brooder

What do we do now?

Jade

Poor Amber's leg needed to be fixed right away so it could grow properly.

Used a bandaid to hobble her legs

She was almost immediately up and running around.

Day 41 - 6 Weeks Old Today!

6 Weeks Old! It's time to party!

"Yummy! Table scraps! We got Oats and corn and peas!"

"Did you hear something?"

"Mom, I saw something fly overhead!"

"But I'll protect everyone! Right?"

"I'll keep lookout up here"

Opal: "Why does she get to be lookout? I wanna do it!" 

"See.. I can make a scary face too!"

"Think I'm gaining too much weight? Nope, It's just feathers.. hehe"

Love you mom!

Day 34 - Our new hiding place

The ducks refused to use their house, but look who decided to check it out and take a nap in there....

Day 33 - Settling into our new home

The girls quickly settled into their new home.

"Wasn't me. I didn't knock that over!"

Onyx: "Did i hear food?"

"Yay!! Yummies!"

"Gotta scratch up all this new straw"

"I'm finding all sorts of bugs now!"

Ruby: "Hey mom! Whatcha doing?"

See me? I'm a big girl now!

Day 32 - Building the Coop Marathon (Day 3)

Adding the finishing touches to the new coop and run!

Used a hard spring to attach the gate piece so it would open and close easily.

Lifted the water barrel up onto cinder blocks to create gravity pressure.

The boys are digging up a pond for the ducks!

Inner coop and run are finished!

Duck pond is finished!

Added a tarp to the north west corner to keep afternoon sun out.

View of the coop and run from our back porch.

Day 31 - Building the Coop Marathon (Day 2)

Today was one of the hardest days. We started fairly early in the morning and got cracking!

The "inner run" where the coops are located. This is where they will stay over night and during the day while we are at work. Built using dog kennels.

Added the cattle panel up for the "outer run" where they can free range in the evenings and weekends.

Closer view of the cattle panel. Used bolt cutters to create a gate out of the same material. 

It's been a long day, but we got a lot accomplished!

Added hardware cloth along the bottom of the cattle panel to keep the birdies from escaping and to keep critters from entering.

Created a water barrel for easy access in filling the waterer in the mornings.

Onyx checking out the new digs for the first time.

The girls are checking out the new coop as well.

"what's all this stuff? Dirt? Can we play in it?"

"Better stay on high alert! We are outside in the big world now!"

"Hey, I wonder if the grass is greener over there?"

"Oh! We have roomates now!  How ya doing?"

"Found the perfect spot for a nice dustbath... ahhh this feels good!"