Chicks No More!

    I realized that I haven't updated about the chicks lately. Well, they're hardly chicks anymore! They have grown so much - it's amazing. The Easter Eggers are just beautiful. There is one that is a blue color with red on the wings, and Speckles is now speckled almost all over. The others are very pretty, also. The Buffs in particular are feathering out nicely, and are so rich in color and soft looking. We did lose one of the Black Australorps, unfortunately. I won't go into detail here, but he/she had to be put down. It was the first time I've had to make the decision that it would be best to put down an animal. It wasn't easy, but I am confident that we did the right thing. Death is something that has to be dealt with when you homestead.
    The other eleven chicks are thriving! They quickly outgrew their box in the bathroom, and have now outgrown their above-ground hutch, their fan, and their heat lamp. We are in the process of building them a portable ground coop. It is an A-frame structure designed to be moved every week or two in order to give them fresh grass and bugs. All that is left for it is to attach wire, tin, and a door. Once they outgrow it, they will be moved to the adult layer's pen. The A-frame will be used later on as a brooder for meat birds. Once the construction is complete and the chicks are moved, I will post pictures! 
    In the mean time, enjoy a few pictures from the Tennessee State Fair! Would you believe we spent four hours there?

-Rach in Wonderland