New digs

Our two-year-old is already on the job documenting the chicks' new space. They were starting to get crabby with each other, flying and squawking, so we decided to extend their living quarters. We'd been using half of our dog's old training crate, so we brought the other half in, and Dave put up a nice little bridge between the two. The chicks were hesitant at first, but our friendly
and curious Buff Orpingtons led the way, peering through the bars to see us, checking out the new space. Their old water bowl was constantly full of the wood pellets we use for bedding, so I got them one that would be less likely to get clogged, as well as needing fewer changes.
Because of the new layout, we now have a much better view of the chickens, and they have a better view of us. Since I don't have to pick anybody up, I'm over my slight revulsion and back to thinking they're kind of cute. All of the birds' feathers are coming in and looking lovely. As you can see, most of the photos are of the Buffs. The Rhode Islands are much shyer and will go hide in the corner when I take the lid off for photographing.

I also added a pile of pine shavings for the birds to take dust baths in, and they got right to it. They are so calm now that they have extra space. They putter around, lie down in little nests they make, stretch and preen, and generally seem happy.

There is someone else in our household who is very, very interested in the chicks' development:Any time we open the door, she's right there with us, whining, wagging her tail and licking her chops. Our lab ignores the birds, our cat ignores the birds, but the border collie is obsessed. As is usual. Her way is to be very annoying with anything new, constantly following and bothering it, and then her curiosity is finally satiated and she can coexist peacefully. I hope this will be the case with the chickens.

The chicks are three weeks old now, and we are having more fun with them than ever. I had been hesitant about adding more members to our busy household, but this is more entertaining than TV ever was!