The baby chicks are only 18 days old, but man oh man they have really grown.  They are definitely ready for a bigger pen to live in. They are all roosting at night and I feed them 3 or 4 times a day.  I made a larger outdoor playpen for them to go in when the temperature is high enough during the day.  They love to do little fights from side to the other.  One little girl is much bigger then the others she is a Speckled Sussex.  She will grow to be about 8 pounds, the average weight for most breeds is 6-7 pounds. The Aracaunas have started to get puffier feathers on their cheeks, a characteristic of their breed, which is actually called ‘ear tufts’.  Someone in the group is a bit of a bully, flying up and jumping on a few of the others, I haven’t been able to figure out which one it is because it only happens when my back is turned!  Just like a Preschool Play group!!

As they are getting older and developing their little personality quirks, I have started thinking of names.  I’m thinking of naming each one after a flower.  Cute idea or not?  What do you think??

Here is a photo journal of their growth, I placed them back in the box I brought them home in to give you a point of reference.

Two Days Old!

Eight Days Old

17 Days Old

There are three on the bottom that you can’t see!  EEK!

This will obviously be the last time I will be able to get them in this box.

Tagged as: Animals, Araucana, Baby Chicks, Backyard Chickens, chickens, ear tufts, Healthy Living, Keeping Chickens, nature, Raising Chickens, Speckled Sussex, Urban Farming