New diggs

Today Gary built the chicks a new habitat. He spent all day working on it. It is a very sound structure and I am really happy with it!

Our new baby

Our new grandson made his appearance yesterday on the first day of spring. He was delivered by c-section and is healthy and beautiful. His parents are already sleepless but very happy he is here. It stings a little when I think about the people who aren't here celebrating his arrival with me. Granny would eat him up. Paw would steal him and talk jibberish and play with him. I will never have a hallmark moment that I won't think about them. They were the best. There are others who aren't part of this happy time as well. Time we can't get back.
Welcome little Elliott. Your nonnie and paw Kiker wi will try to be as good to you as paw and granny were to your mommie. Those are very big shoes to fill, but we will try. We will love and spoil and cherish you.

Little pullets

Today I took a day off from work. I was in need of a little ME time which I feel makes better WE time. Good day for getting done some things I've put off. I love days like this, especially in the spring. Coming out of winter with a little exuberance.
The chicks are almost double the size they were ten days ago when I bought them. They are eating well. They waste more food than they eat but we don't mind. Gary helps immensely with their care and is enjoying the chicks as much as I am. I try to make sure I hold them daily so they won't be skittish when I try to touch them. They have fully developed wing feathers and can fly short distances. I am considering thinning my adult flock so that we don't have to add on to the coop. Gary will do whatever I want (as usual), but I'm trying not to bring attention to the fact that we have more hens. I think we could re-home two or three of our adult hens and a couple of the chicks and keep around eight or ten. I try to stay objective about it.
We are still waiting for Elliott's arrival. Stacey is happier now that she's at home and can get more rest. John Franklin is walking this week and we are so overdue for a visit! We will go after the baby comes. The kids are good to post video and we face time often but there's nothing like being there!
Baby love and peace to you all!

Sitting on go....

We are expecting a little boy who will be named Elliott in the next few weeks. His mommy, Stacey, has been put on "bed rest". Not to say she has to stay in bed, she just has to rest and not go to work. She is much more comfortable and seems to be more relaxed. I am looking forward to this little guys arrival!

Jared and Charis are doing great. They are closer than ever and they are the happiest they have ever been. They are working hard and it shows. I think they will be next in line with some baby news!

The new chicks are doing well.  They are eating a lot but scattering more than they are eating.  I wasn't counting on getting this many chicks but they are so dang cute! My Black Star hens outside are about two years old now and they look amazing. Considering it is winter and the temps vary from 20 degrees to 70 degrees we have managed to get anywhere from two to five eggs daily.  We have been supplementing light with a brooder light in the coop. We are very happy with the way things have been going this winter.  The hens have grown and look happy and healthy!

Don't count your chickens

I decided I wanted some raise some chicks. Of course Gary let's me do whatever I want so he was on board with the idea immediately. We went to the Davidson County Farmers Co-op which is our favorite spot for all of our pet needs. I really wanted some Barred Plymouth Rock chicks and Buff Orpingtons. They were almost out of chicks so all we got was four Rhode Island Reds. We brought them home and Gary got the idea to go to the Rutherford County Co-op. We were able to get three Barred Rocks and three Buff Orpingtons. We came home with these little babies and put together our cardboard brooder and placed our brooder light on it. Gary fabricated a nice lid made of wood and chicken wire to keep Tux out of trouble. It all works great! The chicks are moving about like they are happy and they are eating and pooping up a storm! I got more chicks than I need in case of loss but my guess is I will have to re-home some of them. I just love babies!