April 14, 2006--It always happens that way.  You have the day mapped out with things you have wanted to do for awhile.  The family is together and you get to play hooky just for a day and boom the phone rings first thing in the morning.  You answer it and the voice at the other end says "Your chicks are here." Well all of a sudden plans get shifted very quickly and everyone goes into high gear. 

The wire crate gets pulled out of storage and placed into the house--yes the house.  Pine shavings are laid down about two inches deep and a lamp is hung from the ceiling over the crate all to keep the chicks warm when they arrive.  As the chicks grow, the lamp is hung higher and higher providing less warmth as needed.  A wire gate is put around the crate to protect it.  All of this takes about 15 minutes--especially when other plans have been put aside.  Then we dash into the car and drive 20 minutes north to the feed store.  In the past we have purchased directly from the hatchery, but timing was in our favor (kind of) and we were able to take advantage of "Chick Days" at our local feed store.  So we pick up the 3 day old Araucana chicks.  Immediately after chicks are born they are shipped to their destination so you have this amazing opportunity to watch them grow--and grow they do.  Winnie was given a box at the feed store with pine shavings to transport the chicks and she very carefully transferred each chick into the box.  It was quite touching.   You can also see what is called the "egg tooth" at the tip of their little beaks.  This tooth is used to help the chicks break out of their shells and they loose it a couple of days after they hatch.

Now you might wonder when we already have some 50 odd chickens and 5 roosters what do we need with another 25? Well, chickens have a 48-week high peak laying period.  Mind you the chickens are never fired--this farm does not fire its employees.  They do, however, slow their laying down a bit and so new chickens need to be brought in to help feed the family, neighbors, farmer's market etc.  In addition, 12 of the chicks are going to friends John & Margo in Massachusetts who have caught the fresh egg bug.  But more about that in a future post.

Finally, we are off and the chicks are chirping and way too cute.  With the box on her lap Winnie is comforting them or bothering them or picking them up when all of a sudden....three chicks and much of the pine shavings end up on the floor of the car.  This is not a good thing because the chicks are really fragile at 3 days old.  Happily, the chicks are fine.  Winnie is reminded to mind her charges and we get home with no other excitement.  Rather amazing!

At home the chicks are placed in their new home with fresh water and food--another set of high gear activities.  All is finally calm until the cats and dogs come circling--thus, the reason for the wire gate.  And let's just say that the rabbit is kinda close too.  Though this is not a new scene for the other animals it has become a ritual and part of the normal food chain.  The chicks, however, are safe and moving around.  Their mobility is important because it indicates that they are warm enough.  If they hover under the lamp it means they are cold.

Finally, our unexpected chore is complete and we are ready for our drive--a little worn out, a little energized, but never a dull moment..